A Look Back
By Fred Miller
1879—First American flag to fly over Ocean City had 38 stars
1881—First celebration of Decoration Day (now called Memorial Day) was held on May 30. Gainer P. Moore lead a small group of men marching along Asbury Avenue
1881—First Ocean City Sentinel published
1884—First mayor elected—Gainer P. Moore
1884—First councilmen elected—Parker Miller, William H. Burrell, Carrell Doughty and Enoch Green
1890—First school principal—Professor L. R. Thomas
1892—First Ocean City Guide Book and Directory published
1893—First trolley went into operation
1894—First mayoral election to end in a tie
1897—First Ocean City Ledger published
1897—First street paved—First to Tenth street on Asbury Avenue
1897—First person to own an automobile—Harvey Y. Lake
1900—First jailhouse built on the corner of Ninth Street and Asbury Avenue
1907—First trolley from Atlantic City to Ocean City
1908—The Uno was the first theater built as a movie house
1911—First mayor elected under the commission form of government—Harry Headley
1911—The first elected commissioners—Harry Headley, R. Howard Thorn and John Marts
1912—First 48-star flag waves atop flag pole in front of the new Wesley Avenue School
1912—First mayor to sit in the electric chair at Sing Sing Penitentiary—Joseph G. Champion
1921—First automobile dealer—Edward G. Kurtz—Asbury Avenue and 12th Street
1924—First issue of the combined newspapers—the Ocean City Sentinel-Ledger was published on February 29, 1924
