Love Point, Maryland facts for kids

Love Point is a special place at the very northern tip of Kent Island in Maryland, United States. It's like a landmark because it marks the southern edge of where the Chester River meets the wider waters.

In the past, Love Point was a very busy spot! It was a major place for ferries to pick up and drop off people. It was also the end of the line for the Queen Anne's Railroad, and it marked the western start of Maryland Route 18.

Two important buildings used to stand here: the Love Point Light, which was a lighthouse, and a big hotel called Hotel Love Point. Both of these buildings are gone now. Today, Love Point is mostly a quiet area where people live.

Why Is It Called Love Point?

The name Love Point has been around for a long time, since at least 1694! There are many local stories and legends about how it got its name.

Legends of Love

Most of the legends are similar. They tell a sad story about two lovers who died either at Love Point or in the nearby water. In some versions of the story, the lovers were Native American people. In other versions, they were European settlers, or sometimes one from each group.

Often, these stories say that the couple's love was forbidden, meaning they weren't allowed to be together. This forbidden love is what led to their tragic end. Some versions of the legend even say that their bodies were found washed ashore, still holding onto each other.

A Sailor's Tale

There's another, less romantic, idea about the name. Sailors who were heading up the Chester River often had to change the direction of their sails, a move called "luffing", as they went around Love Point. This was because of strong winds coming from the northwest.

According to this idea, the point was first known as "Luff Point" because of this sailing maneuver. Over many years, people might have started saying "Love Point" instead, and the name just stuck!