Pocomoke City Hall To Celebrate 75th Anniversary

From left: Doug Guns, Bill East, Otho Partlow, Adrian Robinson
Photo/Bill Kerbin

Written By
Bill Kerbin
POCOMOKE CITY — The town will observe the 75th anniversary of its City Hall with rededication ceremonies Saturday at 11 a.m.

The building, constructed at a cost of $47,000, was originally dedicated on May 27, 1937. The cost was shared by the Public Works Administration of the federal government and the town of Pocomoke City. It is estimated that it would cost $1.5 million to replace the facility today.

The building at that time provided a City Council meeting room, offices for city business and ladies and men’s restrooms. The town library was on the second floor as well as a meeting room for citizens of the town. E. Wilfred Ross was mayor at the time of construction.

Since then, the library has been relocated in a modern building of its own and the city has constructed public restrooms at the rear of city hall. The second floor is now used by the housing office, the mayor’s office and for meetings.

The re-dedication ceremony will include remarks by Mayor Bruce Morrison, City Manager Russell W. Blake and by Delegate Michael A. McDermott. Music will be provided by the Pocomoke High School Band and Brandy Taylor. Norma Miles will provide a historical reading. Boy Scout Troop l43 will lead the flag raising ceremony and Miss Pocomoke will assist city officials in the ribbon- cutting ceremony.

The Rev. Jeff Howard and the Rev. George Tasker will provide the invocation and benediction respectively.

Following the ceremony, refreshments will be served and attendees will be able to tour the public portions of the building.

According to Blake, Pocomoke’s City Hall is one of only a very few facilities in the area that have been constructed to be used as a city hall. Town employees have been busy during the past several weeks applying new siding to the upper part of the building, painting and landscaping around the exterior of the facility.

Following Saturday’s ceremony, the Chamber of Commerce will sponsor its inaugural Pocomoketoberfest Beer and Wine Festival at noon. The cost of admission to the festival, which will be held at Cypress Park, will be $20 per person. Designated drivers will be charged $5.
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