Leonardtown in St. Mary's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Fun on the Waterfront
Leonardtown Wharf
The waterfront was fun and exciting for all ages.
The last quarter of the 19th century has been called Maryland's Golden Age. It was a time of expanding educational and economic opportunities and during those years, the waterfront provided the setting for burst of fun and frolic: showboats, minstrel shows, swimming, picnics, and boating parties. Steamboats from Washington, Baltimore and Philadelphia brought tourists for the afternoon or the week.
The James Adams Floating Theatre first docked at Leonardtown Wharf on Sunday, January 27, 1915. They offered six performances, Monday through Saturday, with a different production each day. For more than a generation, even when competition from moving picture shows and other entertainments began to draw audiences away from traditional showboats, Leonardtown provided sellout crowds. In 1925, Edna Ferber spend four days aboard the Floating Theatre researching her novel Showboat. Joe Gunn and Aggie Scott, who served as cooks, crew and cast members, were transformed into Joe and Queenie in Ferber's novel.
Sources:
Loker, Alec; A Most Convenient Place, Leonardtown, Maryland, 1650-1950; Commissioners and Solitude Press, 2001;
Living in St. Mary's County; Maryland Department of Education copyright 1954, 1959, 1962, 1967.
With Special Assistance from Robert Hurry of Calvert Marine Museum, Silas Hurry of Historic St. Mary's City and Christopher Kintzel of the Maryland State Archives.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is January 27, 1675.
Location. 38° 17.156′ N, 76° 38.282′ W. Marker is in Leonardtown, Maryland, in St. Mary's County. Marker can be reached from Washington Street. Marker is in Leonardtown Wharf Park at the south end to Washington Street (MD 326) along the waterfront walkway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Leonardtown MD 20650, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Trade on the Waterfront (here, next to this marker); Steamboats at the Waterfront (within shouting distance of this marker); Leonardtown Wharf (within shouting distance of this marker); Invasion! (within shouting distance of this marker); Origins of the Compass Rose (within shouting distance of this marker); Breton Bay (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Legend of Moll Dyer (approx. ¼ mile away); War Comes to Breton Bay (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Leonardtown.
Also see . . . "Showboat" Cook Still Aboard Boat. Joe Gunn is discussed in the Baltimore African American, December 13, 1930. (Submitted on January 19, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 29, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 19, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 652 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 19, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.