Perhaps Queenstown should really be called Queen Anne’s Towne. This name marked its birth in 1707. The name Queenstown honors “Good Queen Anne” of England. Both Queenstown and Queen Anne’s County share this regal namesake.
Queenstown holds a special place in local history. It was the first county seat in Queen Anne’s County. The original Courthouse was built here in 1708. Imagine the important decisions made within those walls. The county seat moved to Centreville in 1782.
Queenstown faced a formidable challenge during the War of 1812. British troops attacked in August 1813 at the Bowlingly estate. The estate suffered significant damage. Yet, Queenstown persevered. Bowlingly still stands today as a private residence.
The town has weathered many storms. There was a fire nearly destroyed Queenstown in 1820. It survived the Depression years plus the Mexican and Civil Wars. Queenstown kept moving forward despite these trials.
Steamboats played a vital role in Queenstown’s growth in the mid-1850s. They brought goods and carried passengers along the Chester River to Baltimore.
Today agriculture and seafood harvesting dominate the local economy. Queenstown’s retail shopping outlets thrive. The Queenstown Harbor Golf Links draws many visitors.
Let’s step back in time to the original Courthouse property. In 1977, the Town Commissioners acquired it. Before that, it served many purposes. It was a home, a warehouse, and even a drug store. It also functioned as a grocery store plus a restaurant and beer parlor. For a time, it was even a post office and antique shop.
The Queenstown Historic Preservation Committee helped restore the property. Over 400 individuals and businesses contributed. The restored Courthouse opened on May 5, 1979. From that spring until August 2002, part of it housed the Queenstown Town Office.
The Courthouse now serves as a tourist attraction. Much of its original character remains. The horizontal oak wall sheathing dates back centuries. Some of the weatherboarding on the end walls is original. The flooring was updated from earth to wood. The frame structure dates to 1708. The brick section was added between 1820 and 1840.
Here in Queenstown’s Courthouse in 1765 William Paca was admitted to practice law. In 1718, Katharine Langton received 20 lashes at a whipping post. Others faced confinement in the stocks. Some were branded, or faced hanging at Gallows Field nearby.
The Courthouse is open the first Saturday of every month from May to October. Take a moment to reflect on Queenstown’s resilience. From its humble beginnings as Queen Anne’s Towne, it has transformed. It overcame war, fire, and economic hardship. Queenstown stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of its people.