Drive to the very end of Rte. 20 in Kent County and you’ll be in Rock Hall, a quiet waterfront town 12 miles southwest of Chestertown. Historically a bustling hub for commercial fishing, crabbing, and oystering on Chesapeake Bay, its waterman’s economy has transitioned into charter fishing, marinas, harborside eateries, second homes, tourists, and retirees. Founded in 1707, its population is about 1,300.
Commercial Fishing Boats
Rock Hall’s attractions include its busy harbor, a sheltered anchorage in Swan Creek, marinas and boatyards, local seafood at waterside restaurants, Ferry Park beach, spectacular sunsets over the Bay, and vast numbers of waterfowl that winter at Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge six miles south.
Bridge to Eastern Neck NWR 
Sailboats in Marina
In ordinary times, the town is noted for its special events, including two triathlons, the annual Fourth of July parade and fireworks, a boisterous, convivial Watermen’s Day, Pirates & Wenches weekend, Fall Fest, and monthly classic-car shows on Main Street. It has a well-known jazz venue, The Mainstay, a grocery and deli, and a branch of the county library.
Ferry Park Beach
Without chain motels, visitors are accommodated in locally owned motels, B&Bs, and vacation rentals.
Rock Hall’s top-notch local museum in the Municipal Building is closed for now; it’s well worth visiting once covid-19 is over. Temporarily closed also are a waterman’s museum and an exhibit of artifacts and photos from the old Tolchester Beach amusement park.
Rock Hall is administered by its mayor and four-member Town Council, police force of three, Town Manager, and Clerk-Treasurer. Its budget for fiscal 2021 is $2.13 million.
As with other small, rural municipalities, Rock Hall faces serious challenges. Foremost are its deteriorated water and wastewater treatment facilities and its seasonal economy. Infrastructure problems in particular are putting the Town’s government and taxpayers into a financial squeeze; without significant grant assistance from the federal and state governments, higher local taxes and utility fees are almost certain.
Other problems include few jobs other than at low wages, paucity of public transportation, and lack of easily accessible health care.
Rock Hall—one-of-a-kind, not on the road to anywhere else, and liking it this way.
