TidewaterTimes

Historic Downtown Easton — The county seat of Talbot County. Established around early religious settlements and a court of law, Historic Downtown Easton is today a centerpiece of fine specialty shops, business and cultural activities, unique restaurants and architectural fascination. Tree-lined streets are graced with various period structures and remarkable homes, carefully preserved or restored. Because of its historical significance, historic Easton has earned distinction as the “Colonial Capital of the Eastern Shore” and was honored as #8 in the book

“The 100 Best Small Towns in America.”

This map is not intended for use as a walking tour.

1. HISTORIC TIDEWATER INN - 101 E. Dover St. A completely modern hotel built in 1949, it was enlarged in 1953 and has recently undergone extensive renovations. It is the “Pride of the Eastern Shore.”
2. THE BULLITT HOUSE - 108 E. Dover St. One of Easton’s oldest and most beautiful homes, it was built in 1801. It is now occupied by the Mid-Shore Community Foundation.
3. AVALON THEATRE - 42 E. Dover St. Constructed in 1921 during the heyday of silent films and Vaudeville entertainment. Over the course of its history, it has been the scene of three world premiers, including “The First Kiss,” starring Fay Wray and Gary Cooper, in 1928. The theater has gone through two major restorations: the first in 1936, when it was refinished in an art deco theme by the Schine Theater chain, and again 52 years later, when it was converted to a performing arts and community center. The Avalon has a year-round schedule of entertainment and cultural events. For information on current and upcoming activities, call 410-822-0345 or visit www.avalontheatre.com.
4. TALBOT COUNTY VISITORS CENTER - 11 S. Harrison St. The Talbot County Office of Tourism provides visitors with county information for historic Easton and the waterfront villages of Oxford, St. Michaels and Tilghman Island. You can call the Tourism office at 410-770-8000 or visit www.tourtalbot.org.
5. BARTLETT PEAR INN - 28 S. Harrison St. Significant for its architecture, it was built by Benjamin Stevens in 1790 and is one of Easton’s earliest three-bay brick buildings. The home was “modernized” with Victorian bay windows on the right side in the 1890s. Today it is a restaurant and bed and breakfast, run by a member of the Bartlett family.
6. WATERFOWL BUILDING - 40 S. Harrison St. Why are there geese in front of the armory? Because the old armory is now the headquarters of the Waterfowl Festival, Easton’s annual celebration of migratory birds and the hunting season. Be sure to come back the second weekend in November to enjoy this event.
7. ACADEMY ART MUSEUM - 106 South St. Accredited by the American Association of Museums, the Academy Art Museum is a fine art museum founded in 1958. Providing national and regional exhibitions, performances, educational programs, and visual and performing arts classes to adults and children, the Museum also offers a vibrant concert and lecture series and an annual craft festival, CRAFT SHOW (the Eastern Shore’s largest juried fine craft show) featuring local and national artists and artisans demonstrating, exhibiting and selling their crafts. The Museum’s permanent collection consists of works on paper and contemporary works by American and European masters. Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; extended hours on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday until 7 p.m. For more information, please call (410) 822-ARTS (2787) or visit www.art-academy.org.
8. CHRIST CHURCH - St. Peter’s Parish, 111 South Harrison St. The Parish was founded in 1692 with the present church built ca. 1840, of Port Deposit granite.
9. HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF TALBOT COUNTY - 25 S. Washington St. Enjoy an evocative portrait of everyday life during earlier times when visiting the c. 18th and 19th century historic houses and a museum with changing exhibitions, all of which surround a Federal-style garden. Located in the heart of Easton’s historic district. Museum hours: Thurs., Fri. & Sat., 10a.m. to 4 p.m. (winter) and Mon. through Sat., 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (summer), with group tours offered by appointment. For more information, call 410-822-0773.
10. ODD FELLOWS LODGE - At the corner of Washington and Dover streets stands a building with secrets. It was constructed in 1879 as the meeting hall for the Odd Fellows. Carved into the stone and placed into the stained glass are images and symbols that have meaning only for members. See if you can find the dove, linked rings and other symbols.
11. THE TALBOT COUNTY COURTHOUSE - Long known as the “East Capital” of Maryland. The present building was completed in 1794 on the site of the earlier one built in 1711. It has been remodeled several times over the years.
12. SHANNAHAN & WRIGHTSON HARDWARE BUILDING - 12 N. Washington St. Now Lanham-Hall Design & Antiques, it is the oldest store in Easton. In 1791, Owen Kennard began work on a new brick building that changed hands several times throughout the years. Dates on the building show when additions were made in 1877, 1881 and 1889. The present front was completed in time for a grand opening on Dec. 7, 1941 - Pearl Harbor Day.
13. THE BRICK HOTEL - northwest corner of Washington and Federal streets. Built in 1812, it became the Eastern Shore’s leading hostelry. When court was in session, plaintiffs, defendants and lawyers all came to town and shared rooms in hotels such as this. Frederick Douglass stayed in the Brick Hotel when he came back after the Civil War and gave a speech in the courthouse. It is now an office building.
14. THOMAS PERRIN SMITH HOUSE - 119 N. Washington St. Built in 1803, it was the early home of the newspaper from which the Star-Democrat grew. In 1912, the building was acquired by the Chesapeake Bay Yacht Club, which occupies it today.
15. ART DECO STORES - 13-25 Goldsborough Street. Although much of Easton looks Colonial or Victorian, the 20th century had its influences as well. This row of stores has distinctive 1920s-era white trim at the roofline. It is rumored that there was a speakeasy here during Prohibition.
16. FIRST MASONIC GRAND LODGE - 23 N. Harrison Street. The records of Coats Lodge of Masons in Easton show that five Masonic Lodges met in Talbot Court House (as Easton was then called) on July 31, 1783 to form the first Grand Lodge of Masons in Maryland. Although the building they first met in is gone, a plaque marks the spot today.
17. FOXLEY HALL - Built about 1795 at 24 N. Aurora St., Foxley Hall is one of the best-known of Easton’s Federal dwellings. Former home of Oswald Tilghman, great-grandson of Lt. Col. Tench Tilghman. (Private)
18. TRINITY EPISCOPAL CATHEDRAL - On “Cathedral Green,” Goldsborough St., a traditional Gothic design in granite. The interior is well worth a visit. All windows are stained glass, picturing New Testament scenes, and the altar cross of Greek type is unique.
19. INN AT 202 DOVER- Built in 1874, this Victorian-era mansion reflects many architectural styles. For years the building was known as the Wrightson House, thanks to its early 20th century owner, Charles T. Wrightson, one of the founders of the S. & W. canned food empire. Locally it is still referred to as Captain’s Watch due to its prominent balustraded widow’s walk. The Inn’s renovation in 2006 was acknowledged by the Maryland Historic Trust and the U.S. Dept. of the Interior. It is now home to a beautiful inn and restaurant.
20. TALBOT COUNTY FREE LIBRARY - In an attractive building on West St. Hours open: Mon. & Thurs., 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tues. & Wed. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Fri. & Sat., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except during the summer when it’s 9 to 1 on Saturday. For information call 410-822-1626 or visit www.tcfl.org. (While under renovation, library facilities are located at 28712 Glebe Road).
21. THIRD HAVEN MEETING HOUSE - Built in 1682 and the oldest frame building dedicated to religious meetings in America. The Meeting House was built at the headwaters of the Tred Avon: people came by boat to attend. William Penn preached there with Lord Baltimore present. Extensive renovations were completed in 1990.
22. MEMORIAL HOSPITAL - Established in the early 1900s, with several recent additions to the building and facilities, and now extensive additions and modernization under construction, making this what is considered to be one of the finest hospitals on the Eastern Shore.
23. EASTON POINT MARINA & BOAT RAMP - At the end of Port Street on the Tred Avon River
24. TALBOTTOWN, EASTON PLAZA, EASTON MARKETPLACE, TRED AVON SQUARE and WATERSIDE VILLAGE- Shopping centers, all in close proximity to downtown Easton.
Near Easton
25. HOG NECK GOLF COURSE - Rated FOUR STARS by “Golf Digest Places to Play.” 18 hole Championship course, 9 hole Executive course. Full service pro shop. For more info. tel: 410-822-6079.
26. TALBOT COMMUNITY CENTER - The year-round activities offered at the community center range from ice hockey to figure skating, aerobics and curling. The Center is also host to many events throughout the year, such as antique, craft, boating and sportsman shows.
27. EASTON AIRPORT - 29137 Newnam Rd., just off Rt. 50.
28. PICKERING CREEK - 400-acre farm and science education center featuring 100 acres of forest, a mile of shoreline, nature trails, low-ropes challenge course and canoe launch. Trails are open seven days a week from dawn till dusk. Canoes are free for members. For more info. tel: 410-822-4903 or visit www.pickeringcreek.org.
29. TALBOT COUNTRY CLUB - Established in 1910, the Talbot Country Club is located at 6142 Country Club Drive, Easton.
30. WHITE MARSH CHURCH - Only the ruins remain, but the churchyard contains the grave of the elder Robert Morris, who died July 22, 1750. The parish had a rector of the Church of England in 1690.