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“Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
“Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
Near Elkton in Cecil County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
 

Wilna

 
 
Wilna Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By William Pfingsten, July 16, 2007
1. Wilna Marker
Inscription. Boyhood home of William Whann Mackall. Appointed to the U. S. Military Academy in 1834. Resigned from the U. S. Army, joined the Confederacy and served on the staffs of Generals Albert Sydney Johnston, Braxton Bragg and Joseph E. Johnston. General Mackall surrendered at Macon, Georgia, April 20, 1865.
 
Erected by Maryland Civil War Centennial Commission, Maryland Historical Trust, Maryland State Highway Administration.
 
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Maryland Historical Trust series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 20, 1831.
 
Location. 39° 38.521′ N, 75° 51.985′ W. Marker is near Elkton, Maryland, in Cecil County. Marker is on Blue Ball Road, 2 miles north of Maryland Route 279, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Elkton MD 21921, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Cecil County Doughboy Monument (approx. 2.8 miles away); "Flag Pole" (approx. 2.9 miles away); Cecil Whig (approx. 3 miles away); “Partridge Hill” (approx. 3 miles away); Elkton (approx. 3.1 miles away); Fighting Back (approx. 3.1 miles
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away); War in the Chesapeake (approx. 3.1 miles away); "O! say can you see..." (approx. 3.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Elkton.
 
Additional commentary.
1. History of the current structure
The Maryland Historic Trust Historic Sites Survey says the following, probably written in the 1980s, "Twice destroyed by fire within the last ten years, it is now nearly impossible to authenticate the 1740 date usually ascribed to this stone house. The north, three-bay half is probably older and had corne rbrick fireplaces on each floor, with a side hall-double parlor plan, an arrangement not usually found at that early a date. The south, two bay wing had a single fireplace on each floor and a one-room plan. A four-bay kitchen wing, also built in two states, extends from the east side of the house."

While the historic photographs show an entirely stone house, recent ones show a combination of stucco and siding. The footprint occupied by the house, as seen in aerial photographs, is consistent with the shape of the historic structure. The Maryland Department of Assessments describes the property as a 1680 house of the "1/2 stucco siding"
Wilna image. Click for full size.
Photographed By William Pfingsten, January 10, 2008
2. Wilna
Dwelling can be seen from I95 but the shoulder is narrow and extremely dangerous to stop.
type (the date is rather off, but this establishes that it is, at least to some extent, a historic house).

All of this leads one to conclude that at some time after the fire, a rather extreme renovation of the house was executed. It is not clear how much of the historic fabric of the house remains, though, from the recent photograph, one might conclude that the amount of original material remaining is quite small.
    — Submitted March 4, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio.
 
Historic view of Wilna image. Click for full size.
Maryland Historical Trust (Historic Sites Survey)
3. Historic view of Wilna
This is the southwest side of the house.
Interior of Wilna after a fire image. Click for full size.
G. Henry - Maryland Historical Trust (Historic Sites Survey), May 1985
4. Interior of Wilna after a fire
Wilna image. Click for full size.
Maryland Historical Trust (Historic Sites Survey)
5. Wilna
As seen from the northeast, looking southwest.
Wilna image. Click for full size.
Maryland Historical Trust (Historic Sites Survey)
6. Wilna
Southwest face of the house.
Wilna image. Click for full size.
Maryland Historical Trust (Historic Sites Survey)
7. Wilna
As seen from the north, looking south.
Wilna image. Click for full size.
Maryland Historical Trust (Historic Sites Survey)
8. Wilna
As seen from the west, looking east.
Wilna image. Click for full size.
Maryland Historical Trust (Historic Sites Survey)
9. Wilna
As seen from the west, looking east.
Wilna Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Adam Margolis, January 4, 2024
10. Wilna Marker
Wilna Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Adam Margolis, January 4, 2024
11. Wilna Marker
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on January 11, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 16, 2007, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 3,421 times since then and 39 times this year. Last updated on February 15, 2020, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos:   1. submitted on July 16, 2007, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.   2. submitted on January 10, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.   3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on March 4, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio.   10, 11. submitted on January 4, 2024, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California.

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Mar. 28, 2024