If you’re looking for a bucolic place to experience an authentic Chesapeake way of life, then plug Tilghman Island into your GPS and get ready to explore. Tucked away on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, this timeless treasure measures only three miles long and one mile wide, but it magically blends the past and present into one laidback getaway.
Archaeological evidence shows the island has been inhabited for nearly 13,000 years. Originally called Great Choptank Island, Matthew Tilghman inherited the land in 1707, and since then it has carried his name. Fertile soil fostered a vibrant agricultural business for centuries, but by the early 1900s, residents turned their attention to local crabs, oysters and fish for their livelihoods. Today at Dogwood Harbor, the Bay’s largest fleet of working skipjacks brings in fresh catch from the surrounding waters.
Landlubbers drive through Easton and St. Michaels to reach the Knapps Narrows Drawbridge that connects Tilghman Island to the jagged peninsula. Considered one of the busiest bridges in the country, Maryland’s only overhead counterweight bascule span lifts upward about 12,000 times a year to let boaters cruise through the passageway between the Choptank River and Chesapeake Bay.
On Tilghman, life evolves around the water. At the northern part of the island, marinas, restaurants, and charming inns and B&Bs create an energetic vibe along the shore. Driving down the tree-lined main street, you’ll find a few shops, general store, waterfront resort and historic churches. A new gated community now stands where seafood and tomatoes were processed years ago.
The must-see Tilghman Island Watermen’s Museum offers guided tours of its fascinating exhibits that chronicle the region’s history, culture and people. Its unique W-shaped architecture was designed to catch cooling breezes in the summer.
In the southern part of the island, which is a delightful place for riding bikes, nature takes center stage. It’s a bird watcher’s paradise, as geese, bald eagles, herons and waterfowl soar above plush, green foliage. Hopeful fishermen cast lines in the water near Black Walnut Point until an unforgettable sunset marks the end of another glorious day on the island.
Article and Photos by Susan Elnicki Wade.
WHERE TO DOCK
WHERE TO DINE
