Tides of Time: Re-discovering Rock Hall's forgotten little island
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In the not so distant past, Rock Hall had an island. No, not Eastern Neck whose wildlife refuge is loved by so many today – but a small island off the tip of Swan Point named "Little Neck."
A Google search for Little Neck Island yields a map result filled by water, a lonely map tack roughly 2,000 feet off the sands of Rock Hall's Ferry Park, and a few web pages that give little to no information regarding this piece of land's story. Even the Maryland State Archives leaves only a mere bullet point notation of Little Neck in a list of islands for our state.
Scouring the web in the quest for Little Neck led to the viewing of the 1877 Illustrated Atlas of Kent and Queen Anne's Counties, in which the "Rock Hall P.O." portion outlines a jet of land, just barely an island, nestled between Swan Point and what is Gratitude today. The Kent County Historical Society notes of a communication artifact from a land survey circa 1826 that reads, "Little Neck is the name given to a narrow strip of land situated between Swan and Tavern Creeks. The farmhouse at Little Neck was constructed for Richard Colemen's use."
The formerly inhabited peninsula of Little Neck became an island in the mid-19th century that fought a fight to no prevail against the Chesapeake Bay's relentless waters. Unlike Talbot County's Poplar Island, most of the Bay's dwindling islands do not receive a lifeline of restoration from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. By the mid-1970s, its last remnants sank beneath the waters – victim to the same fate that has plagued countless islands up and down the Chesapeake over the last couple centuries.
What can we learn from Little Neck and other vanishing Chesapeake Bay landscapes? Surely, we can all agree that tomorrow is never guaranteed – for us and for once special places like Little Neck Island.
Featured graphic courtesy, in part, of CNS Maryland.
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Boatyard Biz: Haven Harbour Marina service tent receives new skin
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Our winter maintenance and facility improvement program continues at Haven Harbour Marina, where this week the service tent shed its old and worn plastic skin for a new, all-season covering.
"We're taking the time over the next several months to greatly improve our facilities," said Managing Director Charlie Petosa. "From the service tent to more modest matters like mooring balls, no stone will go unturned."
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WINTER BOATYARD CONDITIONS UPDATE
Temperatures have been cold this week, with highs remaining in the 30s. Conditions expected to stay chilly through this weekend. Visit our Weather Station online for local conditions and updates.
Note: While we do clear snow and ice away from common areas, we do not conduct snow removal around stored vessels, docks and bulkheads; of which are subject to frosting-up daily this time of year. If you are in to check on your boat, please do so with caution.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Maggie Coleman's Tavern Fifth Annual Muskrat Cook-off, Everafter Performs:
Saturday, February 5 starting at 2:00 p.m.
Winter Waterfowl Walks at Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge:
Happening through winter and spring, next on Saturday, February 5.
Romantic Carriage Rides around Rock Hall Harbor:
Saturday, February 12–Sunday, February 13.
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WEEKLY DEALS
Mid-Week Special:
Book a stay at the Inn at Haven Harbour any Monday–Wednesday for two nights and receive a third night free.
Reduced Winter Rates:
The Inn at Haven Harbour's reduced winter rates are here. Plan a stay to check in on a stored vessel, relax during an off-season escape, or both! Check pricing and availability.
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SUBMIT A WORK ORDER WITH EASE
Need work done to your vessel, but don't know where or how to start? No sweat! It's now easier than ever to submit a routine work order online at havenharbour.com/work-order. Complete the required fields, follow the on-screen prompts, and done. Leave the rest to us.
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JOIN OUR CREW
Haven Harbour is seeking to fill multiple full- and part-time positions. See all current job openings (and to apply) at Indeed.com.
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FUEL PRICES
Gasoline: $4.65/gal.
Diesel: $3.92/gal.
Rates include tax, subject to change and are eligible for quantity discounts.
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