The Flickr Dorchestercounty Image Generatr

#96 on the NRHP District nomination form.

#102 on the NRHP District nomination form.

The adjacent County Jail—a part of the NRHP nomination form—was torn down in 1994.

#101 on the NRHP District nomination form.

I took this image today in Cambridge Maryland. I'm a very new user of On 1 Photo Raw (just ditched LR and Photo Chop after almost 20 years). I was playing around and made this. This is likely the last time you will see me doing this... or.. I might do worse!

The lighthouse in Cambridge, Maryland, is the Choptank River Lighthouse. It is a replica of a historic screwpile lighthouse that once stood in the Choptank River. The original lighthouse, built in 1871, was one of several screwpile-style lighthouses that helped guide ships navigating the Chesapeake Bay. However, like many others, it was eventually decommissioned and dismantled.
The modern replica, completed in 2012, sits at Long Wharf Park in Cambridge. It serves as a museum and visitor center, offering exhibits on local maritime history, the original lighthouse, and the role of lighthouses in the region. The structure maintains the traditional hexagonal design of screwpile lighthouses, featuring a white exterior, red roof, and a lantern room offering beautiful views of the Choptank River.
Today, it is a popular attraction for visitors and a symbol of Cambridge’s maritime heritage.


Cambridge, Maryland, is one of the oldest colonial cities in the United States, with a history dating back to the late 17th century. Located on the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay in Dorchester County, it was founded in 1684 and became an important port town due to its location along the Choptank River.
Colonial and Early History (17th-18th Century)
Cambridge was established by English settlers in 1684 and named after Cambridge, England. As a port town, it became a center for trade, particularly in tobacco, seafood, and other agricultural products. The town also played a role in the transatlantic trade, including the transport of enslaved Africans.
19th Century: Industry and Civil War
During the 19th century, Cambridge’s economy shifted from tobacco to seafood and shipbuilding. The city became a hub for oyster harvesting and crab fishing, industries that remain important today. Slavery was prevalent in the region, but Cambridge was also home to free Black residents and abolitionist efforts. The nearby area of Dorchester County was the birthplace of Harriet Tubman, the famous Underground Railroad conductor.
During the Civil War, Cambridge, like much of Maryland, was divided in loyalty, with sympathizers for both the Union and the Confederacy.
20th Century: Civil Rights Movement and Economic Changes
In the 20th century, Cambridge saw significant racial tensions and played a crucial role in the Civil Rights Movement. The city was a site of protests in the 1960s, led by activists such as Gloria Richardson. The Cambridge Movement, as it was called, demanded desegregation, voting rights, and economic equality. In 1967, riots and racial unrest led to the deployment of the National Guard.
Economically, Cambridge continued to rely on seafood, agriculture, and manufacturing, though it faced industrial decline in the later decades of the century.
21st Century: Revitalization and Tourism
Today, Cambridge has focused on revitalization, with an emphasis on tourism, history, and the natural beauty of the Chesapeake Bay. The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center, opened in 2017, has brought renewed interest in the area’s history. Cambridge’s waterfront, arts scene, and maritime heritage continue to attract visitors.

Dorchester County, Maryland. EMS Station 200, El Dorado-Brookview, Maryland.

Photographed in the pollinator garden at Blackwater NWR near Cambridge, MD