A Brief History of the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland
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The eastern shore of Maryland is a flat, sandy headland that lies between the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Only a small fraction of Maryland’s residents – just 1/8 – live in this area, even though its land makes up 1/3 of the state’s total area. Much of the eastern shore of Maryland is a relatively calm, unobtrusive place, with a couple of small towns and farms here and there, stretches of fields, and beautiful expanses of wetlands.
This place has a bit of history and mystery surrounding it too. Europeans first migrated and settled here in the 17
th century after Captain John Smith’s exploration of the bay and the rivers. By 1740, the inhabitants of the eastern shore of Maryland were mainly European immigrants, with most indigenous people either killed by disease or driven away from the area.
Stories and reports of haunted places abound in this historical area of Maryland – the eerie cries of eagles; the dark, ancient flight of the blue heron and the scream of the fox; or is it the accordion wail of swans flying overhead – it’s easy to understand why a great deal of mystery is part of life in the eastern shore of Maryland.
The landscape of the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland is speckled with small towns, many of them still exuding the charm of past centuries, and it’s not hard to trace a couple of family names several generations back. The geography of this place led to it becoming a commercial center because the waterways aided the merchant’s commuting – the Shore’s west side is flanked by the Chesapeake Bay, the east side is flanked by the Atlantic ocean, and various winding creeks and rivers dabble the central area.
Changes in the modern era
As technology improved and transportation became easier, so did agricultural markets in other parts of the US. As such, there was no longer much boom in towns in the Lower Shore and a big majority of native families moved to more populous places where opportunity was aplenty.
The distortion of the eco-system in the local rivers, the Coastal Bays and the Chesapeake Bay has seen the shrinking of the seafood industry – particularly crabs, fish and oysters. Seafood, however, remains a top export for the area. The focus of agriculture has now shifted to the broiler industry. Chickens have become one and the same with the Lower Eastern Shore, with chicken houses, corn fields and soy bean – for feeding the chickens – visible all over the place.
Thanks to the unique tradition still clearly visible in the allure of the small towns, the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland has become some sort of Mecca for tourists and travelers. There’s something exclusively unique to this area that is drawing vacationers, day-trippers and weekenders in droves. There are lots of other attractions too – the appeal of the local people, the communities at the waterfront, the sparkle of the Atlantic beaches, the local museums, among others.
What has not changed
While there have been a lot of changes in economic activities and people, the small towns still innately retain their charm. Both the natives and new immigrants in this area have great appreciation for heritage and its preservation. They exhibit a strong sense of community.
The Chesapeake Bay’s natural beauty, as well as that of the rivers, forests, marshes and wildlife is vivid. As you drive down the highway, you can easily catch sight of bald eagles and blue herons. Wildlife refuges are maintained in great condition and usually open to the public.
Also, one thing you cannot miss is the slow pace of life in the small towns of the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland. Here, people live their lives ‘on the lower shore’, there’s no rush.
