Ocean City had a different appearance 90 years ago. This photo, taken from the second-floor porch of the Atlantic Hotel in 1930, shows “rolling chairs” — the Boardwalk Tram of that era — prominently displayed in the foreground. The original bandstand, constructed in front of Dr. Francis Townsend, Sr. ‘s Washington Pharmacy, is the deck-style… Read more »

Fashions in the 1890’s and early 1900’s were far more formal than what can be seen in Ocean City today. In that era, people dressed up to stroll on the Boardwalk. Men wore hats and suits — or at least a coat and tie — and women wore long skirts, fancy hats and long-sleeved blouses…. Read more »

The Breakers Hotel was built circa 1904 on the southwest corner of 3rd Street and the Boardwalk and at the time was one of the northernmost hotels in Ocean City.The Breakers, like most of the hotels of the era, operated on the American Plan (meals included with room) and did so up into the early 1950s…. Read more »

Fager’s Island was the first bar and restaurant on the bayside in what was then the growing midtown area of Ocean City in 1975.John Fager changed the look of the typical local bar scene by adding large glass windows and a magnificent view of the Assawoman Bay at sunset. He combined good music and fine… Read more »

Ocean City has had its share of colorful characters over the years. The blind musicians Tex, with his 10-gallon hat, and Shorty, with his banjo and dog Mandy; “Pop” Wendling with over 200 Popeye tattoos and his novelty joke shop; and the late Boardwalk Elvis (who passed away this year) were just a few of… Read more »

Ocean City north of 15th Street was mostly undeveloped from there to the Delaware line in the late 1940s. There was, however, a small community known to locals as “Maryland Fenwick” in the area of today’s 141st Street (known at that time as Lea Avenue). There were approximately 50 cottages and a general store, which centered around… Read more »

The area north of 10th Street was developed in the late 1920s at a time when the city limits ended at 15th Street. This quickly became the home of some of Ocean City’s elite hotels known for outstanding hospitality and exceptional dining.The hotels pictured above are all gone now, victims of progress and an ever-increasing… Read more »

Ocean City in 1915 was a small village with about 600 residents. Most of the men worked as commercial fishermen or on the railroad while the women managed the hotels and boarding houses. The tourist season ran from mid-June to Labor Day and there was no off-season. The hotels closed after Labor Day and the… Read more »

By 1900 Ocean City had become home to a small but growing community. The population had risen to 365 year-round residents, partially due to its commercial fishing industry. Tourism had also grown and though the season was short – mid June to Labor Day – new properties stretched along the Boardwalk for nearly 12 blocks.The… Read more »