Cobb Island (Maryland) Explained

Official Name:Cobb Island, Maryland
Settlement Type:Census-designated place
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:United States
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:Maryland
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2:Charles
Unit Pref:Imperial
Area Footnotes:[1]
Area Total Km2:2.39
Area Land Km2:1.62
Area Water Km2:0.77
Area Total Sq Mi:0.93
Area Land Sq Mi:0.63
Area Water Sq Mi:0.30
Population As Of:2020
Population Total:929
Population Density Km2:573.16
Population Density Sq Mi:1484.03
Timezone:Eastern (EST)
Utc Offset:-5
Timezone Dst:EDT
Utc Offset Dst:-4
Elevation Footnotes:[2]
Elevation M:3
Elevation Ft:10
Coordinates:38.2583°N -76.8439°W
Postal Code Type:ZIP code
Postal Code:20625
Blank Name:GNIS feature ID
Blank Info:1988529

Cobb Island is a small island located at the confluence of the Potomac and Wicomico rivers in southern Charles County, Maryland, United States. It is located approximately south of Washington, and is considered to be within the Washington, D.C. MSA. Cobb Island is separated from the mainland by Neale Sound and connected to it by a 0.11adj=midNaNadj=mid fixed bridge carrying Maryland Route 254.

Cobb Island is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP). As of the 2010 census, the CDP had a population of 1,166.[3] The community has a small post office, a volunteer fire department and rescue squad, a Baptist church, a large community green space (Fisherman's Field) and a small playground for children. Commercially, there are two seafood restaurants with marinas, a marina with a pizzeria restaurant chain, a small bar and grill, a seasonal coffee shop, art gallery and bakery, and a small market.

History

Name origin and privateer past

The Island was owned in 1642 by James Neal, a privateer (a legal pirate working for the British Empire) who captured Spanish ships bearing treasure to Spain from Central America. Captured Spanish coins were cut into "cobbs" (smaller coins) and distributed to Maryland colonists, which led to the name "Cobb Island".[4]

World's first human voice radio transmission

On December 23, 1900, Reginald Aubrey Fessenden sent and received the first intelligible speech by electromagnetic waves on a pair of masts 50feet high and 1miles apart on Cobb Island.Fessenden was using a spark transmitter with a Kintner-Brashear interrupter.[5]

20th century and later

Robert Crain bought Cobb Island and organized the Cobb Island Development Company. In 1922 and 1923, the company constructed roads, a summer resort and a bridge to the island.[6]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files. United States Census Bureau. April 26, 2022.
  2. Web site: US Board on Geographic Names. 2008-01-31. United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25.
  3. Web site: Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (DP-1): Cobb Island CDP, Maryland . . August 3, 2012 .
  4. Patrice Gaines, Washington Post (August 20, 1994) Cobb Island:The Water Offers An Everyday Escape
  5. https://web.archive.org/web/20181010095419/https://www.e-fermat.org/files/multimedias/1536a4633338fb.pdf On the Birth of Wireless Telephony, John S. Belrose
  6. Book: Cronin, William B.. [{{Google books|itFf6wHY_D4C|page=150|plainurl=yes}} The Disappearing Islands of the Chesapeake]. 2005. 150. 2022-12-03.