The 1927 Ocean City Boardwalk Fire

Tuesday, October 4, 2016

The 1927 Ocean City Boardwalk Fire started October 11th so it’s no wonder that October is Fire Prevention Month.

On October 11, 1927, a fire which reportedly began near the Unger Arcade, destroyed almost everything from Moorlyn Terrace to 10th street. An area eight blocks wide was a mass of debris after strong southern winds fanned the blaze which consumed the buildings at the heart of the boardwalk. Thirty buildings including Shriver’s Salt Water Taffy, the Hippodrome Pier, a Theater and many stores were all burned to the ground causing a loss of about $4,000,000.

When the boardwalk was rebuilt, it was built about 300 feet closer to the ocean. This created parking lots where buildings once stood. By the summer of 1928, Shriver’s Taffy was rebuilt at 9th and Boardwalk. The music pavilion was moved several blocks north and a new Music Pier was built on the new boardwalk. The boardwalk was built on cement pilings which are still used today (of course it is re-decked from time to time). Surviving buildings, such as the Moorlyn, Simms, and the (old) Strand were moved up to the new boardwalk using rails, windlasses and horses. Read more here and here.

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Want to learn more about Fire Prevention?

October 9th is the OC Fire Department’s Open House!