Ocean City scenes from the 1980s.

Ocean City scenes from the 1980s. (Ellis J. Malashuk / Baltimore Sun files / April 26, 1981)

Retro Ocean City: 60 photos of summer days past

Advertisement

Ocean City has been the go-to beach destination for vacationers for generations. Visitors of all ages love the beach town for its sun, surf, sand, boardwalk, entertainment and food. We've dipped into our archives and found an array of O.C. pictures from the past -- from the 1930s to the 1990s. We think you'll recognize the sites, no matter the year. So dive in!

Ocean City scenes from the 1980s.

Ocean City scenes from the 1980s. (Ellis J. Malashuk / Baltimore Sun files / April 26, 1981)

Advertisement
Ocean City scenes from the 1970s.

Ocean City scenes from the 1970s. (Walter McCardell / Baltimore Sun files / Sept. 13, 1970)

Advertisement

Senior Week 1989

Graduates pose for a photo on the beach in Ocean City during Senior Week in 1989.

Graduates pose for a photo on the beach in Ocean City during Senior Week in 1989. (Art Baltrostky/Check with Baltimore Sun Photo)

Advertisement
Anglers fish off the side of a pier in 1938.

Anglers fish off the side of a pier in 1938. (Baltimore Sun files / 1938)

Advertisement
Ty, Rick and Judy Wyatt enjoy the Ocean City sun in 1962.

Ty, Rick and Judy Wyatt enjoy the Ocean City sun in 1962. (Walter McCardell / Baltimore Sun files / July 6, 1982)

Advertisement
Looking refreshed after a swim off Ocean City during her weekend visit with her family. Linda Harrison fingers her tresses and breathes deeply of the clean ocean air.

Looking refreshed after a swim off Ocean City during her weekend visit with her family. Linda Harrison fingers her tresses and breathes deeply of the clean ocean air. (Richard Stacks / Baltimore Sun files / Aug. 25, 1968)

Advertisement

OCEAN CITY MD BIKINI CONTEST

Bystanders cheer during the Ocean City Best Body on the Beach contest in 1989.

Bystanders cheer during the Ocean City Best Body on the Beach contest in 1989. (Mark Bugnaski/Check with Baltimore Sun Photo)

Advertisement
Angela Mox has fun making tracks in the sand in 1969.

Angela Mox has fun making tracks in the sand in 1969. (Lloyd Pearson / Baltimore Sun files / Sept. 1, 1969)

Advertisement

Todd Fleming

Penn State student Todd Fleming plays volleyball on the beach in Ocean City in 1988.

Penn State student Todd Fleming plays volleyball on the beach in Ocean City in 1988. (Check with Baltimore Sun Photo)

Advertisement
A young man flies akite on the beach in 1987.

A young man flies akite on the beach in 1987. (Baltimore Sun files / May 22, 1987)

Advertisement
A surfer catches a wave in 1964.

A surfer catches a wave in 1964. (Richard Stacks / Baltimore Sun files / Aug. 23, 1964)

Advertisement
A member of the Ocean City beach patrol in 1967.

A member of the Ocean City beach patrol in 1967. (William Hotz / Baltimore Sun files / July 7, 1967)

Advertisement
Lifeguard Jack Parker gives a look toward the ocean, checking on swimmers, in 1956.

Lifeguard Jack Parker gives a look toward the ocean, checking on swimmers, in 1956. (Joseph A. DiPaola / Baltimore Sun files / 1956)

Advertisement
Jackie Baker asks beach patrol member George Chester for directions.

Jackie Baker asks beach patrol member George Chester for directions. (William Hotz / Baltimore Sun files / July 7, 1967)

Advertisement
Ocean City scenes from the 1940s.

Ocean City scenes from the 1940s. (Baltimore Sun files / July 5, 1946)

Advertisement
Ocean City scenes from the 1950s.

Ocean City scenes from the 1950s. (Robert Kniesche / Baltimore Sun files / July 3, 1953)

Advertisement
A crowded day at the beach in 1966.

A crowded day at the beach in 1966. (William L. LaForce / Baltimore Sun files / July 4, 1966)

Advertisement
Ocean City scenes from the 1970s.

Ocean City scenes from the 1970s. (William L. LaForce / Baltimore Sun files / July 11, 1973)

Advertisement
A crowded Ocean City beach in 1986.

A crowded Ocean City beach in 1986. (Baltimore Sun files / July 5, 1986)

Advertisement

Ocean City, 1991

Beachgoers enjoy the sun and sand in Ocean City, Maryland in 1991.

Beachgoers enjoy the sun and sand in Ocean City, Maryland in 1991. (Check with Baltimore Sun Photo)

Advertisement
Ocean City scenes from the 1970s.

Ocean City scenes from the 1970s. (Ellis Malashuk / Baltimore Sun files / June 2, 1974)

Advertisement
Parked cars near the Ocean City beach in 1957.

Parked cars near the Ocean City beach in 1957. (George Cook / Baltimore Sun files / July 5, 1957)

Advertisement
Ocean City scenes from the 1970s.

Ocean City scenes from the 1970s. (Lloyd Pearson / Baltimore Sun files / June 4, 1970)

Advertisement
Ocean City scenes from the 1970s.

Ocean City scenes from the 1970s. (Carl D. Harris / Baltimore Sun files / May 28, 1972)

Advertisement
Ocean City scenes from the 1960s.

Ocean City scenes from the 1960s. (William Klender / Baltimore Sun files / Aug. 27, 1967)

Advertisement
Ocean City scenes from the 1960s.

Ocean City scenes from the 1960s. (Walter McCardell / Baltimore Sun files / May 31, 1969)

Advertisement
Ocean City scenes from the 1960s.

Ocean City scenes from the 1960s. (Walter McCardell / Baltimore Sun files / May 31, 1968)

Advertisement
Colleen Maquire smiles as she dashes out of the ocean.

Colleen Maquire smiles as she dashes out of the ocean. (Richard Stacks / Baltimore Sun files / Aug. 11, 1963)

Advertisement
Roxie Smith and Sue Martin play cards on the beach.

Roxie Smith and Sue Martin play cards on the beach. (Baltimore Sun files / Aug. 19, 1968)

Advertisement
Ocean City scenes from the 1960s.

Ocean City scenes from the 1960s. (Weyman Swagger / Baltimore Sun files / Sept. 4, 1967)

Advertisement
The Trimper carousel.

The Trimper carousel. (Walter McCardell / Baltimore Sun files / May 11, 1990)

Advertisement
Fishing from the jetty.

Fishing from the jetty. (Walter McCardell / Baltimore Sun files / July 6, 1982)

Advertisement
Jolly Roger Park got its start in Ocean City in 1964. Historic photo courtesy of Jolly Roger Park.

Jolly Roger Park got its start in Ocean City in 1964. Historic photo courtesy of Jolly Roger Park. (Baltimore Sun files)

Advertisement
Laurie Haviland plays with the dolphins at Jolly Roger.

Laurie Haviland plays with the dolphins at Jolly Roger. (Baltimore Sun files / May 27, 1988)

Advertisement
Dee Davis posts a sign outside of the Sandpiper Restaurant.

Dee Davis posts a sign outside of the Sandpiper Restaurant. (George Cook / Baltimore Sun files / Sept. 5, 1977)

Advertisement

Ocean City, 1988

James Purnall stands outside of Henry Hotel in Ocean City, MD in 1988.

James Purnall stands outside of Henry Hotel in Ocean City, MD in 1988. (Check with Baltimore Sun Photo)

Advertisement
Mary Russell and Annette Riley share a bike ride through Ocean City.

Mary Russell and Annette Riley share a bike ride through Ocean City. (Walter McCardell / Baltimore Sun files / July 6, 1982)

Advertisement
Crowds walk the boards in 1982.

Crowds walk the boards in 1982. (Weyman Swagger / Baltimore Sun files / May 31, 1982)

Advertisement
A young man zips down a water slide.

A young man zips down a water slide. (Baltimore Sun files / May 29, 1989)

Advertisement
Margie Goldsborough does a handstand on the beach.

Margie Goldsborough does a handstand on the beach. (Lloyd Pearson / Baltimore Sun files / July 17, 1981)

Advertisement
Mary Wright enjoys some boardwalk fare.

Mary Wright enjoys some boardwalk fare. (George Cook / Baltimore Sun files / July 3, 1981)

Advertisement
Ocean City scenes from the 1980s.

Ocean City scenes from the 1980s. (Mark Bugnaski / Baltimore Sun files / July 25, 1989)

Advertisement
A young man plays a video game -- The Main Event -- in an arcade off of the boardwalk.

A young man plays a video game -- The Main Event -- in an arcade off of the boardwalk. (Baltimore Sun files / July 23, 1988)

Advertisement

Retro Ocean City

Ocean City scenes from the 1930s.

Ocean City scenes from the 1930s. (Baltimore Sun files / July 6, 1937)

Advertisement
Deede St. Clair carries her surfboard on the beach.

Deede St. Clair carries her surfboard on the beach. (Paul Hutchins / Baltimore Sun files / Aug. 19, 1968)

Advertisement
Ocean City scenes from the 1970s.

Ocean City scenes from the 1970s. (Baltimore Sun files / May 28, 1979)

Advertisement
Ocean City scenes from the 1970s.

Ocean City scenes from the 1970s. (Weyman Swagger / Baltimore Sun files / May 27, 1974)

Advertisement
Ocean City scenes from the 1970s.

Ocean City scenes from the 1970s. (Baltimore Sun files / July 5, 1978)

Advertisement
Ocean City scenes from the 1970s.

Ocean City scenes from the 1970s. (Baltimore Sun files / June 13, 1978)

Advertisement
Bright lights and large crowds at the boardwalk amusement area add to the festive mood of the holiday weekend.

Bright lights and large crowds at the boardwalk amusement area add to the festive mood of the holiday weekend. (George Cook / Baltimore Sun files / Sept. 6, 1976)

Advertisement
Ocean City roller coaster riders get ready for a dip.

Ocean City roller coaster riders get ready for a dip. (William Klender / Baltimore Sun files / Aug. 9, 1970)

Advertisement

Ocean City, 1991

People have a good time in Ocean City, Maryland in 1991.

People have a good time in Ocean City, Maryland in 1991. (Check with Baltimore Sun Photo)

Advertisement
Carrie Wynkoop, 2, is buried in sand up to her neck, thanks to her dad.

Carrie Wynkoop, 2, is buried in sand up to her neck, thanks to her dad. (Richard Childress / Baltimore Sun files / June 2, 1976)

Advertisement
Irene Schultz of Bowie relaxes on her raft.

Irene Schultz of Bowie relaxes on her raft. (Richard Childress / Baltimore Sun files / July 6, 1975)

Advertisement

Ocean City, 1968

Man looks out at the Ocean City, Maryland water in 1968.

Man looks out at the Ocean City, Maryland water in 1968. (KNIESCHE/Check with Baltimore Sun Photo)

Advertisement
Coats and sweaters were needed on the Ocean City Boardwalk, and only a few brave souls ventured into the rough surf as a chill marred the Labor Day weekend.

Coats and sweaters were needed on the Ocean City Boardwalk, and only a few brave souls ventured into the rough surf as a chill marred the Labor Day weekend. (William Hotz / Baltimore Sun files / Aug. 31, 1975)

Advertisement
Early morning cyclists monopolize the boardwalk in Ocean City before the crowds arrive.

Early morning cyclists monopolize the boardwalk in Ocean City before the crowds arrive. (Lloyd Pearson / Baltimore Sun files / Aug. 13, 1975)

Advertisement
It almost seems like everyone is barefoot in Ocean City.

It almost seems like everyone is barefoot in Ocean City. (Baltimore Sun files / June 8, 1953)

Advertisement
Coastal Highway in the 1970s.

Coastal Highway in the 1970s. (Weyman Swagger / Baltimore Sun files / Sept. 27, 1974)

Advertisement
Ocean City scenes from the 1940s.

Ocean City scenes from the 1940s. (Baltimore Sun files / Aug. 24, 1941)

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement