Denton in Caroline County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

President Roosevelt's Speech

1938

— "The Biggest Day That Denton Had Ever Seen" —

President Roosevelt's Speech Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 10, 2019

1. President Roosevelt's Speech Marker

Inscription.

President Roosevelt's Speech. , President Franklin D. Roosevelt made a critical address broadcast by radio to the entire nation from this spot at 2:00 p.m. on Labor Day, September 5, 1938., He arrived in Denton in a large motorcade led by the local fire company, National Guard unit and Boy Scout troop with music by Chestertown Band. His entourage included 90 journalists, photographers and radio personnel together with numerous dignitaries and a 46-man security detail., The New York Times reported: "The streets were gay with bunting and nearly every home displayed at least one flag. The Courthouse and Law Building were colorfully decorated, improvised refreshment stands were everywhere, and hungry hawkers. . . plied their wares.", The 27-minute speech was given from a specially built "broadcast stand" to a crowd of 8,000 to 10,000 persons who applauded loudly and frequently. Nationwide coverage included the CBS, NBC, and Mutual radio networks plus five newsreel and two telegraph companies., The President's address was intended to unite farmers with factory workers, as well as to "purge" from Congress specific members of his own political party who opposed his faltering New Deal programs. "Roosevelt's Purge" of 1938 failed, but the President described his visit to Denton as "Wonderful!",

Denton quieted down at about five o'clock … It was much the biggest day that Denton had ever seen, and as twilight fell over the town the consensus of opinion was that the town had done a big job well. , - The Preston News, September 8, 1938.

, [Captions:] , A full-page photograph of the large crowd in Denton appeared in Life magazine on September 19, 1938. The prior Courthouse is in the background., The President stopped in Federalsburg, then came to Denton., Seated behind the President in Denton were (left to right): local Congressman T. Alan Goldsborough, Mayor Melvin James and Congressman David J. Lewis., The site of the speech was a broadcast stand with a ramp for the President in front of the Law Building., President Roosevelt speaking at the podium, Labor Day, 1938.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt made a critical address broadcast by radio to the entire nation from this spot at 2:00 p.m. on Labor Day, September 5, 1938.

He arrived in Denton in a large motorcade led by the local fire company, National Guard unit and Boy Scout troop with music by Chestertown Band. His entourage included 90 journalists, photographers and radio personnel together with numerous dignitaries and a 46-man security detail.

The New York Times reported: "The streets were gay with bunting and nearly every home displayed at least one flag. The Courthouse and Law Building were colorfully decorated, improvised refreshment stands were everywhere, and hungry hawkers. . . plied their wares."

The 27-minute speech was given from a specially built "broadcast stand" to a crowd of 8,000 to 10,000 persons who applauded loudly and frequently. Nationwide coverage included the CBS, NBC, and Mutual radio networks plus five newsreel and two telegraph companies.

The President's address was intended to unite farmers with factory workers, as well as to "purge" from Congress specific members of his own political party who opposed his faltering New Deal programs. "Roosevelt's Purge" of 1938 failed, but the President described his visit to Denton as "Wonderful!"

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quieted down at about five o'clock … It was much the biggest day that Denton had ever seen, and as twilight fell over the town the consensus of opinion was that the town had done a big job well.
- The Preston News, September 8, 1938.

[Captions:]
A full-page photograph of the large crowd in Denton appeared in Life magazine on September 19, 1938. The prior Courthouse is in the background.

The President stopped in Federalsburg, then came to Denton.

Seated behind the President in Denton were (left to right): local Congressman T. Alan Goldsborough, Mayor Melvin James & Congressman David J. Lewis.

The site of the speech was a broadcast stand with a ramp for the President in front of the Law Building.

President Roosevelt speaking at the podium, Labor Day, 1938.

Erected 2018 by The Caroline County Historical Society and the Town of Denton.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Communications. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #32 Franklin D. Roosevelt series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 5, 1938.

Location. 38° 53.192′ N, 75° 49.99′ W. Marker is in Denton, Maryland, in Caroline County. Marker is on Market Street west

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 10, 2019

2. President Roosevelt's Speech Marker

of North 2nd Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 114 Market Street, Denton MD 21629, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. On this spot Sept. 5, 1938 stood Franklin Delano Roosevelt (here, next to this marker); Caroline Court House (a few steps from this marker); Emancipation's Close Call (within shouting distance of this marker); Caroline Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Great Wars of World Conflict (within shouting distance of this marker); Thomas Carney (within shouting distance of this marker); War Along the Chesapeake (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Two Neighbors * Two Governors * Two States (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Denton.

Franklin D. Roosevelt image. Click for full size.

Source: FDR Library, via Wikipedia Dommons

3. Franklin D. Roosevelt

Photographed after giving one of his weekly radio broadcast “fireside chats.”

Credits. This page was last revised on September 20, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 11, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 436 times since then and 28 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week September 1, 2019. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 11, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on August 31, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.