Easton, founded 1710, is a town within the Easton District of Talbot County, Maryland, United States. The population was 11,708 at the 2000 census, and 14,677 according to current July 2008 census estimates.[1] It is the county seat of Talbot County[2]. The primary ZIP Code is 21601, and the secondary is 21606. The primary phone exchange is 822, the auxiliary exchanges are 820, 763, and 770, and the area code is 410. WINX-FM and WCEI-FM broadcast FM radio from the town.
The town of Easton hosts the world renowned Waterfowl Festival every November and the Talbot County Fair each summer and is home to four franchises during the existence of the Eastern Shore Baseball League -- the Farmers, Browns, Cubs, and Yankees. The Third Haven Meeting House, the oldest Quaker meetinghouse, and one of the oldest places of worship in Maryland, is in Easton. ArtHouse Live, a resident theater company, is also based in Easton.
Demographics
As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 11,708 people, 5,031 households, and 2,882 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,137.6 people per square mile (439.3/km²). There were 5,399 housing units at an average density of 524.6 per square mile (202.6/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 23.75% White, 71.45% African American, 0.17% Native American, 1.79% Asian, 0.36% Pacific Islander, 1.50% from other races, and 0.97% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.45% of the population.
Market House in the town square of Easton during the mid-nineteenth century.
There were 5,031 households out of which 27.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.9% were married couples living together, 13.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.7% were non-families. 36.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the town the population was spread out with 22.6% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 19.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 84.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.2 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $36,464, and the median income for a family was $48,825. Males had a median income of $31,103 versus $25,411 for females. The per capita income for the town was $21,520. About 27.0% of families and 31.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.0% of those under age 18 and 12.3% of those age 65 or over.
Notable residents and natives
- Tench Tilghman-born near Easton. Aid-to-Camp for George Washington
- Frederick Douglass, noted author and abolitionist[4]
- J. Harry Covington, U.S. Representative for Maryland's 1st congressional district; born in Easton on August 15, 1863
- Jeannie Haddaway, member of the Maryland House of Delegates
- Harry Hughes, Maryland governor (1979–1987); born in Easton on November 13, 1926
- William O. Mills, U.S. Representative for Maryland's 1st congressional district
- William Pierce Rogers (June 23, 1913 – January 2, 2001) was an American politician, who served as a Cabinet officer in the administrations of two U.S. Presidents in the third quarter of the 20th century. Retired in Royal Oak
- James W. Rouse, real-estate developer, civic activist, and free enterprise-based philanthropist.
- Philip F. Thomas, Maryland governor (1848–1851), United States Secretary of the Treasury under President James Buchanan (1860–1861); born in Easton on September 12, 1810
- Birch Bayh, former United States Senator from Indiana (1963–1981)
Notable Landmarks
- Avalon Theatre
- Pickering Creek Audubon Center
- Talbot County Court House
- House from the Movie Wedding Crashers is in Easton, Maryland
Fire Department
Since 1808, Easton has received it's fire protection from the Easton Volunteer Fire Department. EVFD is a 100% volunteer organization, of over 100 members. The department is currently operating out of two fire stations. Station 60, nicknamed: "The Big House," houses 3 engines, a heavy rescue, an aerial tower, a brush truck, a tanker, an ambulance, two antiques and two utility vehicles. Station 66, nicknamed: "The Country Club," houses an engine, a rescue-engine, an ambulance, and a brush unit. The department also operates two command vehicles. The motto of the department is "Service For Others." The department is also a ten time recipient of the Chief A. Marvin Gibbons Memorial Award at the Maryland State Firemen's Association Convention Parade, Held annually in Ocean City, Maryland.
Waterfowl Festival
For now more than 38 years, paying homage to the annual migrating Canada geese flying overhead, Easton closes colonial streets, decorates historic buildings with natural greens, and recruits 1,500 volunteers to greet 17,000 visitors and 300 of the nation's finest wildlife artists, craftsmen and vendors with a ready smile and a helping hand. Excitement radiates throughout the town and neighboring St. Michaels, Oxford and Tilghman Island. Enjoy the waterfowl Festival, the tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay, fine restaurants, and quaint shops lining historic streets. "Waterfowl Festival, Inc. is dedicated to wildlife conservation, the promotion of wildlife art, and the celebration of life on Marylands Eastern Shore." In its 38 years, the Festival has become a leader in the conservation of waterfowl and wildlife habitat. More than $5 million has been raised and donated to projects throughout the Atlantic Flyway, and in particular the Chesapeake Bay.[5]
References
- ^ Table 4: Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places in Maryland, Listed Alphabetically: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2008, U.S. Census Bureau. Accessed 2009-07-01.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
- ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ From a report by Amanda Barker [1] as to the true location of Douglass' birthplace, and the difficulty of finding it.
- ^ http://www.waterfowlfestival.org/aboutfestival.html
External links
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