Chesapeake City, Maryland

Chesapeake City is a town in Cecil County, Maryland, United States. The population was 736 at the 2020 census.

Chesapeake City, Maryland
Town
Chesapeake City along the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal
Chesapeake City along the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal
Flag of Chesapeake City, Maryland
Flag
Official seal of Chesapeake City, Maryland
Seal
Location of Chesapeake City, Maryland
Location of Chesapeake City, Maryland
Coordinates: 39°31′40″N 75°48′44″W
Country United States
State Maryland
County Cecil
Incorporated1850[1]
Government
 • MayorRich Taylor
Area
[2]
 • Total0.72 sq mi (1.88 km2)
 • Land0.53 sq mi (1.37 km2)
 • Water0.19 sq mi (0.50 km2)
Elevation
26 ft (8 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total736
 • Density1,388.68/sq mi (535.84/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
21915
Area code410
FIPS code24-15950
GNIS feature ID0589952
Websitewww.chesapeakecity-md.gov

The town was originally named by Bohemian colonist Augustine Herman[3] the Village of Bohemia — or Bohemia Manor — but the name was changed in 1839 after the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal (C&D Canal) was built in 1829. Today, the town contains numerous old homes from that era that have been converted into bed and breakfasts, restaurants and the local historical museum.

History

The town was separated into north and south sections when the C&D Canal was built through the middle of the town. The two were connected by a drawbridge until 1942 when that was destroyed by a freighter that struck it. The current bridge opened in 1949.

The new bridge had to be tall enough to allow supertankers to pass beneath it, resulting in a structure so high and long that cars no longer went into the city to cross the canal. Business declined for decades thereafter.[4]

Around 1911, members of the Ukrainian community bought farmland at the edge of Chesapeake City and established homes here. They worked on the canal when it expanded in the 1920s and farmed as they brought their traditions and culture to the top of the Eastern Shore of Maryland. In 1911, the Ukrainian Catholic Church announced plans for a church and an orphanage. St. Basil's Ukrainian Church opened a few years later and prior to World War I the St. Basil Orphanage on a hilltop alongside the C & D Canal was caring for children. The orphanage maintained by the Sisters of the Order of St. Basil the Great (O.S.B.M) operated until the 1970s. The church continues to serve the spiritual needs of the community with regular services.[5],[6]

Chesapeake City is the location of the Old Lock Pump House of the C&D Canal, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1966.[4] The South Chesapeake City Historic District was listed in 1974.[7]

In the late 20th century, Chesapeake City was the home of one of the world's most important thoroughbred stud farms, Windfields Farm.

Geography

Chesapeake City is located at 39°31′40″N 75°48′44″W (39.527826, -75.812270).[8]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.69 square miles (1.79 km2), of which 0.50 square miles (1.29 km2) is land and 0.19 square miles (0.49 km2) is water.[9]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1850423—
18701,008—
18801,40239.1%
18901,155−17.6%
19001,1721.5%
19101,016−13.3%
1920958−5.7%
19301,0166.1%
19401,0947.7%
19501,1545.5%
19601,104−4.3%
19701,031−6.6%
1980899−12.8%
1990735−18.2%
20007877.1%
2010673−14.5%
20207369.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]

2010 census

As of the census[11] of 2010, there were 673 people, 335 households, and 177 families living in the town. The population density was 1,346.0 inhabitants per square mile (519.7/km2). There were 390 housing units at an average density of 780.0 per square mile (301.2/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 96.6% White, 2.4% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.1% from other races, and 0.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.8% of the population.

There were 335 households, of which 20.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.0% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 47.2% were non-families. 39.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.01 and the average family size was 2.67.

The median age in the town was 47.9 years. 15% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22% were from 25 to 44; 35.5% were from 45 to 64, and 20.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 44.9% male and 55.1% female.

2000 census

As of the census[12] of 2000, there were 787 people, 330 households, and 228 families living in the town. The population density was 1,393.1 inhabitants per square mile (537.9/km2). There were 371 housing units at an average density of 656.7 per square mile (253.6/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 94.92% White, 3.56% African American, 0.25% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 0.51% from other races, and 0.38% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.76% of the population.

There were 330 households, out of which 27.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.8% were married couples living together, 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.9% were non-families. 24.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.79.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 21.7% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 27.7% from 45 to 64, and 16.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.4 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $46,917, and the median income for a family was $52,813. Males had a median income of $35,250 versus $26,471 for females. The per capita income for the town was $21,621. About 5.2% of families and 6.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.7% of those under age 18 and 2.3% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Chesapeake City is a part of the Cecil County Public Schools System. There are three schools in the town:

  • Chesapeake City Elementary School
    • The previous facility, about 42,000 square feet (3,900 m2) in size, is in the southern part of Chesapeake City, along the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal. In 2019 a groundbreaking for the new school facility, along Augustine Herman Highway at the midpoint between the Bohemia Manor secondary schools and the Cheseapeake City fire department facility, was imminent. The facility, with about 62,000 square feet (5,800 m2) in area, is designed to look like the area bridge.[13] The building's model is Gilpin Manor Elementary School.[14]
  • Bohemia Manor Middle School
  • Bohemia Manor High School

Chesapeake City is served by the Chesapeake City Branch of the Cecil County Public Library located on Maryland Route 213. The library offers books, music, movies, computers with Internet access, free wifi, and programs for adults, teens, and children.

Transportation
MD 213 northbound just before the Chesapeake City Bridge

The main method of transportation to and from the town is by road. Maryland Route 213 is the main highway serving Chesapeake City, connecting the two halves of the town via the Chesapeake City Bridge. MD 213 extends northward towards Elkton and southwards to Cecilton. Other state highways serving the town include Maryland Route 284, Maryland Route 285, Maryland Route 286, Maryland Route 342 and Maryland Route 537.

Notable people

See also
  • Town Hall
    Town Hall
  • Former town hall
    Former town hall

References
  1. "Chesapeake City". Maryland Manual. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
  2. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  3. Nead (1980). The Pennsylvania-German in the Settlement of Maryland. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc. ISBN 978-0-8063-0678-0.
  4. James F. Lee (August 12, 2009). "Chesapeake City, Md., Has a Lock on History". Washington Post.
  5. admin (March 31, 2015). "An Orphanage on a Chesapeake City Hilltop Once Took Care of Dependent Children". Window on Cecil County's Past. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
  6. admin (February 27, 2023). "St. Basil's Ukrainian Church". Window on Cecil County's Past. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
  7. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. April 15, 2008.
  8. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  9. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
  10. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  11. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
  12. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  13. Dieterle, Marcus (July 9, 2019). "CCPS prepares to break ground on new Ches. City Elem". Cecil Whig. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  14. Dieterle, Marcus (January 3, 2019). "CCPS awaits state review of new Ches. City Elementary". Cecil Whig. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
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