Haunted Maritimes – a Ghostly Waterman’s Town
There’s no place on the Eastern Shore quite like the City of Crisfield. 300 years ago it was built on a bed of oysters and started as a watermen’s town with most of its population earning a living by harvesting the bounty of the Chesapeake Bay. It was once known as the Seafood Capital of the World.
Today, the waterman culture still prevails and a guest on the ghost walk can soak up that culture whilst listening to stories of sea captains, Governors, seafood barons, merchants, doctors, millionaires, philanthropists and movie stars.
The walk included the Orrie Lee Tawes House famous for having strange things pop up in photographic images taken of it. Check out the one our gallery. Hear about the heir to Crown Cork and Seal, the World War One Veteran doctor, the last captain to pilot a commercial schooner across the ocean, the orphan turned movie star turned author who met death in a firey crash and the Governor who is the only person in Maryland history to occupy all three seats on the Board of Public Works.
Crisfield is an amazing town with rich ghost stories. Don’t miss this ghost walk.
PLEASE NOTE: WE DO NOT GO INSIDE THE PROPERTIES. This is a ghost walk where stories of hauntings and unexplained events are shared while standing outside the property.
SITES ON THE CRISFIELD GHOST WALK – The Ghost Walk of Crisfield will include the Corbin Library, Ananias Crockett House, Crisfield Cemetery, Gossamer – Dr. R. R. Martin, Tawes Library, Mc Cready Hospital, the Richard Christy House and more.
BLOG POSTS ABOUT CRISFIELD:
Lilyan Stratton Corbin Library .. and Mausoleum .. in Crisfield, MD
Haunted Tales of Crisfield
MEETING PLACE – Meet 15 minutes before the start of the tour on Main Street and Somerset Avenue in front of the Baptist Temple.
ONLINE MAP ROUTE – View the Crisfield Ghost Walk route on Google Maps
TIME & WEATHER: We walk in all kinds of weather except weather that threatens public safety. Please list CELL PHONE # when registering so in the unlikely event we need to cancel we can notify you. Dress for the weather and be aware that the ghost walk takes at least 1 to 1.5 hours and covers about 1.8 miles.
- Bring your umbrella if it looks like rain
- Wear comfortable shoes
- Bring a flashlight.
- Bring a camera.
Anything ever happen at 102 North Somerset Avenue I’m Crisfield?
Hi Richard.
I research all the stories that are told on our tours. I’ve never read or heard of anything occurring at that address. Thanks for visiting our site.
Hi! The man you rescued was my grandfather. Thank you!
Hi Mindie, Met you on a ghost walk in Berlin. We have purchased 3 S Somerset Ave, Crisfield, one of the houses you mention on the ghost walk. We are in the process of renovating but once done, would love to have your tour come into the house. Have done a lot of research on the original owners, James and Issac Tawes, who married two sisters, Margaret and Addi Croswell. All 4 lived in the house. Addi and Issac had no children so became very attached to James and Margarets children. Adeline being the only surviving child when Addie died in the early 1950’s. There were 7 deaths in that house. James 1920, Issac 1950, Margaret 1947, Addi 1957, Margarets daughter Margaret also 1916, after a long illness, Adeline 1992, Adeline also had a brother who died in infancy, Julian. He was actually the first born, followed by Margaret, then Adeline. Even tough the home was Adeline’s childhood home, she actually inherited it from her Aunt Addi, whom I assume was who she was named after, as she was the last surviving of the 4 original owners. Adeline moved back into the house in the late 50’s. The house was actually left to Adelne and John Holmes 111. her nephew, who was the 2 year old son left behind when his mother, Margaret, Adeline’s sister, died in 1916. So in essence, a Tawes family member lived in that house until 1992, having occupied the residence for almost 100 years. It was purchased by a couple named Frye in 1992. They lived there for almost 10 years, then in 2006, the Marquies purchased it in an attempt to operate a B&B which did not sustain, shutting down in 2015. Now we are there to bring the house back to its original glory, hopefully, with Adeline’s approval. No ghost sightings but some strange happenings. The rear chalet windows would keep opening. We would be sure they were locked and then then next time we came over, they were open again. This happened several times. Those windows have now been replaced so will see if anything happens again. Also the door to the upstairs balcony would do the same. When I spoke to the local heating company, they said it was a not uncommon to see that door open on the second floor….Hmmmm, one never knows……was Adeline wanting a bit of fresh air. Anyway I am sure we will see you again on a ghost tour at some point. Sharon Winkler Doughty
Hi there, Sharon. It’s been a while since we talked in Berlin. I’d love to see what you’ve done to the house. Sounds like you’re really taking time to give it some love and care. Let me know when you’re in town and want a visitor. I will complete my vaccination by March 31st. Best to you and yours.
I live in Va now but thinking about buying the property 27 W Main St, Crisfield MD 21817 soon. Would like to know if you could give me a little history on it. Thanks !
Looks like that is the Orrie Lee Tawes house. Beautiful old Victorian. Orrie Lee was a commercial grocer / wholesaler. For more info on Crisfield see http://crabcapital.com/history.php
I was a seaman on the City Of Norfolk. My Life boat Number 5 on the starboard side rescued Richard Christy hanging on thee top of a vessel named the C.Y. Christy. Capt Patrick Parker found him using a Mac Kay Radar around midnight. I don’t recall the date.Thomas R Harrison
Wow. Very interesting. What was the approximate year? Any idea?
The year Yes ,The year we picked up Richard was 1947. Tom Harrison
We would like to go on the walk Wednesday night in Crisfield. Before I get tickets I would like to know if our 2 year old, who would be in a stroller is allowed and would he need his own ticket? Thanks!
each visit I try to find interesting local things to do – this seems like a winner – hope to be able to attend.
Well, thanks Pat. Hope to see you on one of these walks. And yes, the Crisfield walk is very special.