By Steffen Klenk
Ocean City resident Fred Miller has spent much of his life documenting the vast, rich history of America’s Greatest Family Resort. From its most notable residents to the lifeguards, historic yet iconic citywide landmarks, his stories and retrospectives are documented each week on the pages of Shore Local, regional newsprint, and paperback.
From an early age, Miller found his love for the Jersey Shore while in grade school in Pittsburgh. He first spent his summers at a friend’s house in Stone Harbor while working as a lifeguard for Stone Harbor Beach Patrol in 1960. After attending college at Iowa Wesleyan University, Miller taught physical and driver’s education in Pennsauken. In 1965, he found a full-time residence in Ocean City, joining the Ocean City Beach Patrol where he served as a lifeguard for 33 years. “It was a good move.” Miller says.
On August 18, 1973, a banner plane crash landed in the ocean, less than 100 miles, off 8th Street beach. Miller, along with fellow friend and lifeguard Joe Grimes, were on duty when the incident occurred. “We saw it coming down, we thought it was going to land right near our beach.” He and Grimes got in their lifeguard boat and rescued the pilot. “We rode out, and Joe dove off the back of the boat.”
Two summers later, in July 1975, Fred met his late wife, Susan, while on patrol at 14th Street Beach. A former guidance counselor in South Philadelphia, the couple bought their first house on the island, at Delancey Place, in 1979. Upon retiring in the late 90s, Fred and Susan moved to Ocean City full time.
Miller became lieutenant of the beach patrol in 1980. At the time, Captain George Lafferty was looking to expand publicity for the lifeguards. and appointed Miller as publicity chairman to write various columns for the local newspaper. “I never missed an opportunity to put some history in articles.” It was during his research that he found more interest in the town’s history.
In 2003, ahead of Ocean City’s 125th Anniversary, Miller published his first paperback titled Ocean City: America’s Greatest Family Resort: The Making of America Series. The book was published by Arcadia and chronicles the town’s storied history, from its earliest references by Dutch explorers in 1633 to its founding in 1879, with a plethora of photos and references as you turn the page.
Following the success of his first book, Miller continued to showcase Ocean City history, penning two additional books. Ocean City Beach Patrol and Ocean City’s Historic Hotels were released in 2004 as part of Arcadia’s Images of America series. In each paperback, readers are taken back in time with historic photos and captions. It is almost surreal, yet captivating, witnessing some of the earliest photographs, taken as far back as 1896.
But it was in 2012 when Fred and his wife, Susan, collaborated on their first book, spotlighting the Legendary Locals of Ocean City. One look at the index alone, and readers may find several familiar names chronicled, provided with assistance by the late Mark Soifer, Ocean City’s longtime public relations director. “He came up with all kinds of ways to get people to enjoy their time here.”
Susan Miller was the sole publisher of another book titled Ocean City: An Illustrated History. This book features over 250 photos spotlighting the beach, the strand, and points of interest. She passed away from leukemia in 2015. Her stories and recollections of Ocean City history continue to be read by many interested readers.
Fred Miller has been active in Ocean City community, from his involvement with the Historical Museum or the First Night Committee, to Lifeguard Alumni meetings and gatherings. Every year, on the Friday before Memorial Day, you may find Fred Miller turning the ceremonial key at the city’s annual Unlocking of the Beach.
What first started with a few people at 1st Street Beach on a Saturday afternoon was moved to the Music Pier in 2001 and combined with a Business Persons Plunge, where local business owners, dressed in suits and ties, march into the ocean in a fantastic kickoff to the summer season. “I have the big key in my garage; they can’t do it without me.” Miller chuckles.
Fred Miller’s books on Ocean City history can be found at Sun Rose Words and Music, 756 Asbury Ave., or at your local library.
Steffen Klenk is a photographer and multimedia journalist who enjoys capturing the eclectic moments of shore life. You may contact Steffen at shorelocalsteffen@gmail.com.
