The Caroline County Historical Society
We mourn the loss of our long-time President, JOK Walsh.
Read about JOK’s life and legacy here.
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Hear Our Stories
Leaders for Freedom & Civil Rights
Bishop Alexander W. Wayman, founding AME Bishop, was raised in Tuckahoe Neck. Underground Railroad conductors Daniel Hubbard and Arthur Leverton barely escaped lynching. The parents of William Still, “Father of the Underground Railroad”, were born into slavery near the Choptank River. James H. Webb, a free black, farmed here before the Civil War.
Courageous & Creative Women
Nettie Dean Carter, prominent teacher, suffragette, and businesswoman – a century ahead of her time. Enolia McMillan, NAACP’s first woman president, started her teaching career in Denton. Harriet Tubman’s Underground Railroad ran through the heart of Caroline County. Anna Murray of Tuckahoe Neck helped Frederick Douglass escape north before they married and raised a family.
War Heroes
Capt. Quentin Walsh, USCG, captured the French seaport that secured D-Day. 2LT Louise Hollister was Maryland’s only Army Nurse casualty in WWII. Col. Peter Adams commanded Maryland troops at Yorktown. Col. William Richardson, “Father of Caroline County”, also saved the Continental Treasury from the British. Cpl. William H. Carney, 38th US Colored Troops, was laid to rest at Union Church after the Civil War.
Everyday Citizens
Captain C.C. Wheeler was illiterate yet built and operated a successful steamboat line. George Swartz and his mule loaded sailing vessels in West Denton in the 1930s. The Two Johns were vaudeville actors whose riverside theater scandalized the locals. Georgist Tax Rebels planned a colony at Gilpin Point. Robert Jacobs was a modern blacksmith at age 14.
Historic Buildings Preservation
Gadow Dwelling (c. 1851) Being Restored
Despite living his life in the local Long Depression (1819-1895), Jesse Hubbard (c. 1811-1879) was determined to erect for his wife and nine children a fine house in the Greek Revival style of architecture, a style then prevalent in the Deep South and other prosperous...
Rebecca Tylor Dwelling (c. 1810) Rescued
Despite being a widow with seven children, Rebecca Tylor (1823–1884) was indomitable in addressing local ills: She educated free and enslaved blacks, sought fair treatment for county “Poor House” inmates, demanded equal rights for women, advocated prohibition, took in...
1927 Firehouse Being Exposed and Repurposed
The 1927 Denton Firehouse was the epitome of the bygone era of a true "community project". This photo c. 1927 shows original truck doors to be reinstalled and façade to be restored. The original was doubled in size by an addition in 1954. In the 1970’s, when a new...
The Historic Landscape of Caroline County
Miscellaneous Commercial Enterprises
The Historic Landscape of Caroline CountyIn addition to general stores, shops, markets, and other mercantile establishments, we identified these miscellaneous enterprises in the Choptank River Heritage area: Banks Creameries Fish Hatcheries Fisheries Foundries Hotels...
Isler 1875 Map of Caroline County
We give you two ways to explore the 1875 John B. Isler map of Caroline County and compare it to the modern landscape:Spyglass ViewSwipe ViewIn each of these maps, click the icon in the upper left:Do you like what you're reading here? Please consider donating to our...
Mercantile Stores, Shops, and Markets
The Historic Landscape of Caroline CountyWe identified the locations of general stores, shops, markets, and other mercantile establishments in the Choptank River Heritage area primarily by georeferencing the 1875 Isler and 1897 Saulsbury maps of Caroline County. Below...
Civic Buildings and Sites
The Historic Landscape of Caroline CountyWe identified the locations of Almshouses, Courthouses, Jails, Fairgrounds, Grange and Ruritan Halls, and Tobacco Warehouses in the Choptank River Heritage area primarily by georeferencing the 1875 Isler and 1897 Saulsbury maps...
Cemeteries and Religious Campgrounds
The Historic Landscape of Caroline CountyWe identified the locations of cemeteries, family burial plots, and religious revival campgrounds in the Choptank River Heritage area primarily by georeferencing the 1875 Isler and 1897 Saulsbury maps of Caroline County In the...
Canneries and Factories
The Historic Landscape of Caroline CountyWe identified the locations of canneries, factories, and machines shops in the Choptank River Heritage area primarily by georeferencing the 1875 Isler and 1897 Saulsbury maps of Caroline County In the map shown on this page,...
Bridges, Ferries, and Navigation Landmarks
The Historic Landscape of Caroline CountyWe identified the locations of the bridges, ferries, and navigation landmarks in the Choptank River Heritage area primarily by georeferencing the 1875 Isler and 1897 Saulsbury maps of Caroline County In the map shown on this...
Blacksmiths, Stables, Wheelwrights, and Carriage Shops
The Historic Landscape of Caroline CountyWe identified the locations of the blacksmiths, stables, wheelwrights, and carriage shops in the Choptank River Heritage area primarily by georeferencing the 1875 Isler and 1897 Saulsbury maps of Caroline County. In the map...
Black Churches and Communities
The Historic Landscape of Caroline CountyWe identified the locations of the earliest Black churches and communities in the Choptank River Heritage area by researching and comparing primary sources: History of the AME Church by Rev. Richard Allen. The 1824 Eastern...
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The CCHS depends on your generous contributions to continue to promote and protect Caroline County’s rich heritage. Funds are used to operate the Museum of Rural Life, sustain our programming, and restore and maintain historically significant structures throughout Caroline County.