History of Ocean City, NJ “Dry Town”
Emma | 07 - 07 - 2021
Updated: July 7, 2021 11:00 pm IST
Ocean City, popularly known as ‘dry town’ is a family-friendly and beautiful beach town resort in New Jersey. This resort comprises eight miles of shoreline and two and a half miles boardwalk. Ocean City also has a few must-see tourist attractions like Atlantic City Aquarium, Boardwalk, Historicsmithville village, storybook land, Ripley’s Believe It or Not, and much more. Ocean City owns various official honors such as it won the top ten beaches in 2008 and 2009 and it also received “The #1 family beach community in the country” from the Travel Channel. Above all the Ocean City NJ alcohol laws make the place more unique! Play our Ocean City NJ dry town quiz to know more.
1. Which Shore Town in the U.S Is Often Called “Dry Town”?
Ocean City in Cape May County, New Jersey, United States is often called a “dry town.”
2. Where Is Ocean City Located?
Ocean City is located in May County, United States. Ocean City is in the center of New Jersey beaches and it also has the Atlantic to the east and Great Egg Harbor Bay to the west.
3. Ocean City Eventually Known as
Ocean City is eventually known as Peck’s beach and it was an Indian summer fishing camp, cattle-grazing field and it is said Mainland Chinese people would boat over for a picnic or to hunt.
4. Peck’s Beach Was Named after
Ocean City was eventually named Peck’s beach because John Peck, a whaler, used the barrier island as storage for freshly caught whales in 1700.
5. People Lived in Ocean City in 1700
During 1700, people didn’t live in ocean city because this place was considered inhospitable. But they lived in a nearby town and visited this place occasionally.
6. When Did the First Settlers Come to Ocean City?
By the middle of the 1800s, Park Miller, a marine insurance company agent, settled in Ocean City with his family. Later many people followed them and made Ocean City their residence.
7. Why Is Ocean City Called a Dry Town?
Ocean City is called a “dry town” because no alcohol is sold strictly within its borders.
8. Why Is Alcohol Prohibited in Ocean City?
In 1879, four Methodist ministers purchased the peck’s beach to create a Christian seaside resort and camp meeting place. They wanted to present an image of clean and sober living so they passed a law in 1881.
9. Name the Ship That Sank in Ocean City
The legendary Sindia ship sank in Ocean City on December 15, 1901. This is one of the most famous shipwrecks in Ocean City. The ship was fully submerged a few years ago.
10. The First Bridge to the Island Was Built-in
The first bridge to Ocean city was built in 1883. The bridge was built not only for the residents who wanted to stay there but also for tourists. Before the bridge, Ferry was the only way to reach the island.
11. When Did Ocean City Celebrate Its First Baby Parade?
Ocean City celebrated its first baby parade in 1901. Ocean City Baby Parade is one of the oldest baby parades in the country.
12. Where Can You Find the Music Pier in Ocean City?
You can find the music pier on the Boardwalk. Music Pier was constructed in 1928 and has a capacity of 900 people. Many shows from stand-up comedy to musicals are performed here.
13. A Famous Newspaper Reported Ocean City as the “Drunkest City”
A famous US magazine reported Ocean City as the “drunkest city” in New Jersey in 2017. It is said that 18.3 percent of adults drink excessively.
14. What Was the First Hotel in Ocean City?
The Breakers on Delancey was the first hotel in Ocean City. It was built in 1912 and was closed in 1970.
15. What Destroyed Much of Historic Ocean City?
The great boardwalk fire in 1927 destroyed and re-shaped Ocean City. It is said that what we see now in Ocean City is much different than what our ancestors enjoyed.
