A Look Back at Ocean City
By Fred Miller
Reading the 92-page Ocean City 1971 Vacation Guide is like opening a time-capsule and seeing what life was like in America’s Greatest Family Resort a half century ago. While some things have changed, many things have not.
The guide was published by Bolling Publishers under the auspices of the Ocean City Hotel, Motel and Restaurant Association. It was distributed by the Department of Public Relations to prospective visitors interested in learning more about Ocean City and its accommodations, attractions and facilities.
A welcoming letter signed by Mayor Robert L. Sharp, Commissioner David L. Simpson and Commissioner Chester J. Wimberg, was on the first page of the guide. It was printed under the headline: “You are most cordially invited to America’s Greatest Family Resort.”
The Flanders Hotel was featured in the two page centerfold. The following was written under the banner VACATION: Complete resort facilities for the entire family; tennis, shuffleboard, miniature golf, supervised Day Camp, and private beach area with cabanas. Come to The Flanders to RELAX and enjoy your vacation. Surf and deep-sea fishing available, also horseback riding. Many fine Championship Golf Courses in the vicinity. Beautiful beaches for bathing and surfing; private salt water pool. Free movies, Teen Club, Bridge parties and dancing. Monty at the piano, in the Ocean Room, during the Social interlude before dinner. Dinner music by the well-known Flanders Trio.”
Large ads were taken by: Port-O-Call, Bellevue, Alvyn, Biscayne, Harbor House, Jernee Manor, Oceanic, Ocean 17, Pavilion, Sandaway, Scarborough, Vernon Hall, Tradewinds, Seaspray Motel, and Seano Motel.
Eating establishments advertising in the guide included: Simms’, Hickman’s, Watson’s, Campbell’s, Chris’, Shafto’s, and Sindia.
There were articles about attractions: Ocean City Tabernacle, Cultural Arts Center, Ocean City Historical Museum, Shuffleboard Club, Fishing, Concerts on the Music Pier, Baby Parade, Night in Venice Parade, Tennis Courts, and the Golf Course.
The Ocean City Historical Museum, 1735 Simpson Avenue, has a plethora of vacation guidebooks to view.
