Can you imagine a time when getting to your summer cottage meant navigating a muddy, rutted road? Felicity Cove Marsh, nestled beside the Chesapeake Bay, holds memories of such times. Felicity Cove, a collection of cottages near Shady Side, Maryland, was a popular summer escape for Washington D.C. residents in the 1920s. Betty Lawton’s family sought refuge from the city heat at their cottage, Pocologan, situated at the mouth of Jack Creek. Felicity Cove Marsh stretched before their cottage. It was a vibrant ecosystem teeming with wildlife, from whip-poor-wills and owls to the elusive marsh wren.
The marsh itself was a unique landscape. You could walk on its spongy surface, though cautiously. Deep holes and sharp grasses lurked beneathfoot. Across the creek stood a dilapidated oyster house, a relic of a bygone era. It was a reminder of the Cove’s history as a working waterfront. Beyond the oyster house, the marsh extended toward the Chesapeake Bay. It curved gracefully, forming a long beach of finely crushed oyster shells.
Felicity Cove Marsh wasn’t just a scenic backdrop. It was a playground for young Betty and her brother Ted. They explored Jack Creek in small rowboats, discovering hidden depths and marveling at marsh wren nests. The creek led to two large, shallow lakes, their muddy bottoms a deterrent to further exploration for young Betty. Ted, however, was more adventurous. He had a motorboat, the Pocolong, built to his father’s specifications for safety over speed. He used the boat to pull a surfboard, sharing rides with his younger sister. Felicity Cove Marsh was also the site of community gatherings. The 200-foot pier buzzed with evening conversations and laughter. Beach parties on the marsh, complete with hot dogs and ghost stories, were a summer highlight.
The road to Felicity Cove was notoriously difficult. The Lawton family sometimes resorted to hiring a waterman to ferry them from Galesville, bypassing the muddy quagmire. Betty’s mother was instrumental in fundraising for road improvements. She organized a circus in the park behind Pocologan. It featured trained fleas, a strongman act, and young Betty balancing on a sawhorse “high wire”. Another fundraiser involved a play written by Betty’s mother. “Freddy’s Midsummer Night’s Dream” used the cottage’s bedroom doors as stage entrances and exits. It featured children dressed as characters from fairy tales.
Felicity Cove Marsh and its surroundings witnessed not only community fun, but also the raw power of nature. During a record-breaking hurricane in the 1930s, Betty watched in awe as a massive wave ripped the platform off the community pier. The water surged over Pocologan’s front lawn, a precursor to the devastation Hurricane Isabel would later bring. Felicity Cove Marsh retains a charm woven from childhood memories and community spirit. It is a testament to a simpler time, when summers were filled with exploration, creativity, and the quiet beauty of the marsh.