Interesting Facts About Maryland Part 1

Maryland Is Often Called America In Miniature.

Maryland is often called America in Miniature in part, because it has a diverse geography ranging from the Appalachian Mountains in the west to the Atlantic beaches in the east. This variety means that within the state, you can explore mountain peaks and valleys and dense mountain forests, the rolling farmland of the Piedmont region, urban metropolitan hubs, the northernmost Bald Cypress swamp, America's largest estuary and its vast saltwater marshes, the flat coastal plains of the mid and lower Eastern Shore, and the beautiful Atlantic beaches.

Maryland may also be called America In Miniature due to the variety of agriculture that's as diverse as the entire nations. You'll find production of many types of grains, soybeans, and corn; livestock raising; one of America's largest poultry industries; dairy farms; seafood production; horse breeding; nurseries; wineries, distilleries, and breweries; bee colonies and honey; apple production and many more agricultural industries. Explore more about Maryland.

This book, Maryland the Seventh State A History is a complete, comprehensive history of the State of Maryland, and its twenty-four major subdivisions. It contains an in-depth history of Maryland's founding, and complete information on all historical areas for each town and city in Maryland. Also includes biographies of Maryland's noteworthy people. It is the definitive work for learning all about Maryland.

The nation's largest estuary is Maryland's Chesapeake Bay.

The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States at 4479 sq. miles or 11,601 sq. kilometers. It is about 200 miles (320 km) long with a width that spans from 2.8 miles (4.5 km) to 30 miles (48 km). An estuary is where freshwater rivers meet the salty seas creating brackish water - a mixture of freshwater and saltwater.

The Chesapeake's freshwater, brackish waters, and saltwater create a unique ecosystem that supports a huge variety of marine life that has shaped the economy and culture of the region for centuries. Blue crabs, oysters, clams, rockfish (striped bass), eels, and menhaden are some of the most important fisheries on the bay.

The Chesapeake Bay and its rivers are world-famous for its blue crabs, which are a culinary staple. The tradition of crab feasts, where piles of crabs are seasoned with Old Bay and eaten on newspaper-covered tables, is a quintessential Maryland summer experience. At one time Chesapeake Bay supplied upwards of 90% of the nation's oysters. Over harvesting in the late 1800's early 1900's and disease in the mid to late 1900's decimated the bay's oyster population, reducing it to approximately 1% of its historical number.

The B & O Railroad was the 1st steam operated U.S. railroad.

One of the oldest railroads in the U.S., the B & O Railroad was the 1st railroad to run a steam powered locomotive and the first common carrier, offering passenger and freight service. Chartered in 1827, construction started on July 4, 1828. Charles Carroll of Carrollton, the last surviving signer of the Declaration of Independence, participated in the laying of the 1st stone.

Peter Cooper built a steam locomotive called the Tom Thumb and proposed a demonstration for the B & O directors along the 1st section of track built, which linked Baltimore and Ellicott Mills (now Ellicott City). Previously, cars were pulled by horses along the tracks. A local stagecoach line challenged the Tom Thumb to a race along a road parallel to the tracks. The 1830 race began with the Tom Thumb jumping out to an easy lead and that was maintained until a mechanical failure allowed the horse to catch up and pass the locomotive and win the race. Despite that loss the directors realized the superiority of the steam locomotive and adopted it's use in 1831. You can visit the B & O Museum in Baltimore (recently renamed the National Museum of Railroad History & Innovation) and the B & O Museum in Ellicott City.

Maryland's capital, Annapolis, briefly served as the U.S. capital.

Annapolis, Maryland's capital, briefly served as the U.S. capital from November 26, 1783 to August 19, 1784 when the Continental Congress, operating under the Articles of Confederation, met there. This made Annapolis the first peacetime capital of the new nation.

Some significant events took place while Annapolis was the capital. The Treaty of Paris, which officially ended the Revolutionary War, was ratified and signed in the Maryland State House in Annapolis. Negotiated by John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and John Jay, the treaty was signed on September 3, 1783, and it recognized the United States as an independent nation and also set the boundaries for the U.S.

Another significant event that occurred in Annapolis, was George Washington resigning his commission as commander in chief of the Continental Army on December 23, 1783. This took place in the Old Senate Chamber of the Maryland State House. This act by Washington, demonstrated his support for the civilian control of the government and established the precedent of civilian control over the military. Washington then retired to his estate at Mount Vernon. The site of his resignation is in the same Maryland State House, and can be visited today.

More interesting facts coming in future blog posts.

Check back often to see future blog posts from The Maryland Store featuring more interesting facts and lots of posts about all things Maryland.