Cambridge in Dorchester County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
John Barth
A literary pioneer from Cambridge
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, January 23, 2018
1. John Barth Marker
John Barth – called “one of the greatest novelists of our time” – was born in Cambridge on May 27, 1930 and grew up on Aurora Street. While living here, Barth frequented his father’s soda fountain, Whitey’s Candyland, on Race Street, and played drums in a jazz combo that included his twin sister, Jill, on piano. Barth attended East Cambridge Elementary School and graduated from Cambridge High School in 1947.
“It was my happy fate to be born and raised in the town where ‘the real Eastern Shore begins.’ For decades, Cambridge and its tidal waters have nourished my writing: Long may they ebb and flow!” – John Barth
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Arts, Letters, Music.
Location. 38° 34.264′ N, 76° 4.546′ W. Marker is in Cambridge, Maryland, in Dorchester County. Marker is on Gay Street. This marker is in front of the Dorchester County Library. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 303 Gay Street, Cambridge MD 21613, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Eastern Shore Infantry (a few steps from this marker); John F. Kennedy (within shouting distance of this marker); Finding Freedom (about 400 feet away,
this page online
Also see . . . John Barth - Wikipedia. (Submitted on February 2, 2018, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, January 23, 2018
2. John Barth Marker
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, January 23, 2018
3. John Barth
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, January 23, 2018
4. John Barth's Boyhood Home
About Seven blocks from here.
About Seven blocks from here.
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, January 23, 2018
5. John Barth and his twin sister, Jill
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, January 23, 2018
6. A Source of Inspiration
Seeing the Adams Floating Theatre docked at Long Wharf inspired Barth to write his first novel, The Floating Opera. Set in Cambridge, it was nominated for the National Book Award in 1956.Close-up of A. Aubrey Bodine photo on marker
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, January 23, 2018
7. Walking in Barth's Footsteps
① Boyhood Home at 107 Aurora Street [private residence]
② Choptank River waterfront, where Barth and friends played as children
③ Former Site of East Cambridge Elementary School
④ Former site of Arcade Theatre at 502-504 Race Street where Barth's Jazz combo, the Swingtette, performed
⑤ Former site of Whitey's Candyland, owned by Barth's father, at 405 Race Street
⑥ 101 High Street [private residence], where Barth wrote The Floating Opera; he rented an apartment overlooking Water Street
⑦ Long Wharf, where Adams Floating Theatre docked
Close-up of map on marker
② Choptank River waterfront, where Barth and friends played as children
③ Former Site of East Cambridge Elementary School
④ Former site of Arcade Theatre at 502-504 Race Street where Barth's Jazz combo, the Swingtette, performed
⑤ Former site of Whitey's Candyland, owned by Barth's father, at 405 Race Street
⑥ 101 High Street [private residence], where Barth wrote The Floating Opera; he rented an apartment overlooking Water Street
⑦ Long Wharf, where Adams Floating Theatre docked
Credits. This page was last revised on February 5, 2018. It was originally submitted on January 28, 2018, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 573 times since then and 79 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on January 28, 2018, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 7. submitted on February 2, 2018, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
