Nestled on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Crisfield proudly holds the title of the Crab Capital of the World. This small coastal town, situated in the heart of the Chesapeake Bay, has a long and storied history deeply intertwined with the seafood industry. Let's journey back in time to explore how the rich history of crab picking in Crisfield, Maryland began.
From Oysters to Blue Crabs
Crisfield's seafood legacy originally began with oysters as the town was known for a thriving oyster business. The town didn't turn its focus to Maryland Blue Crabs until the late 1800s. In an effort to generate income during the off-season, it was then that Crisfield started marketing these delicious blue crustaceans. The strategy paid off, and by the early 1900s, the Blue Crab industry had exploded. Crisfield became the principal seafood port on the Eastern Shore, with millions of gallons of crab meat, soft crabs, and oysters shipped from its bustling ports annually.
The Rise of Crab Picking Houses
The booming Blue Crab industry created a high demand for picked crab meat. In response, crab packing houses sprang up all over town. These facilities hired women, who were paid by the gallon, to painstakingly pick the crab meat to accommodate the ever-growing market demands. These women worked tirelessly, dedicating countless hours to produce enough crab meat for the industry.
The 1938 Crab Pickers' Strike
Despite the high demand for crab meat, the crab packing houses decided to reduce workers' wages by 10 cents a gallon in 1938. The laborers, predominantly black women, responded by going on strike. For five weeks, the crab picking industry in Crisfield came to a standstill. The strike ended when the crab packing houses restored the workers' wages and recognized their union, marking a significant moment in labor history for the town.
Local Crab Picking Legend
Renowned local figure "Hurricane" Hazel Cropper has been picking crabs since the age of 9. She is widely known for her impressive record as a 16-time world crab picking champion. Due to the popularity of the career during the time, Hazel's mother was actually involved in the 1938 Crab Picking Strike. Watch this video to learn more about Hazel's journey in the crab picking industry and how she still uses her talents today.
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