It has been 55 years since the famous storm of March 6-7, 1962 devastated Ocean City. Weather forecasting was in its infancy in those days and the storm — a Nor’easter, not a hurricane — took the town by surprise. Flooding from heavy rain and abnormally high tides trapped many citizens in their homes as… Read more »
J/R’s the Place for Ribs was one of Ocean City’s most popular restaurants for over 30 years. Located at the foot of the Route 90 Bridge, it was the first stop for many visitors driving to the beach every summer. Opened in 1980 on 62nd Street and Coastal Highway by Jack Hubberman and Joel Colton,… Read more »
In a precursor to American involvement in World War II, the Norwegian freighter “Olaf Bergh” ran aground about 60 yards off the beach at 94th Street on March 7, 1941. The ship was hugging the coastline to avoid German submarines that were lurking offshore. The U.S. Coast Guard stationed in Ocean City rescued the crew by… Read more »
B.B. Bombers opened in 1980 and quickly became one of Ocean City’s most popular surf shops. Boards, T-shirts, wetsuits and clothing, such as shorts and swimsuits, were sold at the small store on 8th Street. B.B. Bombers (a “bomb” is surfing slang for a big wave) is best remembered for the surf camps it sponsored… Read more »
The Sinepxuent Bay Bridge (now known as the Harry Kelley Memorial Bridge or more commonly the Route 50 Bridge) was under construction in this 1942 photo. This bridge replaced the original single lane automobile bridge, which had been built in 1916 and entered town at Worcester Street. Construction began in 1940 and was completed by… Read more »
Postmarked Aug. 2, 1927, this postcard illustrates how much Ocean City has changed in 90 years. The Boardwalk was raised far above the beach in those days and on hot days bathers would seek shade under it. Some would plan a picnic lunch under the Boardwalk with the smell of creosote, damp wood and wet… Read more »
Ocean City has seen its share of eye-catching advertising devices over the years. The Giant Bull with sunglasses at Capt. Bob’s Steakhouse on 64th Street, Laffin’ Sal at Jester’s Fun House on Worcester Street and Morbid Manner with its ghosts and ghouls on the pier have all pass-ed into history. One of the most recent… Read more »
Much of Ocean City’s bayside was still undeveloped in this aerial view of 53rd to 54th streets in the mid-1970s. Boulden’s Marina — today the site of Beach World, Chauncey’s Surf-O-Rama and Bayside Rentals — is in the center of the photo while the large grassy area is now occupied by the San Remo Condominium. The small… Read more »
The Knickerbocker Ferry passes through the Route 50 Bridge in February 1971. Planned as a floating shopping mall with two restaurants and a 200-seat movie theater, the former Staten Island, N.Y., Ferry met with nothing but disaster during her three-and-a-half year stint in Ocean City. Owned by the Washington-based company, Ferryboat Ltd., the boat got… Read more »
The development of Ocean Pines by the Boise Cascade Corporation began in 1968 and continued at a rapid pace throughout the 1970s. In the early years, there was no Route 90 bridge and unique marketing strategies to sell lots “in the middle of nowhere” included Hawaiian Luaus, a private clubhouse and pool on the beach… Read more »