Ocean City is Maryland's only coastal community, situated on a barrier island
that, until the mid-1800s, was a barren place attracting only a few fishermen
who came over from the mainland on small row boats. In 1869, a local farmer
named Isaac Coffin constructed a small inn to accommodate the fishermen and
others who were beginning to show an interest in the beach as a refuge from
city life. Soon, other hotel properties arose and after Ocean City became incorporated
in 1875, the small fishing village was on its way to becoming a seaside vacation
destination.
In 1876, a railroad
bridge was built over the Sinepuxent Bay. Prior to the bridge, visitors had
to ride the train to the edge of the mainland where they would then cross the
bay by boat. Visitors would travel hours to spend one idyllic afternoon at the
seashore.
In the early 1900s,
Daniel B. Trimper and his brother, both from Baltimore, started an amusement
park. The park is still owned and operated by the Trimper family. Capt. Christopher
Ludlum and his son, traveled from Cape May, NJ, and started the pound fishing
industry, the source of employment for many local men. While the men fished,
the wives and mothers were instrumental in running the hotels that catered to
vacationers.
The oldest part
of Ocean City is at the southernmost tip of the island. As you meander the area
below Division Street, look up, above the shops at street level. Cottages and
small hotels still proudly reflect the strong heritage of the early pioneers
of this town. For decades this was the hub of the resort. From about 9th Street
north, there were only a few lone cottages.
From 1900 to 1915,
the first of Ocean City's Boardwalk was constructed. In the early days, the
Boardwalk was taken up and stored during the winter. Today's Boardwalk is a
permanent walkway now spanning nearly three miles.
In August 1933,
a violent four-day storm hit Ocean City and cut an inlet through the island,
linking the ocean with the bay. The inlet soon brought a new industry to Ocean
City – sportfishing. With easy access to the ocean, fishermen no longer
had to launch boats through the surf or limit themselves to bay fishing. In
1934, the first white marlin was caught off the coast and Ocean City claimed
the title of "White Marlin Capital of the World."
This once humble
fishing village that covered only a few blocks of land now stretches 10 miles
long. Modern hotels and deluxe condominiums are now a part of the landscape,
but what draws visitors to our shore all year long has not changed. The invigorating
smell of the salt air. The majestic vista of the ocean. The luxuriating feel
of the sand. |
