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"An Ocean
City Memory"
by Paul McGehee. In the summer of 1915, the boardwalk at Ocean City,
Maryland, was alive with happy people on seaside holiday. After
settling into their hotel rooms, following a long rail journey, they
would dress in fine clothing and promenade along the boards, taking in
the sights and sounds of the beautiful shore. Tempting smells of
home-cooked meals wafted from the kitchens of hotels along the
boardwalk. The largest of these, the famous Atlantic Hotel, was one of
Ocean City's first. At Somerset Street, one could pause for a while and
listen to music played by the orchestra gathered on the bandstand, and
afterwards stop into the Washington Pharmacy for a Coca-Cola from their
soda fountain. Sounds of the surf mingled with the laughter of children
playing on the beach. Bathers, wearing suits reflecting the modesty of
the times, would brave the gently rolling breakers while searching for
shells. Generations of beach-goers fondly recall the swimming pool at
Showell's Bath House (the first on the shore), which had its water
pumped in directly from the ocean. From the Ocean Pier at Wicomico
Street, one could see the quaint panorama of "Hotel Row," the heart of
old town Ocean City. Hotels such as the "Mount Pleasant," "Plimhimmon,"
"Colonial," "Nordica," "Oceanic," "Rideau," and "Hamilton"; which live
today only in the memories of the many who have frequented this popular
beach through the years. Continuing a long tradition, Ocean City
remains one of the country's premier resort beaches, having preserved
the charm and hospitality of bygone days that families will enjoy for
generations to come.
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