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 politicians and power brokers in Washington, D.C.

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 creatures 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.

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.