Tucked away at the end of a quiet driveway in Southern Maryland — down a narrow wooded path — sits one of the smallest Civil War memorials in the United States.

Most people pass it without ever knowing it’s there.

In this episode of Saint Mary’s SoCo, host KT Harris uncovers the dramatic true story behind that hidden monument: the explosion and sinking of the USS Tulip on November 11, 1864.

This episode traces the Tulip’s journey from international shipyards to local shoreline, revealing how a global conflict left a permanent, quiet mark on our community — one still hidden in plain sight.

Caroline Fenwick didn’t live a life that made headlines — but she lived one that quietly carried the weight of duty, sacrifice, and endurance.

In Part 2 of The Story of Caroline, we continue the deeply human account of a Southern Maryland woman whose life was shaped not by romance, but by responsibility. From her early years to a marriage defined by work, silence, and obligation, Caroline’s story unfolds against the backdrop of farm life, Pax River Naval Air Station, and a world that often asked more of women than it gave back.

This episode explores the unseen labor of caregiving, the cost of staying when leaving isn’t an option, and the kind of strength that rarely gets celebrated. Caroline’s honesty — especially when asked whether her marriage was happy — cuts straight to the truth of a generation that believed in doing what had to be done, no matter the personal cost.

This is not a story of fantasy.
It’s a story of grit.
Of showing up.
Of survival.

At the mouth of the St. Mary’s River lies an island with a name that sounds like a children’s rhyme — but whispers of something much darker. Tippity Witchity.

Once a sacred courting ground… later a den of vice and secrets… and today, the site of chilling encounters no map can explain. From Confederate smugglers and floating bordellos to a pale woman said to rise from the river’s edge, this island’s story drifts between history and haunting.

Was the name born of legend, temptation, or something supernatural? No one knows for sure. But one thing is certain: Tippity Witchity still keeps her secrets — and if you listen closely, you might just hear the water call your name.

The Story of Caroline is a haunting, true tale set in the southernmost part of St. Mary’s County, Maryland. In the early 1950s, young Caroline would accompany her father to the local tomato canning factory—never imagining that simply being there would change her life. Noticed by a factory manager, Caroline soon found herself caught in a web of attention & affection. What began as a youthful brush with love ended abruptly, leaving behind unanswered questions and a silence that lasted generations. This podcast pieces together her story, one of innocence, heartbreak, and a community still reckoning with its past.

Narrated By K.T. Harris
Produced By Kris Lark

Featuring additional imaging voice work by Daree Allen & Joe

In this "spirited" episode of St. Mary’s SOCO Stories, we uncork the secret world of moonshiners in Southern Maryland during Prohibition. When the nation went dry, the back roads of Ridge, St. Inigoes, and beyond lit up with copper stills and bootleg liquor runs.

But this wasn’t just a local affair—some of that risky whiskey didn’t stop at the county line. Rumor has it, jugs and bottles filled with "good juice" from South County found their way into the hands of the powerful in Washington, D.C.

Narrated By K.T. Harris

Produced By Kris Lark

Featuring additional imaging voice work by Terry Briscoe & Joe

In this episode of St. Mary’s SOCO Stories, we dive into the gritty, little-known maritime conflict that once rocked the Chesapeake Bay—the Oyster Wars.

From the 1800s through the early 1900s, the waters off Southern Maryland became a battleground between local watermen, out-of-state dredgers, and the so-called "Oyster Navy." Fueled by profit and survival, these clashes weren’t just legal disputes—they turned violent, with raids, boat chases, and even gunfire echoing over the water.

Join us as we explore how a yummy, shelled creature sparked chaos, how Ridge and Point Lookout played a role, and how the legacy of the oyster wars still shapes the culture of the Chesapeake today.

Narrated By K.T. Harris
Produced By Kris Lark

Featuring additional imaging voice work by Terry Briscoe & Joe

Long before speedboats and sailboats dotted the Potomac, its waters were prowled by pirates and privateers who made their mark on Southern Maryland's rich and rebellious history. In this episode of St. Mary's SOCO, we uncover the wild and often-overlooked stories of smuggling, sabotage, and swashbuckling along the Potomac River. From rogue raiders to sanctioned privateers, and even a few local legends who walked the line between hero and outlaw — these are the Pirates of the Potomac. Buckle up for a tide of tales you won’t find in your history book.

Narrated By K.T. Harris
Produced By Kris Lark

Featuring additional imaging voice work by Terry Briscoe & Joe

It’s where the land ends, the waters meet, and the stories never stop. In this episode of St. Mary’s SOCO, we head to Point Lookout — a place known for its beauty, its battles, and its bone-chilling hauntings.

Once home to a Civil War prison camp and hospital, Point Lookout has earned a reputation as one of the most haunted spots in the country. But before the ghosts came the soldiers, the shipwrecks, the lighthouse keepers, and the whispered warnings from the past.

Is it history? Is it legend? Or is it something in between?

Step softly. The spirits are listening.

Narrated By K.T. Harris

Produced By Kris Lark

Featuring additional imaging voice work by Terry Briscoe & Joe