Cutting the 'Horse Train Stop' of Sykesville out of Howard County

Cutting the 'Horse Train Stop' of Sykesville out of Howard County

Eagle Archive By Kevin Dayhoff Posted 4/26/09 (431 words)

It was back on April 17, 1931, that the General Assembly approved legislation entitled "Chap 279 Unincorporate Sykesville in Howard Co."

The early beginnings of the "Horse Train Stop" as it was first called — the area we now know as Sykesville — trace back to the 1820s.

The Town of Sykesville was not officially incorporated until the state legislature passed Chapter 256 of the Acts of 1904.

The first mayor was Edwin M. Mellor Sr.

Although the 1931 legislation is complicated, the gist is to dissolve the Howard County portion of the town — or to "exclude all that part of (Sykesville) which lies in Howard County from its corporate limits."

I really do not know for a fact why it was decided to take away the part of the Town of Sykesville that existed in Howard County.

The answer might be because much of the Howard County portion of the town washed away in the devastating flood of July 1868 and never really recovered.

According to an introduction written by Duane Doxzen for Linda F. Greenberg's excellent history, "Sykesville Past and Present," written in 2000, the flooding resulted from a "reported 18 inches of rain in half an hour. ... 50 people died, and homes, mills and other businesses were reduced to rubble."

Of course, I can guess that perhaps another reason is that it gets a little too, how should I say, "interesting," to govern a municipality that exists in two counties.

I mean, think about it. If you believe dealing with one county government has its interesting moments, try dealing with two.

In Maryland, there are several municipalities whose boundaries lie in two counties. One of which, of course, is right here in Carroll County (and Frederick County) — Mount Airy.

One municipality, Delmar, exists in two states — Maryland and Delaware. Ay caramba, it gives me a headache just to think of the challenges that must bring.

For this week's question, I'm going to ask what may well be the most difficult question I've ever asked.

Really.

Since 1900, other than the Howard County portion of Sykesville, only one town in Carroll County dissolved its municipal charter and disbanded having a town or city government. Which town is it?

OK, OK. Because it's such a hard question, I'll give you a hint. It dissolved its municipal government in 1939.

Think you know?

Drop me an e-mail at kevindayhoff@gmail.com. Be sure to add Carroll Eagle in the subject line. Thanks.

If you answer correctly, your name might be drawn for the coveted Carroll Eagle coffee mug, suitable for use in any county.

When he's not straddling the line between two counties, Kevin Dayhoff may be reached at kevindayhoff AT gmail DOT com.

20090426 SCE Cutting Sykesville out of Howard County sceked

http://explorecarroll.com/community/2812/cutting-horse-train-stop-sykesville-howard-county/

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DAYHOFF: Cutting a ribbon on history at the Westminster Water Treatment Plant
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Cutting the 'Horse Train Stop' of Sykesville out of Howard County
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