Farming and industry intertwine in Hurlock
Built around the Delaware Railroad in the early 1890s, Hurlock has always been a major industrial hub in north Dorchester County, reflected by the town motto of “on track … since 1892.” Today, several large-scale industrial farms surround the town, as well as manufacturing and trucking businesses. It’s an appealing spot for buyers seeking rural single-family homes with a secluded, slower pace of life. “It’s a very laid-back rural environment. It’s got one firehouse, two gas stations and a Dollar General,” says Henry Gibbons-Neff, an Eastern Shore native and associate broker with Meredith Fine Properties. “Folks usually head to Cambridge or Easton if they want to shop or get groceries.” Though it offers several locally loved establishments, Hurlock residents can also drive to larger cities like Cambridge for more retail and dining options. Locals can work at industrial farms just minutes away from their homes or take U.S. Route 50 to Salisbury in under an hour.
Hurlock Free Library, community green spaces and nature preserves
Hurlock Free Library is the oldest library on the Eastern Shore and is part of the Dorchester County Library system. It offers weekly events, such as story time and stitch and knit craft classes. Hurlock Park is part of the Hurlock Elementary School campus and features baseball diamonds. Hurlock Triangle Park is a small pocket green space with a playground. Eight miles north of town is Idylwild Natural Area, a vast, 3,800-acre preserve where visitors can hike along forested trails, birdwatch or go hunting in established zones.
Rural single-family homes and farmland for sale
Buyers can find ramblers, American Foursquares, Colonial Revivals and Cape Cods along narrow country roads. Prices range from $100,000 to $350,000 and vary by lot size, square footage and age. “Aside from the homes, there’s a lot of farmland around here, which is popular for some buyers,” says Gibbons-Neff. Multi-acre parcels of rural land, often zoned for residential or agricultural use, are also on the market. Though large farms are spaced out around the area, most homes in town sit close together in a more traditional suburban layout.
Main Street dining and Cambridge nearby for shopping
Locals can head to Mom-n-Pop's, a diner on Main Street, for homestyle breakfast and lunch entrees. Across the street, Hurlock Pizza Palace offers meatball subs, burgers and hot pies. Though there are a handful of small corner markets like Hurlock General Store, residents usually have to venture out of town for groceries and shopping options. Cambridge is 14 miles south of town and has fast-food chains and supermarkets like Food Lion and Aldi along U.S. Route 50.
Hurlock Fall Festival offers train rides
The Hurlock Fall Festival has been an annual tradition since 1992 and is a great way for neighbors to come together and share community spirit. The festival usually takes place in mid-October and features a parade, food and craft vendors, and train rides on the Fall Festival Express.
Children can attend Dorchester County Public Schools
Dorchester County Public Schools is the main district serving Hurlock and earns a C-plus from Niche. Students can attend Hurlock Elementary School and North Dorchester Middle School, which both get C-plus ratings, while North Dorchester High School gets a B-minus rating. The high school features several Advanced Placement and Honors courses, as well as IT and vocational programs for early career readiness.
Commuters reach Salisbury in less than an hour
Salisbury is 29 miles away on Route 50, which usually takes about 40 minutes depending on traffic. The city also hosts Salisbury Regional Airport, a major Eastern Shore travel hub. Several agricultural employers sit on the outskirts of Hurlock, including Amick Farms, for poultry, and B&G Foods, which makes food products for over 50 different brands. The nearest hospital is the University of Maryland Shore Medical Center at Cambridge, 13 miles away.
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Written By
Maxwell Olarinde
