In 1869 Isaac Coffin opened a lodge on the beach in the area of today’s S. 1st Street and Boardwalk. Known as the Rhode Island Inn (and later the Ocean House), it catered to hunters and fishermen on the remote barrier island of what would become Ocean City.The property would be sold to Philadelphia native… Read more »
Much like the rise of the motel in the 1950s, the growth of condominiums in the 1970s changed the look and lifestyle of Ocean City.The first high-rise condo — the High Point South — was built by John Whaley in 1970 and within three years a stretch of beach in North Ocean City had become… Read more »
Shortly after the completion of the beach replenishment program, a fierce Nor’easter struck Ocean City on Jan. 4, 1992. It produced the second highest water level in the town’s history, topped only by that of the March Storm of 1962.Severe flooding took place in the downtown area and erosion was widespread along the beachfront. Fortunately,… Read more »
The Ocean City Beach Patrol poses on the beach at Caroline Street in 1948. The man in the center of the front row is Bob Craig, who served as captain of the beach patrol from 1946 to 1986.The city limits ended at 26th Street in those days, but there were few bathers north of the Commander… Read more »
A unique tourist attraction opened on S. 1st Street and the bay on June 26, 1965. Known as Open Sea Marine-Land, it was the creation of John Moton, owner of the neighboring Oceanic Motel.Moton wanted to build an up-close animal encounter with sea lions, porpoises and sea turtles with alligators and crocodiles as added attractions.Unfortunately,… Read more »
Rolling chairs were a familiar sight in Ocean City in 1920s and 1930s and were an early version of today’s Boardwalk tram. Many college students helped pay their tuition by pushing tourists up and down the Boardwalk in those wicker chairs on wheels.Rolling chairs originated in Atlantic City, N.J. and quickly made their way south…. Read more »
The Ocean City beachfront from Caroline Street to 2nd Street had a much different appearance in 1955 and some of the famous hotels and buildings of that era can be seen in this historic photo.Pictured, from left, are The Maryland Inn, the Coast Guard Station, the Showell block with Edwards 5 and 10, the Roosevelt Hotel… Read more »
In the early 1950s developer Leon Ackerman attempted to establish a community named Ocean Beach on Assateague Island. Fifteen miles of oceanfront property was surveyed with residential and commercial lots laid out. A paved road called Baltimore Boulevard (parts of which still exist today) ran down the center of the development about 10 miles south… Read more »
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 »
