Established in 1654, Calvert County is one of the oldest in the U.S. The Piscataway Indians were the earliest inhabitants, while John Smith was the first white man to explore the area in 1608. Settlers in Calvert County saw the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812 and the Civil War up close. It was, in fact, World War II that brought increased prosperity to the county with the establishment of an Amphibious Training Base at Dowell. From 1900 until 1930, Chesapeake Beach was a thriving independent community. The Washington and Chesapeake Beach Railway Company established a line into the community, which brought numerous visitors eager to frolic along the beach, partake of seafood and stroll down the boardwalk.
Not much has changed in Chesapeake Beach since its heyday as a popular resort community, except that the influx of visitors has become an influx of new residents. The area's prime location near Baltimore, Washington D.C. and Annapolis; its good schools, affordable housing and clean air; and its outstanding rural character attract families like moths to a flame.
Recreational opportunities are abundant. Miles of Chesapeake Bay and Patuxent River shoreline make Chesapeake Beach and Dunkirk ideal for boating, sailing, charter boat fishing, swimming, crabbing, canoeing, kayaking, biking, camping and fossil hunting. The Twin Shields Golf Club in Dunkirk and Mellomar Golf Park in Owings offer two of the best golf outings in the area. Nearby Calvert Cliffs State Park is a 1,460-acre wooded recreational area offering formidable views and a challenging hike.
Schools in Chesapeake Beach and Dunkirk are excellent. The teacher/student ratio in the Calvert County School District is 1:20 in grades K-2 and 1:23 in grades 3-12. More than half of all graduating seniors take the SAT test and consistently score at or above the national average.
Other area attractions include the Chesapeake Railway Museum -- a 1,600-foot entertainment boardwalk built over the water -- the Chesapeake Beach Water Park and the proposed Chesapeake Beach Railway Trail, which will follow the path of the defunct Chesapeake Beach Railway.
Not much has changed in Chesapeake Beach since its heyday as a popular resort community, except that the influx of visitors has become an influx of new residents. The area's prime location near Baltimore, Washington D.C. and Annapolis; its good schools, affordable housing and clean air; and its outstanding rural character attract families like moths to a flame.
Recreational opportunities are abundant. Miles of Chesapeake Bay and Patuxent River shoreline make Chesapeake Beach and Dunkirk ideal for boating, sailing, charter boat fishing, swimming, crabbing, canoeing, kayaking, biking, camping and fossil hunting. The Twin Shields Golf Club in Dunkirk and Mellomar Golf Park in Owings offer two of the best golf outings in the area. Nearby Calvert Cliffs State Park is a 1,460-acre wooded recreational area offering formidable views and a challenging hike.
Schools in Chesapeake Beach and Dunkirk are excellent. The teacher/student ratio in the Calvert County School District is 1:20 in grades K-2 and 1:23 in grades 3-12. More than half of all graduating seniors take the SAT test and consistently score at or above the national average.
Other area attractions include the Chesapeake Railway Museum -- a 1,600-foot entertainment boardwalk built over the water -- the Chesapeake Beach Water Park and the proposed Chesapeake Beach Railway Trail, which will follow the path of the defunct Chesapeake Beach Railway.