The only Maryland County that touches the Atlantic Ocean, Worcester County was part of Somerset County until 1742,

One of the most recognized of the national Negro Baseball League is William Julius "Judy" Johnson who was born in the vicinity of Snow Hill near Newark on October 26, 1899.

when Somerset County was divided and the eastern portion became Worcester County. It was named for the Earl of Worcester.

Originally populated by Native Americans, the County was explored by Giovanni de Verrazano in 1524. He described the log canoes, native dress and food of the local people as well as wild animals and the lack of stone in the area.

The land is like the previous one in situation, fertility, and beauty; the woods are sparse; the land is covered with different types of trees, but they are not so fragrant since it is more northern and cold. We saw there many vines growing wild, which climb up around the trees as they ado in Cisalpline Gaul: they would doubtless produce excellent wines if they were properly cultivated, for several times we found the dry fruit sweet and pleasant, not unlike our own. The people must value them, because wherever they grow, the bushes around them are removed so that the fruit can ripen better. We found wild roses, violets, and lilies, and many kinds of herbs and fragrant flowers different from ours. We did not find out about their houses, as they were in the interior of the country. We think from the many signs we saw that they were built of wood and grasses... After staying here for three days, anchored off the coast, we decided to leave because of the scarcity of ports, and we continued to follow the coast which we baptized "Arcadia" on account of the beauty of the trees." ^[1]

Crops such as corn and wheat were grown in the fertile soil. But the most valuable crop was tobacco. Because gold and silver currency was scarce, tobacco was used to buy land, slaves, indentured servants and imported goods. Another crop which was valuable to the early economy was cypress wood. Cypress trees grow along the banks of the Pocomoke River. The wood is resistant to rot and was used for homes and other buildings. Cypress wood, along with oak, pin, poplar and gum contributed much to the local economy into the twentieth century.

The economy of Worcester County still relies heavily on agriculture. Crops such as corn, rye, soybeans, potatoes, tomatoes, beans and strawberries are raised here. Produce and poultry processing are also important industries. But we couldn't end a discussion of the local economy without mentioning tourism.

Ocean City
Every year millions of people visit the beaches of Ocean City and Assateague Island on the Atlantic Ocean. Today, visitors can drive to Ocean

Ocean City Lifesaving Station Museum

City but in the mid-1800s before a bridge was built across Sinepuxent Bay, a ferry carried passengers. They paid one dollar if they were in a carriage and fifty cents if they were on horseback for a ride across the bay to what was then called "The Ladys Resort to the Ocean". The first hotel, The Atlantic, opened in 1875. Today, ten miles of hotels, motels, condominiums, restaurants and amusements line the beach front. The Ocean City Lifesaving Station Museum traces the history of Ocean City from a quaint fishing village to the state's largest resort. Built in 1891, the station has served both the U.S. Life Saving Service and the U.S. Coast Guard. Unusual objects from shipwrecks are displayed as is an exhibit of the Life Saving Service on the Eastern Shore. Aquariums, dolls houses, mermaids and old fashioned bathing suits are also featured.

Snow Hill
Chartered in 1686, this small settlement grew and prospered as a farming and business community with the Pocomoke River playing a key role. Snow Hill became the county seat in 1742, when the county was formed. It has remained a trading, commercial and governmental hub of a rich agricultural area.

A disastrous fire destroyed the original downtown in 1893 but, fortunately, many of the historic homes and public buildings remain. Its appearance of quiet elegance and tree-lined streets contrast with the bustle of county business. The Pocomoke River attracts boaters, canoers, kayakers, fishermen, birdwatchers--and is a beautiful setting for concerts at the pavilion.

Just a few miles from Snow Hill the Nassawango Iron Furnace brings Worcester County history to life. Now a living history museum, it recreates daily life during the mid-nineteenth Century. From 1828 to 1850, the Nassawango Iron Furnace was in its heyday. Hundreds of people -- miners, sawyers and colliers, molders and firemen, carters, draymen and bargemen -- were engaged in gathering iron ore from the nearby bogs, smelting it day and night in the furnace, and loading cooled pig iron bars into barges to be floated down Nassawango Creek to the Pocomoke River.

Berlin
Berlin (accent on the first syllable), has all the special character of the Southern Eastern Shore. People are friendly and the pace of life is easy.

The village of Berlin began in the 1790s around the original 300 acre 1677 land grant that became Burley Plantation. The town's Main Street was originally part of the path connecting the Assateague Indians with the neighboring Pocomoke tribe. In colonial times the path became the Philadelphia Post Road, the main travel route up the shore to the centers of commerce to the north and west.

It is believed that the name Berlin was derived from a contraction of "Burleigh Inn," a tavern at the crossroads of the Philadelphia Post and Sinepuxent Roads. In the early 1900s Berlin's bustling commercial and tourist business supported more hotels than neighboring Ocean City.

Today the downtown commercial and residential area is a locally-designated historic district. Berlin offers the true pleasures of small town living; within a three block radius you can visit the bank, post office, pharmacy or hardware store, browse in the antique shops and art gallery and enjoy a fine meal.

Ocean Pines
The planned residential community of Ocean Pines encompasses 3500 acres, with over nine miles of waterfront and waterways, twelve miles of canals and 67 miles of surfaced roads. There are 7000 platted lots in the community, with 4500 homes built or under construction. Homes are available on wooded or waterfront lots, ranging in price from $70,000 to $400,000. A seven-member Board of Directors determines operational and fiscal policy for the Ocean Pines Association, Inc. and appoints a general manager to oversee its day-to-day operations. The community has its own police and fire departments, as well as a yacht club, swim and racquet club, beach club and golf and country club. Just outside Ocean Pines is a commercial area with a wide range of businesses which serve the community.

Ocean Pines is now undergoing a major expansion, with 1,600 additional lots being developed by Balfour Holdings, in partnership with leading resort builders. New amenities include a marina and nine hole golf course. To preserve wetlands and woodlands 50% of the land area has been set aside as a natural preserve.

Pocomoke City
Settled in the 1600s on the banks of the Pocomoke River, the town was originally known as Steven's Ferry. During the late 1800s and early 1900s shipbuilding was the largest enterprise and furs, whiskey and tobacco found their way from Pocomoke to ports in Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York.

Today, it is the industrial center of Worcester County. A 98-acre fully serviced industrial park is ready for immediate construction of new industrial buildings.

But the Pocomoke River continues to be the centerpiece. Its surrounding wetlands are known as a sanctuary for birds and waterfowl; more than 127 species of birds have been sighted in its swampy reaches, including the bald eagle. The dark, tea-colored waters of the Pocomoke are home to perch, gar, catfish, pickerel, herring and large mouth bass--a fisherman's delight. We have a nature & exercise trail along the river, boating, year-round golfing and bicycling along the Viewtrail 100 bike path through Worcester County. The Beach to Bay Indian Trail, an automobile tour of the Lower Shore, highlights our heritage of the region.

Boaters can gain easy access to the river via the Laurel Street Boat ramp, and Winter Quarters boat ramp. Birdwatchers will be glad to know about the Pocomoke Cypress Swamp on Hickory Point Road, a bird lover's paradise and well known bald eagle roost. Due to a great increase in the population of bald eagles in the Chesapeake Bay area, these majestic birds sometimes congregate here in flocks of up to fifty.

The Friendliest Town on the Eastern Shore welcomes visitors to explore its historic downtown, view wildlife in the cypress swamp and cruise the waterways.

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