Tall Timbers

In 1917, a simple question echoed through the tall timbers of Piney Point, Maryland. “Who owns the property with the tall timbers?” This question, posed by Uncle Henry Juenemann, marked the beginning of the Tall Timbers story. Tall Timbers is more than just a marina. It’s a living testament to six generations of the Meatyard family. Their story began with a steamboat journey down the Potomac River. Uncle Henry, captivated by the area’s natural beauty, purchased a 132-acre portion of Piney Point known as Thrice-Carter Track. He renamed it “Tall Timbers on the Potomac”, a name that would soon grace the local post office and the town itself, thanks to the first postmaster, Ruby Bailey. The land held hidden treasures, including productive oyster grounds in Herring Creek. For years, the Meatyard family harvested these oysters, eventually selling them at their own Reluctant Navigator Restaurant, opened in 1971. The family’s entrepreneurial spirit didn’t stop at oysters. In 1932, they established the Tall Timbers Camp for Boys, welcoming youngsters from Washington D.C. The camp boasted colorful counselors, including a Washington Redskin player, law students, and even Ross Allen, known for his Florida reptile farm. Allen’s contribution? He brought alligators to the camp, adding an unexpected twist to the boys’ summer adventures. A photograph in the marina’s museum captures a chilling moment: Ruby Bailey’s son, Jr. Bailey, standing beside an alligator captured and killed in Herring Creek. World War II brought the era of the boys’ camp to an end. The government requisitioned housing for personnel stationed at the newly established Patuxent River Naval Air Base. The war’s impact, however, paved the way for Tall Timbers’ next chapter. In 1959, the Army Corps of Engineers designated Herring Creek as a safe harbor. This led to the Herring Creek Navigation Project, which dredged the channel and constructed jetties, transforming the area into a haven for boaters. The Meatyard family seized the opportunity, building and maintaining Tall Timbers Marina at their own expense, providing public access to the state’s navigable waters. Today, Tall Timbers Marina continues to thrive. It’s a place where the echoes of history mingle with the laughter of children and the gentle lapping of waves against the docks. It stands as a testament to the family’s enduring legacy, a place where a simple question about “tall timbers” sparked a century of stories.