Shuttled By Ship
Before the automobile, boat transportation was the only efficient way of moving goods in the Chesapeake Bay area.
Throughout the 19th century, Centreville Landing was a prosperous commercial area serving the schooners that carried grain, lumber and agricultural products to Baltimore and Norfolk and returned with manufactured goods for merchants in Centreville and the rural farming districts of Queen Anne’s County. Today, the upper reaches of the Corsica River have gradually filled with sediment from soil erosion, limiting boat traffic.
Kings of Commerce
Two men cornered the maritime market here on the Centreville Landing. Cloudsberry Clash owned extensive property, including much of the waterfront, and operated a wharf and warehouse. Captain John Ozmon was born to a life of sea; in 1858, he put down roots in land. Prominent among the half-dozen schooner captains residing in the area, Ozmon built a wharf, a warehouse, a store, and several residences, including a large home overlooking Clash’s property on the Corsica River waterfront.
Taking Care Of His Community
During his tenure in Centreville, Capt. Ozmon built a row of small houses along the Corsica Creek along with more than 40 other homes---most of which still stand today. These homes are essentially untouched and take us back to a time
this page online
(Inscription in the upper right)
The waterfront property of Cloudsberry Clash is shown in the 1877 Atlas of the Delmarva area. Image courtesy Mary Margaret Revell Goodwin.
Erected by Maryland Heritage Area Authority.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1858.
Location. 39° 3.186′ N, 76° 4.487′ W. Marker is in Centreville, Maryland, in Queen Anne's County. Marker is on Front Street. The marker is located on the grounds of Centreville Landing. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Centreville MD 21617, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Centreville Wharf (a few steps from this marker); John Ozmon: Captain of the Sea and Entrepreneur (within shouting distance of this marker); Liberty Tree Memorial (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Wharf: Adventure and a Link to Life on the Water (approx. 0.2 miles away); Centreville Wharf Living Shoreline (approx. 0.2 miles away); Chesterfield Avenue: River to Railroad Connection
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on February 6, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 380 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 6, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
