Kent County, Maryland
Airy Hill
BERNICE J. (skipjack)
Betterton Historic District
Brampton
Carvill Hall
Chestertown Armory
Chestertown Historic District
Chestertown Historic District (Boundary Increase)
Chestertown Railroad Station
Chesterville Brick House
Christ Church, Graveyard and Sexton's House
Clark's Conveniency
Denton House
Fairlee Manor Camp House
Gobbler Hill
Godlington Manor
Harper, George, Store
Hebron
Hinchingham
Hopeful Unity
ISLAND IMAGE (log canoe)
Knocks Folly
Lauretum
Middle, East and West Halls
NELLIE CROCKETT
Piney Grove
Radcliffe Mill
Reward-Tilden's Farm
Rich Hill
Rose Hill
Shepherd's Delight
Shrewsbury Church
SILVER HEEL (log canoe)
St. Paul's Church
Still Pond Historic District
Sumner, Charles, Post #25, Grand Army of the Republic
Thornton
Trumpington
Valley Cottage
White House Farm
Widehall
Woodland Hall
1937 Douglas DC-3
A County Seat
A Diversion
A Heavy Price
A Home with a Rich Past
African American Schoolhouse
Agricultural Demonstration Area / Historic Tree Grove
American Mettle
American Revolution Memorial
American Victory
Antonov AN-2
Attracted By Bounty
Baltimore Regional Trail
Bass Propagation Lake
Battle of Caulks Field
Betterton
Birds of Prey-Hunters in the Sky
Bordley Corner
Bounty Below
Brampton
Brig. Gen. John Cadwalader
Captain John Smith on the Sassafras River
Captain Lambert Wickes
Caulks Field Monument
Chance-Vought F4U-1 Corsair
Charles Sumner Post, G.A.R.
Charley's House
Chestertown Historic District
Chestertown Memorial
Chestertown Vol. Fire Co., Inc.
Chestertown, First Population Center of the United States
Chestertown, Maryland
Christ Episcopal IU Church and Cemetery
Civil War Monument
Clever Ruse
Cliffs Schoolhouse
Colonel Isaac Perkins
Common Cause
Corn Crib
Crews Landing
Daring to Resist
Desert Storm Memorial
Downs Cross Roads
From This Point
George Vickers
George Washington
George Washington
Georgetown, Maryland
Gratitude
Henry Highland Garnet
In Memory of More Than 400 Prominent United States Colored Troops from Kent County
In This Church
John Leeds Barroll
Long Distance Travelers
Martin Wagner
Mary Roe Walkup Pavilion
Marylands First Women Voters
Mason-Dixon Line Crownstone
Meet our AN-2
Mistress Kitty Knight
Natural Diversity at Turner's Creek
On This Site Stood the Courthouse
Reluctant Aide
Revolution on the River
Revolutionary Cannon
Right Place, Right Time
Rock Hall Landing
Rock Hall, Maryland
Royal Port of Entry
Rude Awakening
Senator George Vickers
Stanley B. Vansant Memorial
Taking Command
Tercentenary Celebration
The Kent County Free School
The Tockwogh and the Bay
This Monument Honors the Area Veterans
Tolchester Beach Amusement Park
Turner's Creek
Veterans Memorial
War Along the Chesapeake
War of 1812 Memorial
Washington College
Waterfront Hub for Trade
Welcome to the Kent Museum
White & Black, Blue & Gray
Wickliffe
Widehall
William Beck Nicholson
Worrells Tavern
During the colonial period, Kent County prospered due to its fertile land and strategic location along the Chesapeake Bay. Tobacco cultivation became a dominant industry, bringing wealth and growth to the region. The county played a significant role in the Revolutionary War, with many residents actively participating in the fight for independence. Kent County was one of the first counties to ratify the Declaration of Independence for Maryland in 1776.
In the 19th century, Kent County experienced both economic booms and challenges. The advent of steamships led to increased commerce and trade, particularly in the towns of Chestertown and Rock Hall. Agriculture diversified beyond tobacco, with crops like corn and wheat gaining importance. However, like much of the southern United States, Kent County was heavily reliant on enslaved labor, and the institution of slavery was a significant part of its history. The county was deeply divided during the American Civil War, with some residents supporting the Union and others the Confederacy.
In the 20th century, Kent County faced various social and economic changes. Modernization brought infrastructure improvements, such as the construction of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, which connected the eastern and western shores of the state. The county experienced urbanization and suburbanization, as people sought new opportunities outside of traditional agricultural pursuits. Today, Kent County remains known for its scenic landscapes, historic towns, and agricultural heritage, attracting visitors who appreciate its natural beauty and cultural significance.
Brief timeline of the history of Kent County, Maryland:
- 1642: Kent County established as one of Maryland's original counties
- 1677: Kent County named after county in England
- 18th century: Kent County becomes a major center for tobacco cultivation
- 1774: Chestertown, the county seat, becomes an important port city
- 1776: Kent County residents sign the Declaration of Independence
- 1786: Washington College, the tenth oldest college in the United States, is founded in Chestertown
- 19th century: Agriculture, particularly grain farming, becomes the mainstay of Kent County's economy
- 1833: Dover Bridge, the oldest surviving documented covered bridge in Maryland, is built
- 1875: The Kent County Courthouse is constructed in Chestertown
- 20th century: Kent County experiences shifts in agricultural practices and economic challenges
- 1970: The county's population reaches its peak at around 26,000
- Present: Kent County maintains its rural character while embracing tourism and recreational opportunities
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Kent County, Maryland.