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"The
Fun House - Ocean City, Maryland" by Paul McGehee. The famous Boardwalk
attraction at Worcester Street (built in the late 1920s) is depicted as
it appeared in its heyday in the 1940s. It was built by Thomas Conway,
a carnival attraction owner from Atlantic City. For most of its career
it was owned by Lloyd and Irma Jester and later their son, Lloyd Jr.
The Fun House contained a maze of rooms...some of which contained air
stunts, obstacles, tilting floors, distorting mirrors, a giant gorilla
known as The Harris Devil, an octopus...and even a motorized bulldog
named Bruno who would leap out at visitors! And, who could forget the
infectious laughter of the "Laffing Sal" figure who would greet
visitors with guffaws and waving arms as they entered?! Eventually, The
Fun House closed after being responsible for over 40 years of laughter
by the sea. It was torn down in the early 1970s and replaced by the
Sportland Arcade. The memories, however, linger on. A lot of fun and
laughs could be had back then for just a few pennies. And, whatever
became of "Laffing Sal"? She is now restored and can be seen at the
Ocean City Life Saving Station Museum on the Boardwalk at the
Inlet...drop by and say hello! This scene evokes nostalgic memories of
warm summer days at the beach, cotton candy, straw hats, and the sounds
of carnival music mingled with the seagulls and surf. "The Fun House"
is faithfully reproduced from Paul's original color pencil drawing as
an archival quality print issued in a strictly limited edition of only
500 pieces each hand-signed by the artist.
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