Maryport was the site of a Roman port, built to complement the harbour at Ravenglass to the south. Many Roman remains are now in the Senhouse Roman Museum, once a Royal Naval Reserve Station. The modern town of Maryport was the creation of the Senhouse family in the 18th century, who developed the small fishing village into a coal port. It was a planned town with terraces of cottages built on a grid system, with employment centring on coal mining and ship building. Today is has a thriving tourist industry, based on the harbour area. The population is about 11500.