Broomes Island is a quaint residential peninsula with waterfront homes
Once a thriving oyster canning hub in the early 20th century, Broomes Island has evolved into a quaint residential peninsula on the Patuxent River. It appeals to buyers as a riverside retreat that’s around an hour from major employers in the Washington, D.C., area. “People come down here knowing that they want quiet, rural living with lots of watersports,” says Chris Moore, a Realtor with Home Towne Real Estate with over 13 years of experience around the region. “There is much less of the hustle and bustle, since it’s 60 miles away from the center of the D.C. metropolitan area.” Fishing, boating and crabbing are popular activities in town, and there are options to buy waterfront homes. Though locals can browse nearby seafood and farm markets, they usually venture to larger commercial hubs around Maryland’s Western Shore to do their personal shopping.
Boating, fishing and crabbing are popular on the Patuxent River
Boating is very popular around the community, with Len’s Marina and Island Creek Marina hosting dozens of slips for sailboats, motorboats and larger yachts. “People go shark tooth hunting all over Calvert County, and there’s a lot of fishing and boating in the Patuxent,” says Moore. “Make sure if you're fishing or crabbing that you check with the Department of Natural Resources for licenses, and please don’t take someone else's crab trap.” Anglers can venture into the Patuxent River to catch blue crabs, striped bass and channel catfish. Nine miles east is Jefferson Patterson Park, a massive green space with trails along the river and through dense woodlands. Parkgoers can also tour a replica Native American village and walk a historic trail through the site of the Battle of Saint Leonard Creek in the War of 1812.
Spacious single-family homes with deep-water frontage
Broomes Island’s single-family home stock ranges in price from $300,000 to $1.3 million, with prices influenced by square footage, lot size and waterfront access. Past the million-dollar mark, homes often feature deep water frontage so residents can dock larger boats. Architectural styles include midcentury ramblers, Cape Cods and newer Traditional-style homes. Though hurricanes are uncommon on the Eastern Shore, many homes in Broomes Island have a severe wind risk factor in the event of a hurricane’s making landfall.
Broomes Island Wade-In brings annual awareness to the environment
The Broomes Island Wade-In has been an annual tradition for decades. Former state senator Bernie Fowler organized the event on the second Sunday of every June, when he would wade out in the Patuxent River until he could not see the bottom clearly, to raise public awareness about water quality and sediment pollution. The water line on Fowler’s shoes and pants, which indicates the depth of the clear water, is known as the “Bernie Fowler Sneaker Index.” The environmentally conscious event has been praised by Maryland lawmakers, and the tradition continues to this day, long after Fowler’s passing in 2021.
Crabs and oysters at Patuxent Seafood, or dinner at Gateway Restaurant
Though there is not much commercial development around Broomes Island, there are some small businesses for produce or a catch of the day. Patuxent Seafood sells Maryland blue crabs and fresh oysters, while Little Red Wagon Produce is a farm stand offering seasonal fruits and vegetables. On Broomes Island Road is Gateway Restaurant & Lounge, a neighborhood hangout serving crab dip, steaks and clams with draft beer and wine. There is a Giant and a Weis Market 15 miles away in Lusby for more grocery options.
Early College Program at Calvert High School
Calvert County Public Schools serves the Broomes Island area. Students can attend Mutual Elementary, Calvert Middle and Calvert High School. Both the elementary and high school have B-plus Niche ratings, while Calvert Middle has a B-rating. Calvert High hosts an Early College Program in collaboration with the College of Southern Maryland Prince Frederick Campus, so rising juniors and seniors can earn college credits before graduation.
Many residents work outside Calvert County
There are no public transit options in Broomes Island and the area is entirely car dependent. Most residents commute outside the county for work. Annapolis is 47 miles north on Maryland Route 2, while Washington, D.C. is 60 miles away on Maryland Route 4. The drive to either city takes a little over an hour. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is 55 miles away. The nearest hospital is CalvertHealth Medical Center, a 12-mile drive north. Moore mentions other employment hubs like Joint Base Andrews in Prince George’s County to the north and Naval Air Station Patuxent River further south in Saint Mary’s County.
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Written By
Maxwell Olarinde
