When Maryland’s Governor and Council ordered land to be purchased from Mayor of St. Mary’s City Phillip Lynes in 1708 at Shepherds Old Fields for a courthouse on a bluff overlooking “Brittons Bay,” they called that location the “most convenient place.” That’s probably because of its central location in St. Mary’s County. The physical location of what was to become Leonardtown probably didn’t hurt, with that natural harbor and hill to roll the tobacco hogsheads down to be shipped out. Aleck Loker called his town history “A Most Convenient Place” and the town has adopted it as a motto.
But those practical considerations cannot overlook the more emotional attachment that must have been a consideration for its establishment as a town more than 300 years ago and down to this very day. It is also a “Most Beautiful Place.”
The body of water at the foot of the hill is now called Breton Bay. It was in 1708 and is today the anchor of the town’s sense of place. Today what historically was a commercial center of activity is now a park to be enjoyed by all. It also was one of the two venues Sunday for Leonardtown’s annual Earth Day celebration of the land, air and water.
At the wharf there were canoe and kayak rides from Patuxent Adventure Center, a plyometric training exercise circuit from St. Mary’s MD Dream Basketball, a moon bounce for the kids and ice cream for all from Spider Hill Farms Organic Ice Cream.
The courthouse now anchors the hillside location that comprises downtown Leonardtown, the Earth Day second venue. The town was filled with vendors, many with wares focused on the environment, community groups, entertainers and plenty of food and drink.
April weather in Leonardtown can often be iffy but this time Mother Nature cooperated with sunny skies and warm temperatures to bring out the crowds to that Most Convenient Place and Most Beautiful Place.
