Near Pocomoke City in Worcester County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Pocomoke Tribal Homelands
History, Heritage & Homelands
| | Worcester County Welcome Center | |
State boundaries did not exist when Captain John Smith traveled some distance up the Pocomoke River in 1608. In his journal he noted a Native kings palisaded village near the mouth of the Pocomoke River with 100 fighting age men, representing a population of 400 to 500 people. Their language was different from the Powhatan tribes to the south.
Smith identified the town as Wighcocomoco, meaning where houses are built. A map produced in 1612, based on Smiths log, identifies present-day Pocomoke River as Wighco Flu (an abbreviation of the Algonquin word, Wighcocomoco, meaning place of Indian residence; and the Latin word, Flumen, meaning river). Later maps identify the river as the Pocomoke. Early colonial records extend the Pocomoke homelands south as far as Holdens Creek, Virginia.
About this project
History, Heritage & Homelands offers both a scenic and cultural experience. Created in partnership with the Pocomoke Indian Nation, this self-guided journey provides a deep dive into the local heritage and its profound connection to the shore's natural landscape.
For further exploration of Tribal Homelands and heritage, scan the QR code or go to beachesbayswaterways.org.
Keeping Traditions Alive
Descendants of this tribal community continue to preserve their
this page online
Erected by Rural Maryland Council; Beach to Bay Heritage Area, Maryland Heritage Areas Authority; MD Two Fifty; Somerset County Parks & Tourism; Worcester County, Maryland.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1608.
Location. 38° 0.294′ N, 75° 32.614′ W. Marker is near Pocomoke City, Maryland, in Worcester County. It can be reached from Ocean Highway (U.S. 13) north of Marva Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 144 Ocean Hwy, Pocomoke City MD 21851, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on the Eastern Shore. It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic, on the Delmarva Peninsula, and in the Tidewater. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Pocomoke Nation Tribal Homelands (here, next to this marker); Boundary Line (a few steps from this marker); From Wild Ponies to the Boardwalk (a few steps from this marker); War Along the Chesapeake (within shouting distance of this marker); Mark O. Pilchard (within shouting distance of this marker); Tireless Defender of Education (approx. 4.6 miles away); Pocomoke City Historic Railroad Station
Other markers no longer nearby. Cultural Treasures (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); Beach to Bay Indian Trail (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); Wicomico Treasures (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); Maryland's Eastern Shore (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).
Credits. This page was last revised on June 6, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 6, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 11 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 6, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
