History Timeline for the North Sassafras Parish and Cecil County, Maryland

1580(?) - 1632 - George Calvert, First Lord of Baltimore. Petitioned for grant of land north of the Potomac.

1600 - The land now known as Cecil County was first occupied by Native Americans such as the Massawomeks (Mohawks), the Tockwoghs, the Susquehannocks and the Shawnese. The Tockwogh Indians lived along the shores of the Sassafras River, which was originally called Toghwogh by the Indians because they made bread from the sassafras root, probably found along the river's shores.

1606 - Instructions for the Virginia Colony

1608 - The first white man to set foot on the soil of what is now Cecil County was the famous Captain John Smith of the Virginia Colony. In the summer of 1608 he started an expedition from Jamestown, Virginia. He came up the Chesapeake Bay with twelve men in a small boat and partially explored the Sassafras, Elk, North East and Susquehanna Rivers.

1612 - John Smith: The Proceedings of the English Colony in Virginia

1620-1691 - Archives and Analysis of Plymouth Colony

Captain Smith encountered the Susquehannock Indians while exploring the Susquehanna River. They had possession of the land between the North East and Susquehanna rivers whose waters were abundant with fish. Smith described them as the largest men he had ever seen, as if they were giants with big voices. They wore skins of bears and wolves. Heads and claws remained on the skins as they were slipped over the Indian’s heads, adding to their larger than life appearance. The Indians met the white men with gifts of skins, bows, arrows, beads, and tobacco pipes. They were friendly with the white men, but could be a powerful force in war. The Susquehannocks were part of the Iroquois Nation of Indians, who considered themselves the most advanced on the east coast, and militarily strong. They frequently absorbed surrounding tribes in territorial wars.

Though Cecil County was not established by Lord Baltimore and his colonists until 1674, a small settlement came prior to that time. Historians agree that the first settlement of the English within what is now Cecil County, was upon Palmer's Island (now called Watson's Island), near the mouth of the Susquehanna River. In 1633, twenty five years after John Smith sailed the tributaries of the Upper Chesapeake Bay, Englishman William Clayborne opened a trading post on Palmers Island at the mouth of the Susquehanna. He traded beavers and furs with the Susquehannocks, and sold them to the French in Canada. A small settlement and a plantation surrounded the first white man’s post in the area. Letters of John Pory, secretary of the Virginia Company, tell of this place "where we left settled very happily nearly a hundred Englishment with hope of a good trade in furs." The island was called Palmer's Island (as early as 1652) after Edward Palmer, nephew of Sir Thomas Overbury.

1632 - On June 20 Cecilius Calvert (1606 - 1675) (for whom the County was named), second Lord of Baltimore, receives from King Charles I of England, the province of Maryland which is carved from Virginia. He ruled the land called Maryland, after his father, The First Lord Baltimore, died.

Many of the people who settled in Maryland received grants of land from the King through Lord Baltimore. This was one means used to encourage settlers to come to the colony. A man who could afford to bring only himself and his wife received a small farm. Those well-to-do received larger grants. Passano tells us "Thus one of the early laws passed on to the colony said that a manor should be granted to any one who could bring with him from England twenty able-bodied men, each armed with a musket, a sword and a belt, a bandelier and flask, ten pounds of powder, and forty pounds of bullets and shots." Many grants contained one thousand acres, and a few as much as twenty thousand acres. The large land grants were called manors. Each farm, estate and manor had to pay a small sum annually as rent to the king through Lord Baltimore.

Augustine Herman was one of Cecil’s first land owners. Herman offered his masterful map making skills to create a map of Maryland, and in exchange received a large tract of land that spread out from the Bohemia River.

1635 - Maryland's first General Assembly meets and passes laws which guide Calvert's rule.

1638 - The Swedes have formed a colony on the west bank of the Delaware River where Wilmington now stands.

1650 - The property where "Woodlawn" stands was originally surveyed for Godfrey Harmon. That part of Harmon's property included 600 acres originally called "Spry's Hill".

1652 - Susquehannock Indians ceded most of County to English.

1655 - Minquas (Susquehanna) Native Americans presents Governor John Claudius Rising of New Sweden with land called Chakakitque at the fork of the Elk River and other lands in exchange for the promise the Swedes would establish a trading post at what is today Elk Landing.

1660 - Augustine Herman granted Letters of Denization.

1660 - Essex Lodge was patented by William Brokes. Upon his death it passed to his daughter Susannah, who married Edward Veazey after the death of her first husband.

1662 - Augustine Herman first granted land on Bohemia Manor.

1669 - Augustine Herman and family naturalized in Maryland.

1670 - "Frisby's Addition" granted to James Frisby. This is one of several grants which made up the property, "Frisby's Delight", also known as "The Rich Neck." It is situated five miles down the Grove Neck road at the mouth of the Sassafras River. The house is on a high bluff overlooking the river and the Chesapeake Bay.

1671 - William Ward had "Rattlesnake Neck", 100 acres, located at the head of Back Creek, surveyed for him on June 16th.

1674 - Land was patented to John Ward. Greenfields manor house was probably built on this land between 1740 and 1760 and the Ward family occupied it for at least 100 years. It was a fox hunting center in the county, a favorite sport of the early settlers.

1674 - Because of his masterful map making skills, Augustine Hermen was considered an important man, and it was Herman who was able to convince Governor Charles Calvert to divide Cecil County out of Baltimore County. In 1674 Augustine Herman’s wish was granted, and by proclamation, the boundaries for Maryland's tenth county, Cecil, was established and named in honor of Cecilius Calvert. The first courthouse was located on the Sassafras River.

During the century between the establishment of the County and the Revolutionary War, Cecil developed into a bustling yet rural region at the head of the Chesapeake Bay. The main exports at the time were skins, tobacco, and other agricultural products. The County consisted primarily of plantations, farms, mills, villages or towns, and water ports. At one point it is said that because farming was so important to the economy, the destructive nature of squirrels and crows became a genuine problem. Legislators put a price on the creature’s heads in order to eliminate the overabundance of them. Money was scarce and not available for bounty, but citizens were allowed to pay their taxes with squirrels and crows.

abt. 1678 - Henry Ward married Anna Margaretta Hermen, daughter of Augustine Hermen.

1683 - William Ward was Commissioner to lay off towns in Cecil Co.

1683 - The earliest part of "Rose Hill" was built by Thomas Marsh in 1683.

1684 - Ephraim Hermans, the son of Augustine Herman promised the Labadists land should they settle in Bohemia Manor. Augustine and his son signed an agreement with Sluyter, Dankers, John Moll, a judge from New Castle , Arnoldus de la Grange, and Peter Bayard from New York. Augustine Herman sold 3750 acres of land to the Labadists.

1684 - Augustine Herman wrote his last will and testament.

1687 - John Veasey acquired a large tract of land in Cecil County which was later called Veasey's Neck.

1690 - As a result of the revolution of 1686 and 1688 King William III deprived Lord Baltimore of his rights and powers and privileges as a ruler in Maryland and sent a Royal Governor.

1692 - In 1692 the Act dividing the Province of Maryland into thirty parishes was passed and William Ward was one of the Justices and Commissioners who divided Cecil County into the parish of North Sassafras (for North Sassafras, Bohemia and Elk Hundreds) on Saint Stephens and South Sassafras (for Worton and South Sasafras) on Shrewsbury.

1692 - Casparus Hermen built the first Court House of Cecil County at Ordinary Point.

1693 - First meeting of the North Sassafras vestry was held in the Court House at Ordinary Point on January 10th.

1694 - Ward's Knowledge was granted to John Ward on March 10th.

1695 - On Feb. 10, 1695, he sold to the Vestry 100 acres of the tract "North Level" which he had patented Oct. 1, 1681, and on March 25, 1697 he sold the remainder of the tract, 200 acres, to the Vestry. This is the glebe of St. Stephens Church and is one of the fine farms of the neighborhood.

1697 - Rev. Richard Sewell appointed rector at North Sassafras.

1698 - The Vestry decided to erect a suitable building for worship. Colonel Casparus Augustine Hermen, a vestryman, agreed to build the structure for 14,000 pounds of tobacco. Later, he asked for an extension of time because one of his sloops, carrying the building materials, had sunk in the river. He died before construction was begun, and his widow asked to be released from the contract.

1699 - Matthias Hendrickson agreed to build the church.

1699 The capitol of Maryland is moved from St. Mary's to Annapolis.

1703 - St. Stephen's Church was ready for use, but not completed.

The Reverend Richard Sewell was sent by the Bishop of London, and appointed by Governor Nicholson to serve as the rector of both parishes. The Bishop also sent a Church Bible and a Book of Common Prayer. Both of these are still carefully preserved.

1706 - St. Stephen's Episcopal Church at Earleville dedicated. The dedication service was conducted by the Reverend Mr. Sewell.

1707 - Lord Baltimore retained his rights as a Landlord of all Maryland and in 1707 and 1708 a rent roll was made of every tract surveyed and patented to settlers. This was the highest title of freehold a settler could usually have, with the exception of a few manors, and every tract paid rent to Lord Baltimore of from four to five shillings for each hundred acres every year.

1707 - At the time the Rent Roll was made, three of the Ward family had been long resident in Cecil County. These were William, Henry and John Ward, besides a Miss Ward who is said to have been the second wife of Augustine Herman of Bohemia Manor. The relationship of these persons to each other has not been definitely proven but it is supposed that they were near relatives.

1707 - The St. Stephen's cemetery was enclosed, and suitable entrance gates were erected.

1730 Baltimore Town is founded on 60 acres bought by Charles and Daniel Carroll. Growth was initially very slow as there is little inward expansion for the Chesapeake Bay afforded a great highway for travel. Nearly every plantation lays along the water and is accessible by a wharf or landing, and the principal crop is tobacco. It is packed in large barrels called hogsheads, rolled to the wharf and shipped to England.

1731 - The Reverend Hugh Jones was appointed rector of St. Stephen's Church by Governor Leonard Calvert.

1732 - A new St. Stephen's Church building was erected.

1733 - George Read, Declaration signer, born in Charlestown.

1736 - St. Stephen's Church received a Communion plate, consisting of silver flagon, chalice and paten, from England. The cost of the silver was 19 pounds, 25 shillings, 5 pence.

As land in Maryland and Virginia was claimed settlers began to look for new frontiers. North Carolina was more easily accessible along the Indian Trading Path (from Pennsylvania and Maryland southwest through Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina and into Georgia) than along its' treacherous coast. The path which originally was only suitable for foot travel passed through the Knap of Reeds Community in what is now Granville County. Early settlers came by means of horse and pack mules, often with 15 to 20 animals each carrying 150 to 200 pounds. Historians do not believe the Indian Path was suitable for covered wagons, but it is possible that some may have used carts pulled by oxen to transport their possessions to the frontier. The trail was probably improved to allow wagon travel and by the mid 1700s Granville territory was becoming settled.

• Map of the paths and towns of old North Carolina
• Early roads and trails to North Carolina.

It appears that three Veazey brothers left Maryland and settled in the newly opened Granville County territory. It seems that William Ward and Herman Husbands appeared on Sandy Creek in Orange Co NC at about the same time and have not found any evidence that either one came with a wife. We have never found their marriage records. Both had been married and apparently came with children.[note - information from Dennis E. Ward]

1760 - The Reverend Hugh Jones died at the age of 90. He had been rector of St. Stephen's Church for nearly 30 years, and was succeeded by his nephew, William Barroll, who served for 18 years.

1767 - Mason and Dixon completed their bourntory line survey.

1774 - Thomas Ward Veasey was born at Cherry Grove on January 31st.. He later served as Governor of Maryland from 1836 to 1839.

1775 - Colonel John Veazey becomes the commandant of the county.

1776 The Declaration of Independence is signed in Philadelphia.
First Maryland troops pass through Head of Elk en route to action in New York.

Revolutionary War By 1776 Cecil realized a need to arm local militia of the County. War with Britain was inevitable, and the Bohemia, Susquehanna, and Elk Battalions were formed. They didn’t know at that time how outnumbered they’d be when the Kings troops arrived. Because of Cecil County’s location, it became a very important place to the English Navy. On a hot stormy day, August 27th in the year 1777, three hundred ships with over 15,000 British soldiers, commanded by General Howe, landed on the shores of the Elk River. They marched to Elkton and made camp. There were more soldiers than citizens in the entire county. In anticipation of the enemy’s arrival, people hid their horses, cattle, and valuables in the woods, so that the soldiers couldn’t take them. On August 25th, prior to the landing of the British, General George Washington traveled through pouring rain to reach Delaware and then Cecil County. He came to observe their situation, knowing that the British were sailing up the Chesapeake Bay. Washington stayed at Head of Elk in a hotel owned by Jacob Hollingsworth. On August 27th, General Howe slept in the same room and was waited on by the same servant who waited on Washington just two days prior. The British stayed in the County for a few days, planning strategy, stocking up on supplies, and waiting for the storm to pass. When they marched onward, it was to Brandywine and Philadelphia in Pennsylvania. No battles took place on Cecil ground that August of 1777, but it was a time that Cecil Countians will never forget.

1776 - Capt. Edward Veazey killed at Long Island battle.

1777 On August 24 at 4:00 AM Colonel Henry Hollingsworth, Deputy Quartermaster General, writes an urgent letter to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia warning them of the arrival of the British Naval forces at Turkey Point on the Elk River. He believes their landing is imminent.

1777 On August 25 British invaders under General Howe begin disembarking from about 250 vessels which have sailed up the Chesapeake Bay. About 15,000 to 18,000 British troops pass through en route to capture the capitol in Philadelphia.

1778 February 16, General George Washington at Valley Forge writes Colonel Henry Hollingsworth, "I am under the painful necessity of informing you, that the situation of the Army is most critical and alarming for want of Provision, especially of the Meat kind. The Troops have not had supplies of the latter for four days and many of them have been much longer without. I have sent Captn, Lee to forward from the Head of Elk and Dover, all of the provision, that may be at either of those places . . ."

1781 April 6 orders from General Washington command General Lafayette and a force at Elk Landing to march south to join with General Nathanael Greene for action against Benedict Arnold in Virginia.

1781 On September 6 at Elk Landing a jubilant General George Washington, who is leading his army to Yorktown, reports that, " It is with the highest pleasure and satisfaction that the Commander-in-chief announces to the Army the arrival of Count De Grass in the Chesapeak, with a very favourable naval and Land force."

1781 A Private in Washington's army, Joseph Plumb Martin, is leaving Newport, Delaware on continuing a southward march that began on August 19 and writes, " We then crossed over land to the head of the Elk, or the head, or rather bottom, of Chesapeake Bay. Here we found a large fleet of small vessels waiting to covey us and other troops, stores, etc. down the bay. We soon embarked . . . [and] passed down the bay, making a grand appearance with our mosquito fleet . . ."

1781 Troops under the command of French Count Rochambeau join Washington at the Elk Landing, however, there are not enough ships to board, so they continue their march to Baltimore and Annapolis where additional vessels are to be found.

1781 On this movement of the troops southward, William Clajon writes, "General Washington and the army are gone to take Lord Cornwallis in his mouse-trap."

1781 - October 19, General Washington, aided by the French Navy and land forces under Count Rochambeau, defeat Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown effectively ending the Revolutionary War.

1783 - September 3, the peace treaty for the Revolutionary War is signed in Paris by Great Britain and on behalf of the United States, Benjamin Franklin, John Jay and John Adams.

1783 - December 23, Commander-in-Chief George Washington resigns his commission at the state house in Annapolis.

1786 - Shortly after the Revolutionary War, in November 1786, Head of Elk became the seat of Cecil County's government.

1787 - The Head of Elk is incorporated and the town now called Elkton.

1788 Henry Hollingsworth along with Joseph Gilpen, Samuel Evans and James Gordon Hern represent Cecil County to ratify the Constitution during the Maryland Convention in Annapolis of April 12 to 29.

1800 - Around this time granite filled barges sink in Big Elk Creek causing sand bars to form severely limiting the water draught. No longer can ship drawing 8 to 9 feet of water move up to the creek to the Town of Elkton.

1810 - About this time Elk Landing becomes the principal port to move, "flour, whiskey, lumber, grain, and goods of all descriptions." A new road to the port at Christiana, Delaware facilitates transportation by wagon and stage.

1812 - War is declared with Great Britain.

War of 1812: Less than one year after President James Madison persuaded Congress to declare War on Great Britain, British Admiral Sir George Cockburn blockaded the Chesapeake Bay and sailed up the Elk River with a large squadron of sailors. It was April 1813. American militia greeted them at Welch Point on the Elk River with musket fire, but had no cannon. They could only harass the enemy. The English sailed to Frenchtown, a traveler’s port, and an important shipping point for supplies. Cockburn’s men destroyed it. They sailed on to Elkton, the County Seat, but met with resistance from Fort Defiance. They also met with quick thinking citizens who put a barrier across the water at Head of Elk. Despite repeated effort, ships could not get past it and close to the town. So they sailed back up the Elk River and charted a course for Havre de Grace where they burned 50 of the 60 homes, and plundered citizen’s belongings. Next, they sailed up the Sassafras River, capturing a small vessel carrying two Americans. They were dispatched by the British to spread a warning to Fredericktown and Georgetown, on opposite shores of the river. If the British met with no resistance, civilians and their property would be spared. They would only burn public buildings and vessels. The warning was ignored, and thus the enemy attacked with full force, burning and pillaging to their content. They considered attacking Port Deposit, but were told by a prisoner that the town had militia that could put a bullet in an eye at a distance of 100 yards. Instead, they sailed to Principio Furnace, a primary manufacturer of cannons in the United States, located between Perryville and Charlestown. The cannons were considered highly reliable and accurate. Cockburn’s men burned the plant, and destroyed finished weapons that were about to be shipped to American troops. The British navy had more soldiers and fire power than Cecil. The County suffered at the hands of British during the War of 1812, but the County Seat was protected by its citizens.

One of the first steamboats frequenting the waters of the Chesapeake Bay was The Eagle. It was built in Philadelphia in 1813 and began serving Head of Elk (Elkton) in 1815. Travelers could board the ship in Baltimore any Tuesday, Thursday or Sunday at 4pm, bound for Cecil County. Passengers then took a stage coach from Elkton to Wilmington, Delaware, where they could board another ship that carried them on to Philadelphia.

1813 On April 29 a group of British marines attack and burn Frenchtown. An attempt is made on Elkton, but defenses at Fort Hollingsworth located at Elk Landing and nearby Fort Defiance hold. The British move their forces down the Bay, and in early May burn Havre de Grace followed by destructions at Fredericktown and Georgetown.

1814 Mary Pickersville sews the stars on the flag which will fly over Ft. McHenry and inspires Francis Scott Key to write the words to the national anthem when the British fail to take the fort and Baltimore, the war comes to an end.

1815 - Steamboat service begins at Elkton with a shallow draught vessel specifically designed for inland creeks and waterways.

1818 - The New Castle & Frenchtown Turnpike opens. With this improved road the port of Frenchtown becomes a more significant competitor to Elk Landing for moving good and people north and south.

1824 - Repairs to St. Stephen's Church were completed as a cost of $1200. The building was consecrated and used for almost 50 years.

In 1824 a project proposed by Augustine Herman in the 1600s finally began. 2,600 workers were hired to dig a ditch along a marshy strip of land between the Elk River and Delaware Bay to create a shipping canal. Laborers were paid 75 cents per day to pick, shovel, and drag mud out of the canal bed and up 90 foot summits. It took years of hard labor to complete the project. The 14 mile long, 10 foot deep, and 66 foot wide canal opened for business in 1829. Toll takers charged ships for the opportunity to save nearly 300 sailing miles. Mules pulled the ships through the canal and the mule owners made money as well – 25 cents per load.

Over the years the canal was widened and deepened, its locks were removed, and it was purchased by the Federal Government. Today, the 14 mile long canal is 35 feet deep and 450 feet wide. It’s the busiest canal in the nation with the passage of 15,000 vessels per year from ports around the globe. Vessels vary from small pleasure craft to 900 foot ships, and visitors and locals alike, never miss an opportunity to watch the huge vessels slip beneath the town’s majestic bridge. The C&D Canal Museum, adjacent to Chesapeake City, is housed in the old canal pump house and is open to the public, free of charge.

1829 The Chesapeake & Delaware Canal opens. This provides an all water route between the cities of Baltimore and Philadelphia. By 1844 there is regular passenger service. In the long term this route will siphon off passengers and freight that was previously enjoyed by both Elk Landing and Frenchtown.

1831 The New Castle & Frenchtown Railroad opens making the connection between the two ports faster and cheaper further eroding the competitiveness of Elk Landing.

In 1831 the New Castle and Frenchtown Railroad, linking Cecil County to Delaware was one of the first in the Country. It connected industry to canals and ports. It was initially created to protect trade routes from increased competition. At first, the engines were pulled by horses, but by 1833 steam locomotives began to chug their way along tracks, and soon Elkton got rail service. Within 30 years the entire County was covered with rail tracks heading in various directions, to carry passengers and goods to depots in far away places.

1834 - St. Stephen's was the scene of the first ordination of a Negro to take place south of the Mason-Dixon Line. The Reverend William Douglas, the fifth Negro to receive Anglican Orders in America, was made a deacon at St. Stephen's on June 22nd, receiving ordination at the hands of the Right Reverend William Murray Stone, third Bishop of Maryland.

1837 The Philadelphia, Wilmington & Baltimore Railroad passes through Elkton putting additional economic pressure on water routes such as Elk Landing.

1855 - Miss Catherine Knight died at Georgetown, aged 79.

The Civil War - A Border County In A Border State:
Though citizens of Cecil County did not have to endure battles on their soil, the County was touched by the Civil War. Maryland was a border state, with some supporting the Union forces, and others sympathizing with the Confederacy. Cecil County was much the same with vastly divided loyalties.

On April 19th in the year 1861, Union soldiers arrived in Baltimore, and were met by angry Confederate sympathizers. A riot ensued, with citizens attacking soldiers and tearing away pieces of train track. By the time the sun set on the tumultuous city that day, the final blows had not yet been felt. Under the cover of darkness the rail lines were burned and destroyed. Union forces seized a ferry to transport its forces to Annapolis. Vessels were dispatched from ports north to the shores of the Susquehanna River to serve as transport vessels. And as gunfire rang out to the south, Cecil County’s Perryville became a critical staging area for Union soldiers and supplies. It was the furthest point south the northern army dared go by train. A camp remained at the location for sometime, thrusting the riverside town of Perryville into the history books.

In 1790 there were 3400 slaves in Cecil, which was a significant number. By 1850 that number dropped to 800. When the Civil War was over, the remaining slave owners had no choice but to free those who remained as slaves. For those landowners, the impact of the Civil War was great. For others, the divided loyalties of the region, and the losses that both sides sustained, left bitterness lingering in Cecil County for many years.

1870 - It was decided to enlarge St. Stephen's Church, retaining the old walls. Additions were made at both ends, and the present windows installed.

1872 Citizens of Elkton petition the Federal Government to improve the channel between Elkton and Frenchtown.

1874 - The new St. Stephen's Church building was consecrated and the practice of renting pews was abolished.

1893 - A special service to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the establishment of St. Stephen's Church was held on May 25th. A copy of the program with the complete text of the addresses and names of the Vestry, is among the archives of the Parish. Since that time, Memorial Services have been held annually in May.

It was April in Elkton in the year 1900 and spring was in the air. Horses and riders enjoyed a warm spring breeze. Wagons laden with newly purchased goods lined the streets. Birds chirped. But then the air was filled with an unnerving sound. And WHAT was that SMELL?! The first to see it was a horse who took off in fright, taking his rider with him! The frightening object was the first horse-less carriage in Cecil County…an automobile, that would forever change the face of the community. Though the new invention took some getting used to, the automobile brought positive change to Cecil County. By 1901 the first vehicle was used by the Rising Sun Post Office to deliver mail to rural areas. Before that time, mail waited at the post office, often for long periods, to be picked up by the recipient. Motorized fire engines significantly cut down the response time for arriving at a fire scene. Delivery vehicles could traverse a route much more quickly, allowing more customers to be served. In 1929 Elkton purchased its first patrol car, setting the stage for a new era in law enforcement in the County. The changes brought about by the smelly, noisy contraption were exciting and endless.

1908 – 1St hospital in the County opened it’s doors under the name Union Hospital.

1910 - The worst of the ice gorges in Port Deposit’s history ripped through the town. The ice slammed into structures and houses on Main Street, severely damaging many. A number of residents had to be rescued from second story windows, by brave souls on sturdy boats.

1920 – For the first time women in Cecil County and across the United States had the right to vote. In this year, 1000 Cecil County women registered.

1923 - Charlestown, on the North East River became a popular summer get-away. Vacationers came to stay in cottages along the shoreline.

1928 - Conowingo Dam began commercial operation. By harnessing the power of the Susquehanna River they produced electricity. As the last of the big gates closed to collect the water behind the dam, spectators watched as the water formed a 9000 acre lake, spreading across land and over rooftops of a village of 30 – 40 buildings called Conowingo. The village remained submerged forever.

1941 – A modern highway was built between Baltimore and Delaware, running right through Cecil County. Route 40 quickly became a popular transportation route.

1963 - President Kennedy cut the ribbon on the impressive new road called Interstate 95. It was the area’s first expressway, and the area’s last visit from the President. John F. Kennedy was assassinated 8 days later.

1968 - Cecil Community College was established, and opened its doors to the 107 students enrolled.

1976 - The Town of Elkton had a ribbon cutting and ground breaking ceremony at the sight of the 1st major shopping center in the County. Soon others popped up along heavily traveled roads in the county, taking business away from downtown Main Streets.

1987 - The first Bed and Breakfast Inn opened in the County, ushering in an era of increased tourism. Little by little, more attention was given to the tourism industry and its economic benefit. The Inn At The Canal, located in Chesapeake City opened its doors to weary travelers who wanted an overnight experience which differed from a stay in a motel.

1989 - Cecil County’s newspaper – The Cecil Whig - became a daily. Prior to that time the closest dailies were out of Wilmington, Delaware, and Baltimore, Maryland.

1991 - Passenger train service returned to Cecil County. For years trains merely passed through, but the historic train station in Perryville re-opened, offering train service to points south.

CECIL COUNTY HISTORICAL MAP
On October 27, 2000 a map with over 90 historical sites in Cecil County, Maryland was unveiled at the Cecil Community College. The project was conceived by students enrolled in "Cecil County: An Intro to Its Past" from the Division of Continuing Education at Cecil Community College. The map was a collaboration between the watercolor illustrations of Geraldine McKeown and the cartography of Pamela Goffinet of Rising Sun. The map measures 28"x33" and the cost is $35. It is available through the Cecil Community College by contacting Polly Binns at 410-287-1028 or pbinns@ed.cecil.cc.md.us. You may also purchase it at Fair Hill Antiques in Fair Hill.