What Is The Smallest Country In The World?

Did You Know!

Maryland once tried to tax out-of-state oyster shells — and it created a mini “oyster war.”

In the late 1800s, Maryland imposed strict taxes and regulations on oyster harvesting in the Chesapeake Bay. The state even sent armed “Oyster Police” patrol boats to chase down illegal oyster dredgers from Virginia.

This led to a real, violent conflict called the Oyster Wars, where Maryland watermen and Virginia crews fought running battles at night over oyster-rich waters.

Most people today have no idea Maryland once had a naval force fighting for oysters.