Ewell on Smith Island in Somerset County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Smith Island
Maryland's only remaining inhabited offshore island group. Named for early land owner Henry Smith. Chartered by Captain John Smith in 1608 as "The Russell Isles." English farmers John Evans and John Tyler came via Accomack County Virginia to become the first permanent settlers in 1686. During the Revolutionary War the British used the island as a base of operations. Once the home of Joshua Thomas, famed Methodist evangelist who held the first camp meeting on the island.
Erected 2002 by Maryland Historical Trust, Maryland State Highway Administration.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Revolutionary • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Maryland Historical Trust series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1608.
Location. 37° 59.719′ N, 76° 1.937′ W. Marker is on Smith Island, Maryland, in Somerset County. It is in Ewell. It is on Caleb Jones Road near Katies Alley, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ewell MD 21824, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on the Eastern Shore. It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic, on the Delmarva Peninsula, 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 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: State Dessert Smith Island Cake (a few steps from this marker);
this page online
More about this marker. Smith Island is accessible only by boat. Vehicle travel on the island is limited.
Also see . . . Smith Island Cultural Center & Museum. Museum website homepage (Submitted on June 11, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.)
Photographed by Amy Wilson, June 2005
2. Smith Island Marker
Photographed by Crisfield & Smith Island Cultural Alliance, Inc., March 21, 2003
4. Smith Island Center, Birdhouse, and Marker in the marker's previous environs
The Smith Island Center is the brown building on the left. Many yards in Ewell have birdhouses like this miniature lighthouse seen here. The historical marker can be seen in the distance, to the right of the birdhouse.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 12, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 11, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,109 times since then and 123 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 12, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 2. submitted on June 11, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 3. submitted on October 12, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 4. submitted on June 11, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.
