Maryland was named in the honor of Henriette Maria, Queen Consort of Charles I.  A charter for the “Maryland Colony” was granted to Cæcilius Calvert, 2nd Lord Baltimore, on June 20, 1632 although a year before in 1631 with permission from the Virginia Governor, William Claiborne established a trading post on a island in the upper Chesapeake. Claiborne named the island Kent Island after his home, Kent England.

The historic towns, meandering creeks and wonderful nature areas characterize the area. Each of the nine Maryland counties has their own special history.

There is plenty to do and see.  There are Museums in every county and many of the towns. Golfers are never far from a scenic golf course.  The sunsets and rises are breathtaking and many of the restaurants features views like few others.

It’s a slower way of life surrounded by water.  It is a place where people wave and say hello as they pass.

The main economic activities are vegetable and grain farming, seafood as well as a large-scale chicken breeding on the lower shore. The Perdue Company began in Salisbury.  Tourism activities abound with its most visited destination being the Atlantic Ocean bordered Ocean City.

With the opening of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, the area has changed, especially Queen Anne’s and Talbot counties, which have become home to many working on the western shore.  But despite this, the region still holds its charm, maintaining a unique rural quality and independence from a helter skelter way of life.

© Steven G. Atkinson