Thursday, July 13, 2017 - 11:48
In a region rich with gorgeous scenery and welcoming cruising destinations, Rock Hall, MD, stands out from the crowd. Located on the Upper Eastern Shore, Rock Hall is spared from the beach traffic on Route 50, allowing it to retain an authentic Chesapeake country vibe. But make no mistake, refreshingly quiet doesn’t mean spartan. Rock Hall is a small town with big amenities, especially for boaters.
Rock Hall’s history as an important boating destination dates back to colonial times. The town was once a vital crossroads community. Home to the eastern terminus of the ferry used by George Washington and other notables when traveling between Virginia and Philadelphia to attend the Continental Congress, Rock Hall’s Main Street was part of the first road laid in Kent County. Locally-built sailing vessels, prized for their speed, carried Eastern Shore goods to ports as far away as the Azores. After the Civil War and the industrial revolution the balance of trade shifted, and fishing and tourism became mainstays of the local economy.
According to town manager, Ron Fithian, there are two schools of thought as to how Rock Hall got its name. One theory is the town was named after “The Mansion House,” a waterfront inn that sat on a big rock foundation. The other theory is the name came about as a misspelling of the term “rock haul,” as in a big haul of the region’s popular striped bass or rockfish.
One thing is certain: Rock Hall has everything a boater could want or need within reach of its two harbors. Swan Creek is the more picturesque and quiet option, offering a choice between the full-service Haven Harbour Marina, the upscale Osprey Point Inn, Restaurant, and Marina, or the Swan Creek Marina with its large mooring field.
Rock Hall Harbor is home to one of the region’s remaining commercial fishing fleets. You’ll experience more early morning noise and activity than over on Swan Creek, but the harbor provides easy access to Main Street and features Rock Hall Landing Marina, which caters to visitors with floating docks and ample transient slips. Moving between the harbors is easy enough. The town offers tram service for only $1/passenger. Tram hours vary by day, so call (443) 282-5058 to confirm the schedule.