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Living in Southern Maryland
 Credit: PortTobaccoRiver.org |
The region known as "Southern Maryland" includes Charles, Calvert, and St. Mary's counties. Southern Maryland is currently the fastest-growing geographic region in the state of Maryland. The area's strong population and economic growth is due, in part, to area dynamics and the close proximity to the Nation's Capitol. Calvert and St. Mary's counties are among the leaders in the regional growth with a combined projected population increase of 81% over the next two decades due to the |
| Department of Defense's efforts to consolidate military activities at Patuxent River Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD). The 1991 and 1993 decisions of the federal defense Base Realignment and Closure Commission changed the face of Southern Maryland forever. Thousands of new administrative, engineering, and high-technology research and development jobs representing several hundred million dollars worth of programs were reassigned to Patuxent River, nearby Dahlgren, and Indian Head naval installations. These decisions are expected to continue shaping Southern Maryland well into the twenty-first century. |
| History
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| Lord Baltimore had the right idea when he began his colony in 1634 in St. Mary's City. The first settlement founded by British Catholics on religious tolerance, Maryland's "St. Mary's City" flourished as the state's capital until 1695. An agrarian society supported by waves of immigrants, St. Mary's City's people withstood disease, attacks, revolution, invasion, and civil war. Today, St. Mary's City is recognized as a National Historic Landmark and Maryland's is the focus of intense archaeological study. |
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| The seat for St. Mary’s County Government remained in St. Mary's City until 1654. From that time, county court was conducted in the homes of various gentlemen in the Leonardtown area, then called "Newtown." In 1708, the original log courthouse was constructed in Leonardtown, which was used until 1736 when a brick courthouse was constructed and used exclusively until 1999. Currently, there is a complete Governmental Center in the heart of Leonardtown housing an even newer courthouse facility. For more information on the history of St. Mary’s County, visit the website of the Historical Society. |
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Located just across the Gov. Thomas Johnson Bridge, Calvert County is bounded by the Chesapeake Bay on the east and the Patuxent River on the west. Calvert County contains about 219 square miles of land and is only nine miles wide at its broadest point. The extensive beachfront makes Calvert County an excellent place for fossil hunters seeking the remains of sea creatures that inhabited the region millions of years ago. Fossilized scallop shells and shark's teeth are still |
| readily found in farm fields or on the beaches of public parks such as Flag Ponds and Calvert Cliffs. Native and colonial artifacts are also readily found on farm fields or historic sites like Jefferson Patterson Park. Although already settled by members of the Piscataway Nation, Cecil Calvert received a royal charter from Charles I for establishment of a settlement in 1632. The colonists from England began arriving in 1634. Led by Cecil's brother, Leonard Calvert, the English gentry were followed to Calvert County by the Puritans, Huguenots, Quakers and Scots. |
| Charles County was established in 1658, although it was not the first County in Maryland to bear the name. An earlier Charles County named in 1650 only lasted until 1653, when the Province's lines were redrawn. Named for Charles Calvert, son of Cecil Calvert, the County's first settlement was at Port Tobacco, which served as the county seat and was a major commercial center until well into the 1800's. A silt-choked waterway and a new railroad spur built through a relatively new town led the citizens to move the County seat to its present day location of La Plata. Historians will find a wealth of resources here. Charles County boasts an almost complete set of land and probate records dating from colonial times to present. Like the rest of Southern Maryland, Charles County history includes prehistoric fossils, Native American settlements and |
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| Colonial plantations as well as events surrounding the Revolution, the War of 1812, and the Civil War. |
The tremendous appeal of our region is partially due to the area's dynamics. Our residents enjoy the scenic landscape of a rural atmosphere that retains strong roots in the farming industry. Any visitor to St. Mary's County will be enchanted to see the horse-drawn carriages and traditional dress of the members of the resident Amish community, who migrated here from Pennsylvania. Hearkening back our roots, the Amish shun telephones, electricity, refrigeration and most other modern conveniences, while promoting self-reliance and community cooperation as an expression of faith. |
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| Amish-made furnishings are known for their affordability and craftsmanship. Pesticide and chemical-free Amish-grown produce and home baked goods are frequently available at roadside stands and Amish Markets. |
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| Recreation and Leisure
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With hundred of miles of scenic waterways,
our area is known for its boating, sailing, and fishing. Local waterways include the Chesapeake Bay, the Patuxent, Potomac, Wicomico, and Port Tobacco rivers along with the natural beauty of the Zekiah, Kerric and Mattawoman swamps. Our Maryland
State Parks and county recreation areas offer
dozens of environments for camping, hunting, hiking, picnicking, as well
as sporting activities and special events. Enjoy free summer evening concerts on the lawn of the La Plata Town Hall or take a sunset stroll along the boardwalks in Solomons, Chesapeake Beach or Indian Head. The possibilities are endless. Several challenging
golf courses reside in Southern Maryland as well; the Air Station's Officer's Club facility being one of the area’s finest, as are the White
Plains golf course in Charles County or the Chesapeake
Hills Club in Calvert.
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| The
St. Mary's County Department of Recreation and Parks,
Calvert
County Department of Parks and Recreation and
Charles
County Department of Public Facilities provide
an ever-changing calendar of year round activities for both adults and
children. Youth classes in art, music, drama, crafts, dance and sports
are provided at school community centers throughout the area. Adult education
and recreation classes such as aerobics, cake decorating, dog obedience,
painting, woodworking and yoga offer a varied program for adults. Roller
skating rinks are located in Northern Calvert County and in Waldorf. For
more passive entertainment, Lexington
Park houses a 6-screen Loews Cineplex. In Waldorf,
Loews also has a large, multiscreen theater, and Prince
Frederick offers a large Apex Theater. Enjoy live
theatrical performances in La Plata at the Port
Tobacco Players Theater. The local acting troop
stages shows and popular plays year round.
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| The region’s largest shopping mall
is located in neighboring Charles
County within a comfortable 30-minute drive of most
neighboring locations in Southern Maryland. As the home of the 1.2 million square
foot St.
Charles Towne Center mall and more than 20 other
shopping centers, Charles County has become known as the "Shopping Capital
of Southern Maryland." The mall is anchored by Sears, J.C. Penney, Kohl's,
and Macy's, which |
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| has expanded to hold two anchor positions. Inside,
there are 120 specialty stores. Outside and nearby, shoppers will find
a T.J. Maxx, Pier One Imports, Value City Furniture, Toys 'R' Us, and
a nine-screen Cineplex Odeon Theater. BJ's Wholesale Club opened on a
large pad behind St. Charles Towne Plaza and, a 117,000 square foot Target Store. Other
centers feature Best Buy, Home Depot, AC Moore, Borders Books, Joanne Fabric Babies R Us, and a host
of other retail outlets.
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Several small shopping centers and stand alone shops serve St. Mary’s
County with the Lexington Park area having the greatest concentration
of facilities. Belk, Peebles, Wal-Mart, Ames, K-Mart and Target all operate
stores in the county with PetSmart and Staples. Currently, there are several
quality grocery stores such as Superfresh, Food Lion, Giant and McKay’s. Woodburn’s Groceries, known for their quality butcher shop,
is just across
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the bridge in Solomons with a section featuring an extensive gourmet food selection. In Calvert, the major shopping hub is located in the central town of Prince
Frederick, where Peebles, Wal-Mart, K-Mart and Giant Foods operate amid
a larger number local shops. In Dunkirk, to the north, you'll find an
expanding retail environment as well.
Throughout the region you'll find smaller specialty shops, antique stores, farmer's markets and flea markets. Try out the bargain barns in Hughesville for a unique shopping experience. Located in converted tobacco warehouses, the many antique, collectibles, and specialty shops do business under a skylit tin roof with rustic wooden floors that once held vast crops of county grown tobacco. Another interesting experience is the Amish market in Mechanicsville, where fresh produce, livestock and furniture from the local Amish are sold alongside a variety of flea market and antique shops, or you may want to try the beach shops at Solomons Island or Chesapeake Beach. With so much variety available, the more you seek, the more you'll find! |
| Most locals and tourists visit Solomons
Island in Calvert County for evening recreation, boat charters,
and for interesting day trips. The appeal of Solomons is the simplicity
of a small 128-year old fishing village, settled comfortably around a
deep, protected harbor rimmed with busy marinas. Bordered by the Riverwalk on one side, visitors can wander down the main street lined with small white and gray houses of weathered wood, casual restaurants, pot-pourri-scented gift shops |
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| and a general store that offers bait, tackle, hot coffee, ice and rental boats. At Christmas time, residents look forward to the Solomons Island Christmas Walk where all the shops, bars, and restaurants host a combined open house over the course of a weekend. |
| Maryland is for crabs, and Southern
Maryland has a long tradition of enjoying delicious fresh seafood. Whether
it's Captain Billy's in Pope's Creek, Evan's Seafood on St. George Island,
Stoney's on Broome's Island or any of the many other fine seafood restaurants
in the area, you're sure to find more than one place to tempt your palette.
Several fine restaurants have recently opened in Solomons, but that’s
not the only place in Calvert County to go for an enjoyable meal. Between
Solomons and Dunkirk there are several well-known places to dine that
are slightly off the beaten path. Check out the Old Field Inn, located
in Prince |
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Frederick, or Mamma Lucia's in Dunkirk or bay front dining at the Rod 'N' Reel in Chesapeake Beach.
St. Mary’s also has many restaurants,
offering a wide range of styles. A couple of the more interesting
restaurants in the county include The Roost in Lexington Park and Bert's 50's Diner in Mechanicsville. Nearby
in Waldorf, Charles County has many franchise restaurants such as Red Lobster,
Olive Garden, Outback, Ruby Tuesday’s, Pizzeria Uno’s, Chili’s, and Chuck
E. Cheese for the kids. Charles County also offers a variety of local
restaurants specializing in international cuisine. Enjoy Greek cuisine at Ouzo's, Chinese food
at Hunan Star or Spanish fare at the El Dorado in La Plata, or Japanese food at the Sakura Steak and Seafood
House in Waldorf. Try Mexican-style
food at Loredo's in White Plains. But why limit your opportunities? The
region hosts many local eateries that offer delightful dining experiences
just waiting to be discovered.
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| Regional
Attractions |
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In addition to our local historic
sites like St.
Mary's City, Port
Tobacco, Calvert
Cliffs, and the beautiful Sotterly
Plantation, unlimited "big city" leisure opportunities
are within an easy commute of Southern Maryland. Families can take
in the grandeur of Washington
D.C., our nation's capitol, from atop the Washington
Monument . The Smithsonian Institution
and other famous museums such as the Freer
Gallery, the National
Air and Space Museum, or the National
Gallery of Art are filled with the treasures of |
| the world. The National Mall, the White
House the Capitol
Building, the Jefferson
and Lincoln Memorials
are close by. Be sure to visit the National
Archives, which houses original copies of the
Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. The young and the young
at heart enjoy the National
Zoo, home to a pair of rare Giant Pandas. The
Kennedy Center, which hosts the greatest performers from
our nation and from around the world, is also home to the National
Symphony Orchestra. Washington has several great
theaters
with a full season of shows available for your entertainment. |
Many wonderful family memories will be
created during outings in Historic
Annapolis and Old
Town Alexandria. Both towns retain much of the charm of their colonial past while offering unique dining and shopping opportunities. More good times will be found in Baltimore's
Inner Harbor, where the good ship Constellation--the last all-sail warship ever built by the US Navy, is moored. The Inner Harbor is also home
to the awesome National Aquarium,
and as long as you're there, why not take in the Walters
Art Gallery, which is a twenty minute walk north. It's well worth the trip. Also look for the Maryland science Center and the Davis planetarium. Don't be so dazzled that you forget to visit Fort McHenry, whose
stubborn defenders inspired Francis Scott Key
to write the Star Spangled Banner. (Then make sure to see the banner itself on display in Washington). Historically a center for the performing arts, Baltimore is also home for the Baltimore
Symphony, and several very highly-regarded theaters.
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Photo: www.howstuffworks.com |
| No discussion of life in the region would be complete without mentioning the region's easy acccess to the Atlantic Coast. Almost everyone who lives in the area eventually crosses the Bay and visits the Atlantic ocean beaches. Southern Maryland is within a 3 hour drive of some of the best recreational beaches on the East Coast. Ocean City is a regional favorite and was recently voted among the top recreational destinations in the country. Enjoy white marlin fishing, stroll along the boardwalk, spend a day sailing or stay on shore for plenty of beach related fun. While visiting the beautiful Eastern Shore ocean front, plan a trip down to Assateague Island National Seashore, where the astounding beauty of natural dunes, beaches, wild horses and other wildlife await you. |
 Skyline Caverns |
The region just outside the tri-county area also provides a wide range of activities for the dedicated day-tripper. Luray and Skyline caverns offer breathtaking views of the beauty beneath the earth's crust. Great Falls is a splendid area for hiking and kayaking, taking in the fall colors or just quietly enjoying the beauty of the waterfalls. Train enthusiasts will enjoy the steam engine excursions popular in the western panhandle region and history buffs will be thrilled by the hundreds of historic sites such as George Washington's home at Mt Vernon, dozens of Civil War battlefields, early colonial settlements, prehistoric fossils and native American sites. All are within a 3 hour drive of Southern Maryland. |
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| Area Sports |
| A rich environment exists for the sports enthusiast.
Local softball, football, and bowling leagues are very popular and are available for
almost any age level. Ski
slopes are a few hour's drive away in Western Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. Soccer, archery,
baseball, football, rugby, golf, cycling, running, jousting and almost every sport
in between are organized and available in the region. Racing fans will
want to check out the Maryland
International Raceway in Charles County. Southern Maryland has extensive chartered fishing opportunities and has recently gained popularity as a site for professional bass fishing tournaments. Professional sports fans will enjoy the close proximity to
pro teams based in both |
credit: www.somdbluecrabs.com |
Washington and Baltimore. The Redskins, Ravens, Wizards, Orioles,
Nationals, Capitals
and DC United all play home games close by, and college-level teams featuring schools
such as Navy, Georgetown
and the University of
Maryland are readily accessible. The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs of the Atlantic League of Professonal Baseball are based in Charles County, and local sports arenas host a varied schedule of entertainment,
from figure skating to music concerts, all year long.
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Among the most famous bodies of water in the entire world, the Chesapeake Bay looms large in Southern Maryland's life and culture. The Bay's watermen are a culture in and of themselves, carrying on old family traditions as they live and work. Those fortunate enough to see one of the original skipjacks in full sail are in for a thrill they will not soon forget. Only recently have those that remain begun to benefit from restoration and preservation efforts so that the last working fully sail-driven fishing fleet in the world will survive. |
Even though their numbers have dwindled, hardy oyster fishermen are still regularly seen working the beds each year from their distinctive boats.
Despite being hampered by environmental challenges and restrictions, they continue living the life they love, keeping alive traditions harking back to the earliest colonists who made these waters their home. Persistent efforts aimed at restoring the Bay ensure they will be working the waters for years to come.
But the Bay provides much more than dining or recreational opportunities. A part of Maryland since long before man ever walked its shores, there is a timeless serenity about it that touches the soul. From the fossiles embedded in the cliffs lining its shores to the eagles soaring above its dark blue waters, the Bay is sure to fill your senses with the very essence of life in the region. Once you're in Southern Maryland, we're sure you'll count the Chesapeake Bay among your favorite places to be.
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| Business Environment |
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St. Mary's County is the home of
over 100,300 people and 6,400 businesses that employ in excess of 28,500 people. The major
employers include DynCorp, Booz-Allen & Hamilton, Allied-Signal, C-Cubed,
Compliance Corp., Eagan McAllister Assoc., Eagle Systems, Information
Spectrum, Lockhead Martin, Lundeberg
School of Seamanship, MACI, Mantech, St.
Mary's Hospital, Sabre Systems, PRB, BAE,
Veridian, and the NAWCAD,
which employs over 12,000 military and other federal service employees.
Over 22% hold college degrees and the 2007 median household income was $72,500. The Maryland
Department of Business and Economic Development is
an |
excellent source of state and regional information as is the Census
Office. St. Mary's County's business environment
information contact the St.
Mary's County Chamber of Commerce.
Of Calvert County's 88,000 people,
more than 22 percent hold college degrees. Calvert offers access to one
of the largest, most diverse, and highly skilled pools of professional,
management, and technical labor in the nation. In excess of 50% of the
county's workforce, however, commutes outside the county for employment.
Among the largest of the over 6,750 employers in Calvert County are Baltimore Gas & Electric,
Calvert Memorial Hospital, Chesapeake Biological Laboratory, DynCorp and
Direct Mail Management. The 2007 median household income was $89,000. For more information on business in Calvert County,
Contact the Calvert County Chamber of Commerce at 410-535-2577 or the Calvert County
Department of Economic Development at 800-331-9771.
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Charles County supports over 9,600 businesses and employs in excess of
37,000 workers. Just 15 miles from the Capital Beltway, the county is
ideally situated to act as a gateway between the Washington metropolitan
area and the rest of Southern Maryland. The largest employers include Besche Oil, Chaney Enterprises, Facchina Corp., the College of Southern |
Maryland, Civista Medical Center, Applied Ordinance
Technology, Automated Graphics Systems, and the Southern
Maryland Oil Company, however, more than 35 businesses
have payrolls surpassing 100 workers. The 2007 median household income was $81,500. Home to over 140,000 people, most
workers commute to jobs outside of the Southern Maryland area. Much of
the workforce is located in the St. Charles planned community in the north,
while the southern and western portions have largely retained their agricultural/pastoral
character. The Charles County Chamber of Commerce can provide more information.
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| Government |
| Both St.
Mary's and Calvert Counties are governed by an elected five-member Board of County Commissioners.
The entire voting population in their respective counties elects all Commissioners
for four-year terms. The "commissioner" form of government charges these
elected offices to be responsible for the establishment of all County
policies, the enactment of new ordinances, the review and approval of
annual budgets and work |
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plans for all departments and agencies receiving
County funds as well as the appointment of all department heads, and members
of boards, commissions, and committees. The commissioners conduct public
hearings and make decisions on land use matters including zoning, water
and sewer categories, and appeals for the Planning Commission. Additionally,
they are responsible for purchasing and maintaining County property, approving
road construction and maintenance, and representing our county in state
and federal matters effecting our communities.
In the 2002 elections,
Charles
County decided to adopt Code
Home Rule, one of two forms of home rule permitted
under state law. The new form of government went into effect in 2003,
and retained many of the characteristics of Commissioner Rule. It will
allow the local Commissioners to create impact fees, along with enacting
certain types of local legislation without awaiting approval from Annapolis.
Visit Southern Maryland's Link
to Government Information for information on Southern
Maryland’s state and federal governmental representation. |
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| Public Education
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In 2009, Maryland schools achieved a number one ranking in the nation for AP exam performance. Maryland schools were also selected as the best in the naton by Education Week's Quality County report. Southern Maryland did its part to help achieve this success as shown by the 2008 Maryland report card. All area schools offer a large selection of the 32 available AP courses.
St. Mary's and Calvert County Public Schools are governed by five-member Boards of Education. A sixth position is filled by a |
student member in each county. In the
St. Mary's County
public school system, there are currently 18 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, 5 high schools, special education schools, 4 academies, adult education and evening schools and a vocational-technical school. Kindergarten is mandatory for all five-year
olds on a half-day basis. In addition, there is a half-day, four-year-old
program for students in selected schools. A 2009 Newsweek article on the 1,500 top high schools in the nation listed 2 High Schools in St Mary's County: Leonardtown HS (825) and Great Mills HS (1057).
In Calvert
County, there are 13 elementary schools, 6 middle schools, 4 high schools, a vocational tech school, a special environmental school, a career center, an environmental
training program called "CHESPAX," and the Arthur
Storer Planetarium. Located at Calvert High School,
the planetarium is available students and the community as a unique cultural
facility that enables students and visitors to explore their world and
our cosmos in ways not possible in an ordinary classroom. A 2009 Newsweek article on the 1,500 top high schools in the nation listed 3 Calvert County schools: Hungtington HS (493), Patuxent HS (542), Northern HS (1068).
Charles
County students are served by 21 public elementary schools, 8 public middle schools, and 6 public high schools. A 2009 Newsweek article on the 1,500 top high schools in the nation listed 5 Charles County schools: La Plata HS (380), Maurice J Mc Donough HS (702), Henry E Lackey HS (1376), Thomas Stone HS (1436), and Westlake HS (1471). The only Charles County HS not listed was the new North Point School, which had not yet had a graduating class when the survey was conducted. Facilities
exist for vocational and technical training, adult education, and special education. Children and adults facing
developmental challenges will find expert assistance at the Melwood
centers throughout the region. Test scores may be found online or by calling Charles County Public Schools
at (301) 870-3814. St.
Mary’s County Public Schools may be reached by
calling 301-475-4230. For information on Calvert County schools, call
the Calvert
County Public Schools at 410-535-1700. |
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| Non-Public and Parochial Schools |
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The
College of Southern Maryland (CSM), (formerly Charles
County Community College), is a regionally accredited institution that
prides itself on delivering quality higher education programs and services
to more than 60 percent of the tri-county residents who attend higher
education institutions. CSM also offers programs in Europe to Department
of Defense (DOD) personnel stationed there through the "Maryland in Europe" program with the University of Maryland University College.
CSM offers an array of associate's
degree programs and brokers four-year degree programs locally through
partnerships with colleges and universities such as University of Maryland University College |
| (UMUC), Johns Hopkins University (JHU), Towson University,
and Capitol College. The college also offers job and career training opportunities,
wellness and fitness activities, theater and fine arts programs, and personal
enrichment courses, and serves the business community through programs
offered by the St Mary's County Department of Economic and Community Development. CSM prepares
its students for transfer to four-year colleges and provides them with
the tools and resources necessary to succeed in a competitive workplace.
The college also focuses on workforce development with the participation
of local businesses interested in growing and maintaining a healthy economy
and community.
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The College of Southern Maryland
is now one institution serving all of Southern Maryland. It operates four
campuses in the tri-county area, offering programs in Europe as well.
The La Plata Campus, nestled on 173 wooded acres off of Mitchell Road
and the Waldorf Center at Old Washington Road, are both located in Charles
County. The Calvert County Campus is located in Prince Frederick and the
St. Mary's County Campus is situated in Leonardtown.
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St. Mary's College
of Maryland, founded in 1840, is a public honors
college offering the academic excellence of private education with the
openness and affordability of public schools. St. Mary's graduates have
gained recognition as being among the finest students in Maryland higher
education. The average SAT scores of entering freshmen are the highest
of any college in the state. The capstone of the St. Mary's experience,
the St. Mary's Project, engages seniors in a program of independent research
of the kind found only in a few prominent colleges. In 1999, these distinctions
led St. Mary's College of Maryland to be ranked by U.S. News and World
Report as the number one public liberal arts college in the nation. For
more information on St. Mary's College, check out the website or call
301-862-0380
The Southern Maryland Higher
Education Center is a multi-purpose, multi-instructional,
and multi-institutional higher education facility located in St. Mary's
County. Created to serve the expanding needs of all of Southern Maryland,
nine universities participate, including George Washington University,
Strayer College, Towson State University, Bowie State University, the
University of Maryland, and Johns Hopkins University. Twenty-three masters
and upper division programs are offered. These educational opportunities
will serve the needs of the technical population at the NAWCAD and our
quickly growing local community. For more information on the Southern
Maryland Higher Education Center, call 301-737-2500.
For those wishing graduate degrees, several higher education institutions
are located at or near NAWCAD, and throughout the region via the University
of Maryland's University College, among others.
Graduate programs currently offered in the area include: MA and MS degrees
in Aerospace Technology, Computer Systems, Computer Science, Contract
Management, Electrical Engineering, and Human Resource Management. |
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| Health Care & Emergency Services |
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Located in Leonardtown, St.
Mary’s Hospital serves county residents with state-of-the-art
health-care offering the latest surgical, diagnostic and treatment procedures.
The members of our Medical Staff are among the most specialized in the
area. |
The Calvert
Memorial Hospital in Prince Frederick is a private,
community-based hospital. Certified as a 141-bed acute care facility with
an additional 16 skilled bed rehabilitative Transitional Care Unit, the
hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare
Organizations, licensed by the Maryland Department of Health and Mental
Hygiene. For information, call (410) 535-4000.
Charles County is served by the Civista
Medical Center, previously known as Physician's
Memorial Hospital, the first hospital in Southern Maryland. Civista consists of a series of regional facilities
operating on a not-for-profit basis. The recently expanded center offers 24-hour emergency
care, same-day surgery, intensive care, diagnostic and laboratory services,
obstetrics, pediatrics, rehabilitation, cardiopulmonary services, antenatal
testing, and a community cancer program.
In 2009 ground was was broken for a new Hospice Center that will provide 24/7 medical, spiritual, and psychological care for those in need of its services. |
| A rescue helicopter
operated by the Maryland State Police is permanently
stationed at St. Mary’s airport transporting critically injured people
to regional trauma centers such as Children’s Hospital, Johns Hopkins,
the Southern Maryland Hospital Center, Prince George’s Hospital Center and many others, ensuring the greater region's finest facilities are available to everyone in need. In addition to medical transport, the Maryland State Police provide airborne
delivery of law enforcement and search and rescue services to the citizens
of Southern Maryland. There are currently 8 stations around the |
 Credit: Charles County Rescue Squad |
| state
like the one at St. Mary’s Airport, including Trooper 2 at Andrews AFB, the busiest medivac unit in America. Our own local Trooper
7 spends over 400 hours a year airborne conducting
over 350 medivacs and 700 law enforcement/search and rescue missions each
year. |
 Credit: Prince Frederick VFD |
Charles County is also well-served by 17 mostly volunteer
Emergency
Medical Services (EMS) units. The county's
Department of Emergency Services coordinates the
activities of the fire and rescue units as well as providing animal control
and emergency preparedness services. A Tactical Response Team is ready to deal with unconventional emergencies. The Fire/EMS fleet consists of at
least 26 ambulances, 26 engines, 4 ladder trucks, 4 advanced life support
units, 24 bush trucks, 5 fire/rescue boats, and 2 dive teams. Most Law
enforcement coverage is handled by the Charles
County Sheriff's Office, or the Maryland
State Police, with the incorporated Town
of La Plata |
providing its own La Plata Police
Department.
Calvert
Control is part of a wider Public Safety program which provides assistance to citizens in Calvert
County needing emergency services. The
volunteer fire department has 7 company locations throughout Calvert County,
Advanced Life Support teams and Rescue Dive teams. The
Sheriff's Department is located in the main Courthouse
in Prince Frederick. They respond to emergencies, citizen's requests and/or
complaints, provide traffic control, assist at functions needing law enforcement,
and provide many other needed services to Calvert County residents and
visitors.
The
St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Department has been
the primary law enforcement agency of the County for the past five centuries.
Established in 1637 to serve and protect the citizens of the Mother County
of Maryland, the modern day Sheriff’s manages approximately 100 Deputies,
65 Correctional Officers, 35 civilian employees and more than 45 volunteers.
The St. Mary's County Department of Safety has 9 Volunteer Fire Departments 8 Volunteer Rescue
Squads an advanced life support unit and a Hazmat team. Together, they provide law enforcement and fire prevention services
to the county’s 100,300 permanent residents and the additional 15,000 people
who commute to the county for work and for recreation. |
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| Housing |
| Southern Maryland offers a great
selection of location, style, age, and price range to anyone seeking a
home. Old established neighborhoods, historic victorian-era homes, farms,
town homes,and newly constructed planned communities are all available to accommodate
the growing popularity of Lord Baltimore's little colony. Waterfront cottages,
single family homes, town homes, and condominium apartments are available
for sale or rent in in Southern |
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| Maryland. Lot sizes range from less than
a quarter acre to over 100 acres in the more rural areas. Let your horses
roam across the rolling pastures of a farmette. Select from home sites
that are heavily wooded and private, or cleared and ready for swing sets.
With miles and miles of shoreline, an abundance of prime waterfront homes
await you. Watch bald eagles soar above peaceful waterfront lots available
along the county's many rivers, creeks and tributaries. Sit back amid
the autumn colors and listen to migrating geese calling as they pass by,
or take in a spectacular Southern Maryland sunset. Boating and fishing
enthusiasts will enjoy boat slips, piers and beaches that are often included
with Chesapeake Bay front or river front homes overlooking the scenic
Patuxent, Wicomico, or Potomac Rivers. |
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Commuters who work in Northern Virginia
and Washington, D.C. find a "better quality of life" in the rural atmosphere
of Charles, Calvert, and St. Mary's Counties. Families are able to get
larger homes and more land for their dollar than they can in the Washington,
D.C. metropolitan area or heavily congested Dulles corridor. |
According to the 2008 year end records of the Southern Maryland Association
of REALTORS® , the median home sales price at the end of 2008 was $287,500 in Calvert County ,
while Charles County's median was $295,000. In St. Mary's County
the median price was $277,450--the perfect opportunity to buy. One to two bedroom
condominium apartments and townhomes are available in the $200,000's and low $300,000's
while our newer homes may be found bewteen $235,000 to $435,000. Waterfront
homes are reasonably priced compared to many other waterfront areas. Home
purchasers can expect to pay in excess of $500,000 for typical water frontage, depending on the area and body of water, but some still sell for just under $200,000.
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| Southern Maryland homes come in many
styles, but mostfollowing traditional architectural
styles, such as ramblers/ranchers, two stories, or cape cods. Contemporary
style and custom built homes are also obtainable. From "starter" homes to retirement communities, Southern
Maryland has something to offer everyone. Southern Maryland REALTORS can
lead the way as you search to find the perfect home for you and your family.
Portions of our MLS database of available residential |
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| properties may be accessed by the public via the homes database web site, or prospective buyers may choose to contact a Southern Maryland REALTOR to obtain greater detail about a home. We also have REALTORS ready to help you take advantage of commercial properties, farms, and undeveloped residential lots. |
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The best way to get
to know Southern Maryland, of course, is not to read about it, but to
come and experience it for yourself. Whether relocating to the area
to take a position at the Navy facilities, or to satisfy a desire to
move further from densely populated urban areas, you and your family
will need assistance in finding a new home. When you're ready
to consider living in Southern Maryland, Southern Maryland REALTORS®
will be ready to help you begin experiencing our community from your
own front porch!. |
Based on original work provided courtesy of Rose Crowley with significant
additions, updates and corrections made by the Southern Maryland
Association of REALTORS®. Revised and updated February 2009.
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photo credit http://wilmon.com/usnatbsmd.html
