St. Mary's County

St. Mary's County is located in Southern Maryland, home to approximately 117,000 residents, with Leonardtown serving as the county seat. Established in 1637, it is Maryland's oldest county — known as the "Mother County" — and holds one of the most significant historical legacies in the nation. It is a peninsula bounded by the Potomac River to the west, the Patuxent River to the east, and the Chesapeake Bay to the south, with over 500 miles of shoreline supporting a rich tradition of tidewater farming, fishing, and crabbing.

St. Mary's County is the birthplace of Maryland and the site of the first European settlement in the state. In 1634, Maryland was founded at St. Clement's Island, and Historic St. Mary's City served as the state's first colonial capital. In 1649, the county was also home to Maryland's Act of Religious Toleration — making it the first colony in North America to practice religious freedom, a milestone recognized nationwide.

Naval Air Station Patuxent River is the county's economic anchor, employing approximately 22,400 military personnel, civilians, and defense contractors. It is home to the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) and the Naval Test Pilot School, and has trained legendary aviators including Alan Shepard and John Glenn. Over 200 high-tech aerospace and defense contractors have established operations in the county, making it a world-class center for maritime aviation research, development, testing, and evaluation.



Outdoor recreation is abundant throughout the county's extensive shoreline and natural areas. Point Lookout State Park, located at the southernmost tip of the peninsula, offers beaches, fishing, camping, and Civil War history. St. Mary's College of Maryland, a nationally ranked public honors college, adds to the county's educational and cultural character.