By Steffen Klenk
On Saturday, Dec. 9, a line of guests arrived at Ocean City’s historic Scarborough Inn to pick up their wristbands for a first-of-its-kind community-based event. Over 400 people signed up in advance to participate in a Holiday Historic Home Tour. Over a dozen properties were listed for display, each building consisting of private residences, inns, cottages, and hometown businesses. This tour provided a rare opportunity to witness the long-storied history of these unique properties.
Upon arriving at the Scarborough, attendees were provided with a map, highlighting each of the open homes and businesses on tour. At each of the properties, volunteers warmly invited guests into the building. Right away, you could feel the enthusiasm as property owners recollected stories and interacted with the invited public. Attendees followed a simple set of rules: to be respectful of the hosts and their belongings, and to walk between homes as much as possible to avoid any parking hassles.
While the buildings listed may have been different architecturally, they all have one thing in mind: the caretakers put much of their heart and soul into preserving the past. Long lines were out the door to tour the Genevieve, an Edwardian-era house, located at 615 Wesley Ave. Homeowners Brian and Christine Lihou purchased the home in November 2021 and have shared updates on the restoration process through their Facebook page, “Restoring the Genevieve”.
On May 23, 1881, Alfred Higbee purchased the site of the Genevieve from the Ocean City Association. Shortly after being purchased by the Lihou family, the home was gutted to its original four walls. From the inside out, the Genevieve received much-needed care and attention, and as of December 2023, 98% of the house has been restored. Throughout the family’s journey, much research has gone into the property’s long-storied history.
Also on display included the Scarborough Inn, Ocean City’s first hotel. At 125 years old, this three-story Victorian building operates as a bed and breakfast. A vast record of photos and stories can be seen throughout the property, from its welcoming lobby to the halls, even the ocean-facing suites.
Sne Avichal is the Scarborough’s innkeeper. He began the tour to spotlight these vintage structures, and to raise vital awareness in preserving the city’s architecture. In an age of flourishing new development, Avichal says older homes are a natural economic asset that can drive visitors to the island, even during the off-season. “I think developers would be more inclined to adaptively reuse these properties instead of leveling them.”
Some may not know that Ocean City has an official Residential Historic District. Among the city’s founding on Oct. 20, 1879, the Ocean City Association was incorporated. Within a year, forty-eight residences were constructed around a meeting area bounded between 5th and 6th Streets and Wesley and Asbury Ave., the present home of Ocean City Tabernacle. Many more Victorian structures were built up to the 1890s. Many of these homes, located along 3rd and 8th St. between Central and Ocean Ave., are listed on the State and National Register of Historic Places.
It is important to note that while most of the private residences and businesses on tour in Ocean City have been registered as historic, there are still a vast array of properties throughout the island that do not have landmark status. The historic value of these buildings should be worth celebrating for future generations to embrace.
Other notable properties on display included 744 Central Ave. The building, currently occupied by Handlaget Design, was built by the City of Ocean City as a tax collection office and space for city council meetings. Gas pipes were installed throughout the building to power gas lighting. It was also the first building constructed on the island. Those walking past the building on 8th St. will instantly notice the original windows overseeing the cityscape.
The former Crown Bank building on 801 Asbury, current home to Shoppes at the Asbury, opened its 32,000 lbs., sixteen-ton vault to the public. Even two of the Dollhouse Row cottages were open to the public. Located along the city’s bayside at Wovern Place, there was a steady stream of people throughout the evening.
The Bayberry Inn, at 811 Wesley, also opened its doors to warm and welcoming visitors. This quaint bed and breakfast just completed its 23rd season of operation. The property was built as a family summer home in 1901, following the death of Queen Victoria, and is considered Colonial Revival architecture. Additional guest rooms were added in the 1930s. For this tour, the interior was decked out in holiday décor from wall-to-wall, with three of the six bedrooms opened for public viewing.
Future tours are slated for 2024. Those interested in receiving more information, becoming a volunteer, or hosting a future tour, may contact Sne Avichal by emailing sne@scarboroughinn.com.
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.
