Maryland's National Register Properties



Photo credit: Paul Baker Touart, 01/2003
Centreville Historic District
Inventory No.: QA-541
Date Listed: 11/13/2004
Location: Centreville, Queen Annes County
Category: District
Period/Date of Construction: 1746-1950
Resources: 408 (327 contributing, 73 non-contributing)
Description: Centreville, the county seat of Queen Anne's County, is situated on an elevated ridge of land framed by branches of the Corsica River. Primary road access is through MD 213 which splits at the south entrance of Centreville, with Commerce Street on the east as the northerly route and a parallel avenue, Liberty Street, which heads south. Route 213 follows roughly the historic north/south highway that connects the principal towns of the upper Eastern Shore. Centreville is laid out on a rough grid plan with several streets or alleys, principally MD 304 (Water Street), intersecting Commerce and Liberty Streets. The heart of Centreville is defined by the historic public square, which retains a late-18th century courthouse that still houses county government functions. The courthouse square is flanked on its south side by Lawers' Row, a particularly important street in Centreville boasting a fine assortment of 19th and early-20th century commercial and public buildings. The town's historic business district is primarily confined to the area bounded by Liberty Street on the west, Banjo Lane on the east, Godwin's alley on the south, and the juncture of MD 213 on the north end. The southeast end of this central business block was destroyed in a 1902 town fire. The Centreville National Bank at the southeast corner of North Commerce Street and Lawyers' Row and the former Queen Anne National Bank next door were both constructed in 1903-04 in the Beaux-Arts style, part of the rebuilding effort following the fire. Most of the central business district is defined by 18th, 19th, and 20th century structures in varying degrees of alteration and/or preservation. The historic housing stock of Centreville surrounds the business district on the north, south, east, and west. On the northwest side of Centreville, the section of MD 304 known as Chesterfield Avenue leads to a significant collection of historic buildings fronting the Corsica River. On the southeast side of Centreville the historic district embraces the oldest structure in town, the 1746 gambrel-roofed brick dwelling known as Providence. The collection of over two dozen brick and frame dwellings dating from the first generation of the town's history, between 1794 and 1820, includes a group of one- and two-story houses, many of which are based on center hall and side hall plans of single-pile and double-pile depth. Included in this group are many finely built Flemish bond brick houses distinguished by well executed Federal exterior and interior finishes. Particularly conspicuous is the large number of gambrel-roofed dwellings, the most known for an Eastern Shore town. Another cluster of early structures is located on the district's north end. Among these is the former Centreville Academy, a two-story c. 1803 Flemish bond building considered to be the oldest school in the county, and possibly the state. It operated in its original function for a century. The early stock of Centreville's domestic architecture is oriented largely to Commerce and Liberty Streets, the two principal avenues that constituted the town's focus during its formative years. Intermingled with the Federal dwellings is a smaller number of second-quarter 19th century houses that represent the influence of the Greek Revival of the 1840s and 1850s. A number of Federal houses along Commerce and Liberty Streets were heavily modified in Greek taste during this period. In the post-Civil War era, a range of popular romantic revival and eclectic Victorian house forms and designs were erected. Around 1880 a group of 1 1/2-story tenant houses was erected on the south shore of the Corsica River for merchant and ship captain John H. Ozmon. These rare structures have a one-room plan and two-story front porches facing the river. Chesterfield Avenue, between Broadway and the intersection of Watson Road, is lined with a series of late-19th and early-20th century houses, mostly of frame construction erected after 1880 when the town center had been substantially built out. Among these are Victorian revival styles as well as Colonial Revival and bungalow forms. Centreville's black population resided on the south side of the town, in the vicinity of the original African-American Methodist Church, erected in 1873. The Charles Wesley U.M. church on South Liberty Street stands currently near the site of the original structure. The lots south and east of the church were occupied by the town's black population during the third and fourth quarters of the 19th century, especially along Little Kidwell and Holton Streets. Standing at the end of Little Kidwell Street is the former black school, erected during the 1930s. The old National Guard Armory, built c. 1926 on South Liberty Street, was later converted to a residence and business site. By 1950, the town had substantially achieved its present form and appearance. Significance: The Centreville Historic District is significant for its association with the development of Queen Anne's County. Laid out during the 18th century as a new county seat, Centreville has served as the center of commerce and government for over 200 years, and remains the largest and most diverse urban center in Queen Anne's County. The district derives additional significance for its exceptional collection of 18th, 19th, and 20th century buildings chronicling the architectural development of an Eastern Shore community. Among Centreville's residential, commercial, and ecclesiastical buildings are representative examples of the various architectural types and styles which characterized towns in the region during the period.

District Resources (408) (327 contributing, 73 non-contributing)

From associated listing in National Register nomination form. C = Contributing, NC = non-contributing, blank = not evaluated.

AddressStatusResource Name and MIHP (if any)
103 BelvedereC 
106 BelvedereC 
201 BelvedereC 
202 BelvedereC 
203 BelvedereC 
204 BelvedereC 
205 BelvedereC 
206 BelvedereC 
207 BelvedereC 
208 BelvedereC 
209 BelvedereC 
210 BelvedereC 
211 BelvedereC 
212 BelvedereC 
214 BelvedereC 
216 BelvedereC 
218 BelvedereC 
220 BelvedereC 
222 BelvedereC 
224 BelvedereC 
211-213 BroadwayC 
215-217 BroadwayC 
218 BroadwayC 
219-221 BroadwayC 
220 BroadwayC 
222 BroadwayC 
223 BroadwayC 
224 BroadwayCQA-340 -- John Hersey Hall House (Margaret Pippin House)
2647 Centreville Road (MD 213) & Mill Stream BranchCQA-347 -- Chester Mill (Emory's Mill)
Centreville Road (MD 213) over Old Mill Stream BranchCQA-492 -- Bridge (SHA 17021)
Centreville WharfCQA-201 -- Captain John H. Ozmon Store
Chesterfield AvenueCBoard of Education of Queen Anne's County
103 Chesterfield AvenueC 
107 Chesterfield AvenueC 
109 Chesterfield AvenueC 
111 Chesterfield AvenueC 
113 Chesterfield AvenueC 
115 Chesterfield AvenueCQA-339 -- James Yates Residence
201 Chesterfield AvenueC 
203 Chesterfield AvenueC 
207 Chesterfield AvenueC 
209 Chesterfield AvenueC 
303 Chesterfield AvenueCQA-341 -- Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church
303 Chesterfield AvenueCQA-342 -- Mother of Sorrows Rectory
304 Chesterfield AvenueC 
305 Chesterfield AvenueC 
306 Chesterfield AvenueCQA-343 -- Newnam House
307 Chesterfield AvenueC 
308 Chesterfield AvenueC 
309 Chesterfield AvenueC 
310 Chesterfield AvenueC 
311 Chesterfield AvenueC 
313 Chesterfield AvenueC 
315 Chesterfield AvenueCQA-344 -- Barton-Henry House
317 Chesterfield AvenueC 
401 Chesterfield AvenueC 
402 Chesterfield AvenueC 
403 Chesterfield AvenueC 
405 Chesterfield AvenueCQA-345 -- Edwin H. Brown House (Valliant House)
406 Chesterfield AvenueC 
407 Chesterfield AvenueC 
411 Chesterfield AvenueC 
421 Chesterfield AvenueC 
437 Chesterfield AvenueC 
501 Chesterfield AvenueC 
505 Chesterfield AvenueC 
Chesterfield Avenue Extended CQA-196 -- Wharf House (Part of Chesterfield, Dockery's Lot)
Church LaneCQA-329 -- St. Paul's Church Parish Hall
S. Commerce StreetCQA-330 -- Centreville Armory
101-103 S. Commerce StreetC 
102 N. Commerce StreetCQA-321 -- Connors' Pharmacy
104-106 N. Commerce StreetCQA-322 -- Yates-Tolson Building
105-107 S. Commerce StreetCQA-403 -- Ashley Building (Straughn Hotel, Ford Building)
108-112 N. Commerce StreetCQA-323 -- Harmon Building
112 S. Commerce StreetCQA-148 -- Blue Lantern Inn
114 S. Commerce StreetCQA-149 -- Dr. John Wells' Office and Shop (Sinagra Real Estate)
116 S. Commerce StreetCQA-150 -- James Croney House (Mildred Thompson House)
116 N. Commerce StreetCQA-324 -- McKenney Building
119 S. Commerce StreetCQA-140 -- Wright's Chance
120 S. Commerce StreetCQA-151 -- Croney-Skinner house
121 N. Commerce StreetCQA-147 -- Centreville Furniture Store
122 S. Commerce StreetC 
123 S. Commerce StreetCQA-243 -- Wright House
124 S. Commerce StreetCQA-139 -- Tucker House
126 S. Commerce StreetC 
128 S. Commerce StreetCQA-236 -- Godwin House
128 N. Commerce StreetCQA-325 -- Nelson Package Goods Store
132 N. Commerce StreetC 
200 N. Commerce StreetC 
201 S. Commerce StreetCQA-257 -- Jackson Collins house
202 S. Commerce StreetCQA-152 -- Holton House (Newmam House)
202 N. Commerce StreetC 
203 N. Commerce StreetC 
203 S. Commerce StreetCQA-399 -- Harper Residence (Dr. Robert Price House)
204 S. Commerce StreetCQA-331 -- Methodist Protestant Church
204 N. Commerce StreetCQA-145 -- John Sause Law Office
205 N. Commerce StreetC 
205-207 S. Commerce StreetCQA-258 -- Female Seminary (Female School, 1876)
206 S. Commerce StreetC 
208 S. Commerce StreetCQA-404 -- Grace M.P. Church Rectory (Downes Music Shop)
209 N. Commerce StreetC 
210 S. Commerce StreetC 
212 S. Commerce StreetC 
216 N. Commerce StreetC 
220 N. Commerce StreetC 
221 N. Commerce StreetC 
223 N. Commerce StreetC 
227 N. Commerce StreetCQA-144 -- Rulie Boyles House
229 N. Commerce StreetC 
301 S. Commerce StreetC 
303 N. Commerce StreetCQA-143 -- Dr. James Harper House (Dr. Frank's House)
304 N. Commerce StreetC 
305 N. Commerce StreetCQA-142 -- Tamlyn House
305 S. Commerce StreetC 
306 N. Commerce StreetC 
307 N. Commerce StreetC 
308 N. Commerce StreetC 
310 N. Commerce StreetC 
311 S. Commerce StreetCQA-446 -- Rectory Hill (Dickson Lot, Tilghman Property)
328 S. Commerce StreetC 
334 S. Commerce StreetC 
336 S. Commerce StreetC 
338 S. Commerce StreetCQA-276 -- Seward House
403 N. Commerce StreetC 
404 N. Commerce StreetC 
406 N. Commerce StreetC 
408 N. Commerce StreetC 
417 S. Commerce StreetC 
419 S. Commerce StreetC 
N. Commerce Street at Lawyer's RowCQA-307 -- Centreville National Bank
200-212 Corsica StreetCQA-198 -- Captain's Houses
Court House SquareCQA-146 -- Queen Anne's County Court House
201 Creamery LaneC 
402 Creamery LaneC 
104 Front StreetCQA-199 -- Vincent Sabecki House
108 Front StreetCQA-200 -- Clinton Waters House
101 Glendale AvenueC 
103 Glendale AvenueC 
105 Glendale AvenueC 
107 Glendale AvenueC 
111 Glendale AvenueC 
115 Glendale AvenueC 
101 Holton StreetC 
103 Holton StreetC 
105 Holton StreetC 
106 Holton StreetC 
107 Holton StreetC 
110 Holton StreetC 
111 Holton StreetC 
Kidwell AvenueCQA-104 -- Providence (Mary Brown Farm)
102 Kidwell AvenueC 
103 Kidwell AvenueC 
104 Kidwell AvenueC 
105 Kidwell AvenueCQA-237 -- Lowe House
106-108 Kidwell AvenueC 
110 Kidwell AvenueC 
112 Kidwell AvenueC 
114 Kidwell AvenueC 
116-118 Kidwell AvenueC 
120 Kidwell AvenueC 
122-124 Kidwell AvenueC 
126 Kidwell AvenueC 
128 Kidwell AvenueC 
130 Kidwell AvenueC 
132 Kidwell AvenueC 
202-204 Kidwell AvenueC 
203 Kidwell AvenueC 
205 Kidwell AvenueC 
206 Kidwell AvenueC 
207 Kidwell AvenueCQA-348 -- Ewing House
208 Kidwell AvenueC 
305 Kidwell AvenueC 
309 Kidwell AvenueC 
315 Kidwell AvenueCQA-541-1 -- House
315-316-317 Kidwell AvenueC 
321 Kidwell AvenueC 
325 Kidwell AvenueC 
331 Kidwell AvenueC 
341 Kidwell AvenueC 
101 Lawyers RowCQA-308 -- Queen Anne's National Bank (Centreville Town Hall)
103 Lawyers RowCQA-309 -- Centreville Observer
105 Lawyers RowCQA-310 -- Keating Building
107 Lawyers RowCQA-311 -- Office Building
109 Lawyers RowCQA-312 -- Harper Building
111 Lawyers RowCQA-313 -- David Bryan Law Office
115 Lawyers RowCQA-314 -- Vachel Downes Office (Perry Building, Queen Annes Building)
117 Lawyers RowCQA-315 -- Keating Office Building (William Keating IV Law Office)
119 Lawyers RowCQA-316 -- Howard Wood III Law Office
S. Liberty StreetCChesterfield Cemetery
100 N. Liberty StreetCQA-317 -- Dandy Hall
101 S. Liberty StreetCQA-326 -- Harry Chambers House
102 S. Liberty StreetCQA-161 -- Dyre Betton House
103 S. Liberty StreetCQA-320 -- Barbara Jackson House
103 N. Liberty StreetC 
104 N. Liberty StreetC 
104 S. Liberty StreetCQA-160 -- Layton Residence (Layton House)
105 N. Liberty StreetCQA-405 -- Methodist Episcopal Church
106 S. Liberty StreetCQA-159 -- Davis Residence
107 S. Liberty StreetCQA-158 -- Vernon Brosius Residence (Brosius House)
108 S. Liberty StreetCQA-157 -- Methodist Episcopal Parsonage (Robert Thompson Residence)
109 S. Liberty StreetC 
110 S. Liberty StreetCQA-156 -- Blair Robinett Residence (Robinett House)
111 S. Liberty StreetCQA-242 -- Madison Brown House
112 S. Liberty StreetCQA-327 -- Draper House
113 S. Liberty StreetC 
115 S. Liberty StreetC 
201 S. Liberty StreetC 
202 S. Liberty StreetCQA-154 -- John Sause Residence (Wilson Harris House)
203 S. Liberty StreetC 
205 S. Liberty StreetCQA-240 -- Methodist Protestant Rectory (Alice Shea Residence)
206 S. Liberty StreetC 
207 S. Liberty StreetC 
208 S. Liberty StreetCQA-153 -- Keating House (Covington House)
216-218 N. Liberty StreetC 
220 N. Liberty StreetC 
227 N. Liberty StreetC 
229 N. Liberty StreetC 
231 N. Liberty StreetC 
301 N. Liberty StreetC 
302 S. Liberty StreetC 
304-306 S. Liberty StreetC 
305 S. Liberty StreetC 
307 S. Liberty StreetC 
307 N. Liberty StreetC 
309 N. Liberty StreetCQA-195 -- Joshua Kennard House
309 S. Liberty StreetCQA-241 -- Bishop-Long House (Old St. Paul's Rectory)
311 N. Liberty StreetC 
311 S. Liberty StreetC 
313 S. Liberty StreetC 
313-315 N. Liberty StreetC 
317 N. Liberty StreetC 
319 N. Liberty StreetC 
321 N. Liberty StreetC 
323 N. Liberty StreetC 
325-327 N. Liberty StreetC 
329 N. Liberty StreetC 
331 N. Liberty StreetC 
333 N. Liberty StreetC 
405 S. Liberty StreetC 
407 S. Liberty StreetC 
409 S. Liberty StreetC 
413 S. Liberty StreetC 
415 S. Liberty StreetC 
417 S. Liberty StreetC 
421 S. Liberty StreetCQA-402 -- Asbury A.M.E. Church (Charles Wesley U.M. Church)
N. Liberty Street and Academy Lane (100 Academy Lane)CQA-141 -- Centreville Academy
S. Liberty Street & Church LaneCQA-155 -- St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Little Kidwell AvenueCFaith Tabernacle Church
102 Little Kidwell AvenueC 
108 Little Kidwell AvenueC 
110 Little Kidwell AvenueC 
202 Little Kidwell AvenueC 
204 Little Kidwell AvenueC 
206 Little Kidwell AvenueC 
210 Little Kidwell AvenueCQA-702 -- Historic Kennard School
216 Little Kidwell AvenueC 
218 Little Kidwell AvenueC 
304 Little Kidwell AvenueC 
306 Little Kidwell AvenueC 
310 Little Kidwell AvenueC 
311 Little Kidwell AvenueC 
314 Little Kidwell AvenueC 
Little Kidwell Avenue (321?)C 
Pennsylvania AvenueCQA-349 -- Railroad Station (Centreville Freight Station)
107 Price StreetCQA-238 -- Mary Thompson House
401 Railroad AvenueC 
402 Railroad AvenueC 
412 Railroad AvenueC 
416 Railroad AvenueC 
418 Railroad AvenueC 
420 Railroad AvenueC 
426 Railroad AvenueC 
430 Railroad AvenueC 
434 Railroad AvenueC 
438 Railroad AvenueC 
442 Railroad AvenueC 
446 Railroad AvenueC 
450 Railroad AvenueC 
454 Railroad AvenueC 
South end Spring StreetCAmerican Legion
114 Spring StreetC 
118 Spring StreetC 
103 Tilghmans LaneC 
202 Tilghmans LaneC 
203 Tilghmans LaneC 
204 Tilghmans LaneC 
205 Tilghmans LaneC 
206 Tilghmans LaneC 
208 Tilghmans LaneC 
102 W. Water StreetC 
103-105 E. Water StreetC 
106 W. Water StreetC 
107-109 E. Water StreetC 
111-113 E. Water StreetC 
111-113 W. Water StreetC 
112 W. Water StreetCQA-319 -- J.W. Perry Building
115 E. Water StreetCQA-351 -- Barton Brothers Warehouse (C.P. Walters' Carpenter Shop)
117 E. Water StreetC 
117 W. Water StreetC 
118 W. Water StreetCQA-194 -- Connolly House
119 E. Water StreetC 
120 W. Water StreetCQA-318 -- E.G. Benton Building
121 E. Water StreetC 
125 Water StreetCQA-417 -- E.G. Benton's Shoe Store (Original Benton Shoe Shop)
201 E. Water StreetCQA-197 -- William Carmichael House
202 W. Water StreetC 
204 E. Water StreetC 
205 W. Water StreetC 
206-208 W. Water StreetCQA-334 -- Miriam Chambers House
210 W. Water StreetCQA-335 -- E.J. Mitchell House
211 E. Water StreetCAcme Supermarket
212 W. Water StreetCQA-336 -- B. David Skinner House
214 W. Water StreetCQA-337 -- Helen Roe House
216 W. Water StreetC 
302 E. Water StreetC 
304 E. Water StreetC 
305 E. Water StreetC 
104 Watson RoadC 
110 Watson RoadC 
115 Watson RoadC 
119 Watson RoadC 
201 Watson RoadCQA-244 -- Captain John H. Ozmon House
101 Wharf LaneC 
105 Wharf LaneC 
109,115,121,127 Wharf LaneC 
128 Wharf LaneC 
132 Wharf LaneC 
213 BelvedereNC 
226 BelvedereNC 
108 BroadwayNC 
110 BroadwayNC 
112 (?) Broadway (no listed address)NC 
Broadway Ave.NCGoodwill Fire Company
101 Chesterfield AvenueNC 
404 Chesterfield AvenueNC 
427 Chesterfield AvenueNC 
431 Chesterfield AvenueNC 
620 Chesterfield AvenueNC 
Chesterfield Avenue at Creamery Row NCCorsica Lighthouse Pub
Commerce & Water StreetsNCEdwards Pharmacy
S. Commerce StreetNC 
118 S. Commerce StreetNC 
121 S. Commerce StreetNCQA-239 -- Goldsborough House, site (McKenney House)
124 N. Commerce StreetNC 
210 N. Commerce StreetNC 
218 N. Commerce StreetNC 
302 N. Commerce StreetNC 
302-304 S. Commerce StreetNCQA-350 -- Schmidt Residence
318, 320, 322, 324, 326 S. Commerce StreetNC 
332 S. Commerce StreetNC 
302 Creamery LaneNC 
Garden Lane (adjacent to Belvedere)NC 
99 Glendale AvenueNC 
109 Glendale AvenueNC 
113 Glendale AvenueNC 
104 Holton StreetNC 
109 Holton StreetNC 
112 Holton StreetNC 
114 Holton StreetNC 
201 Kidwell AvenueNC 
333-335 Kidwell AvenueNC 
203-205 N. Liberty StreetNCQA-328 -- Frame Double House, site
308 S. Liberty StreetNC 
310-312 S. Liberty StreetNC 
402 S. Liberty StreetNC 
408 S. Liberty StreetNCFellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home
411 S. Liberty StreetNC 
N. Liberty Street (between 220 and 227 N. Liberty)NC 
N. Liberty Street and Broadway (107 N. Liberty Street) NCQA-332 -- Centreville Jail, site
104 Little Kidwell AvenueNC 
106 Little Kidwell AvenueNC 
208 Little Kidwell AvenueNC 
210 Little Kidwell AvenueNCQA-702 -- Kennard Elementary School
220 Little Kidwell AvenueNC 
227 Little Kidwell AvenueNC 
301 Little Kidwell AvenueNC 
305 Little Kidwell AvenueNC 
316 Little Kidwell AvenueNC 
317 Little Kidwell AvenueNC 
318 Little Kidwell AvenueNC 
319 Little Kidwell AvenueNC 
324 Little Kidwell AvenueNC 
Northeast corner Broadway & LibertyNC 
Northwest corner of Broadway & N. CommerceNCFarmer's Bank of Maryland
Northwest corner of Liberty Street/BroadwayNC 
104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 113, 114, 117, 120, 121, 123, 125, 126, 127, 130 Price StreetNC 
Railroad AvenueNC 
Railroad AvenueNC 
404 Railroad AvenueNC 
408 Railroad AvenueNC 
Tilghmans LaneNC 
104 Tilghmans LaneNC 
210 Tilghmans LaneNC 
114 W. Water StreetNC 
218 W. Water StreetNC 
207 W. Water Street, 101 BelvedereNC 
E. Water Street at Banjo LaneNCCentreville Post Office
301-303 E. Water Street/Railroad AvenueNC 
102 Watson RoadNC 
102,108,114,120 Wharf LaneNC 
434, 502 Chesterfield AvenueC/NC 
203 Broadway QA-474 -- Price-Clough-Leonard House, site
Chesterfield Avenue QA-333 -- Chesterfield, site
Chesterfield Avenue Extended  QA-261 -- Palmer Andrew House, site
N. Liberty Street QA-401 -- Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church
219-219 N. Liberty Street QA-413 -- J.O. Raisin Double House #3, site
221-223 N. Liberty Street QA-414 -- J.O. Raisin Double House #4, site
Ridgeview Avenue QA-346 -- Old Colored School, site