The houses you see today as you head east along the Strand, (originally named Front Street) were primarily boarding houses for temporary workers and tourists during the late eighteen hundreds. More and more summer visitors were coming to Oxford by train or steamship. Most would stay for a night or a weekend, but some would spend the entire summer here in Oxford. Before the stone bulkhead was built, small boats could tie right up to docks that were in front of these houses. Be sure to admire the huge Linden tree on the corner of Stewart Avenue.
The northeastern end of the Strand just past the town beach was originally an island, known over the years as Vancouver, Kerr, Stewart and Town Island. A 1707 survey shows it was 7.34 acres, but over the years it has been much reduced by erosion. The Town originally designated the area for a school, a church, and a courthouse, but these plans never materialized. In 1882, successful businessman Jeremiah Valliant built a causeway connecting the island to mainland Oxford to facilitate moving oysters to and from his packing house on the point. That packing house later became Valliant’s Marina, then the Oxford Boatyard and today is the Safe Harbor Boatyard. On the condominium’s site located at the 400 block was the A.B. Harris Crab and Ice House.
The little beach to your left was formed after the causeway was built. It is one of very few sandy beaches on the Eastern Shore open to the public and its shallow waters provide a terrific spot for reading a book or relaxing with family or friends.
A "stroll on the Strand" is always a good idea. If you have time, and can walk east all the way to the end of the road, you will see where Town Creek flows into the Tred Avon River.
Now turn onto Mill Street and then left on Tilghman. Head down past the water tower to the waterfront.
