At one time, Tasley was a bustling railroad town, boasting the first electric power plant, first paved road and first self-organized volunteer fire company in the county.

Steamships from Baltimore docked at nearby Onancock; the produce and goods were carried from there to Tasley's busy rail station for fast shipment.

In its heyday, Tasley boasted three restaurants, four general stores, a hotel, post office, rail station, two tractor dealerships, two sawmills, volunteer fire company, ice plant, coal sales, car dealerships, several produce grading sheds and power plant.

When the railroad ceased passenger service in 1958, the town was dealt a blow, but the coming of the Route 13 bypass in the mid-1960s robbed Tasley of its commercial and industrial status.

The town fell into a deep slumber for many years before the growth in neighboring communities spilled over into its boundaries.