From its crossroads genesis in the 1720s until the Mason-Dixon line was established, the town now known as Rising Sun was actually located in Chester County Pennsylvania. The taxes were paid in West Chester, Pennsylvania, and all the early deeds and records are still recorded there. The town occupied part of what were the controversial "Nottingham Lots" claimed by William Penn and given to his Quaker friends in 1702 over the vigorous objection of Maryland's Calverts. Messrs. Mason and Dixon settled the dispute by determining that the area in question was indeed a part of Maryland. Records show that, around 1720, Henry Reynolds established a stone tavern on Nottingham Lot No. 17 to serve as a stage stop. Over the entrance was a swinging sign depicting the rays of the sun at dawn and the lettering THE RISING SUN. It was around this busy tavern that the village of Summer Hill began to grow. To this day, Rising Sun is home to 2781 citizens. For more detailed information on the Town of Rising Sun, visit our website at risingsunmd.org.
