Snow Hill, Maryland
Encyclopedia
Snow Hill is a town in Worcester County
, Maryland
, United States. The population was 2,409 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat
of Worcester County
.
by English
settlers who may have named it after a street and neighborhood of the City of London
called "Snow Hill
". The town received its first charter on the October 26, 1686, and was made a port of entry in 1694.
In 1742, Worcester County
was carved out of the eastern half of old Somerset County
and Snow Hill, centrally located in the new county and at the head of navigation on the Pocomoke River
, was made the county seat
.
Major fires in 1844 and 1893 destroyed the center of Snow Hill, including two successive Court Houses
, although some eighteenth century structures survived both fires. Following the second fire, much of the commercial area was rapidly rebuilt, so the downtown today contains many historic buildings of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The Snow Hill Historic District, which includes approximately 80% of the town, was created in 2002.
In December 2010 a Snow Hill businessman started a petition to remove the towns incorporation and revert the area back to county control. The reasons given were lower county taxes, better services provided to the town, and a need for revitalization. The push was abandoned in January 2011.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 1.3 square miles (3.4 km²), all land.
of 2000, there were 2,409 people, 862 households, and 555 families residing in the town. The population density
was 1,806.2 people per square mile (699.3/km²). There were 964 housing units at an average density of 722.8 per square mile (279.9/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 56.00% White, 42.34% African American, 0.08% Native American, 0.58% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.37% from other races
, and 0.58% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.08% of the population.
There were 862 households out of which 28.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.6% were married couples
living together, 20.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.5% were non-families. 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.94.
In the town the population was spread out with 21.0% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 19.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 99.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $29,730, and the median income for a family was $38,657. Males had a median income of $25,439 versus $20,625 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $15,560. About 14.8% of families and 15.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.5% of those under age 18 and 13.1% of those age 65 or over.
:
(starring Julia Roberts
and Richard Gere
) were shot at the Snow Hill High School
. The scenes at the baseball and football games were filmed behind the school.
Worcester County, Maryland
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*82.0% White*13.6% Black*0.3% Native American*1.1% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*1.7% Two or more races*1.3% Other races*3.2% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
, United States. The population was 2,409 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Worcester County
Worcester County, Maryland
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*82.0% White*13.6% Black*0.3% Native American*1.1% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*1.7% Two or more races*1.3% Other races*3.2% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
.
History
Snow Hill was founded in 1686 in Somerset CountySomerset County, Maryland
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*53.5% White*42.3% Black*0.3% Native American*0.7% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*1.7% Two or more races*1.5% Other races*3.3% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
by English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
settlers who may have named it after a street and neighborhood of the City of London
City of London
The City of London is a small area within Greater London, England. It is the historic core of London around which the modern conurbation grew and has held city status since time immemorial. The City’s boundaries have remained almost unchanged since the Middle Ages, and it is now only a tiny part of...
called "Snow Hill
Snow Hill
Snow Hill may refer to:in Antarctica* Snow Hill Island, Antarctica, where the Swedish Antarctic Expedition explorers over-wintered in 1902in the United Kingdom* Birmingham Snow Hill station** Snowhill, the development project adjacent to the station...
". The town received its first charter on the October 26, 1686, and was made a port of entry in 1694.
In 1742, Worcester County
Worcester County, Maryland
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*82.0% White*13.6% Black*0.3% Native American*1.1% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*1.7% Two or more races*1.3% Other races*3.2% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
was carved out of the eastern half of old Somerset County
Somerset County, Maryland
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*53.5% White*42.3% Black*0.3% Native American*0.7% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*1.7% Two or more races*1.5% Other races*3.3% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
and Snow Hill, centrally located in the new county and at the head of navigation on the Pocomoke River
Pocomoke River
The Pocomoke River stretches approximately from southern Delaware through southeastern Maryland in the United States. At its mouth, the river is essentially an arm of Chesapeake Bay, whereas the upper river flows through a series of relatively inaccessible wetlands called the Great Cypress Swamp,...
, was made the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
.
Major fires in 1844 and 1893 destroyed the center of Snow Hill, including two successive Court Houses
Courthouse
A courthouse is a building that is home to a local court of law and often the regional county government as well, although this is not the case in some larger cities. The term is common in North America. In most other English speaking countries, buildings which house courts of law are simply...
, although some eighteenth century structures survived both fires. Following the second fire, much of the commercial area was rapidly rebuilt, so the downtown today contains many historic buildings of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The Snow Hill Historic District, which includes approximately 80% of the town, was created in 2002.
In December 2010 a Snow Hill businessman started a petition to remove the towns incorporation and revert the area back to county control. The reasons given were lower county taxes, better services provided to the town, and a need for revitalization. The push was abandoned in January 2011.
Geography
Snow Hill is located at 38°10′30"N 75°23′27"W (38.175024, -75.390738).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 1.3 square miles (3.4 km²), all land.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 2,409 people, 862 households, and 555 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,806.2 people per square mile (699.3/km²). There were 964 housing units at an average density of 722.8 per square mile (279.9/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 56.00% White, 42.34% African American, 0.08% Native American, 0.58% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.37% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.58% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.08% of the population.
There were 862 households out of which 28.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.6% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 20.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.5% were non-families. 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.94.
In the town the population was spread out with 21.0% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 19.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 99.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $29,730, and the median income for a family was $38,657. Males had a median income of $25,439 versus $20,625 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $15,560. About 14.8% of families and 15.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.5% of those under age 18 and 13.1% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Snow Hill is the location of:- Snow Hill Elementary School
- Snow Hill Middle School
- Snow Hill High SchoolSnow Hill High SchoolSnow Hill High School is a four-year public high school in Snow Hill, Worcester County, Maryland, United States. It is one of four public high schools in Worcester County along with Pocomoke High School, Stephen Decatur High School, and the Worcester Technical High School.-Overview:The school is...
- Cedar Chapel Special School
Religion
A number of Protestant religious denominations have churches in Snow Hill; several are listed on the National Register of Historic PlacesNational Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
:
- All Hallows Episcopal ChurchAll Hallows Episcopal ChurchThe construction of All Hallows Episcopal Church, also known as All Hollows, Snow Hill, located at 109 West Market Street in Snow Hill, Maryland was funded in 1748 by an act of the Maryland Colonial Assembly, which taxed tobacco for the church. Completed in 1756, it is an unusually elaborate ...
- Makemie Memorial Presbyterian ChurchMakemie Memorial Presbyterian ChurchMakemie Memorial Presbyterian Church is a historic Presbyterian church located in Snow Hill, Worcester County, Maryland. In 1883, for the 200th anniversary of the organization of the church, it was resolved to build a Makemie Memorial Church in honor of its founder, Reverend Francis Makemie . The...
- Bates Memorial United Methodist Church
- WhatcoatRichard WhatcoatRichard Whatcoat , was the third Bishop of the American Methodist Episcopal Church.-History:Whatcoat was born in Gloucestershire, England and, although reared in the Church of England, became a Methodist at age 22...
United Methodist Church - Ebenezer United Methodist Church
- Snow Hill Christian Church
- Old School Baptist Church
- Mt. Zion Baptist Church
Notable residents and natives
- Judy JohnsonJudy JohnsonWilliam Julius "Judy" Johnson was an American third baseman in Negro league baseball.Johnson was born in Snow Hill, Maryland. Although his father wanted him to be a boxer, Johnson, who was 5 ft 11 in and only 150 lb , was far better suited for a career in baseball...
, was a major player in the Negro Baseball Leagues and later a scout for the Major Baseball League. In 1975 "Judy" Johnson was inducted into the Major Baseball League's Hall of Fame. Johnson was born William Julius "Judy" Johnson in Snow Hill, Maryland on October 26, 1900. - John Walter SmithJohn Walter SmithJohn Walter Smith , a member of the United States Democratic Party, served the State of Maryland in the United States in several different positions...
, Congressman for Maryland 1st DistrictMaryland's 1st congressional districtMaryland's 1st congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Maryland. The district encompasses the entire Eastern Shore, including Salisbury, as well as parts of Anne Arundel, Baltimore and Harford counties....
, 1899–1900; 44th Governor of Maryland, 1900–1904; U.S. Senator, 1907-1919. Born in Snow Hill on Feb 5, 1845. - R. V. TruittR. V. TruittReginald Van Trump Truitt was an American zoologist, Army officer, and college lacrosse player and coach. He spent his professional career studying the oyster habitat in the Chesapeake Bay. Truitt founded the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory at what is now the University of Maryland Center for...
, first lacrosse coach at the University of MarylandUniversity of MarylandWhen the term "University of Maryland" is used without any qualification, it generally refers to the University of Maryland, College Park.University of Maryland may refer to the following:...
, 1919–1927. - Ephraim King Wilson IIEphraim King Wilson IIEphraim King Wilson II the son of Ephraim King Wilson, was a Congressional Representative and a Senator from Maryland....
, U.S. Senator, 1885–1891; Congressman for Maryland 1st District, 1873-1874. Born in Snow Hill on December 22, 1821.
Snow Hill in popular culture
In 1999, some scenes of the Hollywood film, Runaway BrideRunaway Bride (1999 film)
Runaway Bride is a 1999 American romantic comedy film starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere and directed by Garry Marshall. The screenplay was written by Josann McGibbon, Audrey Wells and Sara Parriott.-Plot:...
(starring Julia Roberts
Julia Roberts
Julia Fiona Roberts is an American actress. She became a Hollywood star after headlining the romantic comedy Pretty Woman , which grossed $464 million worldwide...
and Richard Gere
Richard Gere
Richard Tiffany Gere is an American actor. He began acting in the 1970s, playing a supporting role in Looking for Mr. Goodbar, and a starring role in Days of Heaven. He came to prominence in 1980 for his role in the film American Gigolo, which established him as a leading man and a sex symbol...
) were shot at the Snow Hill High School
Snow Hill High School
Snow Hill High School is a four-year public high school in Snow Hill, Worcester County, Maryland, United States. It is one of four public high schools in Worcester County along with Pocomoke High School, Stephen Decatur High School, and the Worcester Technical High School.-Overview:The school is...
. The scenes at the baseball and football games were filmed behind the school.
See also
- Julia A. Purnell MuseumJulia A. Purnell MuseumThe Julia A. Purnell Museum is located at 208 West Market Street, Snow Hill, Maryland, United States. The building that houses the museum was originally the St. Agnes Catholic Church built in 1891. The museum exhibits 500 years of local history....
- Furnace Town Living Heritage MuseumFurnace Town Living Heritage MuseumThe Old Furnace Town Heritage Museum is an outdoor museum near Snow Hill Maryland that uses a living history format with live demonstrations to re-create a vanished 19th century community. The museum contains various historic buildings, including most importantly the Nassawango Iron Furnace, an...
- Mt. Zion One Room SchoolMt. Zion One Room SchoolThe Mt. Zion One Room School is a historic U.S. school located at Ironshire Street at intersection with Church Street, Snow Hill, Maryland. The community used this one room school until 1931. In 1959, the school was moved to its current location. The school currently serves as Mt. Zion One Room...