Leonardtown in St. Mary's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Discover Southern Maryland's Amazing Stories of Exploration, Hope, and Courage

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 11, 2026

1. Discover Southern Maryland's Amazing Stories of Exploration, Hope, and Courage Marker

Inscription.

Discover Southern Maryland's Amazing Stories of Exploration, Hope, and Courage. . , Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail ,

"Passing along the coast, searching every inlet, and bay, fit for harbours and habitations…" , Captain John Smith, describing his explorations of the Chesapeake region in 1608

, Many people know of Captain John Smith's role in the settlement of Jamestown, Virginia in 1607. But few know that Smith also explored and mapped nearly 3,000 miles of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, all in an open boat, with a small group of companions, encouraging many thriving Native American communities along the way. This trail, America's first waterway national historic trail, follows Smith's remarkable journey and the tidal waters that he explored., Religious Freedom National Scenic Byway ,

No Person or Persons … shall henceforth be in any ways troubled molested or discountenanced for or in respect of his or her Religion nor in the free exercise thereof…" , Act Concerning Religion, Maryland General Assembly, April 21, 1649

, Freedom of religion in America has its roots here in Southern Maryland. Along this scenic byway you can explore the story behind the first attempt in America to introduce what were once considered radical ideas: religious toleration and to separate church from government. This fundamental belief can be traced through American history to the First Amendment to the Constitution guaranteeing everyone living in the United States the right to believe as they wish., Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail ,

And the star spangled banner in triumph shall wave , O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave." , Francis Scott Key, fourth stanza of the Star Spangled Banner, 1814

, This 290-mile historic trail connects the places and events of the War of 18 12 that led Francis Scott Key to pen the words to our national anthem. A major part of that story, the route of the invading British fleet in late summer of 1814, is found here in Southern Maryland., Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail ,

"…a great avenue into the Western Country … one of the finest rivers in the world…" , George Washington, describing The Potomac River in 1793

, George Washington lived along and traveled the Potomac River, pursuing his dream to connect the Atlantic Seaboard with an expanding western frontier. His efforts to use the river as a commercial artillery influenced industrialization and development in the 1800s and beyond. From tidewater here in Southern Maryland to the Youghiogheny River in western Pennsylvania, this trail network connects the sites and terrain that shaped our first president's life, and thus shaped a young America.

Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail

"Passing along the coast, searching every inlet, and bay, fit for harbours and habitations…"
Captain John Smith, describing his explorations of the Chesapeake region in 1608

Many people know of Captain John Smith's role in the settlement of Jamestown, Virginia in 1607. But few know that Smith also explored and mapped nearly 3,000 miles of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, all in an open boat, with a small group of companions, encouraging many thriving Native American communities along the way. This trail, America's first waterway national historic trail, follows Smith's remarkable journey and the tidal waters that he explored.

Religious Freedom National Scenic Byway

No Person or Persons … shall henceforth be in any ways troubled molested or discountenanced for or in respect of his or her Religion nor in the free exercise thereof…"
Act Concerning Religion, Maryland General Assembly, April 21, 1649

Freedom of religion in America has its roots here in Southern Maryland. Along this scenic byway you can explore the story behind the first attempt in America to introduce what were once considered radical ideas: religious toleration

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and to separate church from government. This fundamental belief can be traced through American history to the First Amendment to the Constitution guaranteeing everyone living in the United States the right to believe as they wish.

Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail

And the star spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave."
Francis Scott Key, fourth stanza of the Star Spangled Banner, 1814

This 290-mile historic trail connects the places and events of the War of 1812 that led Francis Scott Key to pen the words to our national anthem. A major part of that story—the route of the invading British fleet in late summer of 1814—is found here in Southern Maryland.

Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail

"…a great avenue into the Western Country … one of the finest rivers in the world…"
George Washington, describing The Potomac River in 1793

George Washington lived along and traveled the Potomac River, pursuing his dream to connect the Atlantic Seaboard with an expanding western frontier. His efforts to use the river as a commercial artillery influenced industrialization and development in the 1800s and beyond. From tidewater here in Southern Maryland to the Youghiogheny

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 11, 2026

2. Discover Southern Maryland's Amazing Stories of Exploration, Hope, and Courage Marker

River in western Pennsylvania, this trail network connects the sites and terrain that shaped our first president's life, and thus shaped a young America.

Erected by Destination Southern Maryland; Town of Leonardtown, Maryland; National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior; Maryland Heritage Areas Authority.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is April 21, 1649.

Location. 38° 17.185′ N, 76° 38.309′ W. Marker is in Leonardtown, Maryland, in St. Mary's County. It is on Washington Street south of Goodwin Way, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 22500 Washington Street, Leonardtown MD 20650, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southern Maryland.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in the Tidewater,

and in the Chesapeake Bay Region.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Ways to Explore Southern Maryland's Scenic and Historic Routes (here, next to this marker); Invasion! (a few steps from this marker); Waterfront Park in the Critical Area (within shouting distance of this marker); Origins of the Compass Rose (within shouting distance of this marker); Restoring Oysters in Breton Bay / Restauración de ostras en la Breton Bay

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Trade on the Waterfront (within shouting distance of this marker); Breton Bay (within shouting distance of this marker); Fun on the Waterfront (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Leonardtown.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 17, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 17, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.