Vanishing Ocean City With Bunk Mann – May 19, 2023

The Miami Court was the first motel in Ocean City. Built in 1948 by Ridge Harman Sr. on 22^nd Street and Philadelphia Avenue, the site is now the parking lot for Fish Tales and Bahia Marina.

The term motel comes from “motor-hotel.” A motel offered lower-priced accommodations in a less formal setting with “drive up to the doorstep parking.” This appealed to families with young children in the post-World War II “baby boom” era.

Within a decade, motels had sprung up all over Ocean City and the area from 15^th to 33^rd streets became known as “motel row.”

To purchase one of Bunk Mann’s books, click over to www.vanishingoc.com.