Cobb Island (Maryland) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cobb Island, Maryland
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Location of Cobb Island, Charles County, Maryland
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| Country | United States |
| State | Maryland |
| County | Charles |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.93 sq mi (2.39 km2) |
| • Land | 0.63 sq mi (1.62 km2) |
| • Water | 0.30 sq mi (0.77 km2) |
| Elevation | 10 ft (3 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 929 |
| • Density | 1,484.03/sq mi (573.16/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
20625
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| GNIS feature ID | 1988529 |
Cobb Island is a small island located in southern Charles County, Maryland, United States. It sits where the Potomac River and Wicomico River meet. The island is about 45 miles (72 km) south of Washington, D.C.. It is part of the larger Washington, D.C. area.
Cobb Island is separated from the mainland by Neale Sound. A short bridge, about 0.11 miles (177 meters) long, connects it to the mainland. This bridge carries Maryland Route 254.
Cobb Island is an unincorporated community. This means it does not have its own local government. It is also a census-designated place (CDP), which is an area defined by the U.S. Census Bureau for statistics. In 2010, about 1,166 people lived there.
The community has a small post office and a volunteer fire and rescue team. There is also a Baptist church. For fun, there is a large community green space called Fisherman's Field and a small playground. You can find two seafood restaurants with marinas, a marina with a pizza place, a small bar and grill, and a seasonal coffee shop, art gallery, and bakery. There is also a small market.
Contents
Island History
How Cobb Island Got Its Name
In 1642, a person named James Neal owned Cobb Island. He was a privateer, which was like a legal pirate working for the British Empire. He would capture Spanish ships that were carrying treasure from Central America.
The Spanish coins he captured were sometimes cut into smaller pieces called "cobbs." These "cobbs" were then given to the colonists in Maryland. This is how the island got its name, "Cobb Island."
First Radio Voice Message
Cobb Island is famous for a big moment in radio history. On December 23, 1900, Reginald Fessenden sent and received the first clear human voice message using radio waves.
He used two tall masts, each 50 feet (15 meters) high, placed about 1 mile (1.6 km) apart on Cobb Island. This was a very important step in developing modern radio.
Cobb Island in the 1900s
Later, a man named Robert Crain bought Cobb Island. He started the Cobb Island Development Company. In 1922 and 1923, his company built roads on the island. They also created a summer resort and built the bridge that connects the island to the mainland.
Population Information
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2020 | 929 | — | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
See also
In Spanish: Cobb Island para niños
