by Don Barker | Nov 17, 2019 | Farms, Town
The Times-Record reported last week that the old Southern States building in Denton was demolished in a controlled burn carried out by the Denton VFD. The vacant and dilapidated building was burned because the town determined that it was a safety hazard. The VFD also...
by Don Barker | Dec 26, 2018 | 20th Century, Colonial Era, Highways and Byways, Town
It’s a bit of a stretch to call Reliance a town. Officially, it’s an unincorporated community. It’s a place that straddles two states and three counties – Caroline and Dorchester counties in Maryland, and Sussex county in Delaware. But in its heyday,...
by Don Barker | Jun 15, 2017 | Farms, Heritage Preservation, Town
A century before Ridgely, there was Boonsboro. During 1800-1850, Boonsboro was a thriving crossroads village with a church, school, wheelwright shop, and homes. Its leading citizens were the descendants of John Boon, who acquired large landholdings nearby in the late...
by Don Barker | Feb 27, 2017 | 20th Century, Black History, Everyday Citizens, Town
In West Denton … there were two blacksmith Shops serving the farmers and residents of the area. One was operated by a Negro named Walter Moore … I doubt if any kingdom ever fell because Walter’s nails came loose. [Excerpt from Bridges...
by Don Barker | Mar 1, 2016 | Everyday Citizens, Town
A survey of the Denton Journal 1870-1960 shows that blacksmithing peaked in Caroline County around 1895 then declined rapidly soon after. This map shows the locations of blacksmith shops that were marked on county maps in 1875 and 1897. Zoom the map to find...