Near Rising Sun in Cecil County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Richards Oak

Photographed by William Pfingsten, July 17, 2007

1. Richards Oak Marker

Inscription. General Lafayette and his army camped around this tree April 12, 1781. A Civil War cavalry unit later occupied the site. The oak, over 500 years old, was owned by the Thomas Richards family for over a century. A huge limb fell August, 1964, splitting the trunk, in 1965 the tree measured 85' in height 24' in girth and 115' in spread.

Tree preserved 1922-1960 by Hytheham Club, Port Deposit. Restored 1965 by Historical Society of Cecil County.

Erected 1966 by Maryland Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, US Civil • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Historic Trees, and the Maryland Historical Trust series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is April 12, 1812.

Location. 39° 41.644′ N, 76° 6.487′ W. Marker is near Rising Sun, Maryland, in Cecil County. It is on Conowingo Road (U.S. 1) east of Arbor Lane, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1769 Conowingo Road, Rising Sun MD 21911, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Wilmington,

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on the Eastern Shore,

and in Greater Philadelphia.

It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic,

on the Delmarva Peninsula,

in the Tidewater,

in the Chesapeake Bay Region,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: West Nottingham Academy (approx. 1½ miles away); a different marker also named West Nottingham Academy (approx. 2.4 miles away); This Tablet is in Commemoration (approx. 2.4 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 2.4 miles away); a different marker also named West Nottingham Academy (approx. 2½ miles away); American Legion Post 194 Veterans Memorial (approx. 3.1 miles away); A Susquehannock Indian Fort (approx. 3½ miles away); Bald Friar Ford & Ferry (approx. 3½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rising Sun.

Additional commentary.
1. This marker
This marker

Photographed by Adam Margolis, January 13, 2022

2. Richards Oak Marker

was installed in 1966, to replace one destroyed by limbs falling from the tree in 1964.

— Submitted March 4, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio.

2. Richards Oak Tree
I was stationed at Bainbridge, Md. in the fall of 1973 when I was driving the country side in Maryland when I came upon this historical marker and Richards Oak. I was so amazed at it's massive size, I called my parents back in Bloomington, Illinois and told them about it. They came out for a visit at thanksgiving and I took them to see the historic tree. They were also amazed. We took 3 pennies and placed them in the crack and agreed to come back in 10 years to see if they were still there, well we never made it back. I personally wrote to the mayor of Rising Sun and told her of my experience. I received a very nice written letter telling me of it's unfortunate mishap, having to be cut down. She was so kind as to send me a picture. I still have this somewhere. This was about 9 or ten years ago. This was my greatest memory of my 4 months I was in the area. I still to this day think of this very often. I would love to come back for

All that remains of Richards Oak image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Pfingsten, July 17, 2007

3. All that remains of Richards Oak

Tree was lost in early 1980's to a storm.

a visit but I now live in Texas and that would be a very long drive. Well at least I got to view one of natures greatest historic tree. Jim Sherer, Lexington, Tx. Note To Editor only visible by Contributor and editor

— Submitted February 1, 2013, by Jim Sherer of Lexington, Texas.

Additional keywords. Richards Oak

Richards Oak in 1981 image. Click for full size.

Maryland Historical Trust (Historic Sites Survey), March 1, 1981

4. Richards Oak in 1981

Richards Oak Post Cad image. Click for full size.

Post Card Provided by Annette Snyder

5. Richards Oak Post Cad

Eagle Post Card View Co, Inc., New York Pub. by Ashby's Pharmacy, Rising Sun, MD Year Unknown

Richards Oak Post Card image. Click for full size.

Post Card Provided by Annette Snyder

6. Richards Oak Post Card

Eagle Post Card View Co, Inc., New York Pub. by Ashby's Pharmacy, Rising Sun, MD Year Unknown

Credits. This page was last revised on May 21, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 18, 2007, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 7,825 times since then and 180 times this year. Last updated on February 19, 2020, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on July 18, 2007, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 2. submitted on January 13, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 3. submitted on July 18, 2007, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 4. submitted on March 4, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio. 5, 6. submitted on May 21, 2026, by Annette Snyder of Westminster, Maryland.