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about-us-history-img-01.gif Located at the mouth of the Susquehanna River at the northern tip of the Chesapeake Bay, the Town of Perryville has a rich historical and regional flavor. In 1608, Captain John Smith was the first European explorer to navigate the Susquehanna River and visit the area. Perryville was first settled in 1622 when Edward Palmer was granted a patent for settlement of what is now Garrett Island. In the 1600's Lord Baltimore granted George Talbot 31,000 acres of land which included the Perryville area. Before incorporation in 1882, Perryville was known as Lower Ferry, circa 1695, Susquehanna, circa 1700's and finally Perryville was named after Mary Perry, the wife of John Bateman. Today, the Town has over 3,670 residents and is the second largest town in Cecil County. The Town is governed by a Mayor and four Commissioners who are responsible for the operation of the Town.

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Perryville, Maryland Fast Facts

  • 1622 - Land 1st settled by Edward Palmer; was granted a patent for settlement on Garrett Island.
  • 1600's - Lord Baltimore granted George Talbot a large amount of land including Perryville.
  • 1695 - Originally known as Lower Ferry.
  • 1700's - Became known as Susquehanna.
  • 1882 - Incorporated, given the name Perryville after Mary Perry, wife of John Bateman.
  • Served as a staging area for the Continental Army during the Revolutionary war.
  • Colonel John Rodgers operated the tavern and ferry in Perryville, and raised the 5th Company of the Maryland Militia. The tavern is currently owned by the Town of Perryville and is part of a planned river walk and farm market.
  • During the 1800's, Perryville was the central point for the Wilmington to Baltimore rail line. The rail between Perryville and Baltimore was destroyed during the American Civil War. The ferry was used to transport troops to Annapolis.
  • Perryville served as a railroad town throughout the 1900's. It transitioned into a highway town as the construction of highways began. The clocks seen in the town are the few remnants of this once thriving railroad town.
  • Perryville is the second largest municipality in Cecil County.