The Oldest Town in Maryland is 142 Years Older than America Itself

Most people don’t know that the oldest town in Maryland is 142 years older than America itself, but it’s true. While the Yaocomico tribe lived in the area well before the arrival of colonialists, the first European settlers established roots in the 1600s.

So what is the oldest town in Maryland, and how is it 142 years older than America itself?

We’ll take a look now.

What is the Oldest Town in Maryland?

St. Mary’s City in Maryland is the oldest town in the state at 388 years old. It has existed since 1634, and it started as a permanent British settlement named St. Mary’s Fort before the American Revolution. Today it contains a large historical area in honor of this history.

There are museums with extensive displays, building reconstructions, and a running colonial farm within Historic St. Mary’s City. There are less than 1000 permanent residents and about 1500 college students living near the city at a university extension. A sect of these students are studying archaeology so over 200 digs have occurred in Historic St. Mary’s City over the last 3 decades.

Why is St. Mary’s City the Oldest Town in Maryland?

St. Mary’s City is the oldest town in Maryland because it’s the site of the first permanent colonial settlement which resulted in the establishment of the Province of Maryland.

While there had been individuals who owned land in Maryland previously, it was officially declared a colony in 1634 which is 142 years before America itself was established. In 1776, Maryland declared independence from Great Britain and ultimately became part of the United States of America.

The motivation behind the establishment of Maryland at St. Mary’s City was the desire for religious freedom. As a result, St. Mary’s City is considered the birthplace of the freedom of religion in the USA. The colony was designed to be a safe space for Protestants and Catholics.

How is St. Mary’s City 142 Years Older than America Itself?

St. Mary’s City is 142 years older than America itself because it was established by British colonialists well before the sentiments that led to the Declaration of Independence became popular.

On March 27, 1634, about 300 settlers that had arrived by ship officially established St. Mary’s City. The local native population that occupied where St. Mary’s City sits sold the land to the original English settlers in the hopes of establishing trade.

During the time of its establishment, St. Mary’s City developed businesses heavily reliant on locally-grown tobacco, which was passed on to British traders. Because it relied on heavy tobacco cultivation, St. Mary’s City was a big participant in chattel enslavement.

Since St. Mary’s City had a history of normalized enslavement, the Union burned wharves and other means of transport when the Civil War broke out. This is because Maryland existed right across the Potomac River from the Confederate South, and there were concerns that supplies would travel across enemy lines. 

Where is St. Mary’s City in Maryland?

The southernmost part of Maryland on the Chesapeake Bay plays host to St. Mary’s City. It is near a tidal tributary where the Potomac River meets up with the smaller St. Mary’s River before flowing into the Chesapeake Bay.

Within Maryland is Washington, DC, which is located about 75 miles northeast of St. Mary’s City. Baltimore is north about 100 miles, so both of these urban areas are within day-tripping distance of St. Mary’s City.

Wildlife You’ll Find in St. Mary’s City, Maryland

Wildlife is abundant around St. Mary’s City, including about 350 bird species. Some of these species are migratory birds like bobolinks (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) that don’t take up permanent residence in the state.

There are 8 species of owls found around the oldest town in Maryland. These include the eastern screech owl (Megascops asio), the barred owl (Strix varia), and the great horned owl (Bubo virginianus). There are also lots of local waterfowl, including American wigeons (Mareca americana).

There are also eastern coyotes (Canis latrans var.) present that aren’t originally from Maryland though they’ve made the state their home since 1972. Today, they are seen within the city as they’ve fanned out across the entire state.  

In the fall, monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) migrate through the region back to their home in Mexico. Amazingly, these butterflies sometimes travel 3000 miles during a single migratory season. The best months to see them in Maryland are September and October.

Wild Plants You’ll Find Around the Oldest Town in Maryland

The wildflower scene around St. Mary’s City is notable as it starts as soon as it isn’t freezing. It reaches its peak by the end of April or whenever tree foliage is almost fully grown for the summer. Some of the blossoming plants are Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica), mayapples (Podophyllum peltatum), dutchmen’s breeches (Dicentra cucullaria), and spring beauties (Claytonia virginica).  These flowers attract the first pollinators to the area, including hummingbirds, butterflies, and long-tongued bees.

Edible hackberries that are found in most environments include common (Celtis occidentalis) and dwarf (Celtis tenuifolia) varieties. Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) is invasive and edible, so the consumption of this herb by foragers is common. This plant isn’t limited to this region of Maryland, as it’s a nuisance across the continent. Wild sweet fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) has edible seeds with stems that are best foraged in the spring.

Hunting Near St. Mary’s City in Maryland

Deer hunting is allowed in the Historic St. Mary’s City Cooperative Wildlife Management Area. This wildlife area offers about 180 acres of hunting range to the public, accessible via reservation. Make sure to check all requirements for hunting in St. Mary’s County and the entirety of Maryland before participating.

White-tailed deer are common in the area, while the rarer sika deer may also be spotted. Sika deer are native to Taiwan, Japan, and other parts of eastern Asia. However, they were released into the Potomac watershed hundreds of years ago, so they now exist in well-established wild populations.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Alexander Lukatskiy/Shutterstock.com