in the late 1980s and early 1990s U.S. Route 50 was converted to a freeway across the island. Recent history In September 2003, Kent Island was one of the many places in the Chesapeake Bay Area affected by Hurricane Isabel. Local businesses and historic local landmarks were either damaged or destroyed in the storm and the storm surge caused by it. Much of the damage from the hurricane, mostly caused by flooding, took several months to repair. Today, Kent Island is considered a suburb of the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area and was home to 16,812 residents at the time of the 2000 U.S. Census. The combined area of the Stevensville and Chester CDPs had 9,603 residents. Many have relocated from the Washington, D.C., or Baltimore metro areas and continue to commute back there. Stevensville and Chester are also among the most densely populated areas of the Eastern Shore, and the most densely populated in Queen Anne's County, making up 23.67 percent of its population and only 3.07 percent of its land area. Historic places As of 2006, many of the island's historic places have been preserved and are highlighted by the Chesapeake Country Scenic Byway and the American Discovery Trail, both of which pass through the island. Several buildings on the island that are still leftover from the 19th century and earlier include the Cray House, a rare remaining example of post and plank construction, the old Stevensville post office (left, yellow building in center), Christ Episcopal Church, and the Stevensville Train Depot (right). Stevensville's historic district along with some of the buildings in the town are on the National Register of Historic Places. Notable residents Listed are notable people who have lived on Kent Island. Brock Adams – United States Secretary of Transportation and United States Senator from Washington Elbert N. Carvel – Governor of Delaware William Claiborne – Founder of Kent Island James Earickson – former State Treasurer of Missouri Henry R. Gibson – U.S. representative from Tennessee Theodore N. Lerner – Principal owner of the Washington Nationals Herbert D. Riley - U.S Navy Vice Admiral, highly decorated officer, Commanding Officer of USS Makassar Strait, World War II Veteran of Iwo Jima and Okinawa Transportation Roads The main mode of transportation on Kent Island, as with most other suburban areas of the United States, is the automobile. Kent Island's main roads include the U.S. Route 50/U.S. Route 301 freeway,