The hurricane of Aug. 23, 1933, was the single most important event in the history of Ocean City. This week marks the 86th anniversary of the storm.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… Read more »
The Lankford Hotel was constructed in 1924 on the Boardwalk between 8th and 9th streets by Mary Ayres Quillin. She built it with an inheritance from her aunt, Amelia Coffin Lankford, and named it in her honor.As with most hotels of that era, the Lankford originally operated on the American Plan where meals were included… Read more »
(Editor’s Note: With thousands of people converging on the Harbour Island Marina this week for the White Marlin Open, we thought it would be opportune to look back at the site before it was home to a housing community and host to the largest billfishing tourney in the world.)The Ship Café Restaurant and Marina was… Read more »
The Inlet Parking Lot began as a small strip parking area in the early 1950s. Enlarged several times over the years, it stretches today from the Pier building to the Inlet and provides space for more than 1,200 vehicles.In addition to providing much needed parking for the south end of the Boardwalk, it also serves… Read more »
Ocean City was a much smaller town a century ago. People came by both train and cars to stay at the Boardwalk hotels and boarding houses — there were no motels in those days — and dressed up to eat in the hotel dining rooms. It would have created a scandal had anyone shown up… Read more »
Mario’s was one of Ocean City’s legendary restaurants. Opened in 1954 by Vera and Jack Maiorana on 22nd Street and Philadelphia Avenue, it served an extensive Italian menu as well as some of the best steaks in Ocean City. The carryout shop was home to delicious subs that people still talk about today.Mario’s was a favorite… Read more »
The Alaska Stand was founded by Benjamin Givarz in 1933 on the Boardwalk at Wicomico Street. Not only did Mr. Givarz overcome economic problems associated with the Great Depression but also lost a prime week of the tourist season that year to the hurricane that created Ocean City’s Inlet. The Alaska Stand survived both to… Read more »
Located on 14th Street, the Commander Hotel was the most northern Boardwalk hotel when built by the Lynch family in 1930.The Commander was famous in the post-World War II era for beachfront clambakes and the quality of its dining rooms. Much of the credit was due to the outstanding work of the African-American waitstaff. Led… Read more »
Ocean City’s Easter parade and sunrise service began in 1947. Centered on the bandstand at Somerset Street, it become an annual tradition for over 25 years.Many locals recall getting dressed up and parading down the Boardwalk in hope of winning a prize for their Easter outfits. Others remember the Lions Club sponsoring an Easter egg… Read more »
The Paddock was one of Ocean City’s most popular nightclubs for 60 years. Built by Gabby Mancini, Sr. on the corner of 18th Street and Philadelphia Avenue in 1953, it featured live entertainment. The Saturday afternoon jam sessions were legendary and drew crowds to what in that era was considered “way up the beach.”The original building… Read more »
