Rock Point, Maryland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rock Point, Maryland
|
|
|---|---|
 Rock Point, Maryland
Location in Maryland
Rock Point, Maryland
Location in the United States
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Maryland |
| County | Charles |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.63 sq mi (1.63 km2) |
| • Land | 0.63 sq mi (1.63 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Population
(2020)
|
|
| • Total | 82 |
| • Density | 130.37/sq mi (50.34/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
20664
|
| Area code(s) | 240 and 301 |
| FIPS code | 24-67500 |
| GNIS feature ID | 591157 |
Rock Point is a small community in Charles County, Maryland, United States. It is known as an "unincorporated community," meaning it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. It's also a "census-designated place," which is an area the government defines for counting people.
Contents
Discover Rock Point: A Maryland Community
Rock Point is located close to Cobb Island. It sits right where the Wicomico River flows into a larger body of water. In 2010, about 107 people lived there. By 2020, the population was 82.
Why is it Called Rock Point?
The community got its name from the "rockfish," also known as the striped bass. These fish were common in the waters nearby.
Rock Point's Past: A Busy Place
Today, Rock Point is mostly a place for vacations. But in the early 1900s, it was a very busy spot!
- It had a large hotel that welcomed summer vacationers and duck hunters in winter.
- There was a steamboat dock and a warehouse.
- A big general store served the community.
People used to catch fish using a method called "Hauling Seine." This involved pulling a large net between two boats. Rock Point also had a factory that processed oysters. In the summer, this factory would switch to steaming and picking crabs. This allowed fresh fish, oysters, and crabs to be sent to restaurants in big cities like Washington, D.C. and Baltimore.
The packing house was owned by three important families. It was known as "Hill & Lloyd," and one of the silent partners was John William Furbush. Today, Furbush Road in Rock Point is named after him.
Famous Visitors and Historical Events
General Billy Mitchell, a famous duck hunter, often visited Rock Point.
During the American Civil War, Rock Point became a place where people supported the Confederate side. Because of this, about 300 Union soldiers stayed in the area throughout the war. Columbus Lancaster, who owned the old general store, was even arrested. He was suspected of helping the Confederates.
The Lancaster Family and Rock Hall
Rock Hall is a very old home in Rock Point. It belonged to the Lancaster family for many years. It was originally part of a large piece of land given to James Neale in 1641. The home has been owned by the same family since 1641.
Charleston Plantation
"Charleston" was a large piece of land with a farm, called a plantation, located north of Rock Point. In the early 1800s, it was owned by Daniel Jenifer. He was a minister to Austria and a member of the United States Congress. Famous people like Henry Clay and Daniel Webster visited him at this estate.
Population Data
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2020 | 82 | — | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Notable People from Rock Point
- William Colby, who used to be the head of the CIA.
