Record Observer 200th Anniversary Section

FROM THE EDITOR

For two centuries the Record Observer has provided news our community has come to depend on. From its inception, monumental events have shaken the nation. Our front pages spoke of the Civil War, two World Wars and the assassination of John F. Kennedy.

But looking back through the archives, we find a multitude of topics — market prices for grain, railroad schedules, local politics, and yes, advice and social columns — captivated readers far and wide. News of death, theft and even hangings were matters to be discussed by those readers gathered round to exchange thoughts and opinions.

The local paper documents history in a way no other source can. Firsthand accounts of day-to-day events that shape a community, and a country, were and continue to be captured on these pages. A living document of what people thought, believed, dreamed and worked for.

We celebrate milestones and the birth of new ideas, new business and growth. Through the pages, we stare history in the eye and where we once wrote of the slave trade, we now write of diversity, inclusion and a monumental shift in perception. What’s changed over the last 200 years?

In the first several decades of the 1900s, short stories, humorous anecdotes and even poetry still graced the pages. The original source of social media, Queen Anne’s County readers were entertained by their neighbors and often celebrity news from “across the pond.” Our fascination with the English monarchy continues. Public health warnings continue to find their home in print, since the warnings of consumption or tuberculosis became coverage of COVID-19. Fire department suppers and carnivals continue their long tradition in the county — a reminder that as much as things change much remains the same. Likewise, 4-H news and events and visits from Santa find long-standing coverage among our pages, a testament to the deep connections with the community.

Ads tended toward the sale of automobiles and electric appliances — those grand new inventions claiming to make household tasks and visits with relatives easier than ever before. One of my favorite parts of researching these early archives was looking over the engaging advertisements. Even in black and white, the art and wit of these early ads was sure to captivate their audience. The prevalence of ads for the removal of dead animals, livestock and otherwise, however, came as a surprise.

Church Hill was billed as the “smallest town in Maryland” with the services of a drug store and you could still buy furniture from the store in Still Pond. Likely we’d appreciate most of the prices of the grocer’s ads.

Queen Anne’s holds the title of “gateway to the Eastern Shore” and as such this publication has borne witness to its biggest connection to the rest of the state — the Bay Bridge. And yet progress is not always marked by such physical observations. Historically the most strongly secessionist county in Maryland, the county’s ideals have shifted, leading the way in diversity and inclusion, environmental advocacy balanced with economic growth, all while seeking to maintain those foundations this land was shaped by. It has been the duty and pleasure of the Record Observer to document those evolutions from the Civil War to present day. We thank you, our readers, for joining us in commemorating these efforts as a community partner and steadfast companion to generations of readers for these two centuries, providing a platform for the diverse voices of our community.

Through times of change and uncertainty, adapting to the evolving media landscape we have striven to maintain our commitment to you, our readers, while preserving the core values that have earned your trust and respect.

We remain dedicated to continuing our service to Queen Anne’s County with many more years of insightful reporting, community engagement and journalistic excellence.

Hannah Combs

Editor

Photo Courtesy QUEENSTOWN BANK

This is the Matapeake ferry terminal in the 1940s, used by the Chesapeake Bay Ferry System until the first Bay Bridge opened in 1952. The Club House, on the far left, is still standing and is being renovated.

The first building of record to house the Observer newspaper sits on Lawyers Row in Centreville.

Ever ycommunityhas its unique qualities.Extraordinar y, lovable communities shareacommon trait –the abilitytoattrac t volunteers,businesses, non-profits,and organizations to create memorable moments.A big thank yougoes out to ever yone whohelped makeour recent DrinkMar yland: Centreville Maryland Makers eventsomemorable,especially our event co -par tner the Maryland Wineries Association, the Planning Groupvolunteers,corporate sponsors,the Public Works staff at the Town of Centreville,and theCentreville Police Department. Andlast,but certainly not least,abig thanks goes out to all of our guests both locals and visitors who choose to spendtime with us.

2024 DrinkMaryland: Centreville Corporate Sponsors

Lawyers RowPer formanceSponsor ($1,500) ShoreUnited Bank

Suppor tSer vices Sponsor ($850) QueenstownBank

Gold Sponsor ($750) CR Realty

Silver Sponsors ($500)

Joseph W. McCartin Insurance, Inc.

Smith &Co. at RE/MAX Executive WyeRiver Kennel

BronzeSponsors ($250)

BerkshireHathawayHomesale Realty

Prime Lending

Queen Anne’s County Librar y Rosendale Realty

Lona Sue Todd of Taylor Proper ties

T-Shir tSponsor: TidewaterTraditions

OurVolunteers

Centreville Main Street volunteers plan and executeDrinkMar yland: Centreville and Centreville Day. Their passion and creativitycan be found in all your favoriteevent features. Their commitmenttocommunityisinspiring and we couldn’t do it with them. Thank you!

DrinkMar yland Volunteers

Tatianna Andrian •Brandi Barr •Linda Buber

Katelyn Buccciaglia •Fred&Deb Cain

Chad Cronshaw•Jackie Forrest •Chris Hansen

Josh Hansen •Sam Hansen •Shanae James

Andrea Leggett •Jennifer Moore

KerryNagle Daniel &BrittanyRachunek

Dottie Skocic •MikeShotola •Deb Sigler

Centreville DayVolunteers

Judy Corchiarino •Giuliana Corchiarino

Emerson Corchiarino •Natasha Dawson

LauraFeller •Crystal Fisher •Aubrey Johnson

Mary Beth Johnson •Eric &Jamie Johnson

Daphne Klocek •Mindy Ray•MaryWalker

Saturday, Oc tober26th, 11am-3pm

Formoreinformation, please contac t: mainstreet@townofcentreville.org or (410) 758-1180, ext. 17

A STORY OF EXCELLENCE

QA SPORTS A TESTAMENT TO RESILIENCE AND DIVERSITY IN ATHLETICS

BY ERIC SYLVIA

F

From the 1800s to 1950s, sports in Queen Anne’s County evolved from informal, community-based activities to more organized and competitive forms. Horse racing, hunting, and fishing gave way to cricket, baseball, football, and basketball. The growth of high school sports and community leagues reflected broader social changes, with sports becoming an integral part of life in Queen Anne’s County; finding an important place among the pages of our publication.

In the early 19th century, horse racing was a significant activity, reflecting the agrarian lifestyle of the county. Local fairs and gatherings often featured horse races, which were major social events drawing large crowds, and continue to be a legacy covered by this paper. Hunting and fishing were also popular, both as means of subsistence and recreation, leveraging the county’s rich natural resources.

Baseball, known as “town ball” in its early form, began to take hold after the Civil War. The game quickly became a favorite pastime, with local teams forming and playing against each other in informal matches.

Queen Anne’s County developed a strong baseball culture, with local teams becoming central to community life. Sports like football and basketball also began to emerge towards the end of the century, particularly in school settings.

The 1920s and 1930s were marked by the Great Depression, which impacted sports funding and participation. However, community and school sports remained active. Baseball continued to thrive, with local leagues and teams maintaining robust participation. The rise of radio broadcasting in the 1920s also began to influence local sports, as residents could follow major league baseball and other sports, fueling local interest.

World War II had a significant impact on sports in the county, as many young men joined the armed forces. Postwar, there was a resurgence in sports activities. The late 1940s and early 1950s saw an increase in youth sports programs, reflecting the nationwide trend towards organized youth athletics. High school sports continued to be central, with

football, basketball, and baseball dominating the scene. The introduction of physical education programs in schools also helped institutionalize sports, ensuring that young people had regular access to athletic activities.

Negro baseball in Queen Anne’s County played a significant role in the early 20th century, providing African American players a platform to showcase their talents during segregation. Notable figures include Arthur “Shorty” Wilson, a standout player for the Centreville Black Sox, who was celebrated for his skills and contributions to the sport.

The 1920s and 1930s were marked by the Great Depression, which impacted sports funding and participation. However, community and school sports remained active. Baseball continued to thrive

Wilson’s legacy, along with others, was honored by the U.S. Postal Service with a dedication ceremony for Negro Leagues Baseball stamps in 2010, highlighting the historical significance of the leagues.

The Centreville Black Sox and other local teams were integral parts of the Negro Leagues, offering entertainment and community pride. These leagues operated from 1920 to about 1960, with players like Wilson paving the way for future generations by breaking barriers and pushing for integration in sports and other institutions, influencing social change and contributing to the eventual desegregation of Major League Baseball. The legacy of Negro baseball in Queen Anne’s is a testament to the talent, resilience, and determination of African American athletes during a challenging period in

American history. Other notable sports figures with deep roots in the county include Jimmie Foxx, a native of Sudlersville, a legendary Major League Baseball player and a power hitter. He was the second Major League player to hit 500 career home runs after Babe Ruth and the second youngest to reach that milestone. Foxx won three Most Valuable Player awards and is celebrated for his outstanding career with the Philadelphia Athletics and the Boston Red Sox Foxx played from 1925-1945, and an original Jimmie Foxx rookie baseball card, specifically the 1933 Goudey #29, can vary significantly based on its condition and grading, but could be worth nearly five figures!

Nearby the 1902 Chicago Stars, a Bloomer Girls team, played a notable game in Chestertown. Although they lost, the game was significant for showcasing women’s involvement in baseball during an era when it was largely frowned upon .

Also from Sudlersville, C.H. Metcalfe was a national senior champion in skeet shooting in 1948 and 1949. He co-founded a skeet club in Sudlersville, which had the first skeet field in Maryland . Joe George, another prominent skeet shooter from Sudlersville, also won national titles in the sport. He was a notable figure in the local skeet shooting community alongside Metcalfe . Jeff Hopkins, a world champion archer from Queen Anne’s County, has won numerous titles, including the North American BowHunters championship and multiple Archery Shooters Association world titles. Hopkins is also known for his heroic act of saving a man’s life in a car accident in Kentucky.

Motorsports are also represented here with two specific gentlemen standing out. Both Larry Lauterbach and Wheeler Baker significantly influenced hydroplane racing through their

skills, innovations, and dedication to the sport. Lauterbach’s boat-building expertise and Baker’s competitive success exemplify the diverse talents that have driven the sport forward. Their legacies continue to inspire new generations of racers and enthusiasts in the hydroplane racing community.

Lauterbach started in the 5-litre and 7-litre classes and quickly gained a reputation for his skill and competitive spirit. He transitioned to the unlimited hydroplane class, where he competed against top racers and made a name for himself. Besides driving, Lauterbach is renowned for his boat-building expertise. His boats, known for their speed and reliability, have been highly sought after in the racing community. Many racers have achieved success in boats designed and built by Lauterbach.

Baker, a legend in hydroplane racing, hails from Chester. Over a 30-year career, Baker distinguished himself as one of the sport’s most accomplished competitors. Baker’s racing career spanned from 1977 to 2007. During this time, he won 10 American Power Boat Association National Championships and was an eight-time National High Points champion. His skill and consistency made him a dominant force in the sport. Baker’s accomplishments include setting numerous records and consistently performing at the top levels of competition. His induction into the Maryland State Athletic Hall of Fame and the APBA Hall of Champions underscores his significant impact on the sport. Beyond his personal achievements, Baker has been a pivotal figure in promoting hydroplane racing. His involvement in the racing community has inspired many younger racers and contributed to the sport’s growth.

Continuing that theme of record breaking success residents

Jimmie Foxx photo colorized by Bill McAlister of Countryside, Illinois

Comptroller Peter Franchot admires the Jimmie Foxx sports memorabilia inside the Sudlersville Train Station Museum

of Queen Anne’s County have received various Maryland state sports awards over the years, recognizing their athletic achievements across multiple sports disciplines. Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association Awards regularly include students each year across different sports including football, basketball, baseball, and lacrosse.

Bayside Conference Awards also awards athletes from Queen Anne’s County High School and Kent Island High School. Many students from each school have been selected for the Bayside Conference All-Conference teams and have received Player of the Year awards in various sports.

The most recent and certainly a significant accomplishment — the Queen Anne’s County High School Lady Lions Women’s Wrestling Team was only three seasons old when they qualified for and competed in the first-ever Maryland State Women’s Wrestling Tournament championship, which they went on to win to become state champions.

The “Bay Times Record Observer” covered the event and reported, “The large number of the team’s young women advancing to the state tournament was a result of their strong performance in the Regionals. Final results - QACHS scoring 119 points, overwhelmingly taking the team championship!” The next closest team was Oakland Mills with 86 points in the competition.

As Coach “Bubba” Swindell said following their accomplishment, “Never be satisfied!” Advice followed by the countless teams and individuals covered by this publication for the past 200 years and counting.

Gil Dunn stands in front of his Jimmie Foxx photos in the Kent Island Pharmacy

The Church Hill Hawks’ Ralph Deaton, left, played for the University of Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks. Deaton is shown here sliding into home during one of his college games

Bucs clinch regional Special Olympics Unified Sports competition

We meet Tuesday s, 7: 30am All are welcome!

I like being able to get involved in a variet y of service projectsfrom the food bank , cleanup days, helping high school students and other areas. I also enjoy learning more abou t local businesses and organizations in the area, since we moved here from ou t of state.

– Marshall Merz , Treasurer

BY DOUG BISHOP & MIKE KADER

I A SNAPSHOT IN TIME THE MUSEUM OF EASTERN SHORE LIFE

“If you were to ask most people about the Queen Anne’s Museum of Eastern Shore Life, they wouldn’t be able to tell you about it. They wouldn’t even know it exists, or where it’s located.” That’s the opinion of both Board members, and museum docents, Bill Lampman and John Harper. And that is truly a shame! Lampman added, “If one out of every 20 people in the county could describe the museum, We’d be surprised.” It is one of the most remarkable gems within the county, and it is believed people, in general, would be very entertained and educated, if they visited the museum, full of historic items, and artifacts, from life that was once known in the county After 19-years of community interest and pushing for a county museum that would reflect “the way things use to be”, the life of Queen Anne’s County residents, before the Bay Bridge, especially from the farming and maritime communities, the museum was dedicated in 1994. The location is at the 4-H Park property in Centreville, along Route 18. A 2,000 square foot building, costing $60,000 to build during that time. It opened during the Queen Anne’s County Fair in August, 1994, with over 2,000 agricultural and maritime artifacts. It also has antiques representing home life and transportation within the county Museum Board members and docents Bill Lampman and John Harper listed some of the most unique items to take a look at when you visit the museum. According to Lampman; “1. the marriage proposal letter Dick Phillips wrote to his future wife. 2. the line type printing press once used to print a newspaper. 3. the human baby incubator. 4. Old fashioned tools for doing woodwork, and 5. metal craft tools.”

You’ll also find; a 1947 television set, a wooden commode (nothing in it!), an old buggy to be pulled by a horse, an antique Coca-Cola machine (that used to dispense 9 oz. Coke bottles for .05 cents each), a wide variety of antique telephones, and two antique motor vehicles, one an antique 1929 pick-up truck, the other, a 1922 Ford Touring Car, donated by Chris Kilian of Centreville, three-year ago. There is also a hand-dug log canoe that dates back 225-years.

There is so much more on display, too much to list

everything here.

The museum was the idea of the late Maryland State Senator Robert Dean of Queen Anne’s County. Dean held a community interest meeting in 1975. A committee of interested citizens was formed. Senator Dean died in 1984, however, his dream went forward with the committee, which included his widowed wife, Miriam.

Several locations were considered before the 4-H Park in Centreville was the final site decided upon. The other sites included; Chesapeake College, the Kent Island Business Park near Terrapin Park, the Wye Institute offered a small parcel of land, and a different location in downtown Centreville. At the museum are several antique pieces of equipment that were used in print shops in the past

Among the many people who helped to get the museum finally built, Bonnie Roschy, Senator Dean’s daughter, asked that the late Dan Shortall be mentioned. Roschy wrote, “Dan Shortall came over one day and told my mother he would see to it that something got done, and he did it!” Shortall and his late wife, Ann, have a bench at the 4-H Park with their names boldly engraved on it, placed not far from the entrance to the museum.

The museum is open the first Saturday of each month, from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. Admission is free, however, donations are accepted. The museum is listed as a non-profit organization, depending on private donations. Donations of antiques and artifacts are still being accepted.

During the QA Fair this year, the museum will be open Tuesday, Aug. 13, from 5-8 p.m. Wed., Thur. and Friday, from 1 p.m. - 9 p.m. Special tours can be arranged during the year by calling 410-758-2137 or 410-758-2147.

Bottom: An aerial photo at the museum from about 1940 shows the estate at Pioneer Point on Corsica Neck near Centreville with the mansions built by John J. Raskob after he bought the 1,600-acre property in 1925

A vintage incubator for transporting babies in need of emergency medical care is on display at the Museum of Eastern Shore Life

THE BREADWINNERS OF QA COUNTY COUNTRY’S OLDEST CONTINUOUSLY OPERATED GRIST MILL SUPPORTED BY COMMUNITY PAPER

BY ELIZABETH POLO

CCradled along the curves and bends of the East Wye River stands sentinel the indomitable spirit of the Old Wye Mill, America’s oldest continuous water-operated grist mill. Since 1682, the mill has stood as a testament to feeding the people of Queen Anne’s County. Now, 342 years later, its weathered stones and seasoned gears still grind along to invoke its history’s sights, sounds, and stories for generations to come.

In its early years, the Old Wye Mill stood as a pioneer among the mills of the Eastern Shore by supporting Maryland’s very own pioneers of the American Revolution. In 1779, the Continental Army asked Colonel William Hemsley, a Queen Anne’s County militia soldier, and the mill owner at the time, to supply flour to feed the troops. Hemsley shipped thousands of pounds of flour to the army and even fed the French in the siege of Yorktown until the end of the war in 1783.

During this time, hundreds of small mills dotted the Eastern Shore, most of whom got their ground from the king of England. Since they had loyalties to the crown and did not want to lose their property, they were loyal to the British during the Revolutionary War. The millers supplied flour to them instead of the Continental Army. According to the Friends of Wye Mill, the organization running the site, the efforts of these millers of the Eastern Shore even donned the nickname the “Breadbasket of the Revolution.”

John Nizer, a member of the board of directors of the mill, explained the position of Old Wye Mill. “Since William Hemsley owned his property, he was not indebted to the king of England at all. He was one of the very few who supported the colonists at the time. His actions supporting George Washington’s army were essential to America’s victory.”

Like countless other industries during the Industrial Revolution, milling evolved with technological innovations. In the 1780s, Oliver Evans created the automated flour mill. His invention simultaneously produced cleaner flour while significantly reducing the amount of physical labor. In 1800, the Old Wye

Mill implemented this design since it reflected a new method of engineering that prioritized the continuous process and is still being utilized at the mill today! A panel at the Wye Mill describes Evans’ engineering process as “one vast living organism.”

For decades, the mill would work and partner with the surrounding farms and ground wheat, corn, buckwheat, and barley. To keep the mill alive and well, owners would update the mill’s technology over the years. In 1845, owner John R. Hopkins implemented one of the first steel water wheels produced by the infamous Fitz Water Wheel Company until 1899, when John S. Sewell replaced the wheel with two turbines.

Winthrop Blakeslee, the last commercial owner of the Wye Mill, reverted back to the steel wheel in 1918. After grinding along for so long, the little mill couldn’t keep up any longer. “In the 1950s,

Lt. Gov. Boyd Rutherford, left, listens to Friends of Wye Mill Inc. President John Nizer explain some of the inner workings of the historic mill. July 2020

“It takes incredible engineering to take water from a pond to turn a water wheel and turn gears to grind grain. The kids are studying STEM in school, and when they come here, they get to see it in action. They get to see how Mother Nature is harnessed into power that’s used to feed people.”

Winthrop Blakeslee sold it to the state because the Bay Bridge opened up, and he couldn’t compete,” told Nizer.

Today, the Friends of Wye Mill operate and preserve the site. As a non-profit, volunteers and members of the community come together to keep it running. Open Wednesday through Sundays from May to October, the Old Wye Mill strives to bring new experiences to people of all ages! “We all live here and support each other in our community,” Nizer smiled, “The tourists that we bring into the grist mill will support local businesses by going to restaurants, hotels, and stores.”

Nizer and other members of Friends of Wye Mill are proud to offer learning experiences to school children across the state as well through field trips, and even a newly published chapter book that follows the adventures of little critters throughout the mill!

“It takes incredible engineering to take water from a pond to turn a water wheel and turn gears to grind grain. The kids are studying STEM in school, and when they come here, they get to see it in action. They get to see how mother nature is harnessed into power that’s used to feed people.”

While the Old Wye Mill has been grinding its gears to feed Queen Anne’s County, the “Bay Times Record Observer” has also been nourishing the community through quality journalism. 2024 marks the 200th anniversary of the paper, and in a budding era of the internet with online news, local journalism is more important than ever.

Unlike mass news organizations, local papers focus on news that directly represents and reflects the needs and wants of their specific community. For two centuries, the Observer has created and maintained a place that celebrates the county’s unique achievements and characteristics, highlights the concerns of community members, and keeps certain matters transparent to the public.

Whether it be laborious milling or persistent reporting, both the Old Wye Mill and the Observer have preserved the history of the Eastern Shore as the breadwinners of Queen Anne’s County.

Old Wye Mill is located at 900 Wye Mills Road in the village of Wye Mills. It is the nation’s oldest continuously operated water powered grist mill.

The Kennard Alumni Association and the Kennard African American Cultural HeritageCenter congratulates the Record Observer on200 years of service.

Kennard Museum

1st Saturday of each month, May thru Oc tober: 10am -2pm

GuidedTours Available by Appointment Only: Call 443.239.2110

Rental reservations areona “first come,first ser ved” basis.Rental contrac tand deposit required. Please contac tD eborah Brownat 410-827-8684 or deborahbrown@atlanticbb.net to reserveyour space.

Caretakers of the past,Guardians of the Future.

BY CECELIA SHILLING

In recent years Queen Anne’s County has been busy with environmental efforts as passionate nonprofit groups push for more recycling programs and regulations to reduce plastic waste and litter.

With unique but effective initiatives like boat shrink wrap and fishing line recycling programs, plus limited bans on plastic bags, environmentalists are leading the charge for an earthfriendly Queen Anne’s County.

“We were with our family looking for local public access beaches to explore and we eventually found Terrapin [Nature Park]; it was really dirty,” Kristin Weed, founder of Kent Island Beach Cleanups said. “And here we are now 12 years later and we have a pretty decent following... we have all different types of groups that come out. Civic clubs, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, classes, you name it, they come out. We have something for everyone to do.”

Weed began hosting clean-ups on Kent Island in 2012 and launched her organization. Now, Weed and groups like Plastic Free Queen Anne’s County, Queen Anne’s Conservation Association and the Queen Anne’s County Watermen’s Association work to reduce waste, encourage recycling and protect the local estuary.

Not only do these organizations restore oyster beds and pick up countless pieces of trash from local beaches, they are also responsible for Queen Anne’s push for environmentally minded projects and legislation.

Plastic Free QAC partnered with the county to create one recent and successful initiative; the boat shrink wrap recycling program. Boat shrink wrap is a polyethylene, or plastic, protective cover that protects boats from the elements when not in use and during long-distance transportation.

“2023 was a great year,” Plastic Free President Sara Shelley said. “But then this whole shrink wrap [initiative]- it just far exceeded our expectations this year, having such an increase from our first year. We’re thrilled about that.”

The amount of wrap collected increased by 370% in just the second year of the program, according to a July press release. Six tons, or 12,000 pounds, of wrap was collected and recycled compared to 2023’s 1.62 tons recycled.

Another recycling initiative, this time for fishing line, began in 2021 also in partnership with Plastic Free QAC. Fishing line litter threatens wildlife, could damage boating equipment and takes 600 years to decompose. All fishing lines can be recycled at receptacles around the county.

“They [recycling programs] all have an impact in different ways. You know, the fishing line, we’re not just talking about litter, we’re talking about wildlife entanglement,” Shelley said. “And then the shrink wrap - it’s just such a huge commodity, such huge amounts.”

I QA LEADS THE WAY IN ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS NONPROFITS SPEARHEAD RECYCLING INITATIVES

Since 2019, bans on balloon releases and a partial ban on plastic bags have been introduced in Queen Anne’s County. The plastic bag ban currently only applies to Centreville.

Artist creation of a large sea turtle, the art was created from litter that had been discarded in the waterways around Queen Anne’s County, that often traps wildlife, killing them

“We were putting together some information and our plan was to go out to all the local businesses and just kind of gather their thoughts on what they thought of a potential plastic bag ban,” Weed said. “We actually were pretty surprised at how many businesses were on board with it.”

The amount of wrap collected increased by 370% in just the second year of the program, according to a July press release. Six tons, or 12,000 pounds, of wrap was collected and recycled compared to 2023’s 1.62 tons recycled.

The Town Council of Centreville passed the single-use plastic bag ban in 2023 following “overwhelming support” during hearings about the ordinance, according to a release by Plastic Free QAC. Beginning on Jan. 1, 2024, plastic bags are limited in stores but paper bags can be bought for ten cents, with exceptions for pharmacies and restaurants.

The county also became the first in the state to enforce a balloon ban for non-biodegradable balloons in 2019; a statewide ban went into effect in 2021.

“Deflated mylar and latex balloons, and the ribbons attached to them, harm the environment by maiming and killing wildlife, sea creatures, and farm animals,” said Jay Falstad, Queen Anne’s County Conservation Association executive director for a 2019 press release.

Despite the uptick in programs and regulations, representatives from local organizations say there is still work to be done.

“Plastic bans are terrific, [but] it’s one slice of the whole environmental pie,” said Frank DiGialleonardo, Corsica River Conservancy president. “The Eastern Shore is a wonderful place to live, and a lot more people are coming to that conclusion. We face a major challenge in terms of dealing with population increase and the pressure that puts on our environment and natural resources.”

Still, environmental leaders are proud of the increased awareness and feel that their programs are receiving much positive feedback. Plastic Free QAC has gotten calls from national organizations about their work in the area, Shelley said.

“It’s wonderful,” she said. “I get calls, I get emails [about the initiatives]. There’s a national organization called Beyond Plastic... they’re considering getting the word out to their constituents about the programs we’re doing. It’s a very important part of what we do and we’re all very proud to live here.”

EXCEEDINGEXPECTATIONS: Lona haslived on thebeautiful EasternShore of Maryland herentirelife. Herlocal knowledge andconnections make heranexpertin thearea. Lona hasa reputationfor puttingher clients needsfirst, whichshe believe is at theheart of hersuccess. Providingcustomerser vice with honesty andintegrity is importanttoher.She also understands that buying andsellingahomeismore than just atransaction:itisa lifechanging experience

Bente Cooney, founder of Plastic Free QAC, testifies here in 2019, before the Queen Anne’s County Commissioners on balloons posing risks to pilots

A LOOK BACK AT 200 YEARS 1824-2024

BY PAUL AND REBECCA PLACEK

TThis article attempts to briefly highlight some of the more recent 200 years of Queen Anne’s County history. The County’s most prominent newspaper was published in the 1824-2024 time period.

THE BEGINNINGS

Kent Island and surrounding areas have been inhabited for 12,000 years. William Claiborne was born in 1600 in Kent County England and he became a surveyor in the Virginia colony of Jamestown. Jamestown was the first English settlement in the New World in 1607. While surveying the Chesapeake Bay, he “discovered” Kent Island in 1631, claimed ownership, and built Fort Kent on the southernmost tip. The island was then inhabited by about 100 Matapeake Indians of the Algonquian nation. They taught the English the wonders of tobacco farming, which soon dominated trade with Europe. Because the Calverts obtained the Maryland charter from King Charles, Claiborne lost “The Isle of Pleasant Living” in 1657. He died in 1677. The Matapeakes all departed Kent Island in 1770. Queen Anne’s County was formed from Kent and Talbot Counties in 1706. It is named for Queen Anne (1665-1714) who ruled Great Britain. The first authoritative map of Queen Anne’s County in some detail was not published until 1866.

FROM FORT KENT TO BROAD CREEK TO STEVENSVILLE

At Fort Kent, there was a fort, church, barrel-making, and homes. Three decades after 1631, the English settlers from Fort Kent had migrated to a new town which they named Broad Creek. Fort Kent has vanished due to and is now under the waves of the Chesapeake Bay. Soon Broad Creek (where Bay City subdivision is now) had a Post Office, ferry service to Annapolis and beyond, a church, a jail, courthouse, and a shipyard. However, now, only an old cemetery

and a historical marker remain. By the 1870’s, Broad Creek’s population had moved to Stevensville. Many of the early structures (mostly 1870-1900) in Stevensville still remain, and this area is now state-sponsored as the Historic Stevensville Arts and Entertainment District, one of 29 such districts in the State of Maryland. Also, the entire town of Stevensville is now on the National Register of Historic Sites. The deep water port of Broad Creek, once busier than Port of Baltimore, has silted in and the entire town has been replaced by 800 homes in the Bay City subdivision.

TOBACCO BECAME KING

The Indians taught settlers how to grow and process tobacco, with trade often to European countries. Tobacco leaves were compressed into hogsheads. Hogsheads were large wooden barrels used to store and transport tobacco from the colonial period through the early 1900s. They were typically 48 inches long and 30 inches in diameter at the head, and were made from oak staves and hoops. The barrels’ shapes allowed them to be rolled and loaded onto merchant ships. Hogsheads weighed almost 1,000 pounds each. At destinations, workers then broke the hogsheads apart, emptied out the tobacco, and sold the barrel parts for scrap wood or firewood. Tobacco remained the chief Queen Anne’s County export crop until the late 1800’s, when crop exports were Chesapeake Bay seafood, wheat, corn, peaches, tomatoes, and soybeans.

EMORY’S TOME

From this early period of 1631 to 1888, the most comprehensive and scholarly history of Queen Anne County was published in the 629 page tome by Frederic Emory. The History of Queen Anne’s County is a series which was originally published in the “The Centreville Observer”, totally consuming weekly issues during the years 1886-1887. The series of articles from this newspaper started as

Kent Island and surrounding areas have been inhabited for 12,000 years. While surveying the Chesapeake Bay, William Claiborne “discovered” Kent Island in 1631

a scrapbook and was reprinted in book form in 1950 and again in 2022. We used it extensively for this article.

QUEEN ANNE’S COUNTY

ESTABLISHED 1706

Just 20 years before the year 1824, official monetary dealings in the area were in pounds, shillings, and pence. Tobacco was as good as silver or gold. What is now Queen Anne’s County was originally within Virginia, but now is bordered by Anne Arundel, Talbot and Kent Counties, Maryland. After much consternation, in 1706, Kent Island became part of Queen Anne’s County.

THE RECORD OBSERVER:

1824 - 2024

In 1824, the Centreville Times was the first weekly newspaper published in Queen Anne’s County. Within 10 years, it had grown to four pages and its name was the Centreville Times and Eastern Shore Public Advertising. Subscriptions were $3 per year. A Democratic Party newspaper in Queen Anne’s County was established in 1839 in Centreville and it was called Freedom’s Sentinel. In 1842, it evolved into the Queen Anne’s Telescope. By 1846, it was the Sentinel and Advertiser. With a new owner in 1857 it became the States Rights Advocate and Maryland Sentinel. This newspaper office was burned in 1864 and the paper expired. The Centreville Observer was established in 1864 to take the place of the States’ Rights Advocate. This paper transitioned to the Centreville Record in 1874. Other Queen Anne’s County newspapers have been: The Crumpton Gazette, Church Hill Air

Line, the Queenstown News, and the Church Hill News. The Record Observer and the Bay Times were separate papers for decades, but are now combined. Its roots go back 200 years, to 1824.

SLAVERY

By 1820, the time of the fifth U.S. Decennial Census, the population of Queen Anne’s County was 14,952 persons. Of these, 7,226 were classified as “White”, 5,588 were classified as “Slave”, and 2,138 were classified as “Free Colored”. County population size was stable from 1790 through the Civil War, and in each decade there were more “Slave” than “Free Colored”. Currently, using 2023 Census statistics, the population of Queen Anne’s County is 50,316. The breakdown is 85.4 percent White, 5.9 percent Black or AfricanAmerican, 4.8 percent Two or More Races, 2.8 percent Other Race, 1.1 percent Asian, 0.1 percent Native American and < 0.1 percent Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander. Much of the Black population has migrated to urban areas in search of new opportunities. Therefore, in the past 200 years, Queen Anne’s County population has transitioned from about half Black and half white in 1820, to 85 percent white now (and more diverse).

Prior to the Civil War (1861-1865), the importation of slaves to Maryland by slave-hauling ships from other continents was a stable “industry” in Maryland. Furthermore, the conflict between William Claiborne and the Calverts over Kent Island ownership complicated the first 40 years of the island’s history. Also, Indian tribes in the Chesapeake Bay area were often in conflict between each other and the new English settlers. Ominously, the six-foot-tall Susquehannock Indians from the northern parts of the Bay territory made bloody raids in mid-Bay settlements. They were known for wearing a wolf or bear head in battle. After vanquishing an enemy and cutting out the beating heart of the body, they ate it. Then they brought the surviving women and children back to their villages in the northern areas of the Chesapeake Bay. The legislature passed a law requiring settler’s to take their Flintlock guns with them to Sunday church. In this conflicted context, the area around Queen Anne County attempted to become “civilized”.

CIVILIZED IN 1824?

By 1824, the County had an Almshouse with an overseer and a doctor who was paid $75 per year. In 1824, there were 50 White and 7 Black paupers in the Almshouse. Misbehaving almshouse vagrants and vagabonds were punished by ten lashes at the whipping post.

In Queen Anne’s County, travel by horse, buggy, and stagecoach were most common in the early 1820’s to 1910. Horse racing was a popular sport. Cock fighting was an officially recognized sport.

In 1824, the famous patriot General Lafayette, the distinguished French soldier and statesman, visited this area with much adulation. Lafayette had fought alongside George Washington in the American Revolution (1776-1883).

In 1824, the Maryland Legislature passed an act authorizing gates on all public roads in Queen Anne’s County. This greatly impeded travel by stagecoach and many complaints were made. Finally, the legislature rescinded the gates rule and ordered them removed in 1871.

POLITICS AND

POLITICAL PARTIES

Party labels for early U.S. Presidents were fluid and ill-defined. Washington (1789-1797) and J. Adams (1797-1801) were Federalists. Jefferson (1801 -1809), Madison (1809 – 1817), and Monroe (18171824) were Democratic Republican. J. Q. Adams was a National Republican, but Andrew Jackson was a populist Democrat who really shook things up. And during 1841 to 1853 came the “Whig” Presidents Harrison, Tyler, Taylor and Fillmore. A different political philosophy came to imitate the revolutionary “Whigs”, who had resisted British aggression in earlier decades. Constituents became the “Whig Party” in 1834. The Easton Whig newspaper was established to promote that party. The Whig convention met in June 1839 and in Easton in July 1839. The Whig State Convention for 1842 met in Baltimore and in 1844. The Whigs met in Centreville in 1846 to prevent “…the frequent instances of the abduction of our slaves by undue and unlawful means, by the aid of ill-designing and wicked men and require that effectual [sic] steps be taken to arrest the growing evil”. Yet another new political party grew in strength until 1854—the “American, Native American, or Know-Nothing Party” ascended. Its goal was to prevent immigrants from other countries from migrating to Maryland or gaining positions of power. This party disbanded in a few short years. Locals were caught in the middle of these and other conflicting philosophies.

LINCOLN AND EMANCIPATION

The Presidential Campaign of 1860 resulted in the election of the Republican candidate Abraham Lincoln in 1861. Soon after came the Civil War. It is significant that Abraham Lincoln did not receive a single vote in Queen Anne’s County. President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, during the third year of the Civil War. The Proclamation declared “that all persons held as slaves within the rebellious states are, and henceforward shall be free”. However, the Proclamation was limited. It applied only to states that had seceded from the United States, leaving slavery untouched in the loyal Border States. It also expressly exempted parts of the Confederacy (the Southern secessionist states) that had already come under Northern control. Importantly, the freedom it promised depended upon Union victory over the Confederacy. The Proclamation involved the acceptance of black men into the Union Army and Navy, enabling the liberated to become liberators. By the end of the war in 1865 almost 200,000 black soldiers and sailors had fought for the Union and their own freedom.

Many local militias arose in this area with sympathies in line with the South. Searches for the quantities of long guns, cannons and powder were undertaken by Southern sympathizers and by Union forces. The control of these activities in Queen Anne’s County and all through Maryland were taken over by a pro-Union semi-military government supported by President Lincoln. Many families were split politically, with half taking an active role on the Union side and others favoring Southern sympathies.

The recruiting of “colored troops” began in 1863 in Queenstown and on Kent Island. Simultaneously, this was followed by the “running away” of many slaves, many of whom joined the Northern Army as soldiers. Local Queen Anne’s County residents who expressed pro-slavery sympathies were disenfranchised or arrested. The new 1864 Maryland State Constitution disfranchised all persons who “...lent aid or comfort to the Confederate cause or who by word or deed declared sympathy to the South”.

During the Civil War, in 1863, there was a newspaper in Centreville called the State’s Rights. However, the Union Party muscled control of local affairs in Queen Anne’s County. There was a pro-Union newspaper called the Centreville Citizen. Also, from 1857 – 1916, there was a large pro-Union newspaper published in New York City called Harper’s Weekly, A Journal of Civilization. For over 20 years, a noted political cartoonist, Thomas Nast, was influential. It was printed double page on March 14, 1863, was widely reprinted, and became famous. Nast’s original pen and ink drawing now hangs at the Met in New York City.

HISTORY

In March 1934 agroup of citizens from Queenstown met and decided to organize avolunteer fire companyfor the town.

WHY VOLUNTEER

BENEFITS

•Haveyou ever heardasiren or seen afireengine and wondered what washappening?

•Haveyou ever witnessed or come upon amotor vehicle accident and wished youcould help?

•Haveyou been therewhen someone was stricken with sudden illness and wanted to assist?

•Doyou want to become involved in your community?

•Are youlookingtosupplement your retirement?

QUEENSTOWN VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

TRAINING: Newand ongoing training is integral to the volunteer fire service.Whenyou join this emergencyservices organization training will be provided through regional training fire academies,local EMScourses and in-house drills.

GEAR: Dedicate your time and efforts to us and we’llmake sureyou have the turnout gear necessary to staysafeand get the job done.

INCENTIVES: Length of Service Awards, Program MD State TaxIncentive -$7,500, QueenAnne’sCounty Property TaxBreak -$2,500,Length of Service Awards Program,MDStateTax Incentive-$7,500,Queen Anne’s County Property TaxBreak -$2,500,LifeInsurance Policy- $10,000

Uniforms Provided friends, Career Opportunities, Satisfaction of Helping Others, Make NewFriends

OUT

PROHIBITION AND “DRY” COUNTIES

Prohibition became an issue in 1874. In that year a law was proposed prohibiting the sale of liquors in Maryland. Most Queenstown districts (Dixon’s, Church Hill, Centreville, and Kent Island) approved of prohibition, and Queen Anne’s County became a “dry” county for decades.

THE RAILROAD, PHONE AND TELEGRAPH

There had long been interest in expanding Queen Anne’s County rail lines to Kent Island, but the Civil War postponed those plans. Finally, by 1876 the Queen Anne’s and Kent Railroad were established. Soon this railroad was linked with the Philadelphia and Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad systems. In 1876, the first telephone line for Western Union Telegraph wires were placed, and by 1882, telephone service came to Kent Island. In 1894,the Queen Anne’s Railroad Company constructed a 60 mile track from Lewes, DE to Queenstown, MD. Then in 1902, a 13 mile rail line connected Queenstown to Love Point and stations in between.

KENT NARROWS

Kent Narrows is a waterway which connects Eastern Bay and Chester Bay. In Colonial times, it was so shallow that it was called “the wading place”. In 1826, an earthen causeway was built with local materials such as logs, stones, and shells. This blocked off all boat traffic. Then In 1876, the causeway was removed and an 8’ deep 72’ wide channel was cut and a wooden bridge overhead was completed. A rail line was installed and the train to destinations on Kent Island resulted. By 1952, a drawbridge was built there, but highway traffic in both directions was blocked whenever a sailboat passed. When it was up, traffic between Annapolis and Ocean City sometimes backed up for miles. The old 1952 drawbridge remains in service to this date, and is mostly used by locals. Pilings from the old bridge are still visible at the narrows. Finally, in 1990, a six-lane bridge was built over Kent Narrows. It allows automobile traffic to pass in both directions over 50-301. Now, summer weekend traffic backs up for miles east and west of the Bay Bridges and the Narrows.

J.E. Greiner Co. Chesapeake Bay Bridge Picture No. 476, Main Span Erection, View Showing Sheaves and Lifting Cables Extending to West Main Tower and Stiffening Truss Section No. 4 approaching final position April 17, 1952

SAIL, RAIL AND STEAMER

Water transportation has always been a major factor in the development of Queen Anne’s County, including sail craft, steamboats, schooners, sloops, and bugeyes [sic], and motor ferries. The first across-the-Chesapeake-Bay ferry ran from Annapolis to Broad Creek. The first Broad Creek Line operated from about 1650 to 1858. Broad Creek had a Post Office until 1876. The Claiborne-Annapolis Ferry System included a route between Kent Island and Annapolis until 1930. After this, the Matapeake and Annapolis Ferry Line operated until 1952, when the first Bay Bridge was completed.

A transition from the age-old method of traveling by sailing vessel to modern methods of travel by steam began in the Chester River in 1817. In that year, the steamboat Surprise traveled regularly between Centreville in Queen Anne’s County landings and Baltimore. In 1820, the steamboat Maryland ran regularly between Chestertown, Queenstown, Baltimore, Easton, and Annapolis. In 1833, the Governor Wolcott steamboat made the circuit between Rock Hall, Corsica, Chestertown, and Baltimore. By 1848, Captain James Tilghman took command of the Cambridge, which traversed between Baltimore and Easton. By 1850, the Chester River had three steamboats--the Osiris, the Cambridge, and the Hugh Jenkins. They landed at Chestertown, Corsica, and Kent Island. By 1880, the Steamboat Cecil had stops at Crumpton and Booker’s Wharf. The Queen Anne’s Railway, Inc. began operating in 1902. It came from Lewes, Delaware across Kent Narrows with stops in

Queenstown, Chester, Grasonville, Stevensville and Love Point. However, ferry and rail passenger services ceased in 1948 and freight and express handling ceased in 1952. The ferries could not handle the cross-Bay traffic quickly, so the first Bay Bridge was finally built in 1952. The 1952 Bay Bridge soon could not handle traffic, so the second span of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge was completed in 1973. Currently, there is planning for one ten-lane Bay Bridge to better handle traffic.

LOVE POINT, A VACATION DESTINATION

Love Point, the north tip of Kent Island, became a vacation destination from 1902 to the 1940’s for visitors who came by train and boat.

There were two large hotels which had big band dance halls, a merry-go-round, bowling alley, and a casino. There was an inland lake with paddle boats, shooting gallery, sport shooting of clay birds, wrestling matches, fishing, and swimming. Annie Oakley, the renowned trick-shot champion, visited Love Point twice.

The Great Depression of the 1933- 1940 period devastated Love Point, Maryland and the world. The hotels closed permanently in 1947. They became vacant and finally were destroyed by fire in 1965. Nothing now exists of the gaieties there. To see what’s left, take Love Point Road north and turn right on Pier Avenue, which covers the old tracks. The State of Maryland bought the area and the Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources has a small building there.

The James Adams Floating Theatre, a two-story barge which

Train and steamboat at Love Point exchange passengers. Sidewheeler, Westmorelandm

Bay Bridge Aug. 31, 1951

Bay Bridge Aug. 31, 1951

held 500 people, made Queen Anne’s County regular stops including at Love Point, Chester, Queenstown, and Stevensville. Between 1914 and 1941, actors performed melodramas, skits, and plays as that theatre-on-a-barge made its routes all around the Bay and beyond. Edna Ferber, the author and dramatist of the 1926 novel, Show Boat, modeled her book after real characters on the James Adams Floating Theatre.

GOLDEN AGE OF STEAMERS

Author Jack Schaum’s book is about 26 specific steamboats now gone forever. All were built of wood. They averaged 135 feet in length with 25 foot beams plus they had enormous rotating side wheels. They could travel seven to fifteen miles per hour. Some had auxiliary sails in case of no wind or faulty steam engines. They were usually individually owned and often competed with each other. The largest ever was the Dreamland at 284 feet long and it could carry 400 passengers. These steamers transported people and goods down the Chester River to Love Point on Kent Island and across the Chesapeake Bay to the port of Baltimore. For over one hundred years, vessels like the Maryland, the Chester and the B.S. Ford traversed Bay waters laden with fruit, grains, crabs and oysters. For a dollar, passengers could enjoy the novelty of a ride and the slow panorama of the shoreline. They could stop at Love Point on Kent Island for its carnival and vacation atmosphere. The last of the steamers--the Bay Belle--made its final passage in the 1950s. Take a trip with Jack and read his 2015 book.

THE WATERMEN AND THE “OYSTER NAVY”

By the mid-1860’s, Bay-caught crabs, soft-shell crabs, oysters, and clams had become major exports to big cities. There was intense competition between fishermen on both sides of the Maryland/Virginia border for access and fishing rights in each other’s territories. Tempers flared and violence erupted between Maryland and Virginia watermen. By 1868, the Maryland “Oyster Police” or “Oyster Navy” was in conflict with Virginia watermen. Currently, Queen Anne’s County fishing boats are seen amidst condominiums which have become bedrooms for Washington and Baltimore commuters. The watermen are now concerned that oyster beds have been killed by parasites, Dermo, and MSX. Legislation on power dredging for oysters, tidal fishing, noncommercial crabbing, aqua culture, Rockfish catching, and oil and gas drilling in the Chesapeake Bay have become their issues of the day.

For a dollar, passengers could enjoy the novelty of a ride and the slow panorama of the shoreline.

The James Adams Floating Theatre, 1914-1941 Steamer Dreamland at Love Point

She carried a few passengers, but the steamer Corsica of the Chester River Steamboat Co. was primarily a freighter, hauling peaches and grain from farms in the Crumpton area to Baltimore

AUTOMOBILES IN QUEEN

ANNE’S

COUNTY

The first person to own an automobile in Queen Anne’s County and on Kent Island was Dr. C. Percy Kemp, as reported in the May 12, 1900 issue of The Queenstown News. This was cited by Carole Frederick in the Fall 2016 issue of The Isle of Kent - 1631. The first successful gasoline auto in the U.S. was the 1893 Duryea. Bicycle mechanics J. Frank and Charles Duryea of Springfield, Massachusetts won the first American car race in 1895, and then they sold the first American-built car in 1896. Soon, competitor Ransom E. Olds founded Oldsmobile in 1897 and by 1903 he was producing thousands of Olds cars on the assembly line using interchangeable parts. However, even much before all this, inventors had experimented with a clock-work-driven carriage (1692), a steam-powered car (1769), and one with an internal combustion engine (1826).

Within Maryland, Baltimore was the center of the upstart homegrown auto industry. In 1890, Carl Spoerer sold motorized carriages at 400-402 South Freemont Avenue in Baltimore. The Spoerer’s sons partnered with John and BJ Reus from 1907 to 1914 where they built the Spoerer automobile in Baltimore. The Spoerer Model B sold for about $3,000 in 1912. In 1908, the Motor Car Company of Baltimore advertised the Stevens-Duryea touring car

manufactured by J. Stevens Arms and Tool Co. of Chicopee Falls, Mass. for $2,500. From 1907 to 1910, the Sinclair-Scott Company sold assembled automobiles for $2,500 in Baltimore, Maryland. However, competing with these were the least expensive and mechanicallysimple automobile Fords. Henry Ford’s Model T’s were probably the most prevalent automobile early in Queen Anne’s County history. Early in the 1910’s and 1920’s, Model T engines powered trucks, tractors, sawmills, and boats for the average man in Queen Anne’s County. In 1909, Henry Ford revolutionized car production by selling his gasoline-powered Model T for $825. By 1925, it had been lowered to $260. ($260 is equal to $4,500 in today’s dollars). About 15 million Model T’s were built, and fewer than 1 percent have survived.

It is possible that the oldest running Ford now in Queen Anne’s County is a 1915 Ford Model T currently owned by Chris Kilian, a member of the Kent Island Heritage Society.

On the first Saturday of the month, he sometimes docents at the Old Stevensville Train Station where he drives and displays this car. His car is mechanically like the 15 million Model T’s built from 1909 to 1927 in that all 15 million had the same basic motor, transmission and chassis parts. Before the 1909 Model T, Ford actually named his cars as Models A, B, C, F, K, N, R, and S. Contrary to myth (“You can have any color as long as it’s black”), many of these A – S cars were in colors other than black. The really new Ford after the Model T came out in 1929 started over again with the alphabet-- as “the new Model A”. See the Newsletter of the Kent Island Heritage Society, Inc., Spring 2017, “My 1915 Model T Ford by Chris Kilian”.

Linda Severa Collier published an article entitled “The Severa Brothers” in the Fall 2016 Newsletter of the Kent Island Heritage Society, Inc., She stated that the Chester Service Station was located in Dominion on Kent Island adjacent to Little Creek. The station was not far from the Kirwan House and Museum at 641 Dominion Road, Chester, MD. Linda’s father served in World War I and opened an automobile and boat engine repair business with his brother after World War I. They built several cars from scratch with bicycle wheels for tires and re-used alarm clock faces for headlights.

In the Spring 2017 issue Heritage Society Newsletter, Butch Collier wrote of owning a 1939 Buick, a 1941 Oldsmobile, and a 1948 Plymouth. Cars like these are still often seen at car shows organized by the Kent Island Cruisers Car Club, started in 1994. The Cruisers annually organize a spring show, Father’s Day show, Historic Stevensville show, Halloween show, and cruise-ins.

The increase in American cars is inversely related to the decline of horses in the USA. In 1920, there were almost twenty million horses in the USA, but by 2012 (the last year in which the U.S. Census counted them), there were fewer than four million horses in the USA. Obviously, autos have replaced horses. The Census Bureau reported that, in 1900, the U.S. population was 76 million people but only 8,000 registered vehicles on U.S. roads. Now in the U.S. there are 340 million people driving 290 million vehicles.

Chris Kilian with his 1915 Model T

KENT ISLAND’S “WARS”

WITH THE ARMY IN 1917 AND U.S. NAVY IN 1956

In 1917, Kent Islanders learned of Congressional budget plans to purchase all of Kent Island and remove over 2,000 islanders, and make the island a bombing range. Senator James E. Kirwan (politically) led the charge to oppose this plan. One hundred locals traveled to Washington, D.C. and they met with Congress to defund the plan. The Army caved and their updated military facility became Aberdeen, where a restricted area of the upper Chesapeake Bay is now used for bombing practice. Butch and Linda Collier of Chester help to maintain Senator Kirwan’s House and museum. With the Kent Island Heritage Society they and other docents give free guided tours of Kent Island Heritage Society properties on first Saturdays of the month..

Also, in 1956, the U.S. Naval Academy proposed plans to purchase and annex the lower half of Kent Island for use as a flight training base. The acreage was just south of the Bay Bridge towards Kent point. Dr. Reginald Truitt opposed this plan and saved “the land of pleasant living” for us, the ducks, and the blue herons.

THIRTEEN AIRPORTS IN QUEEN ANNE’S COUNTY

Readers may be surprised to learn that there are currently 13 public and private airports in Queen Anne’s County. Private airports are used for small charter flights, private jets, private airplanes, military airports, and restricted landing zones. Public airports (Bay Bridge Airport, Kentmorr Airpark Airport) are for commercial and public flight planes and parcel delivery. Private airports are in Centreville, Chestertown, Church Hill (2), Annapolis, Crumpton, Queenstown, Stevensville, Sudlersville (2), and Millington. There are no space age facilities in Queen Anne’s County (not yet, not that we know of).

CONCLUSIONS

In 2031, in just seven years, Kent Island will be celebrating its quadricentennial. This marks 400 years as Kent Island being the third oldest English settlement in the U.S. Only Jamestown (1607) and Plymouth (1620) were settled earlier than Kent Island’s 1631 Fort Kent settlement. Now might be a good time to ponder what we should be celebrating in 2031.

Sheriff Gary Hofmann and the Queen Anne’s County Office of the Sheriff are delighted to commemoratethe anniversary of the Record Observer! We celebrate the longstanding commitment to providing quality journalism and keeping our community informed for the past 200 years!

Did you know. .. .

Qu ee nA nne’s County was founde di n1 706? Wi th ar ich history spanning ov er thre ec en turies ,i ti ss te epe dw ith tradition, pride and co mmunity spirit.

Did you know. .. .

The first Sheriff, Richard Tilghman, took of fi ce in 1709? The Office has continue dS he riff Tilghm an’s const itutio nal obligation of maintaining sa fety and serv ing our co mm un it yw ith pride .

Did you know. .. .

That 200 years ago, in 1824, the Sheriffs of QAC were John Blake then Thomas Robert s? Th ei rl eaders hip and dedic ation to the co unty are integral parts of the Office of the Sheriff’s co ntinued tra di ti on of public servic e.

QUEEN ANNE’S COUNTY OFFICE OF THE SHERIFF

SHERIFFGARY HOFMANN

Command Staff photo courtesy of Stan Rudie

I FROM SEGREGATION TO CELEBRATION

KENNARD

AFRICAN AMERICAN

CULTURAL

HERITAGE CENTER CONTINUES SERVICE TO

THE COMMUNITY

AS ‘GUARDIAN OF THE PAST AND CARETAKER OF THE FUTURE’

BY NIAMBI DAVIS

In May 2023, the Kennard African American Cultural Heritage Center joined several Queen Anne’s County sites as part of the Maryland House and Garden Tour. No one knew what to expect on that rainy morning. “Will they come? Can they find us?” When the doors opened at the appointed hour the steady stream of visitors slowed only 15 minutes before closing. Many guests expressed equal measures of wonder and appreciation. “We had no idea this museum was right here where we live. We didn’t know this history existed!”

When Lucretia Kennard came to Queen Anne’s County in 1919 as supervisor of Colored Schools, she found overcrowded, one-room structures dotted throughout the county, equipped with outdated hand-me-down learning materials passed down from the County’s white schools. Determined to provide a quality learning experience for African American students, Kennard rallied the community’s support to provide a better education for their children.

They sold dinners, and organized bake sales and fundraisers until enough funds were raised to purchase the land on Little Kidwell for 99 dollars. Through President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Works Progress Administration, the Board of Education constructed Kennard High School, named for its visionary founder, for 2,600. But there was no money left to wire the building for electricity. Again, the community reached into its pockets and raised the needed funds. In 1936, Kennard High School opened its doors. Sadly, Lucretia Kennard Daniels, who had since married, did not live to see her dream come to fruition.

Kennard served every African American high school student from the north to the southern county line. To accommodate a growing student population, in 1952 “new” Kennard was built across the street and the brown shingled building became Kennard Elementary School. When Queen Anne’s County schools integrated in 1966, that same year Kennard High

In 2009, the Kennard Alumni Association begins work on a multi-year project to renovate the old Kennard High School into the Kennard High School African-American Cultural Heritage Center

School’s last graduating class marched across the gymnasium stage to “Pomp and Circumstance.”

After integration, Kennard sat vacant for 40 years. When the county proposed demolition, Madelyn Hollis, one of Kennard High School’s original teachers, raised a forceful objection: “Black people collected dimes, nickels, and whatever they could to build Kennard. If I have anything to do with it, that will never happen.” At the same time, the Kennard Alumni Association met once a month at the Clarence E. Wilson American Legion Post near Little Kidwell. In 2007, when Clayton Washington became President, the association decided to pursue renovation of the building. “I had a set of skills and the desire to do the best job possible. And I promised Mrs. Hollis that if we begin, I’d see it through to the end.”

Restoration construction began in 2010. The building was stripped down to its bare bones. Sometimes money ran out. But in the spirit of their forebears, the Association pressed forward, securing grants and holding fundraisers. Today, the Kennard African American Cultural Heritage Center chronicles African American life in Queen Anne’s County from the arrival of enslaved Africans to the United States Colored troops and military veterans, entrepreneurs, watermen, the county’s black communities, and the era when baseball was king in the community. With expanded exhibits planned, it has become the cornerstone of the Kennard Alumni Association’s mission – to fill the gap in telling the story of African American contributions to the history of Queen Anne’s County.

Chris Pupke, local historian, past president of the Queen Anne’s County Historical Society, and member of the Kennard Association’s Advisory Board, would agree.“Kennard is a foundation of African American history in Queen Anne’s County. It’s one of the few places in the County where this history can be found. And if we ignore certain threads of that history, in this case, African American history, our community is weakened. But we can strengthen our community if we acknowledge and share all of that history.”

Pupke’s particular interest, and the one he’s been able to share most frequently, is the story of the United States Colored Troops; over 400 men from Queen Anne’s County, their role in winning the Civil War, ending slavery, and preserving the Union. Although the stories of these heroes have been underrepresented in the County, an exhibit in the Museum is dedicated to their lives and service.

When Mary Margaret Revell Goodwin, Queen Anne’s County Historian, shared her research on Queen Anne’s County African American history with the Alumni Association “the information she presented inspired us to move forward,” Washington recalled. “I have been dedicated to the history of this county, the town and

Kennard for years beyond measure,” Goodwin said. “I was with Clayton Washington when the very first meetings were held and the dreams of restoration were first discussed.”

For the County’s 2016 History Summit, Goodwin prepared a proclamation for signing by the Queen Anne’s County Commissioners to honor James Taylor, a United States Colored Troops veteran from Centreville. The proclamation honoring his

“That history could have been trashed and forgotten but thanks to Mary Margaret it now has a place of prominence”

service was presented to Taylor family descendants. Because Goodwin was able to rescue Taylor’s photograph from sidewalk trash during a teardown of his former home, his image and story became part of the Museum’s USCT exhibit.“That history could have been trashed and forgotten but thanks to Mary Margaret it now has a place of prominence,” Washington observed. Yolanda Acree, community historian, author, artist, exhibit curator, and creator of the Facebook page Black Eastern Shore, recognized a need to delve deeper into the history of black people on the Eastern Shore. “My goal is to tell all of the story - not just those of Harriett Tubman and Frederick Douglass. Although we love and revere them, many more stories on the Eastern Shore need to be heard.” In June 2022, in conjunction with Kennard’s Juneteenth celebration, Acree unveiled “A History of the Shantytowns of Kent Narrows.” Curated through oral histories, community conversations, family photos, documents, and documentation, the exhibit honors the lives of largely unseen workers who were the backbone of the region’s seafood industry; men and women who lived, worked, raised families, and owned businesses where restaurants, dock bars and hotels now line both sides of Kent Narrows. For many Museum visitors, it was a remembrance of the lives of families and friends and an appreciation for what one former resident described as a hardworking, loving, and resilient community. Kennard African American Cultural Heritage Center’s reach into the community is continually expanding. The Juneteenth celebration has grown each year into a historical commemoration and a community reunion, replacing the annual Alumni picnics held in previous years at the County’s 4-H Park. The yearly Gala has survived COVID to fill an entire room with alumni, honorees, their families, and the community.

In 2021 in partnership with the Queen Anne’s County Historical Society, Kennard hosted “Voices and Votes”, the Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street traveling exhibit. This past February, despite the snow, every ticket was taken for the showing of Maryland Public TV’s “At the Water’s Edge: Black Watermen of the Chesapeake.” The Association has established a lending library as part of its service to the community. As a member of the Queen Anne’s County Consortium of Historical Sites, Kennard is open the first Saturday of the month from May to October, 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. for docent-led tours. Visits can also be scheduled upon request.

Each year, more of the dream of Kennard’s founder and supporters is realized. The 20th-century vision of Lucretia Kennard and the 21st-century commitment of alumni, board members, advisors, and allies have enabled the Kennard African American Cultural Heritage Center to continue its service to the community as a “guardian of the past and caretaker of the future.”

Visit Kennard African American Cultural Heritage Center for more information on exhibits and programs.

Left: May 2019. Kennard High School Alumni Association President Clayton Washington unveils plaques recognizing contributions to the renovation of the former African-American school building in Centreville now houses a Cultural Heritage Center

Benefits ofMember ship

MonthlyNewsle tter

•Bes tShow Calendar on EasternShore

•Fre eads in newsle tter Buy/S ell/Wanted

•New member $20year, renew $15

Monthlymembership meetingsf irst Wednesday of each month (attendancenot required )

10% Disc ount at WesternTire and Au to Be generous! TheK ent Island Cruisersdonatethousands of dollarseach year to good local wor thycauses

Upcoming 2024Shows&Events

Tues .August13, SuperCruiseatRita’s5pm –8pm

Benefitfor theLemmo Famil y, Frank Lemmo passed leaving wi fe and twokids ,who will help picksix trophy winner s.

Sat. Sept .7,Historic Stevensville Classic Car&Truck Show

100cars&truck spark in Historicpar toftown 10am –2pm, 30 trophies, 100dashplaques, $2 Big TenRaff le, ($20R egistration star ts 8:30am)

PLUS Step 1Dance 2Dancers, free PLUS Free docent toursofhistoricsites until4pm, PLUS Free Ar tMarke tatHistoricChris tChurch12noonto4pm

Tues .Sept. 10 SuperCruise#3atRita’s5pm –8pm

QACChristmas Angels fordisadvant agedkids . Si xtrophies.

Sat. Oc t. 26 at KIFD, HalloweenShow

30 Trophies,15 forcarsinC os tume, 15 fornot in costume. Dash plaques, music ,kids and pe ts in costumeparade

TuesdayeveningsCruise-ins 5pm –8pm at Ri ta’s Stevensville, weather permitting, AprilthruO ct .

Upcoming in 2025

Spring FlingShow, Father’sDay Cruise -in, His toricS tevensville Show,Hallowe en Show,Tuesday evening Cruise -ins,All Clubs

Breakfas t, and more…

BY CECELIA SHILLING

In 1939, the Queen Anne’s Record Observer celebrated 115 years - a milestone even then. In that ‘’birthday” issue World War Il, Neil Armstrong’s moon walk, and the invention of the internet were years, even decades, away.

The copy reads, “115 years from now perhaps ... we shall be taking week-end trips to Mars in a shining rocket...perhaps we shall be doing our business in a few hours a day and spending well-earned leisure in all other pursuits that eternally pull at the mind and spirit of men...perhaps we shall have healed the world of hunger and disease and a hundred kinds of suffering...perhaps...The mind goes on and on…to things that certainly will come true ... and to things that certainly will never come true.”

Those words written by W. D. Roe & Son, an anchor of the community as a grain dealer from 1880 to well into the 1900s, noted just how connected the community was to the local paper, predicting the Record Observer would still be existing in 2054.

In the way that those connections in a small county are inexplicably linked, Brown Metcalfe “Gibby” Roe Jr. was born just a few short years before that anniversary. In 1935 in Chestertown, he was one of the first babies born at Kent & Queen Anne’s Hospital.

The son of Brown Metcalfe and Barbee Roe of Chestertown, Roe lived the earlier part of his life in Sudlersville, where he was engaged in the family grain business,

W.D. Roe & Son, with his father, former Maryland Delegate, State Sen. and U.S. Congressman Dudley George Roe who represented Queen Anne’s County from 1907 to 1947. Roe was also a director of the Sudlersville Bank of Maryland which was founded by his great-great-grandfather, Joseph Edwin George in 1904, later purchased by Mercantile before merging with the Chestertown Bank of Maryland.

Now in 2024, we look towards another hundred years and the evolution of a newspaper from print to digital, the exploration of creating grain that can withstand drought and how those partnerships continue stronger than ever — feeding the community together.

I LOOKING AHEAD TO 2054 MILESTONE ANNIVERSARY PREDICTS PAPER WILL LAST ANOTHER 155 YEARS

Congratulations to theRecord Observer on their200th anniversary

We would like to takethis oppor tunit ytothank them forthe many years they ha esupported the ve terans of the American Legion Benedic t

A. Andrew Post 296.

Y

Your dedication andsupport to theentire communit yisgreatlyappreciated.

on 200 years of community support!

LONGTIME EDITOR REFLECTS ON LAST CENTURY

BY DOUG BISHOP

EEditor Emeritus of the Record Observer, Dan Tabler — approaching a monumentous anniversary himself, as his 100th birthday nears — recalls a few big stories, in his many years working with the paper.

He started working at the newspaper in 1940, when he was 16. He worked at the then “Record Observer” office located at 103 Lawyers Row, that building constructed in 1884, 40-years before he was born, across the street from the historic Centreville courthouse. The office, a three-story building, still has the newspaper’s name, boldly engraved on the bricks, high above the doorway on the second floor.

Tabler recalls the newspaper printing press was also inside that building when he started working there.

Today, that building houses an accounting office, and has long since not housed the newspaper, which moved to its next office location at 114 Broadway, before that office closed about four years ago to join the office on Kent Island now home to the joined publication now known as the “Bay Times Record Observer”.

This year, 2024, is truly special, as not many newspapers achieve bi-centennial recognition, especially, a weekly community newspaper. Tabler worked even after he “retired” as editor of the newspaper, continuing to write his long standing column, “Bits & Pieces”, about his general observations of happenings in the community, and bringing praise to many wonderful people who over the years contributed to the greatness of Centreville and Queen Anne’s County. His column officially ended in 2020 when he was 96, as the COVID

pandemic resulted in general changes for the paper.

In a recent interview, Tabler, a longtime member of Goodwill Volunteer Fire Department, joining when he was 16, remembers, “There was a big fire in the then business district of Centreville in the 1940s.” If there was a fire in Centreville, Tabler knew about it, was reporting on it, and was usually a participant in helping put those fires out. He’s been a member of the fire department for over 80-years.

Tabler remembers when the Civil Rights Movement of the early 1960s visited Centreville. He said, “In January 1962, Freedom Riders traveling through Queen Anne’s County, attempted to integrate the bar of the old Centreville Hotel. They got off the bus then came into town and demonstrated. There were no confrontations during the demonstration.”

In the early 1960s, Queen Anne’s County was still very segregated socially, he recalled and the public schools here remained segregated until 1967, when Queen Anne’s County High School opened, and all the small segregated high schools in the county closed.

He also remembers Princess Anne, then 26, of England, the daughter of Queen Elizabeth, coming to Queen Anne’s County in 1977, to dedicate the statue of the late Queen Anne (1665-1714) of England, which still stands at the center of courthouse square in historic downtown Centreville. Queen Anne, the namesake of Queen Anne’s County, when Maryland was still a colony of Great Britain, Tabler said and he fondly remembered people from all over the state came for the unveiling of the statue. Tabler also remembers when

DanTabler, World War II

Left: Centreville’s Dan Tabler is a familiar face at the local library. His stories are legend and his depth of knowledge impressive

former U.S. President Ronald Reagan, who during his reelection to that office in 1984, was criticized for being “too old” to become president when he was in his 70s. In a discussion about what the founding fathers of the nation meant when designing the Declaration of Independence, Reagan joked, “I knew Thomas Jefferson!” to the laughter of the audience.

Tabler commented, “That was well before my time. I didn’t know Thomas Jefferson, but I did know Jefferson’s grandson!”

Tabler was born in West Virginia, and moved with his family to Centreville when he was only nine-years-old. Growing up with the county and this publication, he and his bride, Ruth, who was born and raised in Centreville, have observed many events in the town and also Queen Anne’s County. They both graduated from the former Centreville High School, in the early 1940s. Attending school where the Board of Education offices are currently located.

Tabler enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War ll. He served in communications there as well, continuing his letters home with news from the service and then returning as a founding member of the Centreville American Legion Jeff Davis Post 18. The Post is named in honor of Davis who was a local soldier from Queen Anne’s County, who died during WWI, while in combat in Europe. Keeping the memory alive of those brave men and women, was an honor for Tabler, and one shared and continued by this publication.

Tabler once had season tickets to the former Baltimore Colts football team, then quarterbacked by legend Johnny Unitas, whose team eventually moved to Indianapolis. Today, he and Ruth are big Ravens and Orioles fans. They rarely miss a game on television.

Denise Riley, former Editor-in-Chief of the “Star Democrat” where she worked for 40-years, got her start at the “Record Observer”, straight out of college in 1969. She worked at the paper for about a year. She said of Tabler, “He hired me, and I learned a lot from Tabler. We, of course, continued to work together through our association with the newspapers for many years.”

Former “Record Observer” editor Janice Colvin (1997-2012) said, “I can’t say enough good about Tabler. His knowledge of the county is endless. His column, which he wrote for years, was so popular. I’m glad he continued writing it until he retired in 2020. Occasionally, I’d ask Tabler for advice about the newspaper. He

was an anchor of information that was always encouraging.” Editor Angie Price managed both the “Record Observer” and “Bay Times” for a number of years, until she was promoted to managing editor at fellow publication of the “Star Democrat”. Price added to the glowing comments about Tabler saying, “He is so fascinating and knows so much. He’s done everything in the newspaper business, starting out as a paperboy when he was a child in Parkersburg, WVA, writing a column while in school before he worked at the newspaper and continuing his column after joining the newspaper, becoming an editor, sold ads, and even running the printing

“Dan Tabler always knew what was happening around the county and paid attention to what mattered to his readers. His outstanding work as an editor and columnist kept the community that he loved informed and up-to-date”

press in Centreville. He was elected to the Maryland, Delaware, District of Columbia Press Association Hall of Fame in 2009. He’s been so much more than working with the newspaper, volunteering to help in the community, as a 4-H volunteer, QA hospice volunteer and at the Centreville Library, as well as the Centreville UMC, where he and Ruth belong. Tabler is a complete citizen who’s proven he cares about his community.”

“Tabler is an inspiration. He has done just about any job you can imagine at a newspaper — and done it well. He is a storyteller extraordinaire, giving readers a glimpse into other people’s lives. His accuracy and insight has earned him the respect of the entire community. His column was always one of the best read features in the paper,” Price continued.

Past Editor- in-Chief of the “Star Democrat” Barb Sauer

said, “Dan Tabler always knew what was happening around the county and paid attention to what mattered to his readers. His outstanding work as an editor and columnist kept the community that he loved informed and up-to-date and his involvement with the Goodwill Volunteer Fire Department, the Lions and Rotary clubs and his volunteerism with the county library made him aware of every nuance of change. He loved talking to people and sharing their lives and experiences with others. His accolades as a journalist are too numerous to count and his lifelong service to the community immeasurable. I salute him for his devotion to his news craft over a long career, everything he did to make the “Record Observer” a success, and the role he and many others played in the paper’s continuation for a noteworthy anniversary celebration.”

Dan and Ruth Tabler, both 99, are recognized for their lifelong works as local residents by Commissioners Patrick McLaughlin, Chris Corchiarino, President Jim Moran, Commissioners Jack Wilson, Phil Dumenil and County Administrator Todd Mohn

KentIslandAmerican Legion Post 278

800 Ro ma nc okeRoa d | Stevensvill e | 41 0-643-2728

“Wh er eE ve ry Day is Ve teran’s Day”

In Honorofthe RecordObser ver’s200 years in ser vingour community your Kent IslandAmerican Legion Post 278 Congratulates youonthis outstandingmilestone of decades that brings us themost up to date news all these years!

KIAL Post 278 cherishes ourpartnership with yousince 1957 andweare proud to continue ourrelationship for many more years!!

SATURDAY,AUGUST1 7, 20 24

SATURDAY,AUGUST1 7, 2024

18TH ANNUAL

YOUTHFISHING DERBY

BOYS &GIRL SAGE GROUPS: 3-5 YRSOLD 6-10 YRSOLD 11-16YRS OLD All participants must be accompanied by aPARENTORADULT ROMANCOKEPIER-RT. 8SOU TH KENT ISLAND 8AMREGISTR ATION 9AM-11AM FISHING 11:30AM-1PM

PRIZES &REFRESHMENTS AT THE KENT ISLAND AMERICAN LEGION #2 78

Sponsored by the Kent IslandFishermen,Inc., andthe Kent IslandEstates CommunityAssociation

In memor yofJon Bupp &Dave Grapes

Bringyourrods.A minimal number of Loaner rods is available. is provided.Wristbands arerequiredfor Fishingand Lunch mittance. PRIZES: Largest Fish,Smallest Fish,Most Unique sh,and Most Fish Caught in each agegroup.Must be present claim aprize. No more than onetrophyper winning child.