Billy Heaton Whitworth and his wife Agnes opened Heaton’s Karmel Korn on the Boardwalk near Wicomico Street in 1944. Specializing in saltwater taffy and caramel popcorn, Heaton’s changed both its name and its menu when son-in-law Fred King purchased the business from Agnes after Billy’s death in 1953. Cotton candy, snow balls and candy apples… Read more »
The Stephen Decatur Hotel was built on the north corner of 12th Street and the Boardwalk in 1930. One of Ocean City’s most upscale hotels, its clientele included many business and political figures from Baltimore. The lobby featured two large fireplaces and the four tall columns supporting the porch roof were one of the most… Read more »
John Dale Showell, Jr. built Ocean City’s first swimming pool in 1917. Located on the Boardwalk between N. Division and Caroline streets, it was a salt water pool with water pumped in from the ocean. Showell charged 25 cents to swim in the pool and cleaned it once a week, refilling it at night. The… Read more »
Edwards 5 and 10 was a fixture on the Boardwalk at North Division Street for 75 years. The original store opened in 1937 and was one of just a handful of Ocean City businesses that stayed opened year-round. Managed for many years by Al Harmon, who also served as Ocean City’s fire chief for part… Read more »
The biblical sand sculptures have been an Ocean City tourist attraction for over 40 years. Located on the beach in front of the Plim Plaza Hotel, they are one of the most photographed sites on the Boardwalk. Themes such as Noah’s Ark, David and Goliath, Jesus on the Cross and the Last Supper inspire and… Read more »
Beefy’s was the first real fast food drive-through in Ocean City, opening in 1970. Located on Philadelphia Avenue between 17th and 18th streets, it preceded McDonald’s and other national chains by several years. Local kids made up over 80% of the help and for many this was their first job. A Beefy burger was the… Read more »
The Miami Court was the first motel in Ocean City. Built in 1948 by Ridge Harman Sr. on 22nd 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… Read more »
Georgia native Jodie “Joe” Thrasher, Sr. came to Ocean City in 1930 to run a baseball pitching machine game in the Pier building. He didn’t begin his French fry stand until 1939 when he began cooking his fries in frying pans using cottonseed oil. When cottonseed oil became unavailable during World War II, Thrasher switched… Read more »
Surf mats were popular until boogie boards took over in the late 1970s and many a “baby boomer” learned to the ride the waves on the canvas-covered inflatables. Called “rafts” by the tourists, the locals always referred to them as “surf mats.” Many became quite adept at riding them while kneeling or, in rare cases,… Read more »
One of the joys of childhood in Ocean City for many was the chance to earn some spending money (usually spent in a pinball arcade) selling sea shells on the Boardwalk. Conch shells were the best sellers and could easily be found on Assateague before the opening of the Verrazano Bridge made public access to… Read more »