Coltons Point Travel Guide

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George Calvert founded the Maryland colony in 1634. The King had given him a royal charter in gratitude for his service to the Crown. A lifelong Catholic, Calvert established his new colony as a place where Catholics and Protestants could both worship as they pleased. It was a radical, unprecedented step for that time.

This small museum commemorates the first statues providing religious freedom in America. It also has some historic artifacts and very nice memorabilia from the earliest colonial period in Maryland.

On good days, the water taxi takes visitors to St Clement's Island, where the first landing was made. On my visit, the weather turned very foul, precluding any boat trips. Maybe you'll be luckier. See the website for a trip schedule and point of contact.

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For a really pleasant day allow yourself some time to explore the island. There are picnic tables provided if you want to bring a lunch. There are fields of wild flowers, water front walks, and all kinds of birds to see on the 40 acre island.

Katie, Mark and I had a very relaxing and enjoying afternoon here. You can see Katie in the wild flowers here with a bottle of water she managed to talk the park ranger into giving her for free. Apparently he enjoyed her conversation as he did not offer the rest of us any free water!

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When you reach the island the river taxi lands at a small pier that leads you to a path on the island. Follow the path around the island until you see the huge 40 ft. cross. The cross was erected to commerate the first Catholic Mass in the colonies. The landing and the mass took place on March 24, 1634. The mass was performed by Jesuit Father Andrew White. The island is named after Pope St. Clement I the patron saint of Mariners.

The cross was dedicated in 1934 to celebrate Maryland's 300th birthday.

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I love lighthouses. I have traveled many places and taken many pictures of lightouses. Probably because I was raised in a small city that took pride in its restored lighthouse, I still love lighthouses to this day. The lighthouse on St. Clement's Island is a restoration of the original lighthouse that was destroyed by fire in the 1950's. The new lighthouse has been restored as an exact replica using many of the same materials used for the original lighthouse. It is maintained by a group of volunteers from the local area. The lighthouse is open to the public. The views of the Potomac River from the top are breathtaking.

The lighthouse with the 40 ft. cross behind it are perfect photo opportunities for history and lighthouse buffs.

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To reach St. Clement's Island to see the actual landing sight of the Maryland colonist you need to take a water taxi that departs from St. Clement's Island Museum. The boat "River Taxi II" departs every fifteen to twenty minutes for St. Clement's Island State Park. You can purchase your tickets inside the St. Clement's Island Museum. The water taxi operates Memorial Day to October 1st on Saturdays and Sundays at 12:30 p.m. until 4:00 p.m.

Be advised there are no handicapped facilities on the ferry or on St. Clement's Island State Park.

Pictured here is my daughter Katie and my partner Mark on the ferry to St. Clement's Island. Take your sunblock. There is not a lot of shade.

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I was not expecting a lot when I first saw the small building housing te St. Clement's Island - Potomac River Museum. So I was very surprised to find the small museum very well done and infomative. There are many minature displays showing the landing of the Maryland colonists in 1634, the first Catholic mass being celebrated in the colonies, and the construction of the Blackiston Lighthouse. The admission is only $1.00 and is open daily. The friendly folks working at the museum gladly answer your questions and make you feel welcome. You also by your tickets for the ferry out the St. Clements Island inside the museum.

Just a side note but one that might be important. We parked in the parking lot across the street from the museum. There are port a pots in the parking lots if you need to use the rest room . But don't use them. There are real restrooms inside the museum that are open to the public. Skip the port a pots.