What follows, except for a brief review, isn't about the historical fire itself but about what occurred after that disastrous occurrence.
On the heals of devastation Pocomoke City lost not a moment in beginning to climb back. The fire was on a Monday and by the time the local newspaper published its weekly edition on Saturday it was evident that Pocomoke wouldn't be sitting and waiting for the outside world to come to its rescue but rather its own beehive of activity had already sprung into motion. Thoughts turned to plans for a new and improved Pocomoke City and many burned out merchants already had arranged for or were occupying temporary quarters.
An editorial page excerpt from the April 20, 1922 Baltimore Sun reflected Pocomoke City's spirit:
Setting the scene- The Worcester Democrat- "The most disastrous conflagration in Pocomoke City's history occurred Monday last (April 17) when a fire originating in an alley in the rear of the store of N. Davis & Sons, and adjoining stables of Francis S. Wilson on Maple st., swept away the main business section of the town, many residences on Second, Willow and Market sts., and the entire residential section of Front and Bridge sts., not a home on the latter named thoroughfare remaining standing when the holocaust had spent itself."
April 22, 1922 Edition
April 29, 1922 Edition
ONE YEAR LATER
April 23, 1923 Edition
1971 .. National Public Radio (NPR) signs on the air.
1980 .. Mt. St. Helens erupts.
The Time Machine is a weekly feature I've enjoyed researching and compiling on The Pocomoke Public Eye since 2011. I have fond memories of growing up in Pocomoke City and welcome reader contributions we can share about things you've read, remember, or were told relating to our Pocomoke/Eastern shore area...a sentence, a paragraph, or more all fine. Just email it.
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