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, even… Read more »
Category: Vanishing Ocean City
Vanishing Ocean City
Vanishing Ocean City With Bunk Mann – May 19, 2017
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 the… Read more »
Vanishing Ocean City With Bunk Mann – May 12, 2017
The Monticello Hotel was located on the southeast corner of 3rd Street and Baltimore Avenue. It drew much of its clientele from visitors arriving by bus at the Trailways Station a block away.The Dinner Bell Restaurant occupied the ground floor of the four-story frame building and was one of Ocean City’s most popular restaurants in… Read more »
Vanishing Ocean City With Bunk Mann – May 5, 2017
In June 1990, Ocean City attempted to build the “world’s largest sandcastle” with hopes that it would make the Guinness Book of Records.Built on the beach at North Division Street, it was over 40 feet tall and was visible from the Route 50 Bridge. A light show was featured at night. The big castle attracted… Read more »
Vanishing Ocean City With Bunk Mann – April 28, 2017
Ocean City’s motel industry developed in the mid-1950s following the opening of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and the desire of young families for lodging that was casual, inexpensive and that offered easy on-site parking. Within a decade, the vacant land between 15th and 33rd streets became known as “Motel Row.”Motel Row grew from a few… Read more »
Vanishing Ocean City With Bunk Mann – April 21, 2017
The building known today as City Hall served as Ocean City High School beginning in 1917. Its first graduating class had only seven students — proof that Ocean City was indeed a small town in those days.The first school bus was built by Hugh T. Cropper Sr. on a used Ford Model-T chassis in 1912…. Read more »
Vanishing Ocean City With Bunk Mann – April 14, 2017
The original Morbid Manor was the ultimate “haunted house” with live actors portraying ghosts, goblins and ghouls of all shapes and sizes. It even featured a plane crash on the third floor of the spooky building located on the Fishing Pier at Wicomico Street and the beach.The screams of frightened visitors could be heard on… Read more »
Vanishing Ocean City With Bunk Mann – April 7, 2017
The Ocean City beachfront has changed dramatically over the past 60 years. In this picture (circa 1955) taken from a balcony at the old Commander Hotel, the narrowness of the beach in that era is evident , and the photo was taken on low tide.The placement of the umbrellas suggests a windy day and an… Read more »
Vanishing Ocean City With Bunk Mann – March 31, 2017
Shantytown Village was developed by Daniel Trimper IV and opened in 1976 next to the Route 50 Bridge in West Ocean City. It was designed to resemble a New England fishing village and was modeled on photos taken by Trimper during a visit to Nantucket Island.It was a popular attraction for Ocean City’s visitors and… Read more »
Vanishing Ocean City With Bunk Mann – March 24, 2017
The year 1896 is an important date in the history of Ocean City for it marked the beginning of the commercial fishing industry and changed a small seasonal resort to a year-round town.Captain Christopher Ludlam brought a crew of fishermen from Cape May, N.J. and began pound fishing off the coast of Ocean City in… Read more »