Chincoteague

Best known for it’s beaches, ice cream, and ponies. Especially Misty, the star of the book Misty of Chincoteague, which was made into a movie in 1961.

According to the Historical Marker Database, the timeline for Chincoteague starts with land purchased from the Gingo-Teague who referred to the island as “beautiful land across water.” The Pocomoke claim these Native Americans were part of the Pocomoke Paramountcy. From the late 17th century and into the 18th, farmers and fishermen moved on the island. By 1800, there is a modest population of less than 200 people on Chincoteague and the adjacent Assateague island. There is a debate it would seem about the role convicts had to play in establishing Chincoteague. In order to acquire more land, it is believed that in 1687, Capt Daniel Jenifer brought convicts with him to the island (anywhere between 7 to 35). By 1850 they began shucking oysters and during the Civil War they stay as part of the union, supporting Philadelphia with their shellfish proceeds. It may seem odd that Philadelphia was the point of alligience but that is also where the railroad controlled by the Pennsylvania Company allowed for much of the travel. After the Civil War the population slowly climbed.

Like many historic places on the Eastern Shore, there was a devastating fire that covered much of the town but they rebuilt in the 1920s and created a roadway connecting it with the mainland. By 1925 a pony swim attracts more than 15,000 people to the island. Misty of Chincoteague is published in 1947 and the little known island creates a name for itself in the rest of the mainland. By the 1960’s, congress creates the Assateague Island National Seashore and tourism becomes one of the biggest industries.

It seems that in the 1920s and 30s when the rest of the world was expanding, Chincoteague was seen as somewhat of a time warp. One record claims girls were being married off as young as 14, and could be grandmothers by 30. Another source noted that there was a strong divide in the town between two classes with the fishermen and the “capitalists“. It goes on to describe the “native” Chincoteaguers as rural people, dressed in handmade clothes and spending most of their days (when not working) sitting out side of shops and standing in the streets.

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"Wanna see a dead horse body?"

You like horses? Of course you do. You like ponies? Even better. You want to see a dead one that’s stuffed and standing guard of a museum that was the star of a series of children’s literature stories? No? That’s weird you don’t want to, but a lot of people do. So in case you’re in the yay to dead ponies team- meet Misty.

As mentioned, Misty of Chincoteague is a local celebrity. Not only did the book and movie attract a new audience to the shore in the 1950’s and 60’s, but Misty also promoted the wild pony population and events surrounding them. One such event was called the “Saltwater Cowboys” which was an inspiration to the author, Marguerite Henry. Misty actually spent a lot of her life in Illinois, where Henry took her on tours and public appearances. Misty returned to Chincoteague where she was bred and had several foals including Stormy. Stormy was the key character in some of Henry’s follow up tales. (Ha, tales…get it…).

Pirates and Sailors and Ghosts, oh my!

Old Elisha Bloxom

As an island of watermen, many tales of sea lore circle around the island’s past. One is of the old fisherman Elisha Bloxom. Story goes he was helping to retrieve a beached ship when the yawl capsized and hit him on the head, causing him to drown. He was buried in the seashore and apparently did not want to spend eternity in the place he died. Mysterious sounds near the shoreline and in the house nearby. An immigrant family (who supposedly knew nothing of the story of Elisha) moved from the property as soon as their lease was finished due to strange noises and happenings throughout the halls.

Capt Hill House

Not to be confused with Hell House, the Timothy Hill House is considered the oldest house still standing on the island. It was relocated in 1980 but locals claim its past followed it in the move. In the common theme of love lost, Timothy Hill had a daughter Jennie who he wished to marry into a wealthy family. However, a man named Tom Freeman was in love with her and tried to convince Capt Hill to let them marry. When he refused, Tom show his love by bumrushing Jennie and her mother in a field and somehow shot Jennie. In despair, he then shot himself and only the mother survived. It is believed that Jennie still roams the halls, but apparently Tom is nowhere to be seen.

Pirates of the Bay

Maybe not as popular as their Caribbean cousins, the Chesapeake pirates had their share of looting, murdering, and folk lore that left a mark on the history of Chincoteague. There are tours available on the island that tell some of these better known stories. These pirates were considered part of the Brethren of the Coast. Besides the interesting addition to the sea lore that pirates provide, the ghost tours claim locals have witnessed these pirates in the bay and on the coastline.

Ghost Crabs

These ghost are not the misty apparitions that leave windows open and creep around the attic. Instead, these ghosts leave little holes in the sand at night. Ghost crabs, known locally as Sand Crabs, inhabit most of the Eastern Shore and there have been fossils of them discovered dating back to 2 million years ago. Even with their impression heritage, they are endangered thanks to people invading the shores with real estate, ATV’s, and little kids trying to dig them up and scare their little sister with one in their hand.