The town of North East is located strategically at the head of the Chesapeake Bay, only 50 miles from Baltimore or Philadelphia and easily accessible via I-95. Home to nearly 4,000 residents, North East is steeped in history and welcomes thousands of visitors to its many attractions year-round.
Shoppers strolling along Main Street will be charmed by the variety of local merchants offering everything from antiques and collectibles to fashion, crafts and jewelry. Diners have their choice of excellent restaurants from casual to upscale, all within walking distance.
Other tourist attractions within the town limits include St. Mary Anne’s Episcopal Church, dating back to the 1700s, where services are still held today. The graveyard surrounding the church is one of the oldest in Maryland, with graves of Susquehannock Indians traced back to the 1600s. A short drive from St. Mary Anne’s, the North East Community Park offers breathtaking views of the North East River while relaxing on a bench or in a picnic pavilion, strolling on a paved walkway, or even enjoying a game of volleyball. While in the park, visit the Cecil County Office of Tourism and be sure not to miss the Upper Bay Museum, which offers one of the largest collections of hunting and fishing memorabilia in the area.
The river itself provides endless hours of swimming, sailing and power boating recreation. Boat tours and boat rentals are offered along with rentals of kayaks, canoes and bikes. Annual Bass Tournaments attract hundreds of regional competitors to North East for the abundant fishing opportunities!
Just ten miles south of town lies Elk Neck State Park, where locals and tourists alike enjoy camping, boating, a hike to the Turkey Point Lighthouse, or a swim in the beach area.
Traveling five miles north, discover Gilpin Falls Covered Bridge, the longest covered bridge in Maryland. Constructed in 1860 across North East Creek and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the bridge is closed to vehicular traffic but visitors are welcome to walk the 119 ft. span.
While North East is best known for its many tourist attractions, the town has progressed in industrial growth as well, demonstrated by the North East Commerce Center, a 100-acre business park with easy access to I-95, and the nearby Gateway Distribution Center. A short distance away is the main campus for Cecil College, a comprehensive, open admission institution providing career and continuing education programs.
With several large housing developments, five full-service marinas and increased commerce, North East is a town with something for everyone; looking towards the future while preserving its historic small-town charm. If you are considering visiting or even relocating to North East, please take advantage of the many resources found on our website or contact us for more information.
History of North East
Settled prior to 1700 and incorporated in 1850, the town boasts a rich historical narrative beginning with the crucial role of the Northeast River in Captain John Smith’s expedition in 1608. The area also provided Native Americans with abundant hunting grounds and a fishery rich in stock.
Amid numerous skirmishes and treaties with Native American tribes, European settlers moved south to the area from Delaware and Philadelphia while settlers arrived by water from Virginia and other parts of Maryland. Mills were built near water sources and played an important role in the early development of North East. In 1711 a mill flourished where the Big and Little North East creeks joined. Another mill was located at the Falls of North East. The frame building of the Mill House, circa 1710, is an outstanding example of early vernacular architecture.
In 1706, the General Assembly of Maryland passed an act establishing the North Elk Parish. Before Queen Anne of England died in 1714, she allocated funds for missionary work overseas. From her bounty the Parish received a silver chalice, a paten, and a large Bible printed in Oxford, England in 1716 along with a large Book of Common Prayer. In appreciation of these gifts, the name was changed to St. Mary Anne’s Church. In late 1739, George Whitefield, one of the founders of Methodism, preached to about 1,500 people there. After fire destroyed the original church, the current structure was built in 1742-43. The granite cornerstone of the church bears the initials of the 1742 rector and his vestry.
Also in the early 1700s, because of the availability of water for power, an ironworks was established near North East called the Principio Company, in which George Washington’s father and brother maintained an interest. One of the first blast furnaces in North America, Principio was the epitome of high tech, operating 24 hours a day and producing over 25,000 tons of iron between 1718 and 1755. Principio stopped production in the late 1920s but remnants of the Principio Furnace still stand and can be toured by special arrangement. Principio Mansion has been preserved and is available for meetings and special events.
In the early 1800s, George and Joseph Whitaker established North East Forge, later sold in 1861. Renamed the The McCullough and Iron Company, it produced the first galvanized sheet iron in the United States.
Although times have changed, the town of North East continues to offer the peace and serenity of the water that attracted the early settlers, and the beauty and charm of small-town life. We invite you to share in all that North East has to offer; to discover the symbol of the Great Blue Heron and to experience first-hand The Land of Pleasant Living.