In 1913 this property belonged to a wealthy Baltimorian, Mr. H. R. Mayo Thom. He was the first person in Maryland to plant oysters on land leased from the state under the new Haman Oyster Culture Law. The Rocky Beach Oyster Farm was located offshore here between the Patapsco River to the north and the Magothy River to the south and covered 1500 acres. Although the seeded oyster beds did produce there was one major flaw in the idea -- poachers. In spite of efforts of the Thoms and others there was no way to stop the poaching. Catherine (Thom) Parsons, daughter of H.R. Mayo Thom relates: "They came under cover of fog; they came in the night; they even came in broad daylight...Nothing short of gunfire would have stopped them..." Rocky Beach Oyster Farm failed. | 
