TALBOT COUNTY
County Offices
11 North Washington Street
Easton 410-770-8001
www.talbgov.org
Chamber of Commerce
101 Marlboro Avenue
Easton 410-822-4653
www.talbotchamber.org
Highways
U.S. 50
If you crave all the relaxation and beauty of country living within a reasonable commute to major metropolitan areas—Talbot County is the answer to your dreams. Within the reaches of this Eastern Shore region, you’ll discover a rare mix of stately waterfront homes, winding country lanes, sailboat and log canoe races, lovely rivers and creeks, quaint towns, seafood, waterfowl and wildlife. With five-star restaurants, shoreline splendor and year-round festivals, it’s no surprise that Talbot County towns are frequently ranked among the most desirable places in the nation.
Unspoiled in its pristine images, Talbot County invites you along tree-lined streets and country roads to such charming communities as Bellevue, St. Michaels, Easton, Tilghman Island and Oxford. Here, lovely residential havens preserve the gracious touch of the Old South, evident in historic buildings as well as nature’s exquisite landscapes. The backdrop of five magnificent rivers and rambling tributaries combines with over 600 miles of shoreline. The entire county is nearly an island—with the Wye River and its branches to the north, the Miles and Tred Avon down the center, the Choptank and Tuckahoe to the south and east.
Economy and Transportation
Enjoying a central location on Maryland’s scenic Eastern Shore, Talbot County maintains efficient highway links to Baltimore, Washington DC and Philadelphia. The Chesapeake Bay forms the western boundary of the region, which once supported a thriving shipbuilding industry. While the charm of the area’s colonial roots is still evident in historic landmarks, museums and exquisite architecture, Talbot County today is a study in progress.
The robust local economy depends upon a diverse manufacturing base and a strong service sector for its strength and flexibility. A significant number of high-tech entrepreneurs have been drawn to this area for its rare blend of country lifestyle and efficient transportation amenities. Well-developed towns like Easton provide convenient, first-rate local resources for area businesses, while major highways and the Easton Municipal Airport ensure a quick trip to leading metropolitan centers. The presence of U.S. 50 forms the basis for quick and easy links to vital interstates and bridges.
Education and Healthcare
In spite of its rural setting, Talbot County provides the first-rate services you would expect to find in a bustling urban area. The public school district provides a quality education in modern, well-quipped classrooms that integrate a comprehensive traditional curriculum with high-tech literacy and special programs for the gifted and challenged. Opportunities for a private education are prolific in Talbot County, which offers five parochial or independent schools serving youth from preschool-age through 12th grade.
The Talbot County vocational-technical program offers comprehensive programs in diverse disciplines, from agricultural science and carpentry to food services. Students who desire an Associate’s degree or an affordable start toward a four-year program will appreciate the excellent resources available at Chesapeake Community College in neighboring Queen Anne’s County. Other convenient Eastern Shore colleges and universities include the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore in Queen Anne’s County, and Salisbury State University in nearby Wicomico County. The private, liberal arts institution of Washington College is located in Kent County.
Although some of the nation’s leading hospitals and medical centers are located in the Baltimore/Washington D.C. statistical area, residents of Talbot County can receive state-of-the-art diagnostics and treatment at Eastern Shore facilities. The Memorial Hospital at Easton is most readily available, although the specialized programs offered by such institutions as the Peninsula Regional Medical Center are just minutes from home.
Lifestyle
For the fortunate residents who already call Talbot County home, this lovely area epitomizes the grace and hospitality for which the Eastern Shore is so famous. With the exception of an occasional rush of vacationers headed for Ocean City or the Delaware beaches on summer weekends, heavy traffic is a thing of the past. Yet, for all its seclusion and serenity, Talbot County provides a plethora of activities, attractions and recreational opportunities.
Those who enjoy cultural endeavors and the performing arts will be impressed with the Avalon Theatre in Easton, a restored Art Deco theater that packs the house with electrifying shows and performances. Jazz musicians stir the air at outdoor concerts as lively street festivals showcase worldwide artistry and talent. Interested in expanding your creative horizons? Look over the intriguing array of exhibits and classes sponsored by the Academy of Arts.
Sports enthusiasts have an equally wide variety of options, from ice-skating and “curling” at the Talbot Community Center to perfecting a “below par” golf game at one of the outstanding local courses. The Hog Neck Golf Course, in particular, has been rated among the top 50 public courses in the entire nation. Kayak, canoe, horseback ride, birdwatch, hunt and fish or just observe nature—you’ll find the ideal place for every activity. Nature lovers are drawn to the lush beauty of state parklands and sprawling conservation preserves like Pickering Creek, an area graced by over 400 acres of hardwood forests, non-tidal wetlands and wildlife planting.
Cruises, excursions, marinas and docking facilities abound in Talbot County, where many communities have grown up beside Chesapeake Bay’s proliferation of rivers and creeks. Crowning the waterfront glory are inviting restaurants that specialize in the blue crab, rockfish, oysters and clams that have made the Eastern Shore world famous. After experiencing the cooling spray as you sail across the glistening waters of the Chesapeake Bay, you may want to test your cycling endurance on a picturesque backroad. Scenic routes, year-round mild temperatures and miles of flat terrain make Talbot County ideal for bicycle touring.
Exploration of the county’s panoramic backroads provides more than nature’s visual bounty. Small towns and villages are always ready to delight shoppers with a wealth of specialty stores filled with precious antiques, crafts, and unique items. On designated weekends, the Farmer’s Market displays the finest of fresh fruits and vegetables and hand-crafted specialities.
Housing options range from vintage colonial architecture to exceptional properties that offer breathtaking waterfront views. In fact, given the attractive selection of distinctive housing possibilities available throughout the countryside, there’s no reason to settle for the ordinary. Take your time exploring the rich variety of homes and lots, from prime riverfront or Bay locations to secluded mansions surrounded by ancient trees and lush landscapes. Those who enjoy the intimacy of community life may prefer a beautiful older home nestled in established neighborhoods punctuated by front porches, tidy gardens and rows of delicate blooms.
Regardless of where you choose to live in Talbot County, every ingredient for an unsurpassed quality of life is just beyond your front doorstep. A local hospital, private schools, quality services, convenient shopping and fine dining opportunities expand the region’s rural flavor to provide a more cosmopolitan lifestyle. Yet, in spite of its impressive amenities, much of Talbot County remains unchanged and unspoiled—virtually immune to the effects of centuries of growth and development. Second only to its warm and friendly residents, this pristine environment is Talbot County’s most celebrated resource.
Easton
City Offices
410-822-2525
http://eastonmd.gov
Chamber of Commerce
410-822-4653
www.talbotchamber.org
Alive with award-winning museums, art galleries, historic sites and unique boutiques, Easton received a Number 8 ranking as the Best Small Town and was included on the list of 100 Best Small Art Towns in America. Serving as the county seat and economic hub, Easton is a relatively small town with unusually well-developed amenities that blend transportation resources, a local medical community, and industrial /commercial growth. Newcomers will find tree-lined streets graced by handsome structures from various architectural periods. Distinguished as the “Colonial Capital of the Eastern Shore,” Easton claims a fine local library, outstanding schools, downtown shops and eateries, lush gardens, and big porches wrapped around handsome older homes. Residents of Easton enjoy a rare balance between the best of yesterday and a progressive, modern environment.
Oxford
Town Offices
410-226-5122
www.oxfordmd.net
Chamber of Commerce
410-822-4653
www.talbotchamber.org
The quiet residential town of Oxford was proclaimed a Port of Entry as early as 1694, and quickly became a trade center bustling with activity. Although Oxford gradually faded from the forefront as other Chesapeake ports grew and flourished, the town is still a charming locality renowned for its ship-building craftsmanship. Oxford also serves as a popular destination for yachting enthusiasts. Housing options offer a variety of architectural styles, from beautiful waterfront properties to quaint colonials along quiet, tree-lined streets. Newcomers to Oxford will be delighted to meet friendly new neighbors and absorb the slower and more relaxed pace of small-town life. Common sights for Oxford residents include leisurely cyclists along shaded avenues, people strolling down “The Strand” of sandy beach, and children tossing breadcrumbs to the bayside ducks and birds.
St. Michaels
Town Offices
410-745-9535
www.townofstmichaels.com
Chamber of Commerce
410-822-4653
www.talbotchamber.org
Located on the picturesque banks of the Miles River, the storybook setting of this pleasant harbor village attracts visitors by land and sea. St. Michaels offers a pleasing mix of unique shops, fascinating museums and fine dining establishments—with all the charm of a colonial village. However, you don’t have to stroll through a museum exhibit to see remnants of the harbor’s illustrious past. Ancient clippers, schooners, skipjacks, log canoes, and bugeyes are all part of the dock atmosphere, along with hard-working watermen and pleasure boaters. The quiet charm of this peaceful haven is most evident along historic streets lined with meticulously restored homes. Today, St. Michaels attracts those who desire to escape the rush of city life or boating and sailing enthusiasts who want to live in close proximity to the waterfront.
