Eastport in Annapolis in Anne Arundel County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Watermen of Back Creek
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Photographed by F. Robby, January 28, 2008
1. The Watermen of Back Creek Marker
During the 1920s, the houses on this street belonged to African-American families. Most of the men living here worked on the water, launching often home-built boats from their back yards. They harvested oysters from September to April, and crabs in the summer.
Hand-tonging for oysters was a tough way to make a living. Lyle Smith, who grew up here, went out with his grandfather just once: "I was culling oysters, trying to keep my hands warm, and when my fingers got cold, I said, 'This is the first and the last.' I've never been out on an oyster boat since."
With time, the economic and cultural climate of this Eastport neighborhood has changed. Wooden boat building and oystering are no longer a way of life.
[Captions:]
Charles Thompson (right) and his family built workboats and pleasure boats here.
Oystermen use long-shafted tongs to harvest oysters. Once piled on the "culling tray" in the middle of the boat, undersized oysters were "culled," or tossed back in the water to replenish the oyster reefs.
Erected by Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network, Annapolis Maritime Museum, Four Rivers Garden Club. (Marker Number 13.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans
this page online
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 58.147′ N, 76° 28.806′ W. Marker was in Annapolis, Maryland, in Anne Arundel County. It was in Eastport. It was at the intersection of Chester Avenue and Fourth Street, on the right when traveling south on Chester Avenue. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 401 Chester Ave, Annapolis MD 21403, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker was in Central Maryland. It was also in the American Mid-Atlantic and in the Chesapeake Bay Region. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found 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 location: A different marker also named The Watermen of Back Creek (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Eastport's Soul (about 400 feet away); The Maritime Tradition Lives On (about 500 feet away); Bay Workboats (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Welcome to Eastport (approx. 0.2 miles away); Harvesting the Bay (approx. 0.2 miles away); Deadrise Defined (approx. 0.2 miles away); Cap'n Herbie Sadler (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Annapolis.
Other markers no longer nearby. Eastport's Soul
Photographed by F. Robby, January 28, 2008
2. The Watermen of Back Creek Marker
Small park at the intersection where the marker is located.
Photographed by F. Robby, January 28, 2008
3. Chester Avenue
Modern homes along Chester Avenue near the marker, looking east.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 23, 2008, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,184 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 23, 2008, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland.
