This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
Penitentiary Farm Memories Shape Hagerstown Man
Hagerstown resident Phil Elgin recalls a childhood at Maryland Penal Farm where his father guarded inmates. He describes open access, shared meals, and prison life around the home, along with later reflections on reactivating the aging facility to reduce unrest. The piece notes flood relief efforts by the Red Cross across Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan with shelter, meals, and donations.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Hagerstown
Phil Elgin
Maryland Penal Farm
Elgin
Leroy Elgin
Maryland Correctional Institution
Maryland Correctional Training Center
Red Cross
Midwest
Indiana
Ohio
Michigan
Market St
Frederick
Fort Wayne
Defiance
Fulton
Henry
Lucas
Paulding
Putnam
van Wert
Williams
Wood
Monroe
Shiawasee
Anne M. Kelley
Reubery Elgin
Oir