Maryland Route 12 - History

History

The portion of MD 12 south of Snow Hill was part of an old post road from the 18th century that ran the length of the Delmarva Peninsula. The section of the state highway north of Snow Hill is the descendant of the Old Snow Hill Road from Salisbury whose original bridge across the Pocomoke River dates to 1878. The Maryland State Roads Commission designated the highway from Stockton to Snow Hill as one of the original state roads in 1909. By 1910, the highway was paved within Stockton, between Snow Hill and Indiantown, and for about 2 miles (3.2 km) south from the city limit of Salisbury. The highway was paved from Snow Hill to a point north of Girdletree by 1917. The all-weather road between Snow Hill and Stockton was completed by 1921. The Snow Hill–Salisbury road was under construction by 1923. By 1927, MD 12 had been assigned to the highway despite a 4-mile (6.4 km) gap remaining from just north of the Wicomico–Worcester county line south toward Snow Hill. That gap was filled by 1930. In addition, MD 12's present northern terminus at Main Street, including the bridge across the South Prong of the Wicomico River, was constructed in 1928 and 1929. The highway had previously entered Salisbury along Lincoln Avenue and Division Street. The final portion of MD 12 was completed between Stockton and the Virginia state line by 1933. In addition, the present bridge across the Pocomoke River was completed in 1932. MD 12 was widened and straightened from Stockton to Salisbury between 1951 and 1954.