St. Clement's Island State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St. Clement's Island State Park |
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IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
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Commemorative cross
and rebuilt Blackistone Lighthouse |
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 St. Clement's Island State Park
Location in Maryland
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| Location | Saint Mary's County, Maryland, United States |
| Nearest town | Coltons Point, Maryland |
| Area | 62 acres (25 ha) |
| Elevation | 10 ft (3.0 m) |
| Designation | Maryland state park |
| Established | 1962 |
| Administrator | Maryland Department of Natural Resources |
| Website | St. Clement's Island State Park |
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St. Clement's Island Historic District
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| Nearest city | Coltons Point, Maryland |
| Area | 1,499 acres (607 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 72001484 |
| Added to NRHP | April 10, 1972 |
St. Clement's Island State Park is a special place in Maryland. It's a park that protects history and offers fun activities. The park is on St. Clement's Island, which is a small island in the Potomac River. It's about half a mile from Colton's Point in St. Mary's County.
This island is important because it's where Maryland's first European settlers landed. The park has a tall stone cross that reminds us of the start of religious freedom in America. There's also a rebuilt lighthouse on the island. St. Clement's Island is the main part of the St. Clement's Island Historic District, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.
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The Island's Early History
St. Clement's Island is where the first colonists arrived in Maryland. They sailed from Cowes in England and landed on the island on March 25, 1634. This date is now celebrated every year as Maryland Day. The island was a good temporary spot for the 150 settlers. From here, they talked with the Yaocomico Native Americans to find land for a permanent home.
The settlers named the island after Pope Saint Clement I, who is known as the patron saint of sailors. It was also the place where the first Roman Catholic Mass was held in the British colonies in America. A Jesuit priest named Father Andrew White led this Mass. Many people believe this special event happened on the very day the colonists landed.
How the Island Changed Over Time
When the settlers first arrived, Father White wrote that the island was "not above 400 acres" (about 160 hectares). But just five years later, in 1639, a surveyor measured the island and found it was only about 80 acres (32 hectares). This shows how much the island's size changed, likely due to erosion.
The island became part of St. Clement's Manor. This land was given by the Second Lord Baltimore to Dr. Thomas Gerard in 1639. Dr. Gerard became a very important person in Maryland and Virginia. Later, the island went to his daughter Elizabeth, who was married to Nehemiah Blackistone. Because of the Blackistone family, the island became known as Blackistone Island.
The Blackistone family owned the island for a long time, 162 years, starting in 1669. In 1919, the U.S. Navy took over the island. They built a landing strip and piers, and removed the island's buildings and trees. In 1962, the island was leased from the federal government and became a state park. Its name went back to St. Clement's Island. The name change was made official in 1965.
Special Features of the Park
St. Clement's Island State Park has two important features that highlight its history.
The Stone Cross
A large 40-foot (12-meter) stone cross stands on the island. It was put there in 1934 to celebrate Maryland's 300th anniversary. This cross reminds everyone that St. Clement's Island is one of the places where the idea of religious tolerance began in the United States.
The Rebuilt Lighthouse
A copy of the Blakistone Island Light was finished in 2008. A local group called St. Clement's Hundred helped make this happen. The original lighthouse stood on the island from 1851 until 1956, when it was destroyed by a fire. The new lighthouse looks just like the old one.
Things to Do at St. Clement's Island
The island is a great place to visit, but you can only get there by private boat or by taking a water taxi. The water taxi runs during certain times of the year from the St. Clement's Island Museum in Colton's Point.
Once you're on the island, you can enjoy several activities:
- Hiking on the trails
- Having a picnic
- Fishing
- Hunting (during specific seasons)
- St. Clement's Island Historic District, St. Mary's County, including photo from 2002, at Maryland Historical Trust
