Ocean City, is a seven-mile long barrier island located in north Cape May County, made famous by its family-friendly atmosphere.
In the early 1700s, whaler John Peck used the island to conduct his whaling operations, and by the end of the century it was being called Peck's Beach. Local farmers used the island as a grazing land. During the Revolutionary War they would hide their livestock among the high sand dunes, protecting them from British rustlers. The original owners of the island was the Somers family.
In 1879, four Methodist Ministers discovered the area, deciding it was a good place to establish a Christian Seaside Resort. They gathered under a tall cedar tree and formed the Ocean City Association. Peck's Beach would soon become, Ocean City.
The first bridge to the island was built in 1883, a Tabernacle was constructed, and the town's first boardwalk was built in 1880. Promoted as a "morale seaside resort", a number of laws were passed. The sale or consumption of alcohol was strictly prohibited. Accommodations like the New Brighton Inn, The Breakers, and The Flanders Hotel were opened. in 1901, a sailing ship named The Sindia ran aground off of Ocean City's coast, carrying over 1 million dollars in fine goods. Parts of the ship could still be seen from shore, until the 1990s, when its mast sank beneath the waves.
By 1904, there were 2 piers operating in Ocean City, along with the 120-foot Music Pavilion Pier. In 1907, a trolley line was constructed across Great Egg Harbor Bay, connecting Ocean City to Atlantic City. Popular boardwalk theaters were opening in the 1920s, along with Shriver's Salt Water Taffy. Gillian's Fun Deck opened in the 1930s, and by the 1950s, record crowds were packing onto Ocean City's beaches and boardwalk. Playland Amusement Park opened in 1959, later changing its name to Castaway Cove.
In 1985, Ocean City repealed its blue law ordinance, though the city still prohibits the sale of alcoholic beverages. In the 1990s, The Music Pier was renovated. Boasting beautiful white-sand beaches and a 2 1/2 mile boardwalk, Ocean City remains a premiere destination for visitors to the Jersey Shore.
Music Credits:
Scott Buckley - Childhood
Dan Lebowitz – Calm Sweet Release
Jonny Easton – Love Story
Ryosuke Tomita – Winter into Spring
Kai Engel – Crying Earth
The 126ers – Honey & Milk
Bortex – Our Home