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The Hurlock History Project, Hurlock, MD (2026)

06/18/2026

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT: The Story Behind the Hurlock History Project 🚂

We’ve been sharing a lot of town history lately, but today, we wanted to take a moment to pull back the curtain and share a bit more about who we are, why we’re here, and where we’re going.

👥 A "Living Conversation"—Not an Exclusive Club
When this project was founded, the goal wasn't to create just another rigid "historical society" or a one-way street where one person lectures everyone else. We wanted something different: a living conversation. History belongs to all of us. The core mission of the Hurlock History Project is to create a collaborative space where anyone can bring a piece of the past into the spotlight, and together, we can build a truer, richer story of Hurlock.

📈 The Momentum So Far
The response from the community has been incredible! Seeing individual posts reach over 1,000 views proves that the hunger to learn about our town's roots is alive and well. Uncovering these lost pieces of history alongside all of you has been the most rewarding part of this journey.

🗺️ What’s Next? (Big Things are Coming!)
We are just getting started. Looking ahead, our immediate goal is to keep growing our digital and community footprint.

Town Partnership: We hope to forge an official partnership with the Town of Hurlock to tag-team on promoting our local heritage and historical events.

Regional Connections: We are prioritizing partnerships with other local museums across Dorchester County.

A Tangible Piece of History: And yes—we have some big things in the works! We are currently working behind the scenes to bring the physical side of Hurlock's history to life inside a well-known, historic town landmark. Stay tuned!

✉️ How YOU Can Help Write the Next Chapter
Getting involved is incredibly simple, no matter your age or background. You don't need a degree in history—you just need a memory, a keepsake, or a curiosity!

If you have:
Old photos or postcards 📸
Newspaper articles or documents 📰
Physical artifacts 🪎
Stories, family lore, or personal knowledge 🗣️
..we want to hear it and see it!

Join the Conversation:
Drop a comment on our page, send us a direct message, or email us anytime at [email protected]. Every piece of the puzzle matters.

Thank you for being a part of this living history. Like, follow, and share this post to help us keep the conversation growing! 🛤️ 🌾

06/17/2026

🎺 DID YOU KNOW? 🎺

Long before the days of digital music or radio, downtown Hurlock had its very own live “soundtrack”!

Around 1901, local town merchants banded together to form a community Brass Band.

To entertain the town, they would set up right in the heart of downtown and play open-air concerts. Because this was years before electricity arrived, the musicians played their evening sets directly under the warm glow of the town's old kerosene street lamps!

It’s a wonderful snapshot of how early Hurlock residents gathered to support local businesses and enjoy community life over 120 years ago.

06/05/2026

Wow, history lovers! Just wow.

When the Hurlock History Project launched less than 3 months ago, the goal was simple: to preserve our tracks, dig up old stories, and honor the people who built this town. We knew Hurlock had a deep history, but the response over the last few weeks has completely blown us away!

We have officially crossed the 200-follower milestone and are currently sitting at 203 followers strong! Even more incredible? Over the last 30 days, our posts, photos, and historical deep-dives have racked up over 11,000 views! From the memories shared on our recent polls to the overwhelming community love on our very first Veterans Spotlight, you all are proving that Hurlock’s legacy is alive, well, and stronger than ever.

The Journey is Just Beginning!
Every time you like a post, leave a comment with a family memory, or share a photo with your neighbors, you help ensure that our town's unique history isn't lost to time. We have so many more incredible photos, landmarks, and "Did You Know" facts lined up to share with you all.

To our original followers and to the brand-new faces who just joined the pride—THANK YOU for helping us preserve the “tracks”! 🛤️❤️

Let's keep the momentum rolling! Drop a comment below letting us know what part of Hurlock's history you want us to dive into next! 👇

06/02/2026

DID YOU KNOW? Hurlock is Home to a Historic Library First! 📚

Today, we take our local libraries for granted as places to borrow books, look at yearbooks, or trace our family trees. But if you look back at the turn of the 20th century, having free access to books was a luxury mostly reserved for big cities. That didn't sit well with the citizens of Hurlock—so we went out and made history!

The 1900 Trailblazer:
In 1900, a man named Henry Walworth opened up his private home right here in town to establish the Hurlock Free Library.

An Eastern Shore Record:
When Mr. Walworth opened his doors and his personal book collection to his neighbors, he wasn't just starting a neighborhood trend—he was setting a massive milestone. The Hurlock Free Library holds the proud historical distinction of being the very first and oldest library on the entire Eastern Shore of Maryland!

A Maryland Legend:
Not only did Hurlock beat out every other town on the peninsula with starting a library, but our little library is also recognized as the second oldest library in the entire state of Maryland! Long before major state funding or modern library systems existed, Hurlock's community spirit ensured that local kids, railroad workers, and families had a place to expand their minds and share a love of reading.

What do you think?
Did you know our town was such a powerhouse pioneer for books and literacy on the Shore? 📖 Drop a comment below if you remember visiting the older library locations, or tell us what your favorite book to read is today!

05/30/2026

🇺🇸 VETERANS SPOTLIGHT: Lance Corporal Michael DiGenno (1948–1969)

Following our Memorial Day observance, the Hurlock History Project is proud to introduce a new, ongoing feature to our page: The Veterans Spotlight. Our mission is to ensure that the brave men and women from Hurlock who stepped forward to serve our country are never forgotten.

For our very first spotlight, we honor a son of Hurlock who paid the supreme sacrifice—and stands as our town's only known service member killed in action during the Vietnam War.

The Boy from Thompson Street:
Michael DiGenno was born on February 20, 1948, in the Bronx, New York, before his family relocated to Dorchester County, settling down on Thompson Street right here in Hurlock.

Michael grew up in Hurlock as the cherished son of Henry and Yola DiGenno. He attended local public schools and walked the halls of North Dorchester High School, graduating with the proud Class of 1967. He was a young man of Catholic faith, a member of Our Lady of Good Counsel, and a familiar, friendly face to neighbors across town.

The Call to Service:
Just months after holding his high school diploma, Michael felt the call to serve his country. In October 1967, he officially enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.

By April 1968, Lance Corporal DiGenno was on the ground in Southeast Asia, serving bravely with Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division (the legendary "Magnificent Bastards") as part of the III Marine Amphibious Force.

The Ultimate Sacrifice:
On March 11, 1969, during intense operations securing fire support bases in the rugged, combat-heavy Quang Tri Province of South Vietnam, Lance Corporal DiGenno was tragically killed in action. He was just 21 years old. He was scheduled to finally come back home to his family on Thompson Street just a few months later, in August.

When Michael returned home to Hurlock for the final time, he was accorded full military rites. Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Maryland National Guard, and his fellow U.S. Marines stood at attention as he was laid to rest in the family plot at Washington Cemetery in Hurlock.

Decorations & Honors:
For his conspicuous gallantry and sacrifice, LCPL DiGenno was awarded several of our nation's military decorations:

🎖️ The Purple Heart
🎖️ National Defense Service Medal
🎖️ Vietnam Service Medal
🎖️ Vietnam Campaign Medal

Honored in the Heart of the Hurlock Today:
If you look around town today, Michael’s legacy is still visibly honored right where he grew up:

The Corner Banner - Michael’s "Hurlock Hometown Heroes" banner hangs proudly right at the intersection of Poplar Street and Main Street.

The Town Hall Memorial - There is a dedicated memorial stone placed in his honor resting directly at the base of the flagpole at Hurlock Town Hall.

His name is also permanently etched onto Panel W29, Line 6 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C., and he is immortalized as Honoree Record 10445 in the Military Hall of Honor.

Hurlock remembers, and we thank you.
Semper Fi, Marine. 🦅🇺🇸

If you knew Michael, grew up on Thompson Street with the family, or went to NDHS with him, please leave a comment below to share a memory and help us keep his legacy alive. Next time you pass the corner of Poplar and Main or stop by Town Hall, take a moment to look up, pause, and remember his sacrifice.

05/29/2026

POLL RESULTS REVEALED: The Secret History of Our Train Station! 🚂

A couple of weeks ago, we challenged you with two poll questions about the historic Hurlock Train Station we all know and love today. We asked where it came from and what year it arrived.

The votes are in, the archives are open, and it’s time for the grand reveal!

📍 Question 1: Where did our current station come from?

The Options: Vienna, Williamsburg, Cambridge, Linkwood, Federalsburg, East New Market

🏆 THE CORRECT ANSWER: Williamsburg, Maryland!
If you voted for Williamsburg, give yourself a pat on the back! While it has proudly served as the symbol of Hurlock for decades, the train station’s story actually began just a few miles down the road where it originally served as Williamsburg’s station!

📅 Question 2: In what year was it moved into town and restored?

The Options: 1995, 1987, 1951, 1992

🏆 THE CORRECT ANSWER: 1992!
The station was relocated and beautifully restored just in time to serve as the historic centerpiece for the Town of Hurlock’s Centennial Celebration in October 1992.

🔍 The History Behind the Plaques
If you step inside the train station today, you will find two beautiful plaques that preserve the legacy of this massive community effort:

The Centennial Plaque: This commemorates the incredible joint effort by Mayor Don Wm. Bradley, along with Council Members William R. Hopkins, Sr., Harvey H. Gregory, William H. Mills, Sr., and Norma W. Todd to help bring the train station to Hurlock. It stands as a testament to the private citizen donations and municipal leadership that made the relocation a reality.

The Mr. Robert Alton Briggs Tribute: A special shield-shaped plaque honors Mr. Robert Alton Briggs (1910–2002). The citizens of Hurlock dedicated this to him to recognize his incredible foresight, unselfishness, and vital contributions to the ultimate attainment and restoration of the station.

Without the dedication of these individuals over 30 years ago, a crucial piece of Eastern Shore railroad history might have been lost to time. Instead, it stands proudly today right in the center of town!

Did the answers surprise you, or are you a certified Hurlock History Expert? Let us know in the comments if you remember the big move back in '92!

05/26/2026

Today, the Hurlock History Project pauses to observe Memorial Day.

As we look back at the generations who built our community, we hold a sacred space in our hearts for the brave men and women who laid down their lives in service to the United States.

From the Revolution to the Civil War era to modern conflicts, the true cost of our freedom is borne by those who never made the journey home. Their sacrifice is woven permanently into the fabric of our history, and our gratitude remains timeless.

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

We remember. We honor.

05/18/2026

🚂 DID YOU KNOW? Hurlock’s $4.00 Fire Truck Parking Spot! 🚒

We take our local volunteer fire company for granted today, but back in the early 1920s, getting the town's first modern fire engine required a bit of neighborly cooperation and a very cheap rental agreement!

The Big Purchase:
In 1923, the Town Commissioners decided it was time to upgrade Hurlock's emergency services. They took a major leap forward and purchased the town's very first modern fire truck from the Hale Hose and Fire Pump Company for $2,500.

The Problem: No Firehouse!
The town suddenly owned a state-of-the-art emergency vehicle, but there was one glaring issue—Hurlock didn't actually have a firehouse built yet! In fact, the town's first official fire station wouldn't be established until 1927, when it was set up in the basement of the town theater (later sometimes known as the "Fireman's Theater").

The $4.00 Solution:
To keep the brand-new engine safe from the elements, temporary Fire Chief Wyatt Williams had to think fast. The commissioners worked out a deal with a prominent local businessman to shelter the truck. The engine was officially stored at W.C. Bradley’s Garage, and the town paid a monthly rental fee of exactly $4.00 to keep it parked there!

What do you think?
Imagine the town's entire fire protection relying on a rented garage stall! Rent prices have certainly gone up in Hurlock since 1923. Drop a comment if you or your family have ties to the Hurlock Volunteer Fire Company and if you have anything about this awesome fact that you would like to share!

The Hurlock History Project

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