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Captain John Smith first
explored the area that is now Port Deposit around 1608, a time
when the only inhabitants were the Susquehannock Indians. The
town that subsequently emerged there on the Susquehanna River
was known as Creswell’s Ferry prior to 1812. As time went on,
the town became a heavily used port where products like lumber,
grain, coal, and whiskey were unloaded for trading. There were
outgoing goods also—blocks of granite cut from the cliffs behind
the town and fish culled from the river—but it was the incoming
trade that gave the town its final name—Port Deposit.
In the 1830s, Jacob Tome, who had made a fortune in lumber
and banking, came to Port Deposit and placed his mark on the
town. He built the Jacob Tome Institute and endowed it
generously for the benefit of the children of the town. His
intention was to ensure that the children received a superior
education without cost to their parents. Two of the school
buildings in town remain, and there are several others located
on the cliff above the town.
There have been many changes in Port Deposit over the years;
the population that once was greater than 2,000 was down to
about 750 at the end of the 20th century— although it was
starting to grow again. Being located between the river and the
granite cliffs, the place has been dubbed “the town that
couldn’t grow,” but that characterization has been squelched by
the annexation of 125 acres of the Bainbridge property and the
forthcoming annexation of the remaining 1,125 acres. When that
occurs, Port Deposit will have more than tripled in size.
A heritage greenway trail along the river front is being
created as a potential link to other towns and as an extension
of recreational and cultural activities within the town.
Revitalization projects have been initiated—the main business
area has new sidewalks, curbing, streetlights, and benches;
utility lines have been buried underground; and the once
industrial-zoned waterfront has been transformed into a
residential condominium and marina complex. The town is on the
National Register of Historic Places; its buildings and homes
display an eclectic assortment of Georgian, Victorian,
Italianate, and Federal styles, providing instant architectural
history in a pleasant walking tour.
At the start of the 21st century, the townspeople of Port
Deposit are ready to share their growing town with new
residents, new business owners, and visitors.
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