Old Ocean City Road

The byway continues eastward and crosses the narrow Pocomoke River, whose source is the Great Pocomoke Swamp. From early colonial days, the chief activity of those living near the swamp was making had-hewn cypress shingles. Whaleyville was a center of the local shingle industry. Continuing along the byway, you enter Berlin, a typical rural, turn-of-the-century Eastern Shore town. In Berlin you will tour the historic commercial district.

After leaving Berlin, the byway takes a brief drive along US-50 east where you will cross Assawoman Bay into Ocean City, which is Maryland's largest seashore resort. Many hotels, motels, apartment houses, and condominiums line a 10-mile section of this city built on an Atlantic barrier reef. Not until the 1870s did people begin eyeing the sandy strip of land as a potential resort, which lived briefly as "The Ladies Resort to the Ocean." Under a better name Ocean City began to develop with the coming of the railroad in the early 1880s. Beginning in 1881, the railroad crossed a bridge over Assawoman Bay and brought summer visitors directly into the resort town. That all changed with the coming of the automobile and US-50 in the 1930s.

Entering Ocean City you will drive to the Coast Guard Station, one of the oldest in the United States. The Coast Guard Station has been occupying this site since 1790. Park here and capture the flavor of by-gone days on the Inlet Boardwalk starting with the Ocean City Life-Saving Museum, at the south end of the boardwalk. Built in 1891, the museum preserves the history of the US Life-Saving Service and Ocean City. Call or stop by the Ocean City Chamber of Commerce on 61st Street for the information you'll need to make the most of your Ocean City visit.

Attractions - The Old Ocean City Road is known for it's Cultural, Historical, Natural, Recreational and Scenic Attractions.

Directions from : Beginning in Salisbury, travel through Salisbury's historic Newtown District, which features a number of 18th and 19th century homes. Worth a sidetrack are Elizabeth Street and Poplar Hill Avenue. The byway leaves Salisbury on MD-346, also know as Main Street or Old Ocean City Road. Follow MD-346 to Pittsville, which attracts shoppers in November and December when farmers bring in holly and other Christmas evergreens.

MD-346 crosses the narrow Pocomoke River, whose source is the Great Pocomoke Swamp. From early colonial days, the chief activity of those living near the swamp was making had-hewn cypress shingles. Crossing US-50, you enter Berlin, a typical rural, turn-of-the-century Eastern Shore town. In Berlin you will tour the historic commercial district. Once your tour of Berlin is complete you will drive north to US-50 east.

After a brief drive along US-50 east you will cross Assawoman Bay into Ocean City, which is Maryland's largest seashore resort. Many hotels, motels, apartment houses, and condominiums line a 10-mile section of this city built on an Atlantic barrier reef.

Enter Ocean City on Philadelphia Avenue. Follow Philadelphia Avenue to the Coast Guard Station, one of the oldest in the United States. Park here and capture the flavor of by-gone days on the Inlet Boardwalk. Call or stop by the Ocean City Chamber of Commerce on 61st Street for the information you'll need to make the most of your Ocean City visit.