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Reliving history

Collection 04 · 04-10

Ocean City Beach, Boardwalk & Hotels, 1959 (04-10)

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Watercolor painting of Ocean City, Maryland, in 1959, showing a crowded summer beach, Atlantic waves, colorful umbrellas, and historic oceanfront hotels.

Historical narrative

On a brilliant summer afternoon in Ocean City, Maryland, in 1959, thousands of vacationers dotted the sand beneath colorful umbrellas, while children dug moats and built sandcastles near the water's edge. Gentle Atlantic waves rolled ashore, sparkling in the bright sunlight and leaving ribbons of white foam across the wet sand. Along the oceanfront stood some of Ocean City's most recognizable landmarks: the stately Hamilton Hotel, the elegant Shoreham Hotel, the welcoming Maryland Inn, the grand Atlantic Hotel with its distinctive tower, and the famous Plimhimmon Hotel further down the shore. Their porches and verandas overlooked a lively seaside scene filled with laughter, ocean breezes, and the carefree spirit of a classic American summer.

Watercolor