Elkton in Cecil County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Elkton, Wedding Capital of the East

Photographed by William Pfingsten, July 30, 2007

1. Elkton, Wedding Capital of the East Marker

Inscription. In the early 20th century, Maryland had no waiting period for issuing marriage licenses, and couples from throughout the Northeast flocked to Elkton—the first county seat south of the State line—where they could be married without delay. Independent wedding chapels lined Main Street. In 1936, the town issued 11,791 marriage licenses. Two years later, the State adopted a 48-hour wait, but the tradition endured. As late as the 1970’s as many as 6,000 couples were wed here in a year.

Erected 2007 by Maryland Historical Trust & Maryland State Highway Administration.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Maryland Historical Trust series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1936.

Location. 39° 36.498′ N, 75° 49.706′ W. Marker is in Elkton, Maryland, in Cecil County. It is on East Main Street, on the right when traveling east. The marker is parallel to the street directly in front of the chapel. It is across from Cecil County Court House. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 142 E Main St, Elkton MD 21921, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Wilmington, on the Eastern Shore,

and in Greater Philadelphia.

It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic,

on the Delmarva Peninsula,

in the Tidewater,

and in the Chesapeake Bay Region.

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 walking distance of this marker: Michael Rudulph (a few steps from this marker); Mitchell House

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Geo Washington Traveled This Road (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Elkton (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); "O! say can you see..." (about 400 feet away); Fighting Back (about 400 feet away); War in the Chesapeake (about 400 feet away); Cecil Whig (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Elkton.

Also see . . . Elkton, Marry-land. 2002 Washington Post article by Marshall S. Berdan. “In those days, the train and bus stations were staked out by aggressive cabbies, who scoured arrivals for those tell-tale sheepish looks, and then pounced with offers for special ‘package deals.’ ” (Submitted on August 1, 2007.)

Additional commentary.
1. Restoration of Elkton Wedding Chapel
Hello,

I am the youngest daughter of Steve Psomas. I was born in the U.S.A and grew up in Elkton. I graduated from Elkton High School in 1985. My father and mother came to the United States in 1966 from Greece. We lived at 467 Bow Street, Elkton Md.

The

Elkton Wedding Chapel image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Pfingsten, July 30, 2007

2. Elkton Wedding Chapel

This is the only wedding chapel remaining in Elkton. It is still in use. Many famous people were married in Elkton, including Cornel Wilde, Joan Fontaine, Debbie Reynolds, Martha Raye, John and Martha Mitchell, and even the Rev. Pat Robertson. Weddings are also held in the courthouse where Willie Mays and Charles Barkley married their wives.

restoration of the stone work of Elkton Wedding Chapel was done by my father. I'm sorry I don't remember the date. It was some time in the 80's. I remember he had his sign hanging on the front of the chapel and couples used to call our home asking my father to marry them.

My father was a general contractor in Elkton. He did a lot restoration of stone homes. He was born in Andros, Greece. My parents and I have been living in Greece for over the past twenty-five years. He died on December 6, 2009.

I hope that you would like to mention his name. The Chapel will stand for years and years to come due to his craftsmanship.

Thank you,
Ellen Psomas

Editor's Note: Thank you for sharing a bit of history about the Elkton Wedding Chapel and your father's role in restoring it. Note To Editor only visible by Contributor and editor

— Submitted April 29, 2010, by Ellen Psomas of Almiropotamos, Evia, Greece.

Additional keywords. wedding industry

Credits. This page was last revised on December 25, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 30, 2007, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 11,785 times since then and 129 times this year. Last updated on December 9, 2023, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 30, 2007, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.