Citizens of Pocomoke City- take note of the work of our Police Department during this past week in striving to keep our community safe and secure.
(View activity:)
https://www.facebook.com/p/Pocomoke-City-Police-Dept-100076911507861/
Saturday, December 2, 2023
When Pocomoke Was Young- A continuing weekly feature.
(Chapter flow:)
ITS ORIGIN AND TOWN LIMITS
TOWN LIMITS
GROWTH, CHANGE OF NAME, ETC.
MERCANTILE ASPECT
MANUFACTURING
TRADES ETC.
SHIPPING INTERESTS
EASTERN SHORE STEAMBOAT CO.
SHIP BUILDING ETC.
HOTELS, LIVERY STABLES, ETC.
PHYSICIANS
LAWYERS
POST OFFICE
PRINTING OFFICES
SOCIAL ASPECT, ETC.
MORAL ASPECT
TEMPERANCE CAUSE
SCHOOLS
CHURCHES
Note: In duplicating this material for publishing on The Pocomoke Public Eye we have made minor adjustments to correct some of the spelling, punctuation, etc. We believe the errors were not in Rev. Murray's original writing but occurred in the process of formatting the material to a digital format for viewing online.
TOWN LIMITS. We will now proceed to consider the geographical position or town limits of the place. There were no incorporate lines encircling it then as we have now, so that I shall have to prescribe them for the town as it existed as late as 1820. As the Hill or Public Square was the center of the town, the reader will start with me from this place, and go out Front Street as far as the Bridge Causeway, or Colonel Merrill's property, thence take a straight course to the corner of Market and Second Streets, thence out Second to Willow Street, thence down Willow to the junction of Willow and Front Streets, thence on Front to the Hill or Public Square. These limits may be safely considered as the boundary lines of New Town as late as the above date. In order to have a more perfect view of the place, at this date, we will begin with a description of its County Wharf, Public Square, Streets and Houses. The County Wharf lies directly between Messrs. Clark, and Smullen & Brother's granaries, and is twenty-eight feet long. I have tried to find the date when this wharf was built, by having the record of Worcester and Somerset counties both searched, but have failed; the presumption is, however, that it's date reaches back to 1700, which is the date of the build- ing of the Tobacco Warehouse. The reader may now stand upon this wharf and contemplate the fact, that sixty years ago there was naught on either side of it, but bramble, tuckahoes and mud flats. It is true there was a shoal or canoe landing at the foot of Willow Street, more in the direction of Fontain's ice house, where we used to fasten our canoes, and also a landing at the old Shipyard: the same place that is used as a shipyard by James T. Young. The Public Square or Hill, as we used to call it, was sixty years ago, a hill of some prominence, but time has leveled it. It was then, as now, entirely surrounded by houses, though of a different character, while now they are all business houses ; then they were all family resi- dences, with one or two exceptions, Consequently the hill was the center of the town for business and social life. Here the men and boys would meet in the evenings and have their sports, plays and social pastimes; here, too, the merchants would pile their lumber, consisting of planks, laths, etc. Here, on this hill, I have witnessed many a hard fight, and many funny scenes. There were four principal streets, which were called roads, namely: Market Street, which was called Virginia road; Second Street, which was called Cedar Hall Road; Front Street, winding round into Linden Street and onward, was called the Snow Hill Road; and lastly, the old Ferry Road, which had its convergence in the Snow Hill Road, leading to the Hill or Public Square. There were two or three other streets, which were of minor importance, only one of which might be recognized as a public thorough-fare, and that was Willow Street. Within the limits of the town, there. were twenty-eight dwelling houses and seven or eight business houses com- prising stores and mechanical shops. Outside of those limits, there were five houses, occupied by families, which might be considered suburban residences. The old Methodist Episcopal Church that stood on the site of the present one, which now is in the heart of the town, was then in the suburbs, in full conformity with the old custom to put the Church out of town. The houses were mostly one story high, they were built out of good material, and in workmanlike order, for those days. Some were finished inside with beautiful Danel (?) work, others again were lathed and plastered, while many were never finished at all. In order to ascertain the population of the town, we may calculate five to a family, the probabilities of which the reader can determine, as well as myself, we have then 'within its limits one hundred and forty-persons; if we include the five suburban families, on the same basis, we "have twenty-five more, making the aggregate one hundred and sixty-five persons living in New Town and its precincts as late as 1820. I have thus given a description of New Town, of its County Wharf, Public Square, Houses, Streets, and Town Limits, up to 1820, and shall close this part of the history by saying that the old Tobacco Ware- house, which had served its day during Colonial times, was, after the independence of the Colonies and the establishment of the currency of the Republic in dollars -and cents, left to decay, and having stood until about 1819 was finally torn down. GROWTH, CHANGE OF NAME, ETC, Of the enlargement and general improvement of the town, from 1820 to the present time, (1882.) For the first two decades there was no advancement of any extent in this direction. From 1840 to i860, enterprise seemed to lay its hand upon New Town and claim it for its subject. New build- ings were erected, of modern taste, comprising store houses, dwelling houses, churches and an academy; some of them reaching out into the suburbs. For all the- country from the corner of Market and Second Streets, all around, was unoccupied save a few dwellings which were- scattering. Where the Protestant Episcopal and Methodist Pro- testant Churches now stand, together with all other - houses on the eastern side of Market Street, was a farm, and the old homestead was where Captain Isaac N. Veasey now lives. All the country on the south-west side of Market Street, save a few unimportant small dwellings,, was cultivated lots and woods. All the land from Littleton Duer's corner, the south-eastern side of Second Street, running to Cedar street, embracing the high school and beyond, was a field in which I have worked many a day, when a little boy. "hoeing corn." "In 1865, an act of incorporation was secured, and in it' full power and authority was given the Town Commis- sioners to widen and straighten old streets, and to lay out and construct new ones, and to perform such other acts as, in their judgment, might be required to secure the health, happiness and prosperity of the town." "At the first election held under this charter, the people chose C. C. Lloyd, W. S. C. Polk, Charles Marshall, Joseph Riley and W. J. Long, for Town Commissioners, all good and active men, who soon showed, by their acts, that they were intent on improvements." " They appointed a commission composed of Edward. S. Young, Dr. John L. Hearn, and William S. Dickinson, to make a survey of the town, and to straighten and widen the old streets and lay out several new ones. They per- formed their duty promptly and well, and soon the town began to assume something like proportion and regularity. No one, unacquainted with New Town at that period, can imagine the vast changes and improvements made by these acts." The above quotations I have taken from Dr. John T. B. McMaster's Centennial Address, delivered before the people of Pocomoke City, on the 4th of July, 1876. The reader will learn that the above commission extended the limits of New Town about three-fourths of a mile, in every direction, from the Public Square, save from its north-western course, as in that direction it is bounded by the Pocomoke river, upon whose southern side the town lies. From 1865 down to the present day, progress, unprece- dented by the past, has marked its course, so that now we have in New Town, or Pocomoke City, well laid out- streets, some of which are macadamized and contribute, in no little degree, to the enjoyment of an evening drive. There are within the limits of the corporation about two- hundred and twenty-five houses, comprising dwellings, store houses, mechanical shops, steam mills, churches, the- Clark house and high-school building, both of which are ornaments to the place. Indeed, the high-school building is of such a character as to call forth, in terms of praise,, the declaration from the Superintendent of Public Schools of Maryland, in an address, delivered before the citizens of New Town, that "it was the finest school building on the Eastern Shore of Maryland." The dwelling houses are of modern style, and are, with few exceptions, fine buildings, indeed, some of them are of a palatial character, while the churches, seven in num- ber, are all good buildings, and amply accommodate, with seats, the church going people of Pocomoke City. Before closing our history of New Town, in its buildings and general improvements, from its earliest history to the present, we are compelled to record the fact, that its old name is no more, it has passed away, together with its former inhabitants, and they all lie in the grave together. The reader will be informed that the citizens of the place, by an almost unanimous request, petitioned the Legislature of Maryland for a new name, setting forth in that petition their desire that it should be called Pocomoke City, and by an action of the General Assembly of Mary- land, held in 1878, it was so named. The credit of this change is due chiefly to the Rev. T. O. Ayres, who was the prime mover in the whole affair. Now we take rank with other names of modern date and with modern advancement, with a population of 1500 inhabitants.
CONTINUES NEXT SATURDAY HERE AT THE POCOMOKE PUBLIC EYE.
Friday, December 1, 2023
Arts committee for Pocomoke
ARTS COMMITTEE FOR CITIZENS IN POCOMOKE CITY
The city will plan to host and provide a meeting venue for residents who are interested in forming an “Arts” committee and meeting on a monthly basis. “Arts” can be any of the below or other abilities:
- Visual arts (including architecture, ceramics, drawing, filmmaking, painting, photography and sculpting)
- Literary arts (including fiction, drama, poetry and prose)
- Performing arts (including dance, music and theatre)
Please print the attached sheet and fill out or use the sheet as a template and send all information to etroast@pocomokemd.gov and tnock@pocomokemd.gov. We need input from the residents of Pocomoke City to get this up and running!
(Attachment:)
https://www.cityofpocomoke.com/sites/default/files/news/attachment/Arts.pdf
Thursday, November 30, 2023
POSTPONED
DUE TO THE RISK OF INCLEMENT WEATHER PREDICTED FOR FRIDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 1ST, THE MAYORS OLD FASHIONED CHRISTMAS EVENING HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15TH.
Worcester County school libraries- explicit books
(Maryland Coast Dispatch)
Explicit Book Concerns Dominate School Board Meeting
Following a contentious school board meeting last week, during which many people shared concerns with explicit library books and a Pocomoke High School senior emotionally asked the board to fight for students, the Maryland Association of School Librarians has issued an advocacy alert and a group of local residents has banded together to defend schools.
(View news article:)
Wednesday, November 29, 2023
Award to Pocomoke City's Hardwire
Recognized for Outstanding Rural Economic Development.
(View Bayside Gazette article:)
11.30.23-Bayside-Gazette.pdf (baysideoc.net)
Respiratory dog disease reports- not so "mysterious"
"..no new evidence that there is an actual, new disease out there,"
(View news story:)
"Mysterious" Dog Disease No Mystery, No Big Threat | Latest News | wboc.com
Tuesday, November 28, 2023
Shipping Alert scams
Worcester County Sheriff's Office
ATTENTION: Beware of Fake Shipping Alerts!!!
Package Scam Alert!! Cybercriminals are sending messages claiming lost or late packages via UPS, FedEx and USPS. Be cautious!
Signs of a Scam:
Unexpected delivery alerts
Urgent claims of lost items
Look for bad grammar and bad spelling
Clickbait links for "resolving" issues
Look at the sender's address and verify it matches the organization
Protect Yourself:
Verify tracking numbers on official websites
Contact the delivery service directly for confirmation
Avoid clicking on suspicious links
Pocomoke Christmas Parade photos
View Pocomoke Christmas Parade photos:
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=846340187500206&set=pb.100063726962747.-2207520000
Photos courtesy of Wulfhause Productions
Monday, November 27, 2023
Winning lottery tickets sold in Pocomoke and Salisbury
A lottery ticket sold in Pocomoke last week paid $10,000 to the purchaser. The Snow Globe 7s ticket was purchased at the Pocomoke Walmart.
In Salisbury a winning $50,000 Cash game ticket and a $10,000 Ultimate Cash ticket were purchased.
Rec & Parks favors more involvement in the Worcester County Fair
(Maryland Coast Dispatch)
“I do feel we could grow this event provided we have the right support and partnerships in place,” said Kelly Rados, the county’s director of recreation and parks.
(View news article:)
Phone scams reminder-
We would like to remind everyone that the SCSO will never ask you to provide your personal information over the phone. We will never request that you purchase any type of gift cards and we do not use any form of app-based payment such as: CashApp or Venmo.
Please be vigilant and protect yourselves and your information during this holiday season. If you receive any calls that you are weary of, please reach out to us at (410) 651-9225. With the ability for Scammers to alter or "Spoof" their phone numbers, these scams are getting more difficult to detect. If something doesn't sound right, it probably isn't.
Sunday, November 26, 2023
Time Machine: 100 years ago in Pocomoke's newspaper; The Holiday Season: 1937, 1941, 1935, 1921.
(Weekly through December)
December, 1937
(Pocomoke students entertain)
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November, 1941
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November, 1935
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November, 1921
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(The Evergreen Tea Room had opened earlier in the year on Clarke Avenue in Pocomoke.)
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Above items from The Worcester Democrat
