Scientists Cliffs, Maryland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Scientists' Cliffs, Maryland
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 Scientists Cliffs, Maryland
Location in Maryland
Scientists Cliffs, Maryland
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Maryland |
| County | Calvert |
| Elevation | 105 ft (32 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
20676
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| Area code(s) | 410, 443, and 667 |
| GNIS feature ID | 591239 |
Scientists' Cliffs is a special place in Calvert County, Maryland. It is an unincorporated community, which means it's not officially a city or town with its own local government. It started as a summer getaway for scientists and is known for its beautiful nature and amazing fossil cliffs.
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Scientists' Cliffs: A Unique Community
Scientists' Cliffs was first created in 1935. It was meant to be a summer spot for scientists and their families. Two people named Flippo and Annie Gravatt started this community. They chose this land because some American Chestnut trees there seemed to be strong against a plant disease called the chestnut blight.
Early Homes and Growth
The first cabins built in Scientists' Cliffs were made from chestnut trees that had died from the blight. Even though it began as a summer place, the first person to live there all year round moved in during 1943.
Protecting the Land: American Chestnut Land Trust
In 1986, the people living in Scientists' Cliffs heard that the forests and old farms around their homes might be sold to builders. To protect their peaceful area, they all worked together and bought the land themselves. This land, which was 436 acres of woods near the Chesapeake Bay, became the "American Chestnut Land Trust" (ACLT).
Since then, the ACLT has grown a lot. They have teamed up with other groups like The Nature Conservancy and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. By 2019, more than 4,000 acres of land around Scientists' Cliffs had been saved and protected. This helps keep the area natural and beautiful.
Exploring the Community: Gates and Streets
Scientists' Cliffs is reached by Scientists Cliffs Road. The community is divided into five parts, which are called "Gates." These are named Gate A, Gate B, Gate C, Gate D, and Gate E. It's important to know that it's not a "gated community" with fences or guards.
The streets in each gate have names that start with the same letter as the gate. They are also named after plants. For example, in Gate A, you'll find streets like Aster, Aspen, and Azalea. In Gate B, there are streets named Birch, Beech, and Bluebell.
Community Fun and Features
All five gates have paths and wooden boardwalks that lead directly to the Chesapeake Bay. This means everyone can easily get to the water.
Gate A has even more cool features! It has a community center, a swimming pool, tennis courts, and a horseshoe pit. There's also a baseball field, a recycling center, and a private beach called "South Beach."
Unique House Styles
One special rule in Scientists' Cliffs is that all houses must have a wooden outside. This gives the homes a distinct rustic or natural look. Recently, however, new materials like "Hardie board" (a type of cement-based siding) have been allowed. These materials look like wood but are more friendly to the environment.
Amazing Fossils at the Cliffs
The tall cliffs along the edge of the Chesapeake Bay are very famous. They hold some of the richest fossil deposits in the world! These fossils are from the Miocene period, which was millions of years ago. The cliffs are part of something called the Calvert Formation.
If you look closely, you might even find teeth from the Carcharodon megalodon here. The megalodon was a giant, ancient shark!
