Then and Now

Historical Images: OCBP's Downtown Headquarters

Our weekly feature includes photographs from the Ocean City Historical Museum collection and from the modern era.

This week's "Then and Now" features the Ocean City Beach Patrol's headquarters on the Boardwalk at 10th Street.  The building in the first image was built by Jack Jernee in 1928, following the 1927 fire when the boardwalk was rebuilt a block closer to the ocean. It was destroyed in the nor’easter that struck in March 1962. Today, the Beach Patrol's Second Zone headquarters is located on the Boardwalk at 12th Street. The building was constructed by the city in 2004 and also houses a first-aid station and restrooms for the public. To see more historical photos of Ocean City, visit the Ocean City Historical Museum in the Community Center at 1735 Simpson Ave.

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Michael Hamilton

10:56 pm on Monday, April 22, 2013

In 1960, I was living in Somers Point and not IN-TOWN Ocean City. But from the "who cares file" at 16 yrs old I competed for and earned a job on the beach patrol. Did the same in 2009, at age 65. I took the two day rookie test with 90 much younger prospective lifeguards, placing 32nd overall (July 9,2009 Sentinel) and was offered a job by the City, which I did not take. Legendary, right Fred. You…   more ›

Then and Now

Historical Images: Many Buildings on the 800 Block of Asbury Avenue Pass Test of Time

A new weekly feature includes photographs from the Ocean City Historical Museum collection and from the modern era.

This week's "Then and Now" features views of the 800 block of Asbury Avenue from the top of the Crown Bank building at Eighth Street and Asbury Avenue. The first photo looks south at the bustling downtown in the late 1920s. The second photo shows the same view in August 2010. You might notice a number of the buildings on the bay side of Asbury Avenue are still there today, as is the Transportation Center at 10th Street and Haven Avenue. In the distance, you see the expandable tanks. These were used for natural gas storage.  To see more historical photos of Ocean City, visit the Ocean City Historical Museum located in the Community Center at 1735 Simpson Ave.

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Historical Images: 1100 Block of Ocean Avenue

Our weekly feature includes photographs from the Ocean City Historical Museum collection and from the modern era.

This week's "Then and Now" features the 1100 Block of Ocean Avenue in the mid-1920s. The first image is the view looking north from 12th Street and Boardwalk prior to development of the Surf Theater, now the Surf Mall and the Tahiti Inn on the corner of 12th Street and Ocean Avenue. The second image is the view from 12th and Ocean looking north. A number of the buildings on the left side of the second image can be seen in the first image. To see more historical photos of Ocean City, visit the Ocean City Historical Museum in the Community Center at 1735 Simpson Ave.

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Then and Now

Historical Images: Bourse Building at Eighth and Asbury

Our weekly feature includes photographs from the Ocean City Historical Museum collection and from the modern era.

This week's "Then and Now" features the Bourse Building, located on the northeast corner of Eighth Street and Asbury Avenue. Built circa 1895, the building is shown in the first image in the early 1900s. It then was home to Frank Darby Real Estate, Maddock’s Pharmacy, and Hole in the Wall by the Sea Light Lunch with an entrance on Eighth Street. The Bourse Building later was home to the first national chain store in Ocean City: G.C Murphy’s 5 & 10, which opened circa 1930. The second image shows the Bourse Building today. Located there is Interiors by Joann, Ocean Abstract, Christina Amey Architect LLC and Joel Mott's law office. To see more historical photos of Ocean City, visit the Ocean City Historical Museum in the Community Center at …

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Eric Sauder

2:18 pm on Sunday, March 10, 2013

Gee look at that. Architecture.   more ›

Then and Now

Historical Images: 10th Street and Ocean Avenue

Our weekly feature includes photographs from the Ocean City Historical Museum collection and from the modern era.

This week's "Then and Now" features a streetscape looking southwest down the 1000 block of Ocean Avenue.  The first image shows the historic block circa 1920. Note the street was unpaved but graded with curbs and drainage. The street light on the left side of the image is suspended from a pulley so the light could be lowered for repairs. Midway down the block there was a home with its own tennis court that is now a parking lot.  The second image is the street as it appears today. As you look down the block, of the first four houses from the corner, three remain standing. The condominum on the corner uses design elements from the home that stood there before such as the wrap-around porch and brick columns. At the far end of the block is …

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EXiT REALTY OCEAN CITY

10:55 am on Monday, February 25, 2013

I enjoy looking at the “Then and Now” pics. It is interesting to see the changes and non changes made to the City. Keep up the good work. Joseph Landicini, Broker 1301 West A-1 OCNJ 609.525.9901 Ext 14   more ›

Then and Now

Historical Images: Johnstone's at 858 Asbury Avenue

Our weekly feature includes photographs from the Ocean City Historical Museum collection and from the modern era.

This week's "Then and Now" features a downtown landmark that has been standing for more than 100 years and is located at 858 Asbury Ave. In the first image, taken in 1939, the building was occupied by Johnstone's Restaurant. Take note of the businesses name in the sidewalk. The second image shows the building as it appears today, home to Spinning Wheel Florist since 1973. Johnstone's name is still in the sidewalk. To see more historical photos of Ocean City, visit the Ocean City Historical Museum in the Community Center at 1735 Simpson Ave.

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Historical Images: Ocean City Baptist Church

Our weekly feature includes photographs from the Ocean City Historical Museum collection and from the modern era.

This week's "Then and Now" features Ocean City Baptist Church, located at 10th Street & Wesley Avenue.  When Ocean City Baptist Church was formed in 1898, it was known as Immanuel Baptist Church and met on Asbury Avenue between 8th and 9th Street. The church later moved to the corner of 9th Street and Wesley Avenue. Sometime after 1910, it was moved to its permanent location at 10th and Wesley. Construction of the current building was begun in 1926 and was completed in 1927. At this time he church changed its name to First Baptist Church and in 1933, the church was reorganized and incorporated as Ocean City Baptist Church. An addition was built in mid 1960’s and dedicated in 1966.  The first image shows the church in circa 1940.  The …

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Eric Sauder

5:43 pm on Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Truly a time warp. I remember going there as a kid and it really hasn't changed all that much.   more ›

Then and Now

Historical Images: Haven Ave. Garage Has Serviced Cars Since the 1920s

A weekly feature includes photographs from the Ocean City Historical Museum collection and from the modern era.

This week's "Then an Now" features the garage located on the northeast corner of Seventh Street and Haven Avenue. The first image shows the garage circa 1925. The vehicle shown is a 1925 Flint B-40 Touring, an American auto marque made from 1923 to 1927. Note the train tracks running down Haven Avenue and the gas pub on the curb along Seventh Street. The sign on the side of the building advertises "The Flint Six - Sales and Service." In the 1930s, the building was used as Ocean City Beach Patrol's Boat House. The building has maintained its original purpose as a garage and is home to Christopher's Foreign Cars as seen in the second image. A third image shows the same building during the morning high tide of Oct. 29, 2012, as Hurricane …

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Then and Now

Historical Images: Ocean City’s First Cement Home Still Stands 100 Years Later

A new weekly feature includes photographs from the Ocean City Historical Museum collection and from the modern era.

This week's "Then and Now" features two views of the first cement home built in Ocean City—located at Plymouth Place and Atlantic Avenue. The first photo shows the home shortly after it was completed in 1909. The second photo shows the same view in August 2010. The cottage was built in 1908-1909 for Gaston Daus of Philadelphia by the American Cement Company. It is constructed of 6-inch-think poured concrete. If you look closely at the exterior walls, you are able to see the imprint of the wooden boards that held the liquid concrete until it hardened. The home was the first of its kind in Ocean City and was projected to be the first of many in the area because of its ability to withstand weather and naturally keep the home cool in the …

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Historical Images: Lake Family Home at 17th and Wesley

Our weekly feature includes photographs from the Ocean City Historical Museum collection and from the modern era.

  This week's "Then and Now" features a home standing on the northwest corner of 17th Street and Wesley Avenue.  The home at 1644 Wesley was built for Marion Lake of the Lake family by a local contractor, Allen Scull. It is shown in the first image shortly after it was completed circa 1920. The second image shows the home as it appears today. It was renovated and converted into a duplex in the late 1990s. To see more historical photos of Ocean City, visit the Ocean City Historical Museum in the Community Center at 1735 Simpson Ave.

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