It’s been coined “the friendliest town on the Eastern Shore” time and again. I am, of course, referring to none other than Pocomoke City, Maryland. A quaint, idyllic community laden with quintessential charm, it makes for a most unique day trip excursion for those venturing from popular surrounding shoreline locations, such as Ocean City, Maryland, and the Delaware Beaches.
Pocomoke City boasts a bounty of delightful highlights and a host of historic sites worth exploring. Despite its lack of overtness and obtrusiveness, this humble town thrives as a center of commerce and is even renowned for its wealth of specific area attractions and annual events of great acclaim.
My focus for this Flashback Friday Feature will be all about Pocomoke City, past and present. I will be placing interest on the former, especially.
Pocomoke City History
Like many coastal regions in this part of the nation, the unsettled lands during precolonial times were largely inhabited by Native Americans. It wasn’t until the 17th century that the first permanent European settlement was established here, on the location of what would eventually come to be known as Pocomoke City. Originally called “Stevens Landing” (alternately “Stevens Ferry”), its renown grew as an essential ferry landing location on the south bank of the river. At the time, folks relied heavily on this route for travel, hence igniting the reason behind the community that came about.
When it was first incorporated back in 1865, the town was named “Newtown” (sometimes spelled “New Town”). When it was later reincorporated in 1878, it was rechristened “Pocomoke City” for the Native American name of the river “Pocomoke,” which means “black water.”
The river crossing site remained an essential link for shore-bound travelers up until the 1880s. The eventual decline came about in conjunction with the construction of the railroad line along the Delmarva Peninsula. This facilitated travel between Wilmington, Delaware, and Cape Charles, Virginia. That same line was eventually unified to form part of the existing Pennsylvania line.
A Center of Continuous Commerce
By the end of the 19th century and into the early 20th century, Pocomoke City was already home to a massive agricultural industry. Various other forms of lucrative businesses started springing up here as well, particularly lumber milling and shipbuilding. This, in turn, resulted in the construction factories to keep up with the ongoing demands of commerce. You had canneries to help with canning agricultural products to be preserved and shipped out, factories making barrels and baskets for truck crops, and so much more.
Sadly, a fire destroyed a large portion of Pocomoke City’s business district. While they managed to rebuild a portion of the downtown section, the active farming of crops and produce never fully recovered. Replacing it, however, was the rise of a more profitable poultry industry. Other developments to later emerge in Pocomoke City came with NASA’s presence, bringing about aerospace engineering, as well as jobs with the U.S. Navy and the Coast Guard. Defense contractors, plastics fabrication, and other larger-scale forms of employment are still big here. Pocomoke City officially earned status as an “All-American City” under the National Municipal League during the 1984 to 1985 season. It was one of nine Finalist Communities.
Notable Community Attractions
Pocomoke City has earned a reputation for containing some of the region’s best-kept secret attractions and delights. From restored historical heritage sites to unique museums, there’s plenty to check out on a visit here.
The Sturgis One Room School Museum, for instance, marks the remnants of an early 20th-century one-room schoolhouse. Currently found in the downtown area, the school was actually moved to its present location, where it serves as a museum of local African-American history. You also have a host of historical houses to check out, including the Costen House (once home to the first mayor), Crockett House, Beverly Littleton T. Clarke House, Puncheon Mill House, Young-Sartorius House, and several others. Not to be missed is Hayward’s Lott, alternately known as Ivy Hall. All of these homes are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. You can see many other callouts throughout the entire Pocomoke City Historic District.
The MarVa Theater, also a historic marvel, is a current treasure to explore here as well. A 1927 Art Deco auditorium that’s currently undergoing restorations, it’s here that you can find a wealth of wonderful experiences. From performing arts opportunities to first-run movie showings and special event classic replays, it is an amusing, all-age transcending experience to define the ambiance of the Pocomoke City scene even better.
One of Pocomoke City’s greatest standout attractions, however, remains the one and only Delmarva Discovery Museum. It’s here that kids (and adults) of all ages can immerse themselves in local history, heritage, and marine biology. The live otter feedings are one of their most popular offerings among the many attractions to check out here!
Beloved Annual Events
In addition to permanent sites and attractions gracing the good town, Pocomoke City also hosts several annual and seasonal events worth noting. Some of their most highly hailed highlights include seasonal farmers’ markets, the Great Pocomoke Fair, and what promises to be their newest annual sensation—River Fest.
Pocomoke City, Maryland, is a charming, one-of-a-kind place like no other. It’s akin to those perfect, small-town locales commonly portrayed in wholesome movies—the kind that seem too good to be true. But the good news is, Pocomoke City is a very real place to visit, and who wouldn’t want to?