Travel Story

A Journey Back in Time

   Historic Smith Island, MD, charms travelers looking to relax and enjoy the beauty of the Eastern Shore. Take a step back and enjoy the refreshing experience of being immersed in a peaceful and rare way of life.

            Smith Island is nestled in the heart of the Chesapeake Bay, 12 miles from shore. It is rich with beauty, delicious cuisine and history. “Smith Island now has 240 year-round residents, spread between the villages of Ewell, Rhodes Point and Tylerton” (Smith Island). Tylerton is separated by water from the other two towns.          

Morning Commute by Missy Evans
Tylerton, MD 2009

This remote Island can only be reached by passenger ferry. Step into the boat and feel the saltwater spray as you breathe in the fresh, rich ocean air. The 45-minute boat ride reveals the rich beauty surrounding the Island, from the everchanging, frothy water, to the plethora of wildlife and lonely, abandoned buildings in the marshes. Smith Island is known for its breathtaking sunsets and sunrises, as the sun scars the sky each evening with the vibrant colors of the rainbow. 

Smith Island by Missy Evans
Tylerton, MD 2016

Professional photographers, hobbyist and tourist alike, enjoy the rustic shanties, the classic fishing boats, geometric crab pots, curious sea life and variety of birds. All adventurers can appreciate these beautiful sights by chartering a boat or kayaking through this gem of nature.

 One does not have to get in a boat to enjoy walking around these three picturesque towns. All exploration is done on foot because this Island does not have cars! On Ewell, there are bike and golf cart rentals which are the primary ways of travel. Tylerton, lacks rentals but being less than a ¼ mile long there is not much need! (And many times, if needed, one can catch a ride with a friendly islander on their golf cart).

Tylerton is an important stop on this visit. It is the home of Drum Point Market, the crab co-op and charter boat opportunities to fly fish, explore and go “proggin’” (treasure hunting in the marsh). At Drum Point Market travelers can enjoy some famous crab cakes, locally caught, picked, and prepared. The sizzling hot, fried ball of goodness captures the taste buds. The blue crab is famously “sweet” buttery and flaky and lacks a “fishy” flavor. Or treat yourself to their special soft crab po’boy sub.

Top it off with the state dessert Smith Island cake, 8-10 layers of fluffy melt-in-the-mouth cake covered in super-fudgy cooked chocolate frosting.

A quick jaunt down the road leads to where the ladies pick and package the crab meat that the “menfolk” bring in from the bay that day. Sounds of laughter, conversation, and sometimes vibrant singing adorn the crab co-op as the ladies pick the crabmeat.

Tylerton is not the only place to explore, a quick 15-minute boat-ride takes travelers to Ewell, the biggest town on the Island. There you will find the Inn, more homestyle southern seafood restaurants, the museum, ice cream, and other attractions.

Founded in 1608, (Historic Smith Island). Smith Island has kept many “old-timey” traditions and even the old Elizabethan dialect! Step back in time as you experience crabbers, and oystermen working on the water. Celebrate the Springtime blessing of the boats, the historic annual Camp Meeting in August or the fun 4^th of July party!

Though they are a good time, parties will not get too wild as the Island traditionally has always been “dry”, so it is strictly BYOB, “discreetly” (Smith Island). Most functions are put on by the Methodist church.

            Whether the adventurer rents a house on Tylerton, stays at the Inn on Ewell or comes for the day, Smith Island is worth the visit. For more specific information about attractions and accommodations please check out: visitsmithisland.com for all the latest travel knowledge.

Sunset by Missy Evans
Tylerton, MD 2016

References

Missy Evans (2016) Photographer. MD: Island Life Photos.

(n.d.) Smith Island: A true community in the heart of the Chesapeake Bay. Retrieved April 2020. http://www.visitsmithisland.com/discover.html.

(n.d.) Historic Smith Island: From the age of pirates…to the twenty-first century. Retrieved April 2020. http://smithisland.us/history.htm.

All photos, unless otherwise noted, are used from Creative Commons.