Chesapeake Beach

Historical narrative

The Town of Chesapeake Beach began in the late nineteenth century with a bold vision: a grand resort on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay. In 1891, the State of Maryland granted a charter to the Washington and Chesapeake Beach Railway Company, and in 1894, the Town of Chesapeake Beach was officially incorporated. From 1900 through the 1930s, Chesapeake Beach flourished as a popular resort destination. Visitors arrived by railway and steamboat, including vessels such as The Dixie and The Dreamland, to enjoy cool Bay breezes, saltwater recreation, and a lively boardwalk experience just 28 miles from Washington, D.C. The original boardwalk featured a bandstand, carousel, theaters, games, restaurants, and even a roller coaster known as The Great Derby, which operated until the late 1920s. In 1930, Seaside Park opened, moving many attractions onto land. The park later became known as Chesapeake Beach Amusement Park before closing in 1972, marking the end of an era but not the spirit of the Town.

Watercolor

© Stephen B. Hales — All Rights Reserved