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 sand… Read more »
The Dew Tour was an “extreme sports” competition held in Ocean City for several days each June from 2011-2014. Sponsored by the popular soft drink Mountain Dew, it featured athletes, such as Shaun White and Bucky Lasek, exhibiting skills in skateboarding and BMX events. Billed as a family styled event, the Dew Tour brought thousands… Read more »
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 initial motels… Read more »
The Plimhimmon Hotel fire on Nov. 21, 1962, was one of the biggest ever fought by the Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company.The Plimhimmon, a Victorian structure built in 1894, was the town’s largest hotel and at the time of the fire was being further enlarged. Although many confuse this blaze with the Boardwalk arsons that… Read more »
The Maryland State Fireman’s Convention has been a signature event for over 70 years in Ocean City. For several decades, it was the largest held all summer and ushered in the true beginning of the summer season.Prior to 1970, meetings and exhibits took place at the former high school/elementary school (today’s City Hall) at 3rd… Read more »
Eight blocks of Boardwalk from North Division to 1st streets were rebuilt in concrete and widened by 10 feet between January and April in 1955.The Mayor and Council had decided to replace the wood with concrete due to maintenance costs. The George Bert Cropper Company did the work for $43,819 and used some of the… Read more »
The Town of Ocean City was incorporated by the Maryland General Assembly on April 12, 1880. It included the land between N. Division Street and S. Division Street plus property on the south side including the vicinity of today’s Inlet. The Inlet did not exist at this time; it would be created during a storm… Read more »
The Paddock was built by Gabby Mancini on 18th Street and Philadelphia Avenue in what was then considered “way up the beach.” It opened in 1953 as a bar and restaurant specializing in live entertainment. The interior was knotty pine and had a mural painted over the bar featuring horse racing.The original building, pictured, was partially… Read more »
This postcard image (circa 1909) shows an Ocean City in the time before paved streets and traffic jams. Photographed from the old water tower on Somerset Street the view looks east across Baltimore Avenue toward the ocean.The tall brick chimney in the foreground was part of the town’s electric power plant while the original Atlantic… Read more »
1962 was a historic year for Ocean City. It marked the beginning of the luxury hotel/motel era, signaled the swan song of the old wooden Boardwalk hotels, and saw the greatest storm to ever hit the town.The city limits ended at 41st Street in 1962 and much of the land north of there was sparsely… Read more »
