Easton, Maryland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Easton, Maryland
Town
Flag Seal
Easton, Maryland Location in Maryland Show map of Maryland Easton, Maryland Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Country	United States
State	Maryland
County	Talbot
Incorporated	1790
Area
• Total	11.52 sq mi (29.84 km2)
• Land	11.46 sq mi (29.68 km2)
• Water	0.06 sq mi (0.16 km2)
Elevation	23 ft (7 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	17,101
• Density	1,492.23/sq mi (576.15/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP Codes	21601, 21606
Area code	410
FIPS code	24-24475
GNIS feature ID	0584235

Easton is a town in Maryland, United States. It is the main town in Talbot County. In 2020, about 17,101 people lived there. Easton is known for its history and charming small-town feel.

History of Easton

How Easton Began

Courthouse in Downtown Easton

Easton officially started on November 4, 1710. The government decided to build a courthouse for Talbot County there. Before this, the court met in a less convenient spot.

They bought two acres of land for 15,000 pounds of tobacco. Yes, tobacco was used like money back then! A brick courthouse was built on this land. It cost 115,000 pounds of tobacco.

The courts used this building from 1712 to 1794. Soon, a tavern was built for people visiting the court. Then, stores and homes followed. The village was first called "Talbot Court House."

Some buildings were there even before the town officially started. A meeting house for the Society of Friends (Quakers) was built around 1682. The Wye plantation, a large farm, was settled in the 1650s.

Easton might be named because it is east of Saint Michaels. But it's more likely named after a place called Easton in England.

Important Events in the 2000s

In 2008, a valuable painting was found in an Easton Goodwill Industries store. A smart store manager noticed it was a real painting by Édouard Cortès. It was later sold for $40,600!

In 2011, a statue of Frederick Douglass was put up in Easton. Frederick Douglass was a famous writer and leader who fought against slavery. He was born as a slave in Talbot County in 1818.

Easton was named one of America's top 5 coolest places to buy a vacation home by Forbes magazine in 2018.

Geography and Weather

Easton covers about 10.67 square miles (27.64 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.

The weather in Easton has hot, humid summers. Winters are usually mild to cool. It has a climate known as "humid subtropical." This means it gets plenty of rain and has warm temperatures for much of the year.

Population of Easton

In 2020, Easton had 17,101 people living there. The town has grown quite a bit over the years.

Most people in Easton are White (73.1%). About 17.2% are African American, and 9.8% are Hispanic or Latino.

The average age in Easton is about 41 years old. Many different age groups live in the town.

Neighborhoods

Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church in The Hill

Easton has many different neighborhoods. One very special neighborhood is The Hill. It is known as America's oldest free Black community, dating back to around 1790.

Some other neighborhoods include:

• Ashby Commons
• Ashby Park
• Beechwood
• Calvert Terrace
• Cookes Hope
• Easton Club
• Lakelands
• Mulberry Station
• Stoney Ridge

Getting Around Easton

Roads and Highways

US 50 westbound in Easton

U.S. Route 50 is a major highway that goes through Easton. It connects the town to places like the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Ocean City.

There are also several Maryland state routes that help people get around. These include Maryland Route 322, which goes around Easton, and Maryland Route 33, which leads to St. Michaels.

Airports and Buses

Easton Airport is a local airport for smaller planes. For bigger flights, people can go to airports near Salisbury or Baltimore.

Buses also help people travel in Easton and nearby counties. Delmarva Community Transit runs several bus routes.

Easton's train station

Long ago, trains used to run from New York and Philadelphia to Easton. This stopped in the late 1940s.

Utilities in Easton

Easton Utilities provides many services to the town. These include electricity, natural gas, water, and internet. Easton is special because it owns all its utility services. It was the first community in Maryland to do so!

Easton Utilities has its own power generators. It also buys natural gas from a large pipeline. The town gets its water from underground sources. Easton also offers cable TV and phone services.

Sports in Easton

Easton used to have its own minor league baseball teams. The Easton Yankees played in the Eastern Shore League between 1924 and 1949.

Some famous baseball players, like Home Run Baker and Jimmie Foxx, played for Easton teams. They are now in the Baseball Hall of Fame!

Famous People from Easton

Many notable people have connections to Easton:

• Harold Baines – A famous baseball player.
• Frederick Douglass – A well-known writer and leader who fought against slavery.
• Harry Hughes – A former Governor of Maryland.
• Maggie Rogers – A popular singer, songwriter, and producer.
• William Pierce Rogers – A government official who worked for presidents Eisenhower and Nixon.
• James W. Rouse – A person who developed real estate and helped communities.

Important Places to See

Easton has many interesting landmarks and historic sites:

• Academy Art Museum – A place to see art.
• Avalon Theatre – A historic theater.
• Tidewater Inn – A large, historic hotel.
• Trinity Cathedral – A beautiful stone church.
• Third Haven Meeting House – A very old Quaker meeting house.

Many of these places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are important historical sites.

Images for kids

• 

  Flag of Easton, Maryland

• 

  Seal of Easton, Maryland

• 

  Map of Easton's location

• 

  Easton skyline

See also

In Spanish: Easton (Maryland) para niños