Eight Photos You'll Only Understand If You Hail From Maryland
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Hugh Taylor
Author
Marylanders, you could say, have a bit of a reputation for state pride. We love our state and its unique cultural quirks, and boy are we not afraid to show it. In celebration of Maryland’s unique culture and flavor, I’ve assembled a list of eight photos that only those of us who hail from the Old Line State will understand. Be it beloved mascots or iconic tasty treats, let the embers of nostalgic memory course through your Marylander soul.
Perhaps one of the best examples of the Maryland sense of humor, Mr. Trash Wheel is something of a public servant - a moored water wheel that collects the trash which flows from the streets of Baltimore and into the Jones River. A giant pair of googly-eyes has secured Mr. Trash Wheel’s place in the hearts of Marylanders everywhere.
There’s nothing Marylanders love more on a hot summer day than a chilly frozen snowball topped with marshmallow fluff. The shaved ice is loaded up with sweet flavor, and there is no flavor that is quite so Maryland as the egg custard variety - which happens to be my personal favorite.
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Another classic summer treat in the Old Line State is the lemon stick. These delightfully bright and sour “drinks” are made quite simply by taking a soft peppermint stick into a halved lemon. It’s deceptively delicious, and the colors remind me of summer every time I see them.
Every Marylander has a memory of sitting down with the family around an outdoor table, cracking crabs and scarfing down the succulent meat that is absolutely laden with the rich spices we’ve come to expect. Fun fact - Old Bay, Maryland’s iconic seasoning, is often associated with crab feasts, but there’s a good chance that your crabs have actually been seasoned with a similar, richer spice blend known as J&O. I have this on good authority from a crabber friend of mine.
This flag, with its incredibly loud colors, is the pride and joy of nearly everyone born and raised in Maryland. The unique color scheme comes from the historical significance - during the Civil War, supporters of the Confederacy used the red-and-white Crossland family emblem as their battle standard, while Union supporters used the yellow-and-black Calvert family coat of arms. The flag as we know it is a symbol of reconciliation in the state after the conclusion of the war. Today, we wear the colors on hats, overalls, sunglasses, and yoga pants.
When my friend found out I was writing this article, he insisted - nay, demanded - that Ledo Pizza make an appearance. So here you go: Maryland’s favorite pizza. This thin-crust square pizza has been a staple of birthday party tables across the state since 1955, when it was founded in Adelphi, just outside of the University of Maryland.
The diamondback terrapin is Maryland’s state reptile, and serves as the proud mascot of UMD’s beloved Terps. These statues of Testudo stand outside most every arena on UMD’s College Park campus, and as you enter the stadium you are expected to join the throng of spectators rubbing the head of the turtle for good luck.
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Pretty much everyone in Maryland knows Merriweather, the most iconic concert venue in our state. Relaxing on the lawn during the summer with a cold beer and good music is an ideal way to take in a concert, and the festivals hosted here yearly draw us in by the thousands.
The Old Line State is full of interesting and surprising history, so be sure to check out this list of fun facts about our state to brush up on them! And if you’re feeling the fury of Maryland pride roiling within, Etsy has several listings like this one that will help you show that off.
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