Richard D. L. Fulton There was a time in history when the country was laced with short-line railroads. In fact, almost all of the early railroads were short-line railroads, until many were absorbed through consolidation with larger railroads, years later. Most short-line railroads were created to serve limited purposes, as dictated by local economies. Many…

James Rada, Jr. The Vincentians are no longer serving as the priests for St. Joseph’s Parish in Emmitsburg for the first time in 170 years. Father Bill Allegretto was the parish’s last Vincentian. “Our roots run very deep in this community,” Father Bill said. He has been the parish priest at St. Joseph’s for 11…

To commemorate the bicentennial of Elizabeth Ann Seton’s death, the Sisters of Charity of New York have donated artifacts of their Elizabeth Ann Seton to the Seton Shrine in Emmitsburg. Sr. Donna Dodge, president of the Sisters of Charity of New York, said in a press release about the donation, “These treasures have always had…

The Year is…1877 The Archbishop Who Was Buried in Emmitsburg by James Rada, Jr. To those who knew Archbishop of Baltimore James Roosevelt Bayley, it didn’t come as a great surprise when he died on October 3. He had been in ill health for months. It was said he died from liver and kidney problems.…

Peg Goes Into the Army by Priscilla Rall Margaret Virginia “Peg” Franklin has deep roots in Frederick County. She was born on her family’s farm, Thornbrook, in 1915, to John Nathaniel and Margaret Fox Franklin. The home is on the National Register with its fantastic example of Italianate architecture. At one time, it was owned…

Nicholas DiGregory Photo Courtesy of Nicholas DiGregory The teachers and students of Emmitsburg’s Mother Seton School gather for a picture after Bishop Gainer’s anniversary Mass. The school traces its history all the way back to Elizabeth Ann Seton’s original school in Emmitsburg. On March 2, 1809, Elizabeth Ann Seton penned a letter to her life-long…