Vanishing Ocean City With Bunk Mann

Vanishing Ocean City With Bunk Mann
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Dr. Francis J. Townsend, Sr. was Ocean City’s first physician, serving the town’s medical needs from 1900 until his death in 1945. In an era when babies were born at home and the nearest hospital was 30 miles away, Dr. Townsend would ride his bicycle up and down the Boardwalk to call on his patients. It is reported that he received $2 for a house call and $2 for an office visit.

Dr. Townsend was also a pharmacist and a business leader. He developed the formula for a skin product that today is known as Noxzema. He built the town’s bandstand in front of his Washington Pharmacy on the Boardwalk and brought the first “rolling chairs” (an early version of the Boardwalk Tram) to Ocean City in 1920s. He also served on the City Council.

Following his death in July 1945, his son, Dr. Francis J. Townsend, Jr., continued the family medical tradition and served Ocean City for another 43 years.

Photo courtesy the Ocean City Life Saving Station Museum