Q is for Quantico

Q is for Quantico (click here for map). A beautiful two hour drive along Maryland’s Eastern Shore landed me in a small town that would easily appeal to visitors. Whether it is for the day or for the weekend, one could easily succumb to relaxation here by exploring the town’s history, “shooting a birdie” (in this instance, no harm to our feathered friends), camping, or just spending an afternoon doing what Marylanders do best (at least according to THIS site!)

In 1798, Quantico originated as a small mill and quickly evolved as a flourishing village in Wicomico County.  The town encompasses a total land area of 1.89 square miles and has 133 residents – some living in the 35 homes located along the along Quantico Creek.  As many of the Eastern Shore towns are associated with Native American heritage, Quantico is no exception.  Quantico means, “Place of Dancing” and was named for the creek by the Native Americans.   

My GPS was the only thing letting me know I was closing in on the town.  There weren’t the typical green signs on the side of the road letting me know how many more miles I had left until I reached the town’s border.  Nope…. I just rounded a bend in a neighboring residential area and BAM!!!!!  The “Welcome to the Village of Quantico” sign appeared!  Alrighty then……camera fully charged?  Check!  My “To See” list ready?  Check!  Pen and note pad accessible?  Check!  Great - let’s get this party started!!

Unfortunately, many of the historical buildings the town once had are no longer standing.  One such building was the Quantico Hotel, which I pictured as distinguished because of the clientele.  The following is a excerpt about a few things the hotel was known for:      

The Quantico Hotel, owned by Thomas B. Gordy, was a stopping place for the state coach line which ran from Princess Anne to Cambridge by way of Whitehaven, Mardela, and Vienna.  Horses were exchanged and both drivers and passengers refreshed themselves.  The hotel was known for serving fine meals, especially their Snapper Turtle Pies.  After Gordy’s death, local Democratic leaders who met there to pick their candidates, award patronage, and have a good time drinking and feasting, continued the dinners.  This relationship came to an end in 1905 after Wicomico became a “Dry” county and the court ordered the bar to close. 

First United Methodist Church of Quantico

My disappointment quickly passed once I came across one of the buildings on my “To See” list - the First United Methodist Church of Quantico.  The church’s sign read, “Founded in 1778”, however, this was not the year the church was built.  1778 marks the year Methodism was brought to Quantico making it the first Methodist congregation south of Delaware.  This particular church started out as a chapel originally built about a mile from its present location.  In 1820, the chapel burned down and another one was built in its place.  In 1847, the church was moved to its present location.  After adding 14 feet to the structure, it was rededicated in 1848. 
Unfortunately, the structure is closed to the public since it is badly in need of repair.  However, I was able to walk about the property and take note of a couple of things – one being the bell tower, which houses a pretty interesting bell.  In 1848, this particular bell was cast in Baltimore and presented to the church upon its rededication.  According to towerbells.org:

[Baltimore] is home to the only historic American bellfoundry to have survived past the middle of the 20th century.  McShane Bell Foundry was one of the three major American makers of chimes, besides producing thousands of single bells and peals of 2 to 4 bells.   

If you access the list from the above McShane Bell Foundry link (the foundry is still in existence), 

Bell Tower

you will not find the bell listed that is located in Quantico, Maryland.  This is because the company did not start keeping accurate records until the late 1800s.  

Wooden slats cover all four sides of the bell tower, so you cannot actually see the bell.  By now, you’re probably asking what I found so interesting about this bell, aren’t you?  Well, I’ll tell you.…..I found it interesting because this bell has been tolled for every President of the United States who died in office since President Lincoln.  These Presidents were: 

                Abraham Lincoln (1861-1865)

                James A. Garfield (1881)

                William McKinley (1897-1901)

                Warren G. Harding (1921-1923)

                Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933-1945)

                John F. Kennedy (1961-1963)

So, is the bell still located in the tower?  “Yes”, according to a passerby.  He looked pretty young in age, so I doubt he would have heard the bell toll for President Kennedy! 

Time Capsule

Additionally, there is a granite marker outside the church where parishioners placed a Tricentennial Capsule (time capsule) in 1976 - it is to be opened in 2076. 

After spending a few more minutes at the church, I decided I would venture over to Camp Royal Oak.  Camp Royal Oak is part of the Veteran Support Centers of America.  This is a facility to assist our military veterans in their time of need.  Per their website, here is an excerpt from the description of Camp Royal Oak: 



VSCOA’s Camp Royal Oak is a first of its kind transitional residence program established to serve homeless and disabled veterans who have become homeless. The Camp serves honorably discharged veterans who are living honorable lives.  Located on a 50 acre campus Camp Royal Oak serves as home and employer to those who find their way to our front door.  It is located in Quantico on the beautiful Eastern Shore of Maryland, fifteen miles from Salisbury MD.  This is the Eastern Shore’s only program to serve homeless and disabled veterans who have become homeless.

Camp Royal Oak Entrance

A guest blogger (a military wife) was able to spend some time at the compound a couple of years ago, and wrote a beautiful article about her visit to the site.  If you have the time, please take a few minutes to read what she wrote.   I attempted to call before visiting Quantico to inquire about a possible visit, but nobody answered the phone.  I was hoping to drop in unannounced when I was visiting the town, but the entrance to the driveway had the dreaded “No Trespassing” signs posted on each side of the entrance.  I am certain the reason I could not reach the facility is because the veterans “stationed” here require extensive care and support, and do not need the general public invading their privacy.  As I have nothing but respect for what these servicemen did for our country, I wasn’t disappointed in the least I couldn’t access Camp Royal Oak.  I am grateful this establishment is here so the veterans are able to get the assistance they require.

The Sandy Hill Family Camp was another one of the Quantico sites I wanted to visit, and it happened to be located right down the road from

Camp Royal Oak.  I was hoping I would be allowed to tour the premises even though I was not one of their registered campers.  When I arrived to the campground, a sign at the entrance instructed me to visit the office to pay a nominal fee as a visitor.  I found the office/General Store, which was closed.  I think it was because I was at a campground on a weekend, and everyone was probably still relaxing or sleeping in.  However, there was a doorbell on the office door…..I rang it, and a few minutes later a women sleepily walked over from the house located across the street.  I explained why I was there and told her I wanted to pay the visitor’s fee.  

Recreation Center

She told me payment was not necessary if I was just going to be there for less than one hour.  She told me to feel free to walk around and take in the sights.  I thanked her and we parted ways. 

Wow!  This place was nice!  The campground is situated along the beautiful Nanticoke River and the views were spectacular.  Even with the day being a bit overcast, all was not lost – a grey sky, calm water, a fisherman quietly motoring by in the distance, 

Fisherman

and only the birds out and about were incredibly relaxing.  The campground was filled with campers, small boats and canoes, and the smell of campfires.  I walked around the yard surrounding the office admiring the view, and then saw a woman going into the adjacent building (which happened to be the “Recreation Center”.)  I followed her into the building and immediately started to comment on the how nice the campground was, and asked her if she knew anything about the history of the place.  And then I felt a little embarrassed – the rollers in her hair and the groggy look on her face told me it was a “tad” early for her to be engaging in all of this conversation!  She was extremely cordial, though (maybe she already had some coffee?) – she just smiled and told me she was going to ring the doorbell on the office door so the owner could come over and talk to me.  Nooooooo!!!!  Not the doorbell!!!!

Panic-stricken me:  “Really, Ma’am, you seriously don’t have to do that.  I can just call later and talk….”  She rang the bell.  Great.  And then the woman began to wander away.  Of course she did – even better.  I looked over at the house across the street (which I deduced was the owner’s house) and cringed as I watched a gentleman walking towards me.  I quietly chanted to myself, “Curb your enthusiasm, reduce the amount of questioning, and remember only the birds are awake!” (over and over, again.)  Thankfully, he didn’t look bothered at all when he reached me.  He asked if he could help me and I asked him if he could provide any information on the campground to me.  

He happily told me the campground was family owned and operated.  Back in the 1960s, there were only cabins on the grounds used for camping.  Those cabins have since

Sandy Hill Campground in 1960s

disappeared and the grounds are now used for campers/travel trailers only.  He told me that prior to the cabins in the 1960s, the campground was actually an amusement park and the office (where we were standing) was the building where a merry-go-round was housed.  Unfortunately, my research found no evidence an amusement park ever existed on the property, but it was an interesting story, none-the-less.  I then asked him about the campground’s amenities.  He told me there was a little sandy beach for sunbathing and swimming, boat ramps, a playground, and piers for fishing and crabbing.  He also showed me a map of the lots where you could put your camper/trailer.  I found it to be a very informative conversation.

Nanticoke River - Sandy Hill Camp

He explained that I was more than welcome to walk around the grounds, and if I had any questions to contact him either by going back in the office/General Store, or…….wait for it…….ringing the doorbell and he would be right over!  I laughed, thanked him for his time, and wandered around the immediate area for a few minutes. I found the entire campground to be well-equipped with activities and amenities – I would have everything I needed if I camped here.  Then I got back in my car and decided to take the long way out of the campground.  By now, people were milling about and beginning to visit with each other.  It looked like everyone was really having a good time!

Oldest Home in Quantico

Although it may have been early for the campers, I was starting to get hungry for lunch.  So, before I headed over to my lunch spot, I wanted to cross a couple of more items off of my “To See” list.  The first was the oldest house in Quantico.  According to Wikipedia, the house was built in 1790 with an addition added in 1810.   I found it interesting that the dates of the house can actually be traced by the nails used on the house.  Per John Carter, author of My Old House: How Nails Can Tell You the Age of Your House (a short article):

Before 1790 all the nails used were hand wrought from wrought iron. This was generally a two-man operation where one blacksmith made the nail’s shank then he passed it on to another specialist who formed the head in a special die. The head on these hand wrought nails usually displays for places where it was struck by a hammer forming the head.

The home does not face the street as it was built to face Quantico Creek, which was originally part of the property.  The house and three acres were sold in 1798 and purchased by Henry Crawford, a tanner, who gave the property the name Chelsea.  Census records show that the house, at the time, had a log cookhouse, stable, and meat house, as well as other commercial buildings such as a tannery, shed, bark house, and millhouse. 

I was unable to tell if the house had a tenant.  Research told me the house had been for sale, but there was not a “For Sale” sign in the yard.  The grass was overgrown, weeds were everywhere, and there was a wooden “Welcome” sign hanging from a branch of a small tree.  I did not see a “No Trespassing” sign posted, but did not want to take a chance on trespassing on the property if someone was living there.  So, I decided to get back on the road and work my way over to the other item on my “To See” list before having lunch.

Old Green Hill Church

I wanted to see the Old Green Hill Church (now, St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church.)  The problem was there was not a number with the address listed – only the road that the church was on.  I found the road, which had a Dead End sign posted.  I drove the entire length of the road (roughly 5 miles, which ended at a private drive) and did not see the church nor the historical marker.  Did I miss something?  I decided that maybe I did, so I turned around and drove back (at a snail’s pace) to the beginning of the road.  Nope.  I still didn’t see anything.  Hmmmm.  I remembered that when I was conducting my research and ran across the marker, it had grid coordinates associated with it.  I pulled up the site on my phone, found the marker and grid coordinates, and entered them in my GPS.  That didn’t work – those coordinates brought me to a different city and state (I was probably entering them incorrectly).  And then I found it!!! 

Old Green Hill Church (Back)

The brilliant individual who posted pictures of the marker ALSO posted written directions a few lines down from the grid coordinates!!!  I felt as if I had won the lottery!!! 

Once again, I started my journey and “this” time, I followed the directions provided on the website.  A few minutes later, I came across the sharp bend that was mentioned.  However, it was a house sitting in front of me and not a church.  Now what?  I saw an individual in the yard working and realized he was part of a lawn care service, and not the owner of the home.  I walked up to him and asked him if he knew of an old, historical church in the area.  He said, “Yes” and pointed to the area behind him, which bended around the tree line.  I remember reading I had to walk about 300 yards to actually get to the marker and church.  I asked him if it would be a problem going back there.  He said, “Not at all.” 

Now, the entire time I was talking to this gentleman, I was standing in front of a thick cable strung across what looked like a little drive going into the yard of the house where I was parked.  If I had to step over the cable, I would only have to raise my foot about 5 inches.   I told him that it didn’t look like I should be going back there because of the cable.  He told me not to worry.  People were always coming up to the cable with keys unlocking it to go see the church.  Keys?  Where the heck are the keys?!  I told him I didn’t want to drive to the church, I was fine with just walking.  He told me just to step over the cable and walk on back.  I asked, “Sir, do you live here?”  He said, “No” - he was just part of the lawn care service.  I was just about to say, “No, thank you.  I don’t want to trespass on private property” when I remembered that the church had a historical marker.  This church was something the public was allowed to see, right?  So, I stepped over the cable, hugged the tree line, and walked back to see the church. 

I saw the church and marker a few yards away, and then all of a sudden I became bothered by two things.  One, was the Deer Flies.  They were EVERYWHERE!  Try to take a picture when you are frantically swatting the air, and at the same time trying to get them out of your hair.  Why did I stay?  You guys read the story about how determined I was to find this place, right?  I risked possible arrest to see this church!!!  So, while I was running around in my flip flops swatting the air and trying to take pictures, the second thing I became bothered about entered my mind.  Snakes!  I was running around in VERY tall grass with the Wicomico River a few yards in front of me – a recipe for disaster!  As much as I wanted to stay and relish in the fact I was in a place not a lot of people have seen, I decided I should probably leave.  Luckily, I was able to take a few good pictures, never got bitten by a snake or a Deer Fly, and wasn’t greeted by the police as I was crossing back over the cable.  The lawn care technician was laughing a little bit as I ran away from the tree line towards my car.  He asked, “The flies?”  Yep……glad I made his day!  Haha!

By now, I was definitely ready for lunch.  I read The Red Roost was famous for their seafood.  I was pretty hungry for a crab cake, too.  After all, I “was” on Maryland’s Eastern Shore! 

One of the many walls with dollar bills affixed

When I entered the restaurant, I immediately noticed the countless, signed dollar bills that were affixed to the walls.  I had seen this before in another restaurant I visited.  Why were they there?  Here are a couple of theories: 

I have heard a couple of different stories. One is that it was started by fishermen who tacked a dollar bill to the ceiling of their local pub so that if they did not have any luck with the fishing that day, they would still have money for a drink at the end of the day. This type of insurance policy became a way of insuring good luck (sort of like the opposite of washing your car to make it rain). The other story I have heard is that soldiers and sailors going off to war would tack the dollar bill onto the ceiling in their favorite watering hole to insure that they would return home safely to reclaim their dollar and use it to buy their first drink (similar to how people will throw a coin into Trevi Fountain in Rome to insure that they will return to Rome someday).   

Stories/theories such as these have always interested me.  Will the real answer ever be known?  The world may never know! 

I was seated with a menu and a few minutes later, Tiffany came over to take my order.  I asked her how the crab cakes were.  For the life of me I couldn’t figure out why I asked her that question because the phrase at the top of the menu read, “Voted Best Crabhouse, Best Seafood, & Best Crab Cakes!”  Before Tiffany could laugh at me, I quickly ordered a crab cake to save myself the embarrassment of hearing her possibly say, “The statement at the top of menu says it all!”  However, I “did” ask her how it was prepared.  

Crab Cake

Tiffany smiled and told me it would be broiled and that there was no other option.  She told me there was probably .000000000005% filler

and because of that, the “all lump meat” crab cake would not stay together if it was put in a deep fryer.  Wow!  This was going to be good! 

By the way, I wanted to throw in that descriptor of the crab cake for effect – if you don’t know anything about crab cakes, you should know crab cakes made with lump crab meat are the best. 

As I anxiously waited for my lunch, I started to look around the room.  There were more dollar bills on the walls, and I noticed the lamp shades on the hanging lights were crab baskets. 

Metal Rail

Then I noticed a metal rail running along the length of the ceiling, dead-center down the middle of the room, which was at least 100 feet in length.  Odd - this building must have been something else before it was a restaurant.  I was going to get up and ask, but lunch arrived.  The meal I had only read about!!   It was beyond good – even beyond amazing! 

Tiffany stopped by to ask how everything was and it was at this point I asked her about the rail running along the ceiling.  She told me that the building was not always a restaurant – it was originally a chicken house in the 1940s.  It was only around for 15 or so years because during the last few years of its life, a series of floods drowned the chickens because of the way the roof was built.  In the early 1970s, it was converted to a recreation building on a campground that campers would use to cook food.  Additionally, the watermen from the Nanticoke would stop by to cook their catch.

Red Roost

It also attracted campers from The Roaring Point Campground in nearby Nanticoke – instead of driving over, the campers would motor over by way of boat.  However, the campground was difficult to get to during that time, so it closed.  In the mid-1970s, it was converted to The Red Roost restaurant and the rest is history.  Tiffany told me she has been working there for a little over 10 years and absolutely loves it! 

I needed to get on the road – there was one more thing to check off my list before heading home, though.  I was going to take a drive by The Green Hill Yacht and Country Club.

Club House

Now, I have to tell you I am not a golfer.  I just wanted to let you know the course was down there.  Here is a little information on the club per their website:

A long-time tradition on the Eastern Shore, Green Hill Country Club offers exclusive member benefits while enabling everyone to enjoy the challenging 18-hole championship course, special events and waterside bar and restaurant.  No matter what your lifestyle, Green Hill has something to offer. If you’re an avid golfer this par 72 course, set along the scenic Wicomico River with towering pines, provides a challenge time and time again. If you’re just a casual player, want to plan a fun golf outing, or think it’s time for a lesson, our pro will make you feel right at home. In addition to golf, we offer season pool passes and full social memberships for those interested in fun, year-round events.

I really needed to get back on the road and drive home.  Visiting Quantico was a wonderful experience and I am fairly certain there is an activity here that would appeal to just about anyone.  There was more “present” here than “past”, but that’s okay – the relaxation felt here was the perfect balance.  I absolutely loved this little town.