This morning the CBS Morning show did a profile on the The 251 Club of Vermont. The club was established in 1954 and is an organization of Vermont enthusiasts with the goal of visiting the 251 towns and cities in Vermont.

The reason I mention this club is that in some ways this is what I am doing, visiting the towns of Maryland’s Eastern Shore, take some photos of the area, share them here, and encourage you to visit them as well.

Some of the towns I’ve visited are incorporated by the State of Maryland, meaning that they are classified as municipalities and have their own mini governmental powers. Others, classified as villages, are just a gathering of homes in area. Some may only be a couple of houses on cross streets.

In 2005 I began doing research on the counties and towns on the Delmarva Peninsula, learning about their history and heritage. I actually began putting together a book. It wasn’t until around 2011, when I picked up a camera that I began photographing the area. I still feel the book one day will become a reality.

In 2021 the The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) “America’s Byways” established the Chesapeake Country All-American Road, a more than 400-mile route from Chesapeake City to Smith Island on country roads along the Chesapeake Bay’. This extended the old Chesapeake Country Byway that ran from Chesapeake City to the Kent Island. I live in the middle of the original byway and have taken countless photographs her. That’s when I decided to create this site, Chesapeake County Roads, with the idea of photographing sights throughout the Chesapeake Country All American Road.

Now nearly two years later, I have many more places to go and will be continuing these travels and adventures long into the future. While it was always with a goal of visiting all of the towns I am going to be more deliberate in stopping at them. Some of these towns have many stories that can be photographs, others may only have a couple. All deserve to be acknowledged.

How many incorporated towns are there on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. I should know that number, but I had to look back at my research and count them. There are 59 towns on the Shore, although there are only two Towns south of the C&D Canal in Cecil County and 4 in Worcester County, which could be considered more of an Atlantic Country.

Of course if you add the towns in Virgina’s Chesapeake Country and those on the Western Shore of the Chesapeake there will be many more to discover and explore.

Well, that’s the essay part of this week’s Pictorial-Essay, now to to photos. The historic town of Chestertown, the county seat of my home county.

The Hynson-Ringold House – Home of Washington College’s President

The Custom House

The Fountain in the Downton Park

View of the Chester River on High Street

Monument Park – In Memory of those lost in American Wars——
About the Sunday (Which may be closer to a Monday) Posts
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 “Points of Interest” series. Along the way I’ve captured a pretty wide range of photos.

For the past several months I have been doing posts on each Sunday that I have been terming,”Drives with Steve” and have tried to have recent one every week. Over these past few there has been a few things that have made these weekly trips difficult to do. One of the biggest has been, in a word, inflation. Especially the price of gas. The cost for these trips have nearly doubled.

I have decided to only do one “Drives with Steve” post a month, on the first Sunday of the Month. What will be appearing on the other Sundays?

“Points of Interest” on the Second Sunday, “Common Series” on the Third Sunday and “Over the Years on the Fourth Sunday.

My Thanks goes out to all who are constant visitors. I am grateful for all of the support I am receiving.

Have you visited the Greeting Card store?  Four different sets are available. A purchase does help and is much appreciated.

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 at Patreon.com/ShoreToBeFun.