History of the Celebration:
This year marks the Centennial Anniversary of the Robert Crain Hwy Monument. It was erected in the Town of Upper Marlboro in September 1922, to celebrate the long journey of creating a road which would link Southern Maryland to Baltimore. The original celebration included Anne Arundel County, Calvert County, Charles County, Prince George’s County, St. Mary’s County & Baltimore City.
In 1922, a celebration and parade took place which would change the town and its future. The Merchants and Manufacturers Association of Baltimore decided that Southern Maryland was a hot spot for trading and other business opportunities. The association and political figures in Southern Maryland created a route which would connect Baltimore to Southern Maryland counties. The original program pamphlet tells of the events leading up to that celebration. The train brought members of the association, the Mayor of Baltimore, and hundreds of Baltimorians onto Main Street for the celebration.
Leading figures in the day’s ceremony were Albert C. Ritchie, then-governor of MD, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Crain, for whom the Crain Highway was named, John N. Mackall, state roads commission and Honorable W. F. Broening, then Mayor of Baltimore.
As part of the regional observance, there were five young ladies representing the five counties in the flag ceremonies along with the City of Baltimore. (Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Prince George’s, St. Mary’s & Baltimore City) Governor Ritchie assured everyone that the flags would be preserved in the city hall as a constant reminder of what those ceremonies meant. The US Naval Academy Band played “Maryland, My Maryland”.
The celebration was a tribute to the retail merchants from Baltimore and Southern Maryland and the future of building up the trade to help all parties grow in business. Robert Crain Highway was originally a narrow, twisted dirt path passable only by horse-drawn vehicles. This vital link between the two cities was improved with $250,000 from the legislature to complete a better road. On Oct. 22, 1927, Robert Crain Highway opened for the first time allowing Baltimore and Southern Maryland counties to trade.
The Town of Upper Marlboro Historical Committee is going to recreate the photograph from 1922 at the start of the ceremony. (11:00 AM)
