Saint Michaels, Maryland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Saint Michaels, Maryland
Town
Hooper Strait Lighthouse at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum
Flag Seal
Motto(s):  "Historic Charm, Nautical Adventure, Romantic Spaces"
Location of Saint Michaels, Maryland
Saint Michaels, Maryland Location in Maryland Show map of Maryland Saint Michaels, Maryland Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Country	United States
State	Maryland
County	Talbot
Incorporated	1804
Area
• Total	1.27 sq mi (3.28 km2)
• Land	1.17 sq mi (3.02 km2)
• Water	0.10 sq mi (0.26 km2)
Elevation	10 ft (3 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	1,049
• Density	899.66/sq mi (347.44/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	21663
Area code(s)	410, 443, and 667
FIPS code	24-69825
GNIS feature ID	0591218
Website	http://stmichaelsmd.org/

Christ Church Episcopal Church in Saint Michaels main road

Saint Michaels, often called St. Michaels, is a charming town in Talbot County, Maryland, United States. In 2020, about 1,049 people lived there. The town got its name from an Episcopal church. This church was named after Michael the Archangel and was built in 1677. Settlers came to the area to grow tobacco and build ships, which helped the town grow.

History of Saint Michaels

The town of Saint Michaels was planned in the 1770s by James Braddock. Unlike many towns from that time, it was designed around a central square. The town officially became a town in 1804.

An old Anglican church was in the area before the town existed. This church gave Saint Michaels its name. Even with this church, the town became mostly Methodist after preachers visited. A Methodist church, Sardis Chapel, was built in 1839 and is still there today.

Shipbuilding and the War of 1812

Shipbuilding was the first big industry in Saint Michaels. By the time of the War of 1812, there were many shipbuilders. They built fast ships called schooners, which later became known as Baltimore Clippers. These ships were great at avoiding enemy ships or pirates. Some were even used as private armed vessels.

Saint Michaels played a part in the War of 1812. In 1813, a British fleet led by Admiral George Cockburn came to the Chesapeake Bay. They attacked Saint Michaels because of its shipyards and a local defense battery. On August 10, 1813, the Battle of St. Michaels began. The British tried to destroy the shipyards and the town.

A famous story says the town tricked the British. People dimmed their lights and hung lanterns in trees outside the town. This made the British cannons shoot over the town, saving it from major damage. Because of this story, Saint Michaels is known as "the town that fooled the British." The Cannonball House is one building that was reportedly hit. It is now a historic landmark.

Later Industries and Famous People

After the War of 1812, shipbuilding slowed down. But the town found a new industry: oysters. By the late 1800s, many families worked in the oyster business. They would gather oysters or work in the shucking houses along the waterfront. One important business, Coulbourne and Jewett, was started by a Black owner, Frederick Jewett. He created a system for grading crabmeat that is still used today.

Frederick Douglass, a famous abolitionist, spent time in Saint Michaels as a young man. He was held here after an attempted escape to freedom in 1835. Years later, in 1877, Frederick Douglass returned to Saint Michaels to meet with his former owner, Thomas Auld. They had a peaceful meeting.

Many other historic places in Saint Michaels are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These include the Saint Michaels Historic District, Crooked Intention, Edmee S., Edna E. Lockwood, and the Saint Michaels Mill.

Geography of Saint Michaels

Saint Michaels is located on a narrow piece of land along the Miles River. The town is a popular place for tourists. It has nice hotels, inns, seafood restaurants, and gift shops. You can take boat tours from Saint Michaels to Annapolis across the Chesapeake Bay. There is also a ferry nearby that takes people across the Tred Avon River to Oxford.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town covers about 1.25 square miles (3.25 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.

Population Information

2010 Census Details

In 2010, there were 1,029 people living in Saint Michaels. There were 509 households, and 281 families. The town had about 895 people per square mile.

Most of the people living in Saint Michaels were White (69.0%). About 27.4% were African American. A small number of people were Native American, Asian, or from other backgrounds. About 2.9% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.

The average age in town was 50.2 years old. About 18.3% of residents were under 18. Many residents (28.6%) were 65 years or older. More women lived in Saint Michaels (58.5%) than men (41.5%).

Economy and Jobs

Downtown Saint Michaels on North Talbot Street

Tourism has been a big part of Saint Michaels' economy since the 1970s. It started with a maritime museum that opened in 1965. Then, a seafood restaurant and a tour boat followed.

Today, some major employers in the town include Harbortowne Resort, The Crab Claw restaurant, and the Inn at Perry Cabin by Belmond.

Getting Around Saint Michaels

MD 33 westbound entering St. Michaels

The main way to get to Saint Michaels is by road. Maryland Route 33 is the only state highway that goes through the town. It connects Saint Michaels to Tilghman Island and Easton.

Fun Things to Do and See

Saint Michaels is known as a romantic getaway. In 2018, Forbes magazine called it "The East Coast Weekend Getaway You've Been Missing."

• Farmer's Market: From April to November, you can visit a farmer's market on Saturdays. It sells fresh local produce.
• Running Festival: Each May, the St. Michaels Running Festival and St. Michaels Half Marathon bring runners to town.
• Fourth of July: The town celebrates the Fourth of July with fireworks over Saint Michaels Harbor.
• Fall Festival: In the fall, the "Fall into St. Michaels Weekend" includes a fun Jack Russell dog race.

Museums and Other Places to Visit

Saint Michaels harbor, looking toward Cherry Street.

One of the most popular places to visit is the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum. It is built on land where seafood packing houses used to be. The museum has many historic boats from the Chesapeake Bay, like the Edna E. Lockwood. This boat is a National Historic Landmark.

The Saint Michaels Mill is a gristmill from the 1800s. It was added to the U.S. National Register of Historical Places in 1982.

Art Galleries

You can also explore several art galleries in Saint Michaels:

• Hopkins Original Art
• The Clark Gallery of Fine Art
• Gregorio Gallery

Notable People from Saint Michaels

• Frederick Douglass: A famous writer and leader who fought against slavery. He spent time in Saint Michaels when he was young.
• Harold Baines: A former professional baseball player who grew up and still lives in Saint Michaels. He is in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
• Bill Veeck: A creative owner of Major League Baseball teams. He retired to Saint Michaels.
• Norman Johnson Stewart, Sr.: An artist who taught model ship building at the Maritime Museum. Some of his models are at the Smithsonian Museum.
• James Michener: A famous author who wrote much of his novel "Chesapeake" while living near Saint Michaels.
• Tanner Roark: A professional baseball pitcher for the Washington Nationals. He lives in Saint Michaels.

See also

In Spanish: St. Michaels (Maryland) para niños