History

One of Maryland's and the Mid-Atlantic's most historic tracts of land, Elk Landing, is the location of Cecil County's most important heritage.

Situated at the confluence of the Little Elk and Big Elk Creeks, this site is on the area's earliest transportation corridor and played a role in many significant historical events:

-The Swedes and Finns established an early trading post at this location, which they called Sahakitko.
-Zebulon Hollingsworth, in the early part of the 18th Century, acquired two parcels of land creating the site known as Elk Landing.
-British troops numbering 15,000 to 18,000 passed through the area in August, 1777 on their way north to capture the American capitol in Philadelphia.

The British returned on April 29, 1813 but Elkton was saved from burning by defense from Forts Hollingsworth and Defiance in the War of 1812. In the early 19th Century it was a port harboring boats loaded with Cecil flour, iron, nails, wood, pork and lumber departing for Baltimore and returning with coal, molasses, coffee and whiskey.

In 1887, Henry Deibert started constructing canal boats at Elk Landing which were launched sideways into the Little Elk Creek. This stone building at Elk Landing was originally constructed as a dwelling, and later became a tavern. Photo circa 1930.

See our timeline for additional detail about Elk Landing between 1600 and the present time.

Click to view the 2010 Press Releases