On the eastern shore of the Nanticoke River, halfway up the Delmarva Peninsula and about 30 minutes outside of Salisbury, Maryland, sits an unusual home for sale with nearly 360-degree water views.

At 20156 Nanticoke Road, Nanticoke, Maryland, a wrap-around porch and an ingenious floor plan ensure the home’s owners and their guests can almost always see the wide, tranquil river and the wildlife it attracts: deer, bald eagles, wild turkeys and more.

You might say it feels almost like a resort. In fact, the home sits exactly on the spot where once stood a well-known hotel and vacation spot. Decades ago, visitors from around the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast flocked there by the hundreds to relax and play on the river as guests of the Waterview Beach Hotel.

 

The original grand old structure, a repurposed plantation house, fell into disrepair and was demolished in the 1980s, more than a decade before the home that sits there now was built. All that remains of the old resort is a capped-off well. If you drop in a coin, you’ll hear it splash into the water at the bottom.

In the summer of 1967, the site served as a summer camp for families attached to the Russian embassy in Washington, D.C. According to a local newspaper article, 63 children swam, fished and played games of “Russian football” – that’s soccer – at the “ancient” 20-room hotel.

“It was a very famous hotel down on the Eastern Shore,” said Brandon Brittingham, a native of the area and Long & Foster Real Estate agent representing the seller. “I remember my grandfather talking about it.”

The original structure was a private residence when it was built in 1810. A rumored passageway ran more than 100 yards from the home’s basement to the edge of the river, where boats could dock in the deep water.

Around 1919, the house is said to have been converted into a hotel and resort, enjoying the height of its popularity in the 1920s and 1930s, and housing as many as 250 visitors on weekends. But by the 1940s, the guests had moved on to more popular vacation spots in Ocean City and Rehoboth Beach, and the owners fell into financial trouble. The hotel was sold at public auction at the county courthouse, and its demise continued until it eventually had to be torn down.

The current three-bedroom, two-bathroom home was built in 1996 and sits on 4.78 secluded acres, with woods, open spaces and a pond. The property includes an extended pier on deep water, with electric boat and jet-ski lifts. From the pier, you can drop in a few crab pots or fish for striped bass, perch and croaker.

Brittingham said his favorite features of the fully updated home are its wrap-around, covered deck, and the way the structure is positioned so the occupants have panoramic views from every room. There’s no way to miss a spectacular sunset over the Nanticoke.

Hardwood floors, a fireplace and centrally located kitchen contribute to a cozy atmosphere. The stunning views are enhanced by both the house’s elevation on piers and its floor plan. The main living area is circular and open, facing the river, which is just yards away. A vaulted ceiling and multiple sets of sliding glass doors throughout make the home airy and light filled.

Off either side of the living area are two wings, also facing the river and housing private quarters for sleeping and enjoying the breeze, with walk-out access to the deck. A wide stairway leads from the central living area to the river and pier. The property is listed at $575,000.

For more information about Long & Foster, visit LongandFoster.com.