Maryport has origins stretching back to Roman times with a fort, Alauna, around AD 122 being built as part of the support for Hadrian's Wall. Surveys and digs have established that a much larger town existed around this fort. The local Senhouse Roman museum has many Roman artefacts on display.

Humphrey Senhouse developed the present port in 1749 and changed the name from Ellenfoot to Maryport after his wife of the same name.

An iron foundry along with the development of the coal mines helped the local economy to grow strongly. Shipbuilding also prospered and the narrowness of the river meant that newly built ships had to be launched in an unusual way - broadside on.

Maritime history fans will be interested to know Maryport was the birthplace of Thomas Henry Ismay at Ropery House on 7 January 1837. He was the eldest son of shipbuilder Joseph Ismay and went on, after being educated in Carlisle, to become the founder of the "Oceanic Steam Navigation Company" - otherwise known by most people as the White Star Line.

The railway link through to Carlisle was completed in the 1840's - the engineer in charge was no less than George Stephenson.

During the early part of the 20th century, industry declined and at one point unemployment was at 50%. The area is strongly labour controlled but is now beginning to regenerate with a potentially bright future ahead of it. Maryport is where our artificial grass factory was built and still remains today. We are proud to be manufacturers based in Maryport and feel we are playing our part in the regeneration of the town.

Links
Maryport harbour and Marina
http://www.maryportmarina.com/

Maryport Blues festival
http://www.maryportblues.com/