A little known tobacco farming village in the 1600's, Solomons Island first achieved national prominence for shipbuilding during the war of 1812. Then in the late 19th century the town's namesake, Isaac Solomon, started an oyster caning industry, that would become the island's major employer. The Navy built the nation's first amphibious training base, here, in WWII. And finally, when President John F. Kennedy sailed one of town's most famous yachts, The Manitou in 1962, Solomon's Island would forever be linked to boating and the Chesapeake Bay.

This 1883 screwpile lighthouse one guarded the shoals off Drum Point. Now it stands just across Back Creek at the Calvert Marine Museum.

A side-wheel steamer visits Solomons Island around 1910. Once, bayside towns were served by vast steamboat transportation network.

During the first decade of the twentieth century, Solomons prospered. Many of the communities largest homes were built at this time. Photo provided by www.solomonsmaryland.com.

Between 1942 and 1945 the 120-acre site that is now The Harbours at Solomons Island was part of our nation's first amphibious training base. During those war years some 67,698 military officers and enlisted men were housed and trained right here, for beach landings overseas. We invite you to tour our commemorative outdoor display, honoring the troops of Amphibious Training Base, Solomons.