Local Ocean It’s History
Above: The highlight of the Fourth of July celebration was the unveiling and dedication of the World War memorial monument and tablet in front of City Hall. Left: Lifeguard William Young performs a lifesaving drill using the can buoy flotation device designed by Captain Jernee.
Summer of 1920 in Ocean City by Fred Miller
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In 1920, Chamber of Commerce began using the slogan America’s Greatest Family Resort.
28 OCNJMAGAZINE.COM
JUNE 2020
T THE START of the decade, it didn’t look like the Roaring Twenties were going to come roaring through Ocean City, which was making sure modesty was the order of the beach, boardwalk and streets. Beach wear was the main topic at the June 28, 1920, City Commission meeting. Rosalie Howe spoke first: “The Ocean City League of Women Voters request that an ordinance be passed pertaining to the immodest and indecent bathing suits worn by men and women on the beach, and to promenading through the streets, shopping and strolling on the Boardwalk of men and women attired in bathing suits unless said suits are covered by a cloak or coat. Also that the women be compelled to wear hose reaching above the knee. “If such an ordinance is in existence, we ask that it be enforced.” Mayor Joseph G. Champion told Howe there was a law. He read the ordinance: “Be it ordained by the Common Council of the City of Ocean City that no person or persons shall travel in or upon any of the streets or alleys of the city of Ocean City in abbreviated bathing robes, suits or other costumes of similar nature unless a suitable robe or covering shall be worn over said bathing robes or suits to properly cover their persons from public view.” Champion said, “We are going to enforce the city ordinance bearing on this subject. So long as bathers are modestly and decently dressed, they will not be interfered with.” On April 20, 1920, the Ocean City Chamber of Commerce chose the following slogan: “America’s Greatest Family Resort.” “JERNEE TO BE CAPTAIN OF RESORT’S LIFEGUARDS” was the headline of the March 18, 1920 Ocean City Sentinel. The article reported Jernee was a former member of the United States Coast Guard at the Fourth Street station. Captain Jernee quickly went to work preparing for the summer. The first thing he did was change the name from Ocean City Life Guards to the Ocean City Beach Patrol. He ordered
