Childs, Maryland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Childs, Maryland
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 Childs, Maryland
Location in Maryland
Childs, Maryland
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Maryland |
| County |  Cecil |
| Elevation | 157 ft (48 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
21916
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| Area code(s) | 410, 443, and 667 |
| GNIS feature ID | 589970 |
Childs is a small community in Cecil County, Maryland, United States. It is an unincorporated community, meaning it does not have its own local government like a city or town.
Contents
Why is it Called Childs?
Childs used to be called Spring Hill. The community is named after George W. Childs. He owned a newspaper called the Philadelphia Public Ledger. In 1886, Childs bought the Marley Paper Mills. He used these mills to make paper for his newspaper.
A Look Back at Childs' History
Train Station and Mail Service
A train station called "Childs Station" opened in 1886. It was on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad line. Passenger trains stopped there until 1949. After that, the station only handled freight. Most of this freight went to and from the Elk Paper Company.
In 1893, a new train line opened. It was 4+1⁄2 miles long. This line brought freight service to factories on the Little Elk Creek. The B & O railroad eventually owned this line. They stopped using it completely in May 1972. Many industries along the creek had closed, so there was less need for the train.
The Childs Post Office started in 1887. It has been in at least three different places. The ZIP code for Childs is 21916. Today, the Post Office is on Blue Ball Road. It is near the intersection of Childs and Blue Ball Road. One old location was in the Old Childs Store. This store is now an antique and art shop. In 1985, Childs was chosen for the first issue of a six-cent tricycle stamp. A fake version of this stamp, with a Childs postmark, is on display at the Smithsonian.
The County Farm and Burial Ground
The Cecil County Poorhouse was just outside Childs. The county bought about 174 acres of land in 1788. This farm cared for people who had nowhere else to go. This included the elderly, sick, and mentally ill. It operated until 1952. That year, the property was sold. The Elk Paper Manufacturing Company bought it. They then gave part of the land to the Oblate Sisters of Mt. Aviat Academy.
A burial ground for people who could not afford a funeral is across the road from Mt. Aviat Academy. It was used as the county cemetery until 1950. There are about 150 to 200 unmarked graves from this time. A stone on the south side of Childs Road marks the spot. It also shows the years it was used.
Culture and a Special Shrine
The Oblates of St. Francis de Sales have a building in Childs. It includes the Shrine of Our Lady of the Highways. You can see this shrine from Interstate 95.
One foggy morning in October 1968, a big accident happened on I-95. A thick fog had settled over the highway near Childs. Cars crashed into each other, causing a pile-up of 20 vehicles. The Oblates heard the crashes and called for help at 6:20 a.m. While waiting for rescue teams, students and priests helped the injured. Three people died that morning.
The young students and priests were deeply affected by what they saw. In 1973, they built the shrine. They dedicated it to the memory of the three people who died in the accident.
American songwriter Zoe Mulford released a CD in 2006. It was called "Roadside Saints." One song on the CD is about the "stone lady," which is the shrine. It encourages prayers for the safety of travelers.
Geography of Childs
The Little Elk Creek flows through Childs. It runs next to Maryland Route 545, also known as Blue Ball Road.
Famous People from Childs
- Richard C. Brookings and Mary Carter were from the Childs area. They were the parents of Robert Brookings. He founded the Brookings Institution, a famous research organization.
- Confederate general William W. Mackall grew up in Childs. His home was called the Wilna, and it is said to date back to 1740. Richard Mackall, William W. Mackall's brother, was also born at the Wilna. He was a dentist and a member of the Maryland General Assembly, which is Maryland's state legislature.
