Port Tobacco River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Port Tobacco River |
|
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| State | Maryland |
| County | Charles County |
| Physical characteristics | |
| River mouth | Potomac River 0 feet (0 m) |
| Length | 4.2 miles (6.8 km) |
The Port Tobacco River is a small river in Maryland, United States. It flows into the larger Potomac River. This river is special because its water levels change with the ocean tides, even though it's inland! It's about 4.2 miles (6.8 kilometers) long and is located in Charles County.
The Port Tobacco River's Past
The Port Tobacco River has an interesting history. A town called Port Tobacco was once very important along this river. From 1658 to 1895, it was the county seat for Charles County. A county seat is like the main town where the government offices are located.
Why Port Tobacco Village Changed
Port Tobacco Village used to be a busy port. Ships would come and go, bringing goods and people. However, over time, the river became filled with too much sand and mud. This made it hard for boats to travel on it. When a river becomes too shallow, we say it is "silted" and "unnavigable."
Because ships could no longer reach the town easily, businesses started to struggle. Then, a new railroad was built, but it did not go through Port Tobacco Village. This meant that goods and people traveled by train instead of by boat. As a result, the town lost its importance. The county seat was then moved to a new town called La Plata, Maryland.
