Pocomoke City, Maryland

Welcome to Pocomoke City, Maryland!  Nestled on the banks of the beautiful Pocomoke River, touted as the deepest river in the world for its width and lined with lovely Cypress trees, our city offers exciting adventures for boating, fishing, jet skiing, canoeing, and kayaking.  A ride down the river will be most memorable as you see American Bald Eagles, birds and wildlife of many species.  While near the river, explore our 1.5-mile downtown Nature Trail viewing a unique diversity of trees and birds that make this portion of the Pocomoke River so special.  Our location on the wonderful Delmarva Peninsula is a paradise for beach lovers, surfers, hunters, fishermen, bird watchers, and those who love a simple, coastal and laid-back way of life.  

 Founded in the early 1700’s, our city was incorporated in 1865 as New Town or Newtown but was re-incorporated in 1878, as Pocomoke City, after the American Indian name of the Pocomoke River, meaning “black water.”  Our rich history proves the resilience of past generations, as the city experienced several devastating fires destroying the town. The first fire in 1888 destroyed seventy-nine buildings.  Again, in the early morning of July 6, 1892, another devastating fire consumed almost the same buildings that were destroyed in 1888 and on April 23, 1922 “the most disastrous conflagration in Pocomoke’s history occurred, sweeping away the town’s central business district along with residences from Second Street to the river.”  Each of these tragedies brought our citizens and businesses together, and with great determination, the people of Pocomoke City rebuilt again.  The tenacity, perseverance, and steadfastness displayed throughout the years is what makes our town unique to other towns in our area. 

As you stroll through our nostalgic downtown area, you will want to visit our Delmarva Discovery Museum where you can explore the unique world between the beautiful Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean and enjoy the interactive experiences provided for all.  You’ll discover how the lives of people on Delmarva are shaped by the water and land around us and how we, the people, reshape our environment.  Our beautifully, renovated historic MarVa Theater Performing Arts Center offers movies as well as live events throughout the year.  The Theater Academy takes place each summer and is enjoyed by youth in the surrounding areas.  Other historic sites to visit are the Sturgis One Room School Museum, the Beverly Plantation, the Crockett House, Hayward's Lott, the Puncheon Mill House, the Young-Sartorius House, the Isaac Costen House Museum and Garden, which is available as a beautiful and unique venue for special events such as teas, bridal showers, and weddings and the River Gem B&B at the historic Littleton T. Clark House, where you will be warmly welcomed and graciously served.  Many of Pocomoke's historic sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  The old train station of Pocomoke City is now being converted to a Train Museum by the Pocomoke Area Train Club, creating a delightful addition to our town for both children and adults. 

The Pocomoke Volunteer Fire Department is an integral part of our lives and our community.  These “heroes” sacrifice their time and risk their lives for the well-being and good of the community.  In 2008, a beautiful Community Center and Fire Station were constructed. The facility is used for community events, a venue for weddings, receptions, dinners, craft shows and a multitude of other community-centered events.  We are blessed to have this welcoming community center in our city.

 Another venue of interest in Pocomoke City is the historic fairgrounds.  The Great Pocomoke Fair opened in 1901 with amazing trick riding shows and agricultural exhibits.  Fairgoers from all over the eastern seaboard came by train and eventually by automobile to be a part of the annual event.  Today's fair includes agricultural exhibits, live harness racing, music, Eastern Shore favorites such as single-fried oyster sandwiches, vendors and artists, kids’ activities, an antique tractor pull, and more.

 Pocomoke City’s Industrial Park is an inviting opportunity for the growth of commerce.  Located near the Pocomoke City Beltway, on the mainline of the Norfolk-Southern Railroad, the industrial park is approximately 1/2 mile from U.S. Route 13 and consists of plastics fabrication, defense contractors, and aerospace engineering. 

Our restaurants, offering an array of delicious Chesapeake Bay seafood and down-home southern cooking, are waiting to welcome you with our southern hospitality, providing a wonderfully unique dining experience. 

If relocating to our friendly city is an option, please know that we welcome you with open arms and look forward to you becoming an active part of our community.  Our award-winning Blue-Ribbon Schools are waiting to educate, love, and support your youth.  We’re so very proud of the academic accomplishments of our students as well as the many state championship awards, they have earned. 

We certainly hope your visit to Pocomoke City, Maryland will be enjoyable and that you'll want to return again and again.  For more information on any of the venues mentioned, please stop in at our City Municipal Building or at the Pocomoke Area Chamber of Commerce for a pamphlet.

Susan Marshall Harrison, Mayor