Dorchester County, Maryland

1739 A Landscape and Lifestyle Defined by Water A walking tour of Vienna Anna Ella Carroll Annie Oakley House Battle of the Ice Mound Bethel Church Bethlehem Methodist Episcopal Church Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge-Taking Refuge from Slavery Born To Be Free Cambridge Cambridge House B&B Chapel of Ease Choptank River Bridge Choptank River's Natural History Christ P. E. Church Civil War: Abolitionist, Scout, Spy and Nurse Delmarva Peninsula Fox Squirrel Discover: Dorchester Discover: Restoration Discover: The Nanticoke Discover: The Shoreline Discover: Vienna Discover: Vienna Heritage Distinguished Service Cross East New Market Eastern Shore Infantry Empowering the People Enjoy Our Park Exploring Dorchester's Fragile Beauty Faith Community UMC Church-Living a Double Life Finding Freedom Finding Freedom Finding Freedom Finding Freedom First School House Freedom Friendship Hall Gary’s Creek - Indian Path Gethsemane Methodist Protestant Church Glasgow Goldsborough House Goldsborough Stable Grace Episcopal Church Handsell Harriet Tubman Harriet Tubman Memorial Garden Hoopers Island Jazz on Pine Street Joe Bailey Shakes the Lion's Paw John Barth John F. Kennedy John Smith Explores the Chesapeake Living off the Land Long Wharf Madison Malone's Church Maryland's Eastern Shore Meredith House Meredith House Muskrat and Nutria My Lady Sewall’s Manor Nearby Stood Patty Cannon's House Neild Museum New Revived Church Old Schoolhouse Pool One at Wildlife Drive Robbins Heritage Center Smokehouse / Strong House; Helen C. Barber Herb Garden Spocott Windmill St. Mary, Star of the Sea Chapel & Cemetery Stanley Institute Station Stops: The Underground Railroad The African American Story in the Indian Town The American Bald Eagle The Becky Phipps The Chesapeake Bay Ecosystem The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center The Nanticoke Historic Preservation Alliance The native people of the Chicacone Village…the Nanticokes The Post War Years The River This Bell Thomas Holliday Hicks Thomas Holliday Hicks To the memory of Franklin Delano Roosevelt Trapped Treaty Oak Trinity P.E. Church Unnacokossimmon Up Pine Street: Muir to Cedar Street Walk the Old Trinity Heritage Trail Welcome to Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge Welcome to Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge Welcome to the Richardson Maritime Museum Why Use Native Plants? World War I Memorial World War II Zion United Methodist Church "Rehoboth" "Stanley Institute" “Appleby”
Dorchester County, Maryland, located on the Eastern Shore, has a rich history dating back thousands of years. It was initially inhabited by indigenous tribes, including the Nanticoke and Choptank tribes, who relied on the region's natural resources for survival. European settlers arrived in the 17th century and established the town of Cambridge in 1684, which would later become the county seat.

During the colonial era, Dorchester County became a major center for tobacco cultivation and trade. The county's economy thrived on the labor of enslaved Africans, who were brought to the area to work on the plantations. The presence of plantations and the subsequent introduction of the Underground Railroad led to Dorchester County becoming an important site for the escape of enslaved individuals seeking freedom in the North.

In the 19th century, the county's economy gradually shifted away from agriculture and towards industry. The construction of the Cambridge and Seaford Railroad in 1865 encouraged industrial development, leading to the establishment of canneries, oyster canning factories, and shipyards in the county. This industrial growth brought job opportunities and economic prosperity to the area.

In the 20th century, Dorchester County faced challenges due to the decline of its industrial sector and the impact of racial segregation. However, it has also witnessed efforts towards revitalization and preservation of its historical and natural assets. Today, Dorchester County attracts visitors with its historical sites, picturesque landscapes, and opportunities for outdoor recreation centered around the Chesapeake Bay and the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge.
Brief timeline of the history of Dorchester County, Maryland:

  • 1669 - Dorchester County established as one of the original eight counties of Maryland.
  • 1695 - Cambridge designated as the county seat.
  • 1774 - The American Revolutionary War begins, with many Dorchester County residents actively participating.
  • 1833 - The first railroad, the Cambridge & Seaford Railroad, is completed in Dorchester County.
  • 1861 - The Civil War begins, and Dorchester County experiences both Confederate and Union control.
  • 1879 - The Great Cambridge Fire destroys a significant portion of the town.
  • 1933 - The Chesapeake Bay Bridge is opened, connecting Dorchester County to Annapolis and the Eastern Shore.
  • 1962 - The Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge is established in Dorchester County.
  • 1987 - The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park is established to honor the legacy of Harriet Tubman, who was born in Dorchester County.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Dorchester County, Maryland.