About

  • Image of Chesapeake Beach
  • Cycling on the Chesapeake Beach Railway Trail
  • Railway Trail, Chesapeake Beach
  • Aerial view of the Town of Chesapeake Beach

The Town of Chesapeake Beach began in the late 19th century with the plan for a grand resort on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay. The State of Maryland granted a charter to the Washington and Chesapeake Beach Railway Company in 1891, and in 1894 the W&CBR was granted a charter to incorporate the Town of Chesapeake Beach. 

From 1900 until 1930 Chesapeake Beach was a thriving independent community. People would mainly come for day trips by railway and steamboats like "The Dixie" and "The Dreamland." Only 28 miles from Washington, D.C., people with more leisure time would flock to Chesapeake Beach for the cool breezes and salt water. The resort consisted of a boardwalk over the water and a pleasant park and picnicking area on the nearby land. On the boardwalk, one could find a bandstand, performing bears, games of chance, a carousel, casino, theaters, and many restaurants.  A roller coaster, called "The Great Derby," was constructed over the boardwalk about 1900 and operated until the late 1920's. Seaside Park opened in 1930 and all the amusements were moved to land. In the late 1940s the management of the Park once again changed and so did the name; the park would be known as Chesapeake Beach Amusement Park until it finally closed in 1972.

Today, the Town serves as the primary residence to approximately 6,000 citizens residing within the municipal limits. While many call Chesapeake Beach "Home", the Town still attracts visitors nationally and internationally. Chesapeake Beach is known for fresh Chesapeake Bay seafood, to include Maryland Blue crabs, fresh caught Rockfish, Blue Fish and Oysters, active hometown recreational fields, public boat ramps, the Chesapeake Beach Water Park, Local Tackle Shops and Charter Fishing all within 30 miles to our nations Capital. 

Welcome to the Town of Chesapeake Beach! We hope you will also call this sweet Town, home.