Denton in Caroline County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Steamboats on the Choptank River

Connecting Denton to the World

Photographed By F. Robby, September 20, 2010

1. Steamboats on the Choptank River Marker

Inscription.
Steamboats carrying passengers and freight brought prosperity to Denton and Caroline County during the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Caroline County's economy was based on agriculture. Farmers had to market their products. Steamboats quickly and efficiently carried fresh and canned vegetables and fruit to the Chesapeake Bay and on to markets in Baltimore and elsewhere.

Farmers prospered. Canneries, granaries, a flourmill, fertilizer warehouses, a shirt factory, stores and a blacksmith shop flourished along the river in West Denton. Businessmen built banks and shops in Denton.

The steamboat era began in 1846 when the Maryland steamed upriver. It ended when the City of Denton docked here for the last time in the 1920s.

Erected by Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1846.

Location. 38° 53.298′ N, 75° 50.377′ W. Marker has been reported damaged. Marker is in Denton, Maryland, in Caroline County. Marker is on River Landing Road, 0.4 miles north of New Bridge Road (Maryland Route 328), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Denton MD 21629, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least

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8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Hubs of Activity (a few steps from this marker); Choptank River Heritage Center (a few steps from this marker); Maryland Steamboat Company's Joppa Wharf at Denton (a few steps from this marker); The Denton Arrests (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Moses and the Hounds (about 400 feet away); Caroline County Visitor Center (about 800 feet away); Neck Meeting House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Tuckahoe Neck Meeting House (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Denton.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), September 3, 2022

2. Steamboats on the Choptank River Marker

Unfortunately, the marker has weathered significantly.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), September 3, 2022

3. Steamboats on the Choptank River Marker

Maryland Steamboat Company image. Click for full size.

Photographed By F. Robby, September 20, 2010

4. Maryland Steamboat Company

In this picture, the marker is hidden by the bush next to the restored wharf that now houses a small museum.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 5, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 6, 2013, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 613 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 6, 2013, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. 2, 3. submitted on September 5, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 4. submitted on September 6, 2013, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland.