Colonial era Settled by English colonists in 1684, Cambridge is one of the oldest
colonial cities in Maryland. During the time of English colonization, the
Algonquian-speaking
Choptank Indians resided along the river bearing their name. Throughout the colonial years, English colonists developed farming on the Eastern Shore, with the largest plantations initially focusing on tobacco, before shifting to mixed farming. Cambridge served as a regional trading center, with its town pier being a major hub. A history extensively documented by historical markers scattered throughout the town center.
National era Cambridge was officially incorporated in 1793, taking over part of the former Choptank Indian Reservation. The town received its name from a city and county in England. Cambridge also became a stop on the
Underground Railroad, which provided a network of safe houses for enslaved people escaping to the north. In the late 19th century, Cambridge developed food processing industries, specializing in the canning of
oysters, tomatoes, and
sweet potatoes. The town's industrial growth was led by the
Phillips Packing Company, which eventually became the region's largest employer. Winning contracts from the Department of Defense during the
First and
Second World Wars greatly aided the company's growth. At its height, the company employed as many as 10,000 workers.
Cambridge movement From 1962 to 1967, Cambridge was a center of protests during the
Civil Rights Movement, with local Black residents advocating for equal employment and housing opportunities, as well as the eradication of
racial segregation in schools and other public facilities. Riots broke out in Cambridge in
1963 and
1967, prompting the deployment of the
Maryland National Guard to the city to help maintain peace. The movement's leader was
Gloria Richardson, and with the enactment of the
Civil Rights Act of 1964, public segregation in Cambridge officially ended.
Present In 2002, the opening of the 400-room
Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay resort provided a significant boost to the city's economy through job creation and tourism. The resort features a
golf course,
spa, and
marina, and has hosted numerous high-profile events, including the 2007 U.S.
House Republican Conference, featuring an address by U.S. President
George W. Bush, as well as subsequent visits by U.S. President
Barack Obama. Cambridge was designated a Maryland
Main Street community on July 1, 2003. The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development established Cambridge Main Street as a comprehensive downtown revitalization process with plans to enhance the economic potential of select cities across the state. This initiative has led to the improvement of
heritage tourism attractions and, along with other cities on the Eastern Shore, has contributed to attracting more tourists to Cambridge. As a result, the downtown business district of Cambridge, part of which was declared a
historic district in 1990, has undergone revitalization. Four different teams in the old
Eastern Shore Baseball Leaguethe Canners, Cardinals, Clippers, and Dodgerswere located in Cambridge. The
Brinsfield I Site,
Cambridge Historic District, Wards I and III,
Christ Episcopal Church and Cemetery,
Dale's Right,
Dorchester County Courthouse and Jail,
Glasgow,
Goldsborough House,
LaGrange,
Annie Oakley House,
Patricia (log canoe),
Pine Street Neighborhood Historic District,
Rock Methodist Episcopal Church,
Stanley Institute,
Sycamore Cottage, and
Yarmouth are listed on the
National Register of Historic Places. ==Geography==