The Ocean City area continues to sprawl westward across the bay and toward Berlin and Ocean Pines. It is part of the Ocean Pines Micropolitan Statistical Area. The resort area now accommodates hundreds of thousands of vacationers a year.

Ocean City now extends just over 9 miles (~15 km) from the southern inlet to the Delaware line. The strip now supports hotels, motels, apartment houses, shopping centers, residential communities, and condominiums. The southern tip houses the Ocean City Boardwalk. The boardwalk is the main shopping district and entertainment area of the town. The boardwalk has many prominent businesses including Fisher’s Caramel Popcorn & Thrashers French Fries. Other notable boardwalk businesses are Dollies Salt Water Taffy, the Atlantic Stand & Dumser’s Dairyland. The Boardwalk has two amusement parks, Trimper’s Rides and The Pier, which was recently renamed Jolly Roger at The Pier, after its sister uptown local amusement park. The downtown neighborhood is marked by Victorian style houses and other older buildings, many of which have been razed in recent years to construct more parking lots, hotels and condos.

Ocean City has a long history of fishing, both commercial and recreational. The town bills itself as the “White Marlin Capital of the World.” During the summer numerous charter and private boats fish for billfish, tuna, Wahoo, and other game fish. In early August, one of the largest fishing tournaments in the world, the White Marlin Open, is held. Prize money for the largest White Marlin, Blue Marlin, and Tuna can range over 1 million dollars.

The town supports a year-round population of about 8,000, with the town itself being a major employer. Summer employment in Ocean City rises many multiples above that level, supported by a large number of college-age and young adults – many native to Eastern Europe and the United Kingdom – attracted by numerous job opportunities. In the summer, businesses and government agencies are augmented with about 100 seasonal police officers, plus extra firefighters and other workers.

Tourism in the winter has picked up pace. Where once even many traffic lights were shut down or bagged up, increased traffic from golfers and Ocean City Convention Center conventions has convinced many seasonal restaurants and hotels to remain open. Many bars and restaurants that close during the winter re-open for St. Patrick’s Day.

The city has erected a memorial to the firefighters who lost their lives on September 11. This memorial is located on the boardwalk, about six blocks from the inlet. The memorial consists of a firefighter statue, engraved brick and stone, and a piece of one of the twin towers that collapsed in New York City.

Effective 26 April 2010, the town of Ocean City began diverting all of its recyclable waste into the main waste stream. Ocean City’s waste, including all of its recyclable waste, is being incinerated at a waste facility in Pennsylvania in order to generate electricity.

Thank you to the Ocean City Chamber of Commerce.

Ferris Wheel On The Boardwalk in Ocean City, Maryland

Ocean City, Maryland has over 10 miles of clean sandy beaches. It’s located just 2-3 hours from Washington, Baltimore, Northern Virginia and many Pennsylvania areas. It all started when, according to legend, Isaac Coffin built in 1869 the first beach-front cottage to receive paying guests. People came by stage coach and ferry. They came to fish off the shore, to enjoy the natural beauty of the Atlantic Ocean pounding against the long strip of sandy beach, to collect seashells, or just to sit back and watch the rolling surf.

Whether he knew it or not, Isaac Coffin’s Inn began a new era. Soon other boarding houses were built on the strip of sand. The activity attracted some prominent businessmen from the Eastern Shore, Baltimore and Philadelphia. They came not so much to visit as to survey this attractive barrier island. A decision was made to develop it and 250 lots were cut into it. The corporation stock of 4,000 shares sold for $25 each. It was a good investment.

The Atlantic Hotel opened July 4, 1875. Located on the ocean it offered dancing and billiard rooms to the visitors of its more than 400 rooms.

Prior to 1870, what is now Ocean City, Maryland, was known as “The Ladies Resort to the Ocean”.

The Ocean City Inlet was formed during a powerful storm in 1933. Engineers took advantage of nature’s intervention and made the inlet at the south end of Ocean City permanent. The inlet eventually helped to establish Ocean City as one of the world’s great fishing ports as it offered easy access to the fishing grounds of the Atlantic Ocean. Today it is home to the “White Marlin Open” the world’s largest billfish tournament.

Ocean City is one of the east coast’s most popular resorts. It is a year round resort with a now world famous beach and three mile boardwalk. Swimming, boating and many golf courses have made it a high quality resort destination.

October Calendar of Events – Ocean City, Md.