Frenchtown (ghost town), Maryland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Frenchtown, Maryland
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 Frenchtown, Maryland
Location in Maryland
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Maryland |
| County |  Cecil |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
Frenchtown was a small, important settlement in Maryland. It was located on the Elk River in Cecil County. For many years, it was a key stop for travelers. People and goods moved through Frenchtown on their way between big cities like Philadelphia and Baltimore.
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Frenchtown: A Historic Travel Hub
A Busy Crossroads
Frenchtown was a very important place for travel. It was a key link in the north-south travel route. This was especially true during the 1700s and 1800s. After the American Revolutionary War, more and more people used this route.
Boats regularly sailed from Baltimore to Frenchtown. This made Frenchtown a busy "relay point." It was a place where travelers and goods would switch from one type of transport to another. Many important people and everyday travelers passed through here.
At first, the New Castle and Frenchtown Turnpike Company helped connect the village to the Delaware River. Later, the New Castle and Frenchtown Railroad took over this connection.
The War of 1812 Attack
Frenchtown was attacked and burned by the British during the War of 1812. This happened on April 29, 1813. Rear Admiral George Cockburn led the attack.
One building, the old Frenchtown Tavern, survived until the 1960s. A famous artist named Benjamin Henry Latrobe painted a picture of Frenchtown in 1806. It shows the view from the boat dock. This painting is now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
Escaping to Freedom
During this time, many enslaved people tried to escape to freedom. One common escape route was through the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal. However, this route was watched very closely. Frenchtown and its overland route were often seen as a safer way to escape.
One large escape attempt involved a ship called the Pearl. Seventy-seven enslaved people boarded the Pearl in Washington. They hoped to reach Frenchtown and then freedom. However, the ship was caught at the mouth of the Potomac River.
The Rise of Steamships
The northern part of the Chesapeake Bay often had calm waters. This would delay sailing ships that connected Frenchtown with Baltimore. To solve this problem, the first commercial steamship, the Chesapeake, began service in 1813. It traveled between Frenchtown and Baltimore. This new "Union Line" made travel faster and more reliable. Soon, other steamships joined the route.
Why Frenchtown Faded Away
Over time, new ways of transportation changed everything. This is sometimes called the "transportation revolution." When the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal opened, it offered a direct water route. Then, in 1837, a new railroad line was completed through Elkton. This new rail line did not need steamboat connections.
Because of these changes, Frenchtown's importance began to decline. By 1858, the busy scene of stagecoaches, wagons, trains, and steamboats was gone. Frenchtown was no longer the bustling travel hub it once was.
Today, the path of the old New Castle and Frenchtown Railroad Right-of-Way is still recognized. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.
