The hurricane of Aug. 23, 1933, was the single most important event in the history of Ocean City.Eighty-five years ago, it created the Inlet, separated Assateague from Ocean City and ended the pound fishing and railroad eras forever. The creation of the Inlet made possible the commercial harbor and brought about the emergence of the… Read more »
The original “Boardwalk Train” was five cars long plus an engine that actually looked like a train. Each car carried a maximum of six people and had just two wheels with the axle in the middle. It cost 25 cents for a one-way trip down the Boardwalk and it was a bumpy ride.On June 23,… Read more »
With the White Marlin Open being held this week, it’s important to recall two organizations that have had a positive impact on sport fishing in this area — the Ocean City Marlin Club and the Ocean City Light Tackle Club, pictured above at the Dorchester Street dock circa 1955.In 1938, there had been 781 white… Read more »
Irma Jones Jester was one of Worcester County’s legendary figures. Born in 1900, she taught school for over 45 years beginning in a one room schoolhouse in the village of Sinepuxent near today’s Frontier Town. In later years, she taught fifth grade at the old Ocean City Elementary School (which is now City Hall) and… Read more »
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 »
Lt. James Baker was with little doubt the most famous officer in the history of the Ocean City Police Department.He served from 1965 to 1998 and in his own words, “enjoyed every minute of it.” At 6’4” and over 450 pounds, “Big Bake” was not a man to mess with if you intended on breaking… Read more »
West Ocean City has changed noticeably in the years since World War II. The unincorporated area on the mainland west of the Route 50 Bridge where today new motels, restaurants and shopping malls appear to expand on a daily basis was once a land of farms, produce stands, and a few small rental cabins.The Route… Read more »
The Jolly Roger Amusement Park began in 1963 as an Arnold Palmer Miniature Golf Course and Driving Range. At that time, the city limits ended at 41st Street and the area along the bayside at 30th Street was considered “way up the beach.”Owner Charles “Buddy” Jenkins added kiddie rides the next summer (including a train and a… Read more »
Jackson’s Casino was Ocean City’s most popular nightclub in the late 1930s and throughout the 1940s. Music, drinks and slot machines were the main attraction at the big wooden building on the Boardwalk between 9th and 10th streets.Jcakson’s was where the locals hung out and many still recall the special façade built to meet blackout requirements during… Read more »
Prior to the mid-1970s, Ocean City was a seasonal resort. The tourist season ran from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day and it was said, “you could fire a cannon down Baltimore Avenue the day after Labor Day and not hit a soul.” Less than 900 people lived in town year-round.This aerial photo from the… Read more »
