Fashions in the 1890s and early 1900s 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. Many… Read more »
The first bridge to carry automobile traffic into Ocean City was approved by the Maryland General Assembly in 1916 but did not officially open until July 4, 1919.Known to locals as the “State Roads Bridge,” it had a single lane in each direction. It crossed the Sinepuxent Bay at its most narrow point and entered… Read more »
The Saute Cafe was a popular restaurant in rapidly growing north Ocean City in the early 1980’s. Located at 123rd Street and Coastal Highway, the Saute Cafe had developed a loyal following among both locals and numerous condominium owners in that section of town.Tragedy struck on July 16, 1983 when a fire broke out shortly… 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… Read more »
Ocean City High School included grades 1-12 in the same building on the corner of 3rd Street and Baltimore Avenue until the fall of 1954 when the high school students moved to the new Stephen Decatur High School outside of Berlin. In the year prior to the move, all grades participated in special events such… Read more »
In the 1950s, a new town known as Ocean Beach was being promoted on the northern end of Assateague Island about five miles south of Ocean City.The development faced several problems, however, including access — there was no bridge to Assateague in those days and the small ferry could only carry three cars. Another problem… Read more »
The Knotty Pine Restaurant was located on Baltimore Avenue across from St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Catholic Church.Owned by Stacy and Kathryn Ludlam, it had the distinction of having Mattie Handy Robinson as one of its employees. Her brother, W.C. Handy, was known as the “Father of the Blues” and achieved international fame as… Read more »
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 »
