The
rich history of the Town of Perryville began in 1608 when Captain John Smith became the
first European explorer to navigate the Susquehanna River and visit the area. Perryville
was first settled in 1622 when Edward Palmer was granted a patent for a settlement on what
is now Garrett Island. In the 1600s, Lord Baltimore granted George Talbot 31,000 acres of
land which included the Perryville area. Before incorporation in 1882, Perryville was
known as Lower Ferry, circa 1695, Susquehanna, circa 1700s, and finally Perryville was
named after Mary Perry, the wife of John Bateman.
| During the
Revolutionary War, Perryville served as a staging area for the Continental Army. Colonel
John Rodgers, who operated the ferry and tavern in Perryville, raised the 5th Company of
the Maryland Militia. This company became part of the famous Flying Corps and was
instrumental during the early stages of the Revolutionary War. Colonel Rodgers' son, John
Rodgers, became Commodore of the American Navy and was instrumental in clearing the
Tripoli Pirates from the Mediterranean Sea. Commodore Rodgers served with distinction
during the War of 1812 and is known as the "Father of the American Navy." George
Washington frequently stopped at Rodgers Tavern on his trips from Virginia to New York. |
Aiken Ave.
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During the 1800s,
Perryville was the central point for the Wilmington to Baltimore Rail Line. During the War
between the States, the rail line between Perryville and Baltimore was destroyed. To
transport troops and munitions to Annapolis, the Union Army again began the operation of
the ferry across the Susquehanna.
Rt. 7
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Throughout the 1900s
Perryville continued to serve as a railroad town. The advent of the interstate highway
system helped Perryville metamorphose into a highway town. Perryville is the home of the
Perry Point Veterans Hospital, the Perryville Travel Plaza, and the Perryville Outlet
Center. |
| The Town of Perryville
offers a variety of services to its citizenry. The Perryville Community Park is open and
available for public use. Perryville is the second largest municipality in Cecil County
and continues to expand and grow, anchoring the southwest corner of Cecil County.
Please visit and explore the Town of Perryville—a trip through the town is a trip
through the roots of America. |
Owens' Store Downtown
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