100 Issues of History: From Our First Pages to Ocean City’s Greatest Stories

SIXTEEN YEARS AGO, May 1, 2010, the first Ocean City Magazine was published. That makes this issue the one hundredth magazine. I am proud to say I have had an article in every magazine.

Stef Godfrey, the editor, wrote the following introduction: “Welcome to the first ever issue of Ocean City Magazine! It’s my intention to put out there (and into your hands) a brilliant publication about all there is to do, see, learn and experience in and around Ocean City, NJ.

“I LOVE Ocean City and, since you picked up this glossy and are reading, you must love it too. We are all indeed lucky to live, vacation, hang in these parts–on the edge of America. It’s cool out here, partly because of the sea breezes, partly because of the people and places. Ocean City is America’s Greatest Family Resort. Why? Because it’s a downhome small town that just happens to be a world-class island destination. Read Fred Miller’s history column this month to learn just how long OC’s been using its ubiquitous slogan.”

Stef went on, but this is a good time to read my article about the ubiquitous slogan.

“COMMERCE CHAMBER SEEKS SLOGAN FOR THIS CITY” was the headline on the March 20, 1920, Ocean City Sentinel. The article began, “The Ocean City Chamber desires to have a slogan. Ocean City has had a slogan for some years – Ocean City the Greatest Family Resort in the World – but this cumbersome. A snappy slogan is wanted – something that says much in little.”

A committee was appointed to take action on both a slogan and emblem for the Chamber. The committee’s historic decision was announced at the April 20, 1920, meeting of the Chamber of Commerce: ‘”America’s Greatest Family Resort’ was the best slogan that could be adopted from the fact that Ocean City is a family resort, and without a doubt America’s greatest.”

By Fred Miller