Chester in Queen Anne's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Crossing the Narrows
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, November 21, 2017
1. Crossing the Narrows Marker
The Kent Narrows was once the only crossing point from Kent Island to the Eastern Shore mainland. The earliest crossings were made by Native Americans in log canoes. Colonies crossed the marshy straits by ferry. Causeways and bridges were built to carry horse-drawn carriages, trains, and eventually cars across the water. Today more than 25 million vehicles cross the Narrows annually.
c. 1672 — Ferry links from Annapolis is to Kent Island and across the Kent Narrows are part of the Great Road system through the colonies.
c. 1826 — Earthen causeway built, closing the straits and joining the island with the mainland.
1876 — Causeway removed to allow boat traffic between the Eastern Bay and the Chester River.
1876 — Drawbridge replaces the causeway.
c. 1900 — Queen Anne's Railroad Company builds railroad bridge across the Narrows.
1952 — The Chesapeake Bay Bridge opens, joining the Eastern and Western Shrores of the Bay for the first time.
1956 — Last train crosses the Narrows and rail bridge is formally dosed.
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, November 21, 2017
2. Crossing the Narrows Marker
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • Waterways & Vessels.
Location. 38° 58.522′ N, 76° 14.96′ W. Marker is in Chester, Maryland, in Queen Anne's County. This marker is near the Chesapeake Heritage & Visitor Center at the bridge to Ferry Point Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 425 Piney Narrows Road, Chester MD 21619, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. War Along the Chesapeake (within shouting distance of this marker); Chesapeake Country National Scenic Byway (within shouting distance of this marker); Byway Destinations (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Byway Destinations (within shouting distance of this marker); Enemy Occupation (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); "O! say can you see " (about 300 feet away); War in the Chesapeake (about 300 feet away); Crossing Point (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chester.
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, November 21, 2017
3. The Great Road system extended from Virginia to Massachusetts
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, November 21, 2017
4. Kent Narrows bridge, early 20th century postcard.
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, November 21, 2017
5. Locomotive crossing the Kent Narrows, 1922
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, November 21, 2017
6. The Emma-N-Sarah
passing through Kent Narrows
from the Chester River toward Eastern Bay.
passing through Kent Narrows
from the Chester River toward Eastern Bay.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 11, 2018. It was originally submitted on February 1, 2018, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 273 times since then and 38 times this year. Last updated on March 11, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on February 1, 2018, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
