The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1884-06-21
Eastern Shore Towns in 1900.

A Philadelphia correspondent of the
Ma,ylander published at Princess Anne,
Somerset county, has found in an old ge-
ography some interesting description of
Eastern Shore towns as they were in
1900. We give below the letter entire;
10 sometime pause in the hurried
course of events and cast glance upon
the past is always wise and often pleasant.
In an old Geographical Description of
Maryland and Delaware" published in
this city by Joseph Scott, find much
that is interesting and copy from it
brief descriptions of several of the
chief towns on the Eastern Shore as
they were in 1900.
"Elkton, considerable post town,
and the seat of justice for Cecil county,
was some years ago, one of the greatest
wheat markets in America. About
100000 bushels of wheat had been sold
from the graneries in the course of a
year. Elkton contains about I2o houses,
some ofwhich are handsomely and well
built. The public buildings are a neat
court house, an academy, and market
house, in which market is held on every
Tuesday and Saturday, and fair four
times year for the sale of cattle and
horses, and all kinds of American pro-
duce and manufactures. About 1 900
castor and wool hats are annually man
ufactured and there is number of other
mechanical trades.
"Chestertown is situated on Chester
river, upon beautiful and extensive
plain. The plat of the town, which
was established in 1906, contains one
hundred acres laid out in an oblong,
diverging on both sides on approaching
the river. 1t contains 40 houses, al
of which are brick, several of them built
in style of elegance. High street
contains about 70 houses, is 90 feet in
width and 80 perches in length. The
ediice which bears the name of Wash
ington College, is built upon the Phil
adelphia road. The poor house stands
on line with High street; the monies
annually expended for the poor amount
to about $4,000 dollars. In the town
are several retail stores which supply
the inhabitants with West India produce
and the various manufactures OF Eu-
rope"
"Easton, a handsome town in Tai
bot county, contains about 200 dwell
lings and I 900 inhabitants. Here the
several supreme courts of justice for the
Eastern Shore are held. as well as those
of the county,
"Centerville is situated upon hand
some eminence near Corsica creek. 1t
contains about 40 dwellings, several of
which are handsome brick buildings.
"Denton is small post town, and the
seat of justice for Caroline county. 1t
is regularly laid out but has few houses"
"Cambridge contains about 50 houses
ard 100 inhab tants
"Snow Hill is port of entry. 1t is
situated on the east side of the POGO
moke river, and is built on a remarka-
BILE sand hill, as white as snow. The
tides rise about two feet and half,
Itel ueep. InU lown cUnralno ToliouscS,
principally old, low, wooden buildings.
1t has court house, Jail, Presbyterian
and an Episcopal church. A bridge is
being built over the river, which is here
about ten yards wide. Snow Hill was
established in 1886. The lands for
miles around are sandy and barren.
Salisbury contains about IS houses,
and an Episcopal church, and was es-
tablished in 1892. The inhabitants
trade with Baltimore, in lumber, which
is conveyed down the river about
three miles in fat-bottom boats, where
it is received by large vessels.
'tPrincesS Anne is a post town, and
the seat of justice for Somerset county.
1t is situated at the head of the Manokin
river, IS miles from its entrance into
Pocomoke sound, and contains about
40 dwellings and an elegant Episcopal
church. A bridge is built over the river.
Near the west end of the bridge is a
Presbyterian church. Princess Anne
was established in 1882 and is I53 miles
from Washington city,"
Of Deals Island the book has the
following account "Devil's Island is
about four miles long and one and three
quarters broad, containing 1880 acres.
Demiquarter Qittle Deals Island, sup
pose) is a small island contiguous to
Devils Island. Both islands consist
mostly of marsh, notwithstanding they
have several families living upon them"