St. Michaels Historic District | |
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Location | Saint Michaels, Maryland |
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Coordinates | 38°47′4″N76°13′24″W / 38.78444°N 76.22333°W |
Area | 105 acres (42 ha) |
Built | 1778 |
Architectural style | Italianate, Gothic Revival, Federal |
NRHP reference No. | 86002427 |
Added to NRHP | September 11, 1986 |
The Saint Michaels Historic District encompasses the historic center of Saint Michaels, Maryland. The town, which has about 1,000 permanent residents, is on a tributary to the Chesapeake Bay on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. After over 100 years as a center for trade and shipbuilding, the community was incorporated as a town in 1805. Shipbuilding peaked in 1820, and the town's economy became focused more on oyster and seafood collection and packing. In the 1970s, the town transitioned to tourism.
In the original 1986 nomination form, the Saint Michaels Historic District consisted of 362 buildings, sites, and structures. Sixty of the buildings were noncontributing. Many of the structures were originally constructed in the 19th century, and used the Federal, Gothic Revival, or Italianate architectural styles. The entire town has a 19th-century appearance, and much of the Historic District can be observed by walking. The homes that contribute to the Historic District are privately owned, but many have been converted into bed and breakfasts.
The Chesapeake Maritime Museum is located along the Miles River and St. Michaels Harbor, in the northeast corner of the Historic District and further north. It features Chesapeake Bay exhibits such as ship building and oystering. The small Saint Michaels Museum is located within the Historic District at Saint Mary's Square. It focuses on 19th century Saint Michaels, and conducts walking tours of the Historic District. Talbot Street (Maryland Route 33) is the major street in Saint Michaels, and runs north–south through the Historic District. The street is lined with shops and restaurants housed in 19th century buildings.
Saint Michaels is a small nautical-themed town on Maryland's Eastern Shore. [1] It is situated along the Miles River, which leads to Chesapeake Bay. [Note 1] Boaters can get to the town's St. Michaels Harbor from nearby rivers or the Chesapeake Bay. [1] Traveling by automobile from major cities such as Annapolis or Baltimore, the most direct route to the Eastern Shore involves crossing the bay using the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. [3] Saint Michaels is part of Talbot County, and accessible by automobile via Maryland Route 33. In town, the road is known as Talbot Street and is the only road that passes through town. The town's Historic District is lined with shops and restaurants usually housed in well-preserved 19th century architecture. [4] The Saint Michaels Historic District is located in the center of town, and was added to the National Register on September 11, 1986. [5]
The community that became Saint Michaels began in the mid-1600s as a trading post for tobacco farmers and trappers who took advantage of the deep–water port's access to the Chesapeake Bay. [6] The Christ Episcopal Church of St Michael Archangel parish was founded during the 1600s, and built a church near the Saint Michaels River (later named Miles River) and Broad Creek. This was the first building erected in the area. [6] The church's location meant that it could easily be reached by boat, which was convenient for the early settlers who typically lived along the banks of area creeks and coves. [7] The exact date the first church building was constructed is unknown. There is evidence it was built by at least 1672, and the structure had decayed enough that it was replaced in 1736. [7] A list of baptisms dating from 1672 to 1704 includes family names such as Arnett, Auld, Banning, Benson, Blades, Dawson, Harrison, Kemp, Merchant, and others. [8]
A small village grew near the church and harbor, inhabited mostly by craftsman involved in building or refitting ships plus shopkeepers who catered to the needs of the craftsman and sailors. [9] The village of about 100 people had no government other than the general laws of the province. [10] As the place where people congregated, the church took on the additional role of a place to meet for business. The community's name, Saint Michaels, came from the church name. The harbor of Saint Michaels became a place large English vessels brought goods for trade. [11]
In 1778, British land agent James Braddock, working for Gildart and Gawith and Company of Liverpool (James Gildart and John Gawith), acquired much of the land near what became the town of Saint Michaels. [10] He had a surveyor measure a portion of his land into lots that were sold, including what became the town's public square. After his death in 1783, John Thompson gained control of Braddock's land and more plots were sold. Another prominent member of the community was Thomas Harrison, who was involved with importing goods from England and exporting tobacco and other goods from the area. [12] Upon his death in 1802, his son Samuel continued the business. [13]
Between 1804 and 1806 the village was re-surveyed and platted as three squares (or wards) plus the public square: Harrison's square at the north end, Thompson's square to the southwest, Braddock's square to the southeast end, and the public square known as Saint Mary's square. [14] In 1804, community members petitioned the General Assembly of the state for a charter for a corporate town named Saint Michaels. The petition was ratified on January 19, 1805, and became law. [15] Robert Dodson, John Dorgan, James Boid, and Thomas S. Haddaway were the town's original commissioners. [15] The new town's commissioners did not begin to execute their duties until 1807, and William Merchant replaced James Boid. Jason Dodson was added to the group of commissioners. [14] Town boundaries were marked and streets were named. Among the names used were Cherry, Chestnut, Locust, Mill, Mulberry, Talbot, Water, and Willow. [14]
The Chesapeake Bay, with its access to Baltimore and Washington (via the Potomac River), was a major commercial waterway in the early 1800s—making it an obvious target for the British in their fight against the United States in the War of 1812. [16] [17] Clipper ships, which were fast but could not carry large amounts of cargo, were used for fighting and evading the British. [18] It is thought that the design for Baltimore clippers had its beginning in Saint Michaels. [19] [20] Master builder Thomas Kemp left Saint Michaels in 1803 to start his own shipbuilding business in Baltimore. [21] He purchased property at Baltimore's Fells Point two years later, and worked in shipbuilding and repair. His most famous clipper was the Chasseur, which was launched in December 1812 and one of the fastest ships of its time. [21] When an economic recession happened after the war, Kemp moved back to his Wade's Point farm near Saint Michaels. [21]
The town of Easton, county seat of Talbot County, was the largest town on Maryland's Eastern Shore and contained one of Maryland's four armories, making it a target for the British during the war. Boats and small vessels could use the Saint Michaels River to get within three miles (4.8 km) of Easton. [22] Saint Michaels, located on the mouth of the same river, was also a target because it was an outport for Easton and because of its shipbuilding. [18] The British conducted raids on St. Michaels twice in 1813. [23] Local militia successfully defended the town in both cases. [24] [25]
Ship building has been conducted in what became the town of St. Michaels since about 1670. [19] Shipbuilding in Saint Michaels prospered from 1780 to 1820, peaking around 1810. [26] The Harrisons, Haddaways, and Spencers, are all known to have had shipyards at or near St. Michaels in 1792. [27] At the 1810 shipbuilding peak, John Davis, Impey Dawson, Thomas L. Haddaway, Skinner Harris, Joseph Kemp, and John Wrightson all had shipyards within St. Michaels. [28] Colonel Perry Spencer, his brother Richard Spencer, William Harrison, and Thomas Hambleton had shipyards near the town with access to the St. Michaels River or Broad Creek (south of St. Michaels). [28]
Prosperity declined sharply after 1820, and some of the shipbuilding moved to Baltimore. [29] The end of the war with Great Britain and the depletion of lumber were the major reasons for the decline. Shipbuilding by that time was mostly for smaller craft, and was no longer the leading industry of Talbot County. [30] Shipbuilding enjoyed a revival around 1840, and typically there were two shipyards in St. Michaels. [31] At that time, steamships began to provide regular service between St. Michaels and Baltimore. Some of those packet boats were captained by members of the Dodson and Dawson families. [28] By 1882, St. Michaels had three active shipyards, which were run by Robert Lambdin and Sons, Thomas H. Kirby and Company, and Thomas L. Dawson. These shipyards constructed smaller crafts such as coasting schooners, pungies, and bugeyes. [32]
After the 1820 decline of shipbuilding, the town's economy became more dependent on fishing and oystering. The construction of the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal at the northern end of the Chesapeake Bay opened new markets for oysters and seafood, causing a new prosperity for Saint Michaels starting around 1830. [33] The town's population increased from 499 in 1840 to 1,471 by 1880. [34] During that time, the oyster business grew beyond simply harvesting oysters. Businesses were now shucking (removing the oyster from its shell), packing and canning oysters. [31] In 1901, the town had the J.E. Watkins Oyster House that conducted shucking, packing, and canning of oysters at Navy Point Pier. It also had George Caulk's Oyster House on the St. Michaels River. [35] Near the river and Mulberry Street was C.W. Willey's Oyster House. [36]
In 1902, African Americans William Coulbourne and Frederick Jewett began a seafood packing house on Navy Point that operated until 1962. [37] Originally, the company processed fish, but eventually it focused on crab and crab meat. Jewett's method of grading crab meat is still used in the industry today. [37] In 1955, St. Michaels had three seafood companies: Bivalve Oyster Company, Coulborne and Jewett, and Harrison and Jarboe. All three produced shucked oysters, and two produced fresh-cooked crab meat. [38]
Beginning in the 1970s, the community transformed itself to a focus on tourism. [39] Its Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum has approximately 95,000 visitors each year. [3] The town is walkable and has numerous restaurants, bed and breakfasts, and shops. It has about 1,000 permanent residents. [4] The Historic District has no traffic lights, no malls, and no major restaurant chains. [3] The small Saint Michaels Museum at St. Mary's Square is located within the Historic District at Saint Mary's Square. Open on weekends, it focuses on 19th century Saint Michaels, and conducts walking tours of the Historic District every Saturday. [40]
In the original 1986 nomination form, the St. Michaels Historic District consisted of 362 buildings, sites, and structures. [41] Sixty of the buildings were noncontributing. The district is described as "a cohesive group of residential, commercial, and ecclesiastical buildings dating from the late 18th through early 20th centuries located within St. Michaels, a small town fronting the Miles River in western Talbot County, Maryland." [41]
The sortable table of the structures that are part of the historic district follows. If the year built is a range of years, the middle of the range is used. Since there are over 300 contributing structures, the list is incomplete. However, any structure mentioned in the original application to the National Register is in the list. [41] Some additional structures, mentioned in walking tours, have been added. [42] Three of the structures, by themselves, are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The Old Inn was listed in 1980, the St. Michaels Mill in 1982, and the Cannonball House in 1983. [43] [44] [45]
Name | MHT Code | Street | Coordinates | Image | Built | Notes and Citations |
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Old Parsonage (a.k.a. Dr. Seth's House) | T-300 | Talbot Street, 210 N. (SW corner with Dodson Ave) | 38°47′18″N76°13′31″W / 38.7882713°N 76.2252544°W | ![]() | 1883 | The only Queen Anne style brick house in St. Michaels. [42] Built by Henry Clay Dodson. Donated in 1924 to the Union Methodist Church by Sarah Dodson Seth. The church sold the building in 1985. [46] |
Thomas Dyott House (a.k.a. Captain Dodson House) | T-268 | Mill Street (St. Michaels Maritime Museum, faces harbor) | 38°47′14″N76°13′14″W / 38.7872013°N 76.2205621°W | ![]() | 1855 | Only three-story gallery in St. Michaels. Thomas Dyott built the house at Navy Point. Richard S. Dodson purchased the house in 1885, and it remained in the Dodson family until the early 1960s. [47] |
Union United Methodist Church | T-571 | Railroad Avenue, 201 (corner with Fremont St) | 38°47′12″N76°13′31″W / 38.7866117°N 76.2252831°W | ![]() | 1895 | Goth Revival structure with three-story bell tower and a broach spire. Has a Victorian interior. Largest black church in town. [48] Designed by master craftsman Horace Turner. [49] |
Gingerbread House | T-271 | Talbot Street, 103 S. (near Cherry St.) | 38°47′11″N76°13′27″W / 38.7864028°N 76.2242879°W | ![]() | 1879 | Victorian exterior with "Tee- and ell-plan". [50] |
Town Hall Mall | T-555 | Talbot Street, 202 S. (West side) | 38°47′08″N76°13′27″W / 38.7854849°N 76.2242038°W | ![]() | 1875 | The two-story gable-front frame building is one of the town's largest. Originally intended to contain a Masonic Lodge Room and a town Hall [51] |
Dorris House (a.k.a. Mount Pleasant) | T-258 | Talbot Street, 305 S. (corner with Mulberry St.) | 38°47′03″N76°13′26″W / 38.7840325°N 76.2237989°W | ![]() | 1806 | Built by merchant James Dooris. Molded watertable and jack arches. [52] |
Christ Episcopal Church | T-260 | Talbot Street, 213 S. | 38°47′04″N76°13′27″W / 38.7845325°N 76.2241011°W | ![]() | 1878 | One of architectural centerpieces of town. [53] Full name of church is Christ Protestant Episcopal Church of St. Michael's Parish. [54] The Parish was established in 1672. [55] John Hollingsworth patented 50 acres (20 ha) around the shore of the river in 1664, and named it The Beach. Current church, built in 1878, is the fourth church building to occupy the site—part of land that was Hollingsworth's. [54] |
Captain's Cabin | T-576 | Talbot Street, 214 S. (across from church) | 38°47′03″N76°13′27″W / 38.7841195°N 76.2241444°W | ![]() | 1865 | Large two-story commercial building with twisting chimney built by real estate agent James Benson. [56] |
St. Luke's Methodist Church (Sardis Chapel) | T-259 | Talbot Street, 302-304 S. | 38°47′03″N76°13′26″W / 38.7842077°N 76.2239011°W | ![]() | 1871 | Italianate building. [57] |
Leonard Funeral Home (a.k.a. Thomas Bruff House) | T-243 | Talbot Street, 312 S. (corner with Grace St.) | 38°47′01″N76°13′25″W / 38.7837292°N 76.2236752°W | ![]() | 1837 | Rare St. Michaels "telescope" house. Originally owned by ship's carpenter Thomas Bruff. [58] [42] |
Old Inn | T-257 | Talbot Street, 401 S. (corner with Mulberry St.) | 38°47′01″N76°13′25″W / 38.7837292°N 76.2236752°W | ![]() | 1816 | Listed in the National Register of Historic Places. [43] Earliest two-story engaged gallery in town. Wrightson Jones, believed to be a shipwright, built the inn shortly after he purchased some lots in 1816. In 1853, his son (also named Wrightson Jones) acquired property from other heirs. [59] |
Clifton Hope House | T-560 | Talbot Street, 400 S. (corner with Grace St.) | 38°47′01″N76°13′25″W / 38.7835148°N 76.2235463°W | ![]() | 1888 | Queen Anne style with rare eyebrow windows that light the attic. Clifton Hope built house in 1888, and it remained in the family until 1968. [60] |
Dr. Miller's Farmhouse (a.k.a. Spencer House or Berkeley's Hall) | T-255 | Talbot Street, 417 S. (corner with Chestnut St.) | 38°46′58″N76°13′23″W / 38.782679°N 76.2230412°W | ![]() | 1840 | Spencer family built the house and sold it to Dr. John Miller in 1847. House remained in Miller family until 1936. House was one of few built during recession period of late 1830s through 1840s. Brick house with small brick dairy or smokehouse. [61] |
Colonel Kemp House | T-279 | Talbot Street, 412 S. (NW corner with Chestnut St.) | 38°46′57″N76°13′23″W / 38.7825882°N 76.2229898°W | ![]() | 1807 | Federal period brick structure. Colonel Joseph Kemp had this house built, and lived in it until his death around 1828. After his death, the house was purchased by the wife of William Kemp, and the house remained in that family until the early 20th century. Some of the woodwork in the interior may have been conducted by St. Michaels craftsman John Bruff. [62] |
Arianna Sears House (a.k.a. Hotel Storey) | T-723 | Cherry Street, 104 | 38°47′12″N76°13′25″W / 38.7866656°N 76.2235925°W | ![]() | 1866 | House originally owned by Arianna Sears. In 1874, ownership transferred to her daughters, Mary True Storey and Anna Catherine Storey. Used as a hotel around 1900. Property sold out of the family in 1907. [63] |
Alexander H. Seth House | T-570 | Cherry Street, 105 (corner with Cedar Street) | 38°47′12″N76°13′25″W / 38.7866404°N 76.2237261°W | ![]() | 1859 | House is covered by an atypical hip roof which survives with its seamed tin sheathing. [64] |
The Snuggery | T-266 | Cherry Street, 203 (near Locust Street on north side) | 38°47′12″N76°13′23″W / 38.7867436°N 76.2231102°W | ![]() | 1700 | Log construction on front (now covered with siding) with Victorian interior including two marble mantle pieces. [65] |
Kepner House | T-561 | Cherry Street, 204 (south side of street fronting harbor) | 38°47′12″N76°13′22″W / 38.7867845°N 76.2228815°W | ![]() | 1850 | Two-story on harbor. [66] |
Henry Clay Dodson House (a.k.a. Shannahan House) | T-270 | Cherry Street (205, end of street) | 38°47′13″N76°13′22″W / 38.7868237°N 76.2226671°W | ![]() | 1873 | Built by Dodson. Bought by Norman M. Shannahan in 1911 and remained in family until 1987. Contrasts with other domestic architecture in town. Elaborate mansard roof and Colonial Revival porches. [67] |
Dr. Dodson House | T-265 | Locust Street, 101 (corner with 200 Cherry St.) | 38°47′12″N76°13′24″W / 38.7867036°N 76.2233108°W | ![]() | 1800 | Originally a tavern built by Joseph or Samuel Harrison. Enlarged by Judge William H. Bruff. Also owned by Thomas Auld. Dr. Robert A. Dodson bought in 1878. Two-story brick built around 1800 with addition around later. [68] |
Haddaway House | T-569 | Locust Street, 103 (east side near Carpenter Street) | 38°47′10″N76°13′23″W / 38.7861595°N 76.2230333°W | ![]() | 1808 | Shipbuilder Thomas L. Haddaway lived in this house before and during the War of 1812. A single-story double-pile house that dates to the early 19th century. [69] |
Marshall House | T-563 | Locust Street (104, and Carpenter Street, NW corner) | 38°47′10″N76°13′23″W / 38.7860968°N 76.2229553°W | ![]() | 1803 | Originally owned by John Harrison. One of the better surviving interiors from the Federal period. [70] |
Wrightson Jones House | T-598 | Locust Street, 201 (SE corner with Carpenter St.) | 38°47′10″N76°13′23″W / 38.7860479°N 76.2229597°W | ![]() | 1850 | Chamfered posts on porch, sawn brackets and balusters. [71] |
Wickersham | T-56 | Locust Street, 203 | 38°47′09″N76°13′22″W / 38.7857416°N 76.2227752°W | ![]() | 1750 | Originally built by Robert Harwood, Dawson Baker Farm moved from Easton to St. Michaels in 2004. [72] |
Franklin L. Tinker House (a.k.a. Thomas Harrison House) | T-591 | Green Street, 201 | 38°47′08″N76°13′21″W / 38.7854227°N 76.2224973°W | ![]() | 1798 | Oldest two-story frame structure still standing in town. Carpenter Thomas Harrison constructed house before 1798. [73] |
Bruff-Mansfield House | T-262 | Green Street, 111 (NW corner with Locust Street) | 38°47′07″N76°13′21″W / 38.7853589°N 76.222566°W | ![]() | 1808 | Wheelwright John Bruff Sr. and later John F. Mansfield were among the early owners of this house. Bruff bought the lot from James Braddock in 1778. John Bruff Jr., a carpenter, inherited the house. [74] |
Tarr House | T-261 | Green Street, 109 | 38°47′07″N76°13′22″W / 38.7851417°N 76.2228317°W | ![]() | 1805 | One and a half story with gabled dormers. [75] |
Cannonball House | T-61 | Mulberry Street, 200 (near St. Mary's Square) | 38°47′03″N76°13′21″W / 38.7842705°N 76.2225617°W | ![]() | 1808 | Listed in the National Register of Historic Places. House hit by cannonball in British naval attack in 1813 during the War of 1812. [76] |
Amelia Welby House (a.k.a. Captain Wetheral House) | T-254 | Mulberry Street, 209 (near Water Street) | 38°47′04″N76°13′18″W / 38.7845645°N 76.2217381°W | ![]() | 1783 | Wetheral operated shipyard and died in 1774. His property was bought by James Braddock in 1778. The house is possibly the oldest house remaining in St. Michaels. Amelia Coppuck Welby is thought to have been born in this house, which was rented by her parents in 1819. [77] |
Robert Lambdin House (a.k.a. The Cottage) | T-253 | Water Street 401, (corner with Mulberry Street, front entrance is on Mulberry) | 38°47′05″N76°13′17″W / 38.784649°N 76.2214707°W | ![]() | 1832 | Modest early 19th century house. Shipbuilder Robert Lambdin lived here, which is close to the water. [78] |
St. Mary's Square Museum | T-252 | St. Mary's Square and Chestnut Street | 38°46′59″N76°13′17″W / 38.7830176°N 76.2214675°W | ![]() | 1850 | Built from reused timers from a steam mill. [79] |
Granite Lodge | T-274 | St. Mary's Square, 403 | 38°47′01″N76°13′20″W / 38.7834933°N 76.2221534°W | ![]() | 1839 | Brick Greek Revival style originally a Methodist church. [80] |
J. Harrison Kemp House | T-273 | Chestnut Street, 110 E. | 38°46′58″N76°13′19″W / 38.7828498°N 76.2219151°W | ![]() | 1857 | Largest and most architecturally distinctive dwelling along street consisting of late 19th century homes. Also known as the John W. Blades house for the oysterman who built it around 1857. [81] |
John H. Blades House | T-630 | Chestnut Street, 112 E. | 38°46′59″N76°13′17″W / 38.7830176°N 76.2214675°W | ![]() | 1870 | Part of a group of well-preserved late 19th century dwellings. [82] |
St. Michaels Mill | T-437 | Chew Avenue, 100 | 38°46′55″N76°13′19″W / 38.7819101°N 76.2218608°W | ![]() | 1890 | Listed in the National Register of Historic Places. [44] Center of commerce for 50 years. Eventually owned by James E. Watkins and Robert S. Dodson. Sold to Samuel Quillen and sons in 1920. [83] Built by Arthur K. Easter. Mill operated until 1972, and sold Just Right Flour. [42] |
Rogers House (a.k.a. Crepe Myrtle Cottage) | T-272 | Chestnut Street, 112 W. | 38°46′55″N76°13′29″W / 38.7818653°N 76.2246153°W | ![]() | 1835 | Story-and-a-half frame house. John Dorgin, one of the original commissioners of the town, owned the property at one time. [84] |
James Caulk House | T-742 | Chestnut Street, 119 W. | 38°46′54″N76°13′29″W / 38.7817887°N 76.2248274°W | ![]() | 1850 | Chamfered posts on porch, sawn brackets and balusters. [85] |
Bruff House | T-241 | Thompson Street, 101 (north side) | 38°46′58″N76°13′25″W / 38.7827103°N 76.2237132°W | ![]() | 1790 | One of the oldest standing structures in town. [86] |
In 1672, the Anglican Church of England established the Parish of St. Michaels on Shipping Creek, which is now St. Michaels Harbor.
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