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Port Tobacco Located in
Charles County
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One of the oldest communities on the
East Coast, and the oldest settlement in the United States that has been in
continuous use since it was settled in 1642, Port Tobacco was first the
Indian settlement of Potopacco. English had colonized the area by
1634. Port Tobacco is the original county seat of Charles County.
The area is rich in history as it was hot spot for Confederate Conspiracy
and part of
Booth's escape route. A vote was
taken to see if the county seat should be moved from Port Tobacco. The
vote did not pass, but a mysterious fire in 1892 burned the courthouse and
the seat was moved to
La Plata. Historical points of
interest in Port Tobacco include Catslide House,
Port Tobacco Courthouse, and
Port Tobacco One-room Schoolhouse.
Catslide House on Chapel Point Road was built in 1720's and is one of the
oldest houses still standing in the county. It features hands-on
activities for children to learn about the hard living conditions of the
era.
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In 1674 a wooden courthouse and jail
were built at Moores Lodge near what was thought to be present-day La Plata.
This courthouse was used until it was in disrepair in 1728.
 A new one
was built in Chandler's Town. In 1729, the town changed its name to
Charlestown, and then to Port Tobacco in 1820. A second courthouse was
built in Port Tobacco and completed in 1821. This one burned in a
mysterious fire in 1892. The town of Port Tobacco began to die
after the railroad came to La Plata and the river was silted in making it
impossible for large ships to visit the seaport. On June 4, 1895 an
election took place to move the county seat to La Plata.
The present-day courthouse is a representation of the third Charles County
courthouse, the one that burnt down in 1892. Tours are given of the
courthouse by costumed docents that tell the tale of Port Tobacco from 1620
to the present. The courthouse depicts a 19th century courtroom
and displays exhibits on tobacco.
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Port Tobacco Courthouse
Chapel Point Road (off Rt. 6W)
Port Tobacco, MD
301-934-4313 |
Hours:
April - October
Sat, Sun, Mon -- 11am - 4pm
Admission Fee
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The
 original structure of this school stands today.
Built in 1876, the school was used by white children until 1924. Black
children attended the school from 1924 until 1953. The school taught
grades 1-7. The One-room schoolhouse today showcases replicas from the
time period to include original desks.
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One-room Schoolhouse
7215 Chapel Point Rd. (off Rt. 6W)
Port Tobacco, MD
301-932-6064
301-932-8836 |
Hours:
April - October
Wed, Sat, Sun -- 12pm - 4pm |
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