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Ellicott City: A Gretna Green in Maryland
Before 1938, when Maryland passed a statewide law requiring a 48 hour waiting period before marriage, impulsive young couples could get quickly married in towns known as "Gretna Greens," with or without family consent.
A "Gretna Green" referred to a town in Scotland, known since 1754 for allowing underage couples to cross the border from England or Wales and get married without their parent's authorization.
Elkton, MD, close to the Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey state lines and Ellicott City, MD, which had transportation routes into town by road, rail and trolley, were ideal for the "secret" or "quick" wedding. |