Immerse Yourself In All
That Is Smith Island
A True Island Community in the Heart of the Chesapeake Bay
Discover Smith Island
Located in the heart of the Chesapeake Bay, Smith Island's marshy archipelago preserves an extraordinary natural environment and island culture.
Many Possible Ways to Describe This Special Place
Heart of Smith Island
A collection of islands located near the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay, accessible only by boat and located 12 miles from Crisfield, MD.
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A collection of three villages - Ewell, Rhodes Point, and Tylerton - where a few hundred people live year-round in a quiet setting surrounded by amazing natural beauty.
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Smith Island Cake, the crabbing industry, the meandering creeks or "guts" through 8,000 acres of marsh for paddlers and photographers - a few examples of what the Island is most noted for.
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To get to the heart of Smith Island - we are a community of people bound together by faith, work, our connection to the water, and a rich history that lives in the landmarks, surnames, and working waterfronts that are still present today.
A Tightly Knit Community That Welcomes Visitors
Cultural Success Story
In many ways, Smith Island is a profound cultural success story. Our economy has been anchored in the harvest of crabs, oysters, and fish from the Chesapeake Bay since the 1800s when the economy was based on raising cattle. The legacy of the waterman's way of life is still alive today and is the backbone of our community's identity.
The long-standing history and culture of the waterman's way of life is integral to our community's daily and seasonal pattern of living. As residents, we are a tightly knit community that care for one another and our one-of-a-kind special place.
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We welcome visitors that value and respect what makes Smith Island unique - our people and our many natural, historical, and cultural aspects.
Celebrating More than 400 Years of History
Way Back When
The earliest inhabitants of Smith Island date back to the early 1600's. A number of families now living on the Island can be traced back to the first permanent settlers.
Captain John Smith charted the area in 1608 as "The Russell Isles" in honor of the physician saving him from a stingray's poisonous barb during his voyage. In 1679, Henry Smith of Jamestown was granted 1,000 acres and the area became known as Smith Island.
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English farmers John Evans and John Tyler were the first permanent settlers in 1686. The first Methodist camp meeting was held in 1887. Faith and fellowship continue to play a significant role in island life today.
Not Just Cake, An Important Part of Our Culture
Smith Island Cake
Smith Island Cakes have been made since the 1900’s. When the watermen would head out on the Chesapeake Bay, often a week at a time, their wives sent them on their way with sustenance in the form of this cake. The cakes were a perfect way for the watermen’s families to remind them they were loved and missed, and to ensure them of their prayers for a successful harvest and a safe reunion.
Smith Island Cakes are defined by their thin layers, stacked usually 7-10 layers high. The most popular and "traditional" flavor is a yellow cake with chocolate fudge frosting.
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Cake-making is a right of passage for the ladies on the Island, but no one is better known for their cake-making as Mary Ada Marshall. She was instrumental in making the Smith Island Cake the Official State Dessert of Maryland in 2008. Speaking to legislators through their sweet tooth, carefully plated slices of cake were delivered to each member of the General Assembly in Annapolis. The rest is delicious history.
