Time←←Machine: 100 years ago this week in Pocomoke City's newspaper; plus, when a well known vessel of the bay became a floating hotel, nightclub, and restaurant docked at Pocomoke City.

 

*(Located on the Somerset County side of the of the Pocomoke River, northeast of the Pocomoke City Bridge.)

(AI says:)

The Governor Harrington Hotel (originally operating as the Steamer Governor Harrington Hotel) was a famous historical novelty attraction on the Eastern Shore. It was a floating hotel, nightclub, and restaurant located on a converted 201-foor steamboat docked right at the Pocomoke City Bridge on Route 13.

The History of the Vessel

• Origins as a Ferry: The vessel was originally built in 1901 as a sidewheel steamboat named the Thomas Patten. In 1919, it was bought by the Cliborne-Annapolis Ferry Company and renamed the Gov. Emerson C. Harrington in honor of Maryland's 48th governor. It spent nearly two decades transporting up to 42 vehicles and 1,000 passengers at a time across the Chesapeake Bay.
• Conversion into a Hotel: In 1938, after being retired from ferry service, the ship was sold to a private owner who sailed it down to Pocomoke City, Maryland. He permanently moored it next to the river bridge and spent considerable resources completely transforming the interior into an upscale, stylized venue featuring vibrant custom furnishings.
• The Final Chapter: By 1949, the vessel had reached the end of its life cycle. The superstructure was dismantled, and the local VFW post purchased its interior furnishings for their headquarters. The remaining hull was towed to a Baltimore shipyard and scrapped
• Amenities and Offerings
  During its peak operations in the late 1930s and 1940s, the floating complex marketed itself as one of the Eastern Shore's finest destinations: [1]
  • Tourist Rooms: The old passenger quarters were converted into unique, private lodging options overlooking the Pocomoke River.
  • Dining Facilities: It boasted a spacious, high-end dining room, a casual grill, and a soda fountain.
  • Entertainment Venue: It served as a prime social hub in Worcester County, housing a banquet hall and hosting large regional community events, firemen's balls, and high school prom banquets. 

tkforppe@yahoo.com