Pocomoke City, Maryland
Encyclopedia
Pocomoke City, dubbed "the friendliest town on the Eastern Shore", is a city in Worcester County
, Maryland
, United States
. Although renamed in a burst of civic enthusiasm in 1878, the city is regularly referred to by its inhabitants simply as Pocomoke (ˈpoʊkɵmoʊk). The population was 4,184 at the 2010 census
.
. The town was incorporated as Newtown (or New Town) in 1865, but was reincorporated in 1878 as Pocomoke City, after the American Indian name of the river, meaning “black water.”
Stevens Landing, and then Newtown, remained a modest river crossing until the construction through the town in the 1880s of the trunk railroad line along the Delmarva Peninsula
from Wilmington, Delaware
, to Cape Charles
on the Eastern Shore of Virginia
. The line eventually became part of the Pennsylvania Railroad
. In addition to agriculture, industry such as lumber milling
and shipbuilding
and, in the 20th century, factories making barrels and baskets for truck crops, and the canning of those crops, aided the town's growth.
In 1922, the business district of Pocomoke City was destroyed in a large fire; on one side of town this continued up to the church on 3rd Street, known as St. Mary's Episcopal Church, but the downtown was quickly rebuilt. While truck farming declined during the 1900s, the poultry industry rose to take its place. NASA, the U.S. Navy, and the Coast Guard helped with continued growth by bringing jobs to the area.
Pocomoke City held a franchise in the Eastern Shore Baseball League
, at times hosting the Salamanders, the Red Sox, and the Chicks.
Pocomoke City was recognized by the nation's longest running and most prestigious civic recognition program: an All-America City award by the National Municipal League, and for the years 1984-85, Pocomoke City was one of the nine Finalist Communities. The local schools, Pocomoke Elementary, Pocomoke Middle and Pocomoke High, hold excellence standards with several named as 'Blue Ribbon' schools in addition to numerous other awards. Pocomoke High School has basketball, soccer and field hockey teams that have received top state recognition.
The Sturgis One Room School Museum
, a one-room schoolhouse, was moved to its present location in the down-town area as a museum of local African-American history. In June 2009, the Delmarva Discovery Center on the Pocomoke River, an interactive museum focusing on local ecology and history, opened. Pocomoke City's other museum is The Isaac Costen House Museum
. The Mar-Va Theatre is a 1927 Art Deco
auditorium known for its superior acoustics
, and is being restored as a regional center for the performing arts
.
accounts Pocomoke City a city, while official state documents differ. According to the Maryland State Archives, many more official documents refer to the "Town of Pocomoke City" than to the "City of Pocomoke City." However, the most recent references to the "Town" are from 1963, while the most recent references to the "City," which come from its charter, are from 1990. Other sources also differ: the Maryland Manual Online calls it as a city, while the Maryland Municipal League speaks of it as a town. While cities and towns are significantly different in some states, Maryland's cities and towns, classed simply as "municipalities," are treated equally in state law.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 3.3 square miles (8.5 km²), of which 3 square miles (7.8 km²) is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) (7.60%) is water.
of 2000, there were 4,098 people, 1,596 households, and 1,058 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,346.5 people per square mile (520.5/km²). There were 1,764 housing units at an average density of 579.6 per square mile (224.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 50.73% White, 46.36% African American, 0.46% Native American, 0.46% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.34% from other races
, and 1.61% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.05% of the population.
There were 1,596 households out of which 35.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.6% were married couples
living together, 24.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.7% were non-families. 29.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the city the population was spread out with 30.5% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 19.1% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 83.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 74.7 males.
The median
income for a household in the city was $28,938, and the median income for a family was $34,722. Males had a median income of $32,175 versus $19,362 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $17,301. About 13.6% of families and 18.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.8% of those under age 18 and 13.2% of those age 65 or over.
Worcester County, Maryland
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*82.0% White*13.6% Black*0.3% Native American*1.1% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*1.7% Two or more races*1.3% Other races*3.2% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Although renamed in a burst of civic enthusiasm in 1878, the city is regularly referred to by its inhabitants simply as Pocomoke (ˈpoʊkɵmoʊk). The population was 4,184 at the 2010 census
United States Census, 2010
The Twenty-third United States Census, known as Census 2010 or the 2010 Census, is the current national census of the United States. National Census Day was April 1, 2010 and is the reference date used in enumerating individuals...
.
History
Beginning in the late 17th century, a small settlement called Stevens Landing (sometimes Stevens Ferry) grew at the ferry landing on the south bank of the Pocomoke RiverPocomoke River
The Pocomoke River stretches approximately from southern Delaware through southeastern Maryland in the United States. At its mouth, the river is essentially an arm of Chesapeake Bay, whereas the upper river flows through a series of relatively inaccessible wetlands called the Great Cypress Swamp,...
. The town was incorporated as Newtown (or New Town) in 1865, but was reincorporated in 1878 as Pocomoke City, after the American Indian name of the river, meaning “black water.”
Stevens Landing, and then Newtown, remained a modest river crossing until the construction through the town in the 1880s of the trunk railroad line along the Delmarva Peninsula
Delmarva Peninsula
The Delmarva Peninsula is a large peninsula on the East Coast of the United States, occupied by most of Delaware and portions of Maryland and Virginia...
from Wilmington, Delaware
Wilmington, Delaware
Wilmington is the largest city in the state of Delaware, United States, and is located at the confluence of the Christina River and Brandywine Creek, near where the Christina flows into the Delaware River. It is the county seat of New Castle County and one of the major cities in the Delaware Valley...
, to Cape Charles
Cape Charles, Virginia
Cape Charles is a town in Northampton County, Virginia, United States. The population was 1,134 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Cape Charles is located at ....
on the Eastern Shore of Virginia
Eastern Shore of Virginia
The Eastern Shore of Virginia consists of two counties on the Atlantic coast of the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. The region is part of the Delmarva Peninsula and is separated from the rest of Virginia by the Chesapeake Bay. Its population was 45,553 as of 2010...
. The line eventually became part of the Pennsylvania Railroad
Pennsylvania Railroad
The Pennsylvania Railroad was an American Class I railroad, founded in 1846. Commonly referred to as the "Pennsy", the PRR was headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania....
. In addition to agriculture, industry such as lumber milling
Sawmill
A sawmill is a facility where logs are cut into boards.-Sawmill process:A sawmill's basic operation is much like those of hundreds of years ago; a log enters on one end and dimensional lumber exits on the other end....
and shipbuilding
Shipbuilding
Shipbuilding is the construction of ships and floating vessels. It normally takes place in a specialized facility known as a shipyard. Shipbuilders, also called shipwrights, follow a specialized occupation that traces its roots to before recorded history.Shipbuilding and ship repairs, both...
and, in the 20th century, factories making barrels and baskets for truck crops, and the canning of those crops, aided the town's growth.
In 1922, the business district of Pocomoke City was destroyed in a large fire; on one side of town this continued up to the church on 3rd Street, known as St. Mary's Episcopal Church, but the downtown was quickly rebuilt. While truck farming declined during the 1900s, the poultry industry rose to take its place. NASA, the U.S. Navy, and the Coast Guard helped with continued growth by bringing jobs to the area.
Pocomoke City held a franchise in the Eastern Shore Baseball League
Eastern Shore Baseball League
The Eastern Shore Baseball League was a Class D minor league baseball league that operated on the Delmarva Peninsula for parts of three different decades. The league's first season was in 1922 and the last was in 1949, although the years were not consecutive, and featured teams from Maryland,...
, at times hosting the Salamanders, the Red Sox, and the Chicks.
Pocomoke City was recognized by the nation's longest running and most prestigious civic recognition program: an All-America City award by the National Municipal League, and for the years 1984-85, Pocomoke City was one of the nine Finalist Communities. The local schools, Pocomoke Elementary, Pocomoke Middle and Pocomoke High, hold excellence standards with several named as 'Blue Ribbon' schools in addition to numerous other awards. Pocomoke High School has basketball, soccer and field hockey teams that have received top state recognition.
The Sturgis One Room School Museum
Sturgis One Room School
The Sturgis One Room School is a historic U.S. school located at 209 Willow Street, Pocomoke City, Maryland. The community used this one room school from 1900 to 1937...
, a one-room schoolhouse, was moved to its present location in the down-town area as a museum of local African-American history. In June 2009, the Delmarva Discovery Center on the Pocomoke River, an interactive museum focusing on local ecology and history, opened. Pocomoke City's other museum is The Isaac Costen House Museum
Costen House
The Costen House is a historic U.S. home located at 206 Market Street, Pocomoke City, Maryland, United States. Dr. Isaac Costen built the house circa 1870s and members of his family lived there for over a century. Dr. Costen became the first Mayor of Pocomoke City...
. The Mar-Va Theatre is a 1927 Art Deco
Art Deco
Art deco , or deco, is an eclectic artistic and design style that began in Paris in the 1920s and flourished internationally throughout the 1930s, into the World War II era. The style influenced all areas of design, including architecture and interior design, industrial design, fashion and...
auditorium known for its superior acoustics
Acoustics
Acoustics is the interdisciplinary science that deals with the study of all mechanical waves in gases, liquids, and solids including vibration, sound, ultrasound and infrasound. A scientist who works in the field of acoustics is an acoustician while someone working in the field of acoustics...
, and is being restored as a regional center for the performing arts
Performing arts
The performing arts are those forms art which differ from the plastic arts insofar as the former uses the artist's own body, face, and presence as a medium, and the latter uses materials such as clay, metal or paint which can be molded or transformed to create some physical art object...
.
Municipal status
References to the municipality's status as a city or town varies according to sources. The Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
accounts Pocomoke City a city, while official state documents differ. According to the Maryland State Archives, many more official documents refer to the "Town of Pocomoke City" than to the "City of Pocomoke City." However, the most recent references to the "Town" are from 1963, while the most recent references to the "City," which come from its charter, are from 1990. Other sources also differ: the Maryland Manual Online calls it as a city, while the Maryland Municipal League speaks of it as a town. While cities and towns are significantly different in some states, Maryland's cities and towns, classed simply as "municipalities," are treated equally in state law.
Geography
Pocomoke City is located at 38°4′8"N 75°33′42"W (38.068904, -75.561718).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 3.3 square miles (8.5 km²), of which 3 square miles (7.8 km²) is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) (7.60%) is water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 4,098 people, 1,596 households, and 1,058 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,346.5 people per square mile (520.5/km²). There were 1,764 housing units at an average density of 579.6 per square mile (224.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 50.73% White, 46.36% African American, 0.46% Native American, 0.46% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.34% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.61% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.05% of the population.
There were 1,596 households out of which 35.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.6% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 24.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.7% were non-families. 29.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the city the population was spread out with 30.5% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 19.1% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 83.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 74.7 males.
The median
Median
In probability theory and statistics, a median is described as the numerical value separating the higher half of a sample, a population, or a probability distribution, from the lower half. The median of a finite list of numbers can be found by arranging all the observations from lowest value to...
income for a household in the city was $28,938, and the median income for a family was $34,722. Males had a median income of $32,175 versus $19,362 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $17,301. About 13.6% of families and 18.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.8% of those under age 18 and 13.2% of those age 65 or over.
Further reading
- Murray, James, History of Pocomoke City, formerly New Town (1883).
- Torrence, Clayton, Old Somerset on the Eastern Shore of Maryland (1935).
- Touart, Paul Baker, Along the Seaboard Side: And Architectural History of Worcester County (1994).
- Truitt, Reginald V. & Millard Lescallette, Worcester County, Maryland's Arcadia (1977).