Our Communities

Assateague Pointe (Featured!)    Ocean City    Berlin    Ocean Pines    Snow Hill
[Area Map]

Ocean City

Ocean City is Maryland's only coastal community, situated on a barrier island that, until the mid-1800s, was a barren place attracting only a few fishermen who came over from the mainland on small row boats. In 1869, a local farmer named Isaac Coffin constructed a small inn to accommodate the fishermen and others who were beginning to show an interest in the beach as a refuge from city life. Soon, other hotel properties arose and after Ocean City became incorporated in 1875, and the small fishing village was on its way to becoming a seaside vacation destination.

In 1876, a railroad bridge was built over the Sinepuxent Bay. Prior to the bridge, visitors had to ride the train to the edge of the mainland where they would then cross the bay by boat. Visitors would travel hours to spend one idyllic afternoon at the seashore.

In the early 1900s, Daniel B. Trimper and his brother, both from Baltimore, started an amusement park. The park is still owned and operated by the Trimper family. Capt. Christopher Ludlum and his son traveled from Cape May, NJ, and started the pound fishing industry, the source of employment for many local men. While the men fished, their wives and mothers were instrumental in running the hotels that catered to vacationers.

The oldest part of Ocean City is at the southernmost tip of the island. As you meander the area below Division Street, look up, above the shops at street level. Cottages and small hotels still proudly reflect the strong heritage of the early pioneers of this town. For decades this was the hub of the resort. From about 9th Street north, there were only a few lone cottages.

From 1900 to 1915, the first of Ocean City's Boardwalk was constructed. In the early days, the Boardwalk was taken up and stored during the winter. Today's Boardwalk is a permanent walkway now spanning nearly three miles.

In August 1933, a violent four-day storm hit Ocean City and cut an inlet through the island, linking the ocean with the bay. The inlet soon brought a new industry to Ocean City – sport fishing. With easy access to the ocean, fishermen no longer had to launch boats through the surf or limit themselves to bay fishing. In 1934, the first white marlin was caught off the coast and Ocean City claimed the title of "White Marlin Capital of the World."

This once humble fishing village that covered only a few blocks of land now stretches over 10 miles long. Modern hotels and deluxe condominiums are now a part of the landscape, but what draws visitors to our shore all year long has not changed. The invigorating smell of the salt air… The majestic vista of the ocean… The luxuriating feel of the sand...

Berlin

Located just minutes from Ocean City, Maryland and Assateaque Island National Seashore, Berlin enjoys a superb location and the town and surrounding area offer a variety of activities to visitors.

Forty-seven individual structures in Berlin are noted in the National Register of Historic Places and represent nearly two centuries of architectural heritage. These structures are well-preserved or renovated and date from three distinct periods: Federal, Victorian and 20th Century. The town center features mostly brick structures with compatible roof lines, proportionate window and door openings, uniform setbacks from the street and bulkheads beneath the lower windows. Magnolias, sycamores, tulip poplars, bald cypress and ginkgo trees add to the beauty of the town's settings.

Today the town is a wonderful example of what can be done when citizens work together for the success of their community. The renovation of the town center and the historic preservation of the commercial and residential districts are a result of the cooperative efforts of local citizens, businesses and the town government. Berlin's beautiful tree-lined streets, Victorian town center, museum and historic homes captivate those who visit.

The village of Berlin began in the 1790s around the original, 300 acre, land grant of 1677 that became Burley Plantation. It is believed that the name Berlin (accent on the first syllable) was derived from a contraction of Burley Inn, a tavern at the crossroads of the Philadelphia Post Road and Sinepuxent Road.

Main Street was originally part of the path connecting the Assateague Indians with the neighboring Pocomoke tribe. In colonial times the path became the Philadelphia Post Road, the main route up the Shore to the commerce centers to the North and west. In the early 1900s, Berlin was known as a pleasant rest stop for travelers on their way to the small coastal village of Ocean City. At one time, it boasted more overnight accommodations than Ocean City.

The town's residential areas preserve nearly two centuries of architectural heritage from the Federal, Victorian and American schools of architecture. Many of the historic homes are graced by mature shade trees and shrubs. Magnolias, sycamores, tulip poplars, bald cypress and ginkgo trees add to the beauty of Berlin's peaceful streets.

The Town has undergone considerable revitalization of its historic downtown commercial district since the late 1980s, through a joint effort between the public and private sectors. The downtown and adjacent historic district are listed on the National Register of Historic Place, as are several individual buildings. The Town is designated by the State of Maryland as a "Main Street Community" in recognition of its revitalization progress.

Berlin has all the special character of the southern Eastern Shore. Harmonious rows of red brick buildings line Berlin's downtown Main Street offering a number of antique, jewelry, and gift shops as well as several excellent restaurants.

Berlin is located in Worcester County; Maryland's only county bordering the Atlantic Ocean. Just 7 miles from Ocean City, we offer the best of both worlds - fine dining, and shopping, in a peaceful, historic setting - all within minutes of the beach.

Ocean Pines

Ocean Pines is a private residential community nestled on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. With over nine miles of waterfront property and enough trees to shade the majority of the 3,500 acres, Ocean Pines is truly a jewel, located only five miles from Ocean City and the Atlantic Ocean.

More than 15,000 full time residents, with approximately 7,500 more summertime residents make up the community of Ocean Pines. The community boasts five swimming pools, an 18 hole Robert Trent Jones designed golf course, a yacht club, two marinas, a community hall, a tennis complex (hard and soft courts), soccer fields, baseball fields, basketball courts, several lakes, and numerous parks, playgrounds and walking trails. The community also has two volunteer fire stations and a fully functioning police force.

Snow Hill

The Town of Snow Hill, located in Worcester County Maryland serves as the County Seat and traces its municipal history back 300+ years.

Snow Hill was founded in 1642 by English settlers from a division of the City of London named "Snow Hill." The town received its first charter on the 26th of October 1686, and was made a port of entry in 1694.

Prior to 1742, when Worcester County was carved out of Somerset County and Snow Hill was made the county seat - Snow Hill had been a trading post and the head of navigation on the Pocomoke River.

Trade was the "engine" that drove commerce in the town and the Pocomoke River was the "highway". As the public came to trade, the residential population grew, businesses were established and churches and educational facilities were built. Prior to the turn of the twentieth century, Snow Hill resting on the banks of a navigable river, with its booming commerce became the business and cultural center of Worcester County.

It became a town of gracious living, where merchants, bankers, farmers and sea captains built fine homes showing off their prosperity. Proof of this can be seen on Federal Street just one block from the downtown. The street is lined on both sides with historic homes, some dating back to the eighteenth century. These homes are fine specimens of the Federal Style, Greek Revival, Victorian Second Empire, Italianate, Queen Anne and Gothic Revival style architecture - much of which has been immaculately restored. Snow Hill has the largest number of stately homes than any other community on the Lower Shore. The Maryland Historical Trust has referred to the Town of Snow Hill as "one of the most historically in-tact towns in the state of Maryland."

Area Map