Chestertown, Maryland
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| Chestertown, Maryland | |
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| Coordinates: | |
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| Country | United States |
| State | Maryland |
| County | Kent |
| Area | |
| - Total | 2.8 sq mi (7.3 km²) |
| - Land | 2.6 sq mi (6.8 km²) |
| - Water | 0.2 sq mi (0.5 km²) |
| Elevation | 20 ft (6 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| - Total | 4,746 |
| - Density | 1,818.1/sq mi (702.0/km²) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| - Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 21620 |
| Area code(s) | 410 |
| FIPS code | 24-16225 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0589954 |
Chestertown is a town in Kent County, Maryland, United States. The population was 4,746 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Kent County.[1] The zipcode is 21620 and the area codes are 410 and 443 (overlay). The local telephone exchanges are 778 and 810 for 410; and 215, 282, and 480 for 443. It is home to WKHS radio.
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[edit] History
Founded in 1706, Chestertown rose in stature when it was named one of the colony's six Royal Ports of Entry. The shipping boom that followed this designation made the town at the navigable head of the Chester River wealthy. In the mid-18th century, Chestertown trailed only Annapolis as Maryland's leading port.
A burgeoning merchant class infused riches into the town, reflected in the many brick mansions and townhouses that sprung up along the waterfront. Another area in which Chestertown is second only to Annapolis is in its number of existing 18th century homes.
In 1774 the Chestertown Tea Party was held in Chestertown's harbor.
As of the 1790 census, Chestertown was the geographical center of population of the United States.
[edit] Geography
Chestertown is located at (39.219328, -76.068424).[2]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 2.8 square miles (7.3 km²), of which, 2.6 square miles (6.8 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.5 km²) of it (7.09%) is water. As of the first US Census in 1790, Chestertown was the geographical center of the nation's population.
[edit] Chestertown Tea Party Festival
In May 1774, five months after the British closing the port of Boston after the Boston Tea Party, the citizens of Chestertown wrote a set of resolves that prohibited the buying, selling, or drinking of tea. In an act of colonial defiance they held their own "tea party" on the Chester River in Chestertown. The Chestertown Tea Party Festival today commemorates the historic event with a re-enactment of the "tea party." Colonial re-enactors are thrown overboard with the tea by the crew of the Schooner Sultana. A parade down High Street to the Chester River follows with colonial music and dance, fife and drum performances, puppet shows, colonial crafts demonstrations and sales, military drills, and a walking tour of the historic district. It is the town's biggest weekend of the year as tourists cram the streets strolling among booths filled with crafts and food.
[edit] Schooner Sultana
In 1997, John Swain came up with blueprints for a reproduction of the British Navy ship the HMS Sultana, planning the construction and home of the ship to be centered in Chestertown. In the same year the non-profit group Sultana Projects, Inc. was formed by Swain and supporters to fund construction of the ship. A shipyard was constructed and the keel for the Sultana was laid in October 1998. Over 3000 students participated in the community and educationally led effort, with a core group of volunteers logging over 150,000 hours of time building the ship. Over 10,000 people were at the launching of the ship in March 2001, and since then more than 8,000 students a year have boarded the Sultana for educational trips. The Sultana also plays a key role in the Chestertown Tea Party, as it is now the official boat of the staged re-enactment. The Schooner Sultana website offers more detailed information on the ship.
[edit] Education
The town is home to Washington College, a private liberal arts college founded in 1782. Washington College is the tenth oldest college in the USA. George Washington was a founding patron. It is known nationally as the home of the Sophie Kerr Prize, which is awarded to the graduating senior with the most literary potential. The award is near $50,000 annually. The most recent prize, worth $55,907 was awarded at the 2007 commencement to Liam Daley of Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 4,746 people, 1,891 households, and 945 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,818.1 people per square mile (702.1/km²). There were 2,164 housing units at an average density of 829.0/sq mi (320.1/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 74.46% White, 21.87% African American, 0.15% Native American, 1.62% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 0.40% from other races, and 1.39% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.62% of the population.
There were 1,891 households out of which 18.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.8% were married couples living together, 14.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 50.0% were non-families. 41.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.96 and the average family size was 2.61.
In the town the population was spread out with 13.4% under the age of 18, 25.6% from 18 to 24, 18.5% from 25 to 44, 18.2% from 45 to 64, and 24.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 75.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 71.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $31,530, and the median income for a family was $40,960. Males had a median income of $27,283 versus $25,513 for females. The per capita income for the town was $18,769. 18.5% of the population and 12.8% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 26.2% of those under the age of 18 and 13.9% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
[edit] Honors & Accolades
The National Trust for Historic Preservation, the country's largest private, nonprofit preservation organization, named Chestertown, Md., to its 2007 list of America's Dozen Distinctive Destinations, an annual list of unique and lovingly preserved communities in the United States. Chestertown was selected from 63 destinations in 27 states that were nominated by individuals, preservation organizations and local communities.
"Chestertown is a treasure hidden in plain sight", said Richard Moe, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. "A small, historic and relatively unspoiled Eastern Shore town, Chestertown had the good sense to hang on to what makes it so special. The result is a vibrant community that offers travelers an ideal retreat." ([[4])
Progressive Farmer Magazine, honors Kent County and Chestertown by naming it #1 in Best Rural Places to Live in America for 2008. "For a county to be in Progressive Farmer's Best Places list, they hold them to the usual standards -- good schools, health care, safety and other desirable qualities. But what makes Kent stand out is its residents' resolve to maintain a solid rural heritage." ([[5])
[edit] Crime
The number of violent crimes recorded by the FBI in 2003 was 35. The number of murders and homicides was 0. The violent crime rate was 7.5 per 1,000 people.
[edit] Notable Residents and Natives
- Samuel Eccleston, Roman Catholic Bishop, fifth Archbishop of Baltimore, from 1834 to 1851.
- James Nicholson (naval officer), officer in the Continental Navy during American Revolutionary War.
- James Pearce, U.S. Senator for Maryland, 1843-1862, U.S Congressman for Maryland 2nd District, 1835-1839 & 1841-1843, is buried in New Chester Cemetery in Chestertown.
- Bill "Swish" Nicholson, 1936, two-time National League home run and RBI leader.
- Ryan Thompson, Major League Baseball player.
[edit] Trivia
Chestertown was mentioned in the Roland Emerich film The Patriot. In the scene before the family goes to Charlestown to vote on independence, Gabriel Martin played by Heath Ledger reads in the paper that there was an uprising in Chestertown, with British officials being "tarred and feathered", later dying of burns. This is most likely a nod to the Chestertown Tea Party (see above). Chestertown is also the setting for Gilbert Byron's book The Lord's Oysters. Through its central character, Noah Marlin, Byron tells largely autobiographical tales of growing up a waterman's son on the banks of the Chester River.
[edit] References
- ^ Find a County. National Association of Counties. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990. United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ Oops!
- ^ ProgressiveFarmer.com: Best Places: Kent County, Maryland
[edit] External links
- Chestertown, Maryland is at coordinates Coordinates:
- http://www.chestertownteaparty.com/
- http://www.schoonersultana.org/
- http://www.nationaltrust.org/dozen_distinctive_destinations/2007/2007/03/three.html
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