Visit Worcester County Maryland!

Discover Worcester County - Ocean City

Resort glamour, sophisticated entertainment and gourmet dining share the spotlight with funky souvenir shops, amusement parks and unparalleled French fries. Swimming, boating, fishing, golf, tennis, shopping and dining - OC has it all!

Merry-go-round

More than a century ago, Ocean City was a barren, wind-swept barrier island that separated the Atlantic Ocean from Sinepuxent Bay. This lonely stretch of sand was known only to a handful of fishermen who came to the island. Shortly after the Civil War in 1869, the Rhode Island Inn was constructed for the fishermen and others who sought the beach as a refuge. The popularity of the inn began to realize the beache's potential to attract visitors. In 1872 early developers of the island named it the "Ladies Resort of the Ocean" inferring a gentility to attract families to visit.

Access from the mainland was by stagecoach and then by ferry. The Atlantic was the first hotel. It opened on the fourth of July 1875 and still stands today. Popularity of the resort grew rapidly with the construction of the railroad bridge. This was followed by construction of the famous boardwalk, which was permanently laid in 1910.

Then in August 1933, a hurricane ravaged the island. The town was slow to recover but benefitted by the event. The heavy seas opened an inlet separating the town from what is now, Assateague Island. The inlet created a safe harbor for fishing vessels and boosted the towns economy.

Today, the town is a year round destination which truly offers something for everyone. Make sure you take the self-guided walking tour of the downtown to experience and understand its proud heritage.

Website:
http://www.ococean.com

Contact Information:
800-OC-OCEAN (800-626-2326)