Worton Creek Marina, circa 1950.

In the 19th and early 20th century, Worton Creek had an active steamboat route, and a steamboat wharf on the site served as a hub for steamboats that transported produce, goods and people in an era before the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.

In 1949, in response to the growing number of recreational boaters and sailors, Bill and Eleanor Fairlie purchased the property with plans to create a marina. The property still had the old steamboat wharf as well as a farmhouse and a barn. The Fairlies converted the wharf building into the marina store, adding docks and fuel sales.  They quickly expanded the facility, building a restaurant with bath houses in the basement, a marine railway and a red shop building for repair work.

In 1970, Ken and Marion Roberts purchased Worton Creek Marina and continued to expand. They added more robust haul out capabilities, added an office to the main shop building, and constructed a paint shop, a lower bath house and a swimming pool. 

Today, the marina is owned and operated by John and Libby Patnovic, who purchased Worton Creek Marina in 1997.  As the third family to own the marina, the Patnovics worked to modernize the facility. They added larger fixed slips, increased the boat lift capacity to accommodate larger boats, built a new, more spacious paint shop, replaced two of the original docks with floating piers and greatly increased the capability of the boat repair operation.

But even as Worton Creek Marina grew in capacity and amenities, it stayed true to the heart of the business—a family-run, mom-and-pop marina where clients and boaters are on a first-name basis. With a comfortable, welcoming atmosphere, excellent customer service, and surrounded by the natural beauty of the creek, we are proud to honor the legacy of our marina for years to come.