Chestertown, Maryland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Chestertown, Maryland
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High Street in Chestertown
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| Motto(s):
"Historic colonial town on the Chester River"
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Location in Kent County and Maryland
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 Chestertown, Maryland
Location in Maryland
Chestertown, Maryland
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
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| State |  Maryland |
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| County |  Kent |
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| Incorporated | 1805 | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 3.29 sq mi (8.51 km2) | ||
| • Land | 2.92 sq mi (7.56 km2) | ||
| • Water | 0.37 sq mi (0.95 km2) | ||
| Elevation | 20 ft (6 m) | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 5,532 | ||
| • Density | 1,895.82/sq mi (731.98/km2) | ||
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) | ||
| ZIP codes |
21620, 21690
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| Area code(s) | 410 and 443 | ||
| FIPS code | 24-16225 | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 0589954 | ||
| Website | Chestertown, Maryland | ||
Chestertown is a town located in Kent County, Maryland, in the United States. In 2020, about 5,532 people lived there. It is the main town, or county seat, of Kent County, which is the oldest county in Maryland.
Contents
History of Chestertown
Chestertown was founded in 1706. It became very important when it was named one of Maryland's six Royal Ports of Entry by the English colony. This meant many ships came and went, making the town rich. By the mid-1700s, Chestertown was Maryland's second biggest port, after Annapolis.
Wealthy merchants built many beautiful brick homes along the waterfront. Chestertown has the second-highest number of 18th-century homes in Maryland, again after Annapolis. In 1790, Chestertown was even the geographical center of the United States' population. The town officially became a city in 1805 and was named after the Chester River.
Many historic places in Chestertown are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These include old homes, a courthouse, and even historic boats.
Geography and Climate
Chestertown is located at 39°13′10″N 76°4′6″W / 39.21944°N 76.06833°W. The town covers about 2.91 square miles (7.54 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a smaller part being water.
Chestertown's Climate
The weather in Chestertown has hot and humid summers. Winters are cool and wet. This type of weather is known as a humid subtropical climate.
Population of Chestertown
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1860 | 1,539 | — | |
| 1870 | 1,871 | 21.6% | |
| 1880 | 2,359 | 26.1% | |
| 1890 | 2,632 | 11.6% | |
| 1900 | 3,008 | 14.3% | |
| 1910 | 2,735 | −9.1% | |
| 1920 | 2,537 | −7.2% | |
| 1930 | 2,809 | 10.7% | |
| 1940 | 2,760 | −1.7% | |
| 1950 | 3,143 | 13.9% | |
| 1960 | 3,602 | 14.6% | |
| 1970 | 3,476 | −3.5% | |
| 1980 | 3,300 | −5.1% | |
| 1990 | 4,005 | 21.4% | |
| 2000 | 4,746 | 18.5% | |
| 2010 | 5,252 | 10.7% | |
| 2020 | 5,532 | 5.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2010, Chestertown had 5,252 people living in 1,971 households. About 18.6% of these households had children under 18. The average age in town was about 35 years old. Many residents were between 18 and 24, or 65 and older.
Arts and Culture in Chestertown
Chestertown is known for its rich history and fun events.
Chestertown Tea Party Festival
In May 1774, after the famous Boston Tea Party, the people of Chestertown decided they would not buy or sell tea. A popular story says they held their own "tea party" on the Chester River. They threw tea into the water to show they were against British rule.
Today, the Chestertown Tea Party Festival celebrates this history every Memorial Day weekend. The festival includes a parade, colonial music, crafts, and military drills. The highlight is a re-enactment where actors throw "tea" into the Chester River from a ship called the Sultana.
Schooner Sultana
The Sultana is a reproduction of an 18th-century ship. Its construction began in 1998 in Chestertown. Over 3,000 students and many volunteers helped build it. The ship was launched in 2001. Now, more than 8,000 students each year learn about history and the environment aboard the Sultana. It is also the official ship for the Chestertown Tea Party re-enactment.
Honors and Awards
In 2007, Chestertown was named one of America's Dozen Distinctive Destinations. This award is given to unique and well-preserved communities. In 2008, Progressive Farmer magazine called Kent County and Chestertown the #1 "Best Rural Place to Live in America." They praised the area for its good schools, healthcare, and strong rural heritage.
First Friday Events
On the first Friday of every month, Chestertown's main street comes alive. Shops open their doors, and many people from Chestertown and nearby towns come to visit. It's a popular event for families and students from Washington College.
Education in Chestertown
Chestertown is part of the Kent County Public Schools system. It has Henry Highland Garnet Elementary School and Kent County Middle School. Kent County High School is located nearby in Worton.
The town is also home to Washington College, a private college founded in 1782. It is the tenth oldest college in the United States. George Washington himself was one of its first supporters.
Washington College is famous for the Sophie Kerr Prize. This award, worth over $60,000, is given each year to a graduating student with great writing talent.
Chestertown also has Radcliffe Creek School, which opened in 1996. This school helps students with and without learning differences. It serves students from age 4 to 14, and also has a preschool program.
The Kent County Public Library has a branch in Chestertown.
Media and News
For local news, people in Chestertown can read The Chestertown Spy, an online news source. The Kent County News is a weekly newspaper that covers local events. WCTR Radio has been serving the community since 1963, broadcasting on FM 106.9 and FM 96.1.
Transportation in Chestertown
_at_Maryland_State_Route_291_(Morgnec_Road)_in_Chestertown,_Kent_County,_Maryland.jpg)
The main way to travel to and from Chestertown is by road. Maryland Route 213 is the most important highway. Other state roads include Maryland Route 20, Maryland Route 289, Maryland Route 291, and Maryland Route 514.
Notable People from Chestertown
Many interesting people have connections to Chestertown:
- Tallulah Bankhead, a famous actress.
- James M. Cain, an author known for books like Mildred Pierce.
- Henry Highland Garnet, an important leader who fought against slavery.
- Bill "Swish" Nicholson, a professional baseball player.
- James Peale, a well-known painter.
- William Smith, who helped found Washington College.
- Ryan Thompson, a Major League Baseball player.
See also
In Spanish: Chestertown (Maryland) para niños
