A little over a year ago when I realized that I had spend a good part of the past few years photographing the sights seen while traveling the Chesapeake Country Roads of the upper Eastern Shore, County Courthouses have often been the subject of some of the photographs.

I live in Kent County and pass the County Court house quite often in my travels. I don’t often photograph it though. This one is from last year shortly after the courthouse was given a name. George R. Rain Jr. was a figure of public life in the county for the second half of the 20th century, Beginning in early 1950s he practice law then was elected state’s attorney, a State Senator and Judge.

Recently the Courthouse in Easton, Talbot County has been in the news. Not for anything that was happening inside the Courthouse, but for a statue on its Lawn. The Talbot Boys, a memorial that honored Talbot County residents who fought for the South during the Civil War. Earlier this year the Statute was removed. This photo from 2019 does show the statute, I need to get a shot of the courthouse now that it’s been removed.

The Courthouse in Cambridge is one of the stops on the Harriet Tubman Trail. The courthouse was built in 1854, two years after the original was destroyed by fire. During its early years there were a few Underground Railroad supporter tried and convicted there.

The Caroline County Courthouse in Denton is also a stop on the Tubman Byway. Although the present building wasn’t built until 1895 replacing the one built at the same location in 1797, the location symbolized white legal, political, economic and social power of the age, which is true of all of the courthouses.

While I have shown photos of the courthouse here many times in the past few week mostly from the front and right side, this view is from the left

The Queen Anne’s County Courthouse in Centreville is probably the courthouse that I have photographed the most. In 2019 a new courthouse across the street replaced this one, but I still feel that this is the County’s Courthouse and I am certain I am not the only one.

As one can see these courthouses have served their community for over 100 years, most over 150 years. They are beautiful buildings on their own and the history that they have seen is enormous.

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About Drives With Steve
Nearly three years ago I began doing a series of posts I called “Drives with Steve” on my photography Website, SGAtkinson.com. The idea was to take a drive from my home in Chestertown to an randomly selected location and take photographs along the way.

This eventually turned into the “Point of Interest” Series. Along the way I’ve captured a pretty wide range of photos. Check back each Sunday to see photos from a latest Drive. Although due to weather or other circumstances some may be of previous drives.

If you are wondering whether you can get a print of one of myphotographs. You sure can. Three sizes are available. 8×10 (with 11×14 Matt) at $25, 11×14 at $50 or 13×19 at $75. However, if you would like another size, I’m sure I can get one to you. Just send an email to photos@shoretobefun.com if you are interested in purchasing or have any questions.

You can support this project and see additional photos if many of these “Drives” at Patreon.com/ShoreToBeFun.