EMMITSBURG, Md. – The board of commissioners unanimously approved a resolution sponsored by Commissioner William B. O’Neil Jr. to recognize the town’s 1825 incorporation date at their Aug. 7 meeting, with little debate.

The resolution recognizes Jan. 13, 1825, as the “the only legal and official date in which the government was established for the Town of Emmitsburg,” and provides the town government with a way out of the multi-year debate over the town’s founding date.

Board members had stated previously that they felt that town administrators should not become involved in “voting on history.”

Staff and historic society supported resolution

The resolution calls for only the date of incorporation to appear on the town seal and “all official representations (presumably including the town flag).”

When asked his opinion of the proposal, Town Manager David Haller said, “I think it (adoption of an incorporation date resolution) is a reasonable position.”

Mayor James E. Hoover also favored the move, stating, “I agree with what is to be done here … I think it is the right way to go.” He noted that the Aug. 7 action was essentially the same as that agreed on by the board in 2003, which was not backed by a resolution at that time.

The move followed on the heels of a couple of town meetings where the founding date debate leaned toward heated exchange. The division was between accepting 1757, the year Samuel Emmit acquired the 2,250-acre Carrollsburg tract (a portion of which became Emmitsburg in part), as the founding date, or 1785, based on a deed, conveying 35 acres from Samuel Emmit to his son William which refers to the proposal for a town bearing the name Emmitsburg.

Speaking at the Aug. 7 meeting, Emmitsburg Area Historical Society President Michael Hillman, said the historical society agreed with the incorporation date action by the board.

Residents have many dates to celebrate

Passage of the resolution, however, does not prevent any individual or group in town from organizing an event celebrating whatever historic date they choose to commemorate, including any of an array of founding or settlement-related dates.

“Leave it to the residents to decide what and when they will celebrate,” O’Neil stated at the adoption meeting.

The board reiterated statements made previously that it would consider providing some financial support to any group or organization wishing to organize a celebratory event premised on town history.

Commissioner Glenn Blanchard moved to approve the resolution formally recognizing the town’s incorporation date; Commissioner Joyce Rosensteel seconded the motion.