Beginning in the 1920’s automobiles became popular and it was common for people to start taking trips. To provide the travelers with regional history roadside makers began sprouting up. In 1933 the Maryland State Roads Commission launched a statewide marker program.
There are approximately 800 State markers on Maryland roadways. People often speed by without noticing them. Some wonder what they represent, but don’t stop to read them, often because others are speeding by and it’s not always safe. Over the years I have stopped to photograph many on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. As 2020 turned into 2021 I decided that I would post a historic marker on my Facebook Page and Instagram each Monday Morning.
There are 22 Historic Marker in Kent County. I’ve had the chance to photograph many of them, but there’s still a few more to do. Here are a just a few that can be seen on the Chesapeake Country Roads of Kent County.
Brig. Gen. John Cadwalader
1742–1786
Marker is in Kennedyville, Maryland, in Kent County. Marker is on Maryland Route 213 across from the entry for Shrewsbury Church.
Thomas Paine’s epitaph:
“His early and inflexible patriotism will endear his memory to all true friends of the American Revolution. It may with strictest justice be said of him, that he possessed a heart incapable of deceiving. His manners were formed on the nicest sense of honor and the whole tenor of his life was governed by this principle. The companions of his youth were the companions of his manhood. He never lost a friend by insincerity nor made one by deception. His domestic virtues were truly exemplary and while they served to endear the remembrances they embitter the loss of him to all his numerous friends and connections”
Colonel Isaac Perkins “Flaming Patriot of the Revolution”
Located in Kennedyville Kent County, MD on Maryland Route 213at the Urieville Pond picnic area.
The Battle of Caulk’s Field (War of 1812)
Marker is in Fairlee, Maryland, in Kent County, Maryland. Marker is on Maryland Route 20 0.3 miles north of Maryland Route 21, on the right when traveling south.
Gratitude
Marker is on MD 20 east of Beach Road in Rock Hall, MD. The Marker was dedicated on October 15, 2016 with this photo taken on that date.
Captain Wickes is best known as the Continental Navy’s first commissioned officer in European waters with the Sloop of War Reprisal. On October 24, 1776, Wickes was ordered to France with Benjamin Franklin,who was on America’s first diplomatic mission, and his two grandsons as passengers. The United States had just declared Independence from Great Britain.
A year later around October 1, the Reprisal was lost off the banks of Newfoundland in a storm.
Wickliffe on Eastern Neck Island
In the 1650’s when Maryland Colony was only a couple of decades old, Major Joseph Wickes obtained land grants on Eastern Neck Island. It was there that he built his mansion, Wickliffe. The Island served as County Seat while Major Wickes was Chief Justice.
More about Wickliffe at my post on the Wickliffe and the Wickes
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Each Friday a photo-essay by photographer SG (Steve) Atkinson will appear with information and photographs of ‘Points of Interest’ on the MD Eastern Shore. Click Here to see previous photo-essays.
Visit his Website ShoreToBePhotographs.com for more information about him and his work.