Chestertown, Maryland

[xzmattzx]

Chestertown is a colonial port town, settled in 1706 on the Chester River. It is the seat of Kent County, the original county on Maryland's Eastern Shore. The population is around 4700.

Chestertown was one of six Royal Ports of Entry in Maryland, which led to Chestertown growing as one of the Eastern Shore's main ports. In the mid-1700's, Chestertown was second only to Annapolis as the most important port in Maryland. Chestertown's importance is reflected in the large amount of colonial houses; many say Chestertown is second only to Annapolis again in terms of colonial architecture.

Chestertown's most famous event was the Chestertown Tea Party. In 1774, after hearing about the Boston Tea Party, residents threw tea into the Chester River, and stopped the sale, distribution, and consumption of tea in the town.


Chestertown's historic waterfront houses.



Looking down the Chester River towards Chestertown's dock facilities.



Looking down the Chester River.



Chestertown from the Maple Street Bridge, which crosses the Chester River into Queen Anne's County.



Houses on Water Street. The house in the middle, the Watkins House, dates back to 1739, and is believed to be the oldest house on Water Street. The houses on the left actually date back to the late 1800's, and replaced older houses on the site.



An old colonial garden, with a boat dock behind the house.



A house on Water Street.



Rowhouses on Water Street.



Houses along Water Street, facing the Chester River and across the street from the gardens of the Widehall mansion.



The Hynson-Ringgold House on Water Street, dating back to 1743.



Old wooden houses on Front Street.



Restaurants, antique stores, and other businesses on High Street. Stam's Hall, built in 1886, is on the left.



The Kent County Courthouse on Park Row, near Court Street and High Street. This courthouse was built in 1860.



The Kent County Courthouse.



These little buildings on Court Street were once lawyer's offices, back in the late 1870's after the building of the new courthouse across the street created demand for access to the center. They now serve as tiny houses.



The Hogans Building on Memorial Plaza, at Park Row. This building was built in the early 1830's, and was the meeting place for the Freemasons in Chestertown.



Businesses on High Street.



Houses on Queen Street.



Houses on Cannon Street at Queen Street.



Houses on Cannon Street.



Houses on Cannon Street near Front Street.



An old shipbuilder's mansion, built in 1857, at Front & Cannon Streets.



A house on High Stret near the Chester River.



Christ United Methodist Church on High Street.



Houses on High Street at Kent Street.



Chestertown Public School on HIgh Street, built in 1908.



Little houses on Church Alley.



Houses on Queen Street.



Businesses on High Street at Queen Street.



Businesses on Cross Street.




Chestertown is a nice colonial city that is unknown because it is second to Annapolis in Maryland, and because it is on Maryland's less popular Eastern Shore. Despite not getting much recognition, Chestertown is a still great place to visit and explore.

[Yuval]

I does look wonderful, really special. I passed through it once taking the long, leisurely way way from Annapolis to Philly through the peninsula. It charmed me then as it does in your photos.

.

[Exrexnotex]

Beautiful shots ! Me and a group of friends are planning on exploring the eastern shore this summer ,Chestertown is a must now !

[ZZ-II]

great pics

[poshbakerloo]

wow that is really one of those 'picture perfect' places...I LIKE IT!!!!

[MDguy]

Wow! looks like a great place! I havn't been to many towns on the eastern shore and I've never heard of this place. I can't beleive I've never heard of it! I think I will try to get there this summer now. Also, it seems you go to MD alot. Have you ever taken pictures of Frederick?

[xzmattzx]

Originally Posted by MDguy

Wow! looks like a great place! I havn't been to many towns on the eastern shore and I've never heard of this place. I can't beleive I've never heard of it! I think I will try to get there this summer now. Also, it seems you go to MD alot. Have you ever taken pictures of Frederick?

Nope, I haven't been to Frederick. Actually, I don't have too many photos of Maryland just yet. I plan on doing more exploring in Maryland this Summer.

[Maryland State]

Those pics of Chestertown, Maryland have great resolution. Looks like the shooter is a professional or that's one heck of a camera.