Port Tobacco Tourist Attractions
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Port Tobacco was originally settled in 1634 by the English. It became the second largest river port in Maryland. The town consists of a reconstructed courthouse, several 18th and 19th century houses and the Salt Box - a restored 1700 house.
St Ignatius Catholic Church
Founded in 1641, St. Ignatius was established by Jesuits who arrived to help with the formation of a new English colony. As one of the oldest Catholic Parishes in continuous service in the United States, St. Ignatius is located in the restored church that was originally built in 1798. Fire substantially destroyed the interior of the church and Manor House on December 27, 1866 but both were restored in 1868.
Port Tobacco Courthouse
The original Port Tobacco Courthouse was built in 1819, the reconstructed courthouse was located closer to La Plata. La Plata had become the county seat and economic center, this caused the bustling trade center of Port Tobacco to slowly close up.
Thomas Stone National Historic Site
Thomas Stone was one of the four signers from Maryland of the Declaration of Independence. He purchased the 322 acre plantation in 1770 and it features Stone's plantation house, fields, forests and family cemetery.Visitors can tour Haberdeventure, the Stone family house, or stroll through the grounds.
Port Tobacco One-Room Schoolhouse
The Port Tobacco One-Room Schoolhouse is a small one room school, built between 1872 and 1876. It is filled with period furnishings. The Port Tobacco School was used for seventy-seven years.
Surroundings
La Plata
La Plata was just a crossroads until the arrival of the railroad in 1869. The LaPlat train station now houses the Charles County Historical Society with an authentic red caboose on adjacent tracks.
Christ Church-Port Tobacco Parish
Port Tobacco Parish was established in 1692 and was supported by a tobacco poll tax until 1776. In 1904 the church was dismantled and moved to its present site by oxcart that carried the numbered stones to La Plata - only to be destroyed by fire one year later. The present Church has an outstanding stained-glass collection and a Parish House that was added in 1903.
African-American Heritage House Museum
The African-American Heritage House Museum in La Plata contains various artifacts that were used during the time of slavery. It depicts the life and history of African-Americans from 1658 to present.
Mount Carmel Monastery
Mount Carmel Monastery was founded in 1790 by four Carmelite nuns. Two of the original convent buildings have been restored.
