Dorchester County mural dedication

Racial tensions hit a tipping point in Cambridge in 1967 with Pine Street set ablaze, and the National Guard being called in.

That was 50 years ago this week, and since then the city has come quite a long way.  Friday, a special mural was unveiled to commemorate African-American culture and history in Dorchester County.

The 11-by-48 mural was crafted by local artist Michael Rosato, who has also created other murals on display around the County.

"I wanted to convey just that sense of strength and integrity and work and the big story that lies behind that people that make up the other half of this community."

The mural attracted hundreds to the corner of Maryland Avenue and Route 50.  Bill George was a resident of Cambridge during the Civil Rights Movement of the 60s.

"That really was the low point, I think.  And the community has been digging out ever since."

George grew up in Pennsylvania and New York before moving to the Eastern Shore.  He says the African-American community "had a lot to be angry about," and all of that erupted in July of 1967, when clashes between black residents and the mostly white police officers led to Pine Street being set ablaze and the National Guard being called in.

A half century later, George marveled at just how far the city has come.

"This is – this is amazing.  And I think I had to be away for 50 years to appreciate it."

The mural shows the faces of Harriet Tubman, born just miles from the site of the mural, Ella Fitzgerald and Gloria Richardson, along with the faces of everyday citizens, at the barbershop, at work, or with their families.

Cambridge Mayor Victoria Jackson-Stanley also remembers the night the city was set on fire, and says that was the turning point for the city.

"I knew that this was not the end of the road for the City of Cambridge.  We had so much going on here.  It took us a little longer than I had hoped and we're not where we need to be, but 50 years ago was a turning point, it was change."

And the man behind the brush says this piece of art can carry on the story of what occurred here.

"Just people have come from all over that have heard about it, because I think that it's a great story.  People want to learn more."

To learn more on the history of Pine Street, Cambridge and Dorchester County, log on to reflectionsonpine.org.