Ocean City, Vol. 1 (Images of America: Maryland) [Paperback]

Nan Devincent-Hayes (Author), John E. Jacob (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1999

Originally the land of the Algonquian people, the barrier island on which Ocean City is now located, served as a protective wall for the mainland Delmarva peninsula. It was a somewhat remote area until five men, having formed the Atlantic Hotel Company Corporation, built the first lodging facility, and Ocean City as a coastal resort began to take root. From the cattle grazing in the mid-1800s to the few blocks of buildings constructed at the turn of the century, from the infamous storm of 1933 to the overwhelming growth of the 1940s, Ocean City has had a rich and vibrant history. This volume offers a historical perspective of Ocean City from its inception to 1946, a period when growth was steady but slow. Now boasting over eight million visitors annually, the area is Maryland's golden-haired child and its second-largest city during peak summer weekends when an average of 300,000 tourists arrive.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Authors Nan DeVincent-Hayes, Ph.D., and John E. Jacob have gathered vivid images from wonderful personal collections throughout the community for this volume, and each image provides a historical glimpse of a past that has quickly faded. This entertaining and educational retrospective will certainly delight longtime residents as well as summer sun-seekers.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Arcadia Publishing (August 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738501220
• ISBN-13: 978-0738501222
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #865,172 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dr. Gianni DeVincenti Hayes has been writing & speaking professionally for 30 years. She earned her Ph.D Summa cum Laude in English, literature & world/comparative studies from the University of Maryland College Park (focus in humanities--religion, history, politics, philosophy, art). Both masters were earned at Duquesne University with high honor in scientific research, educational administration & technology; her B.S. from Gannon University is in biology/chemistry where she was honored with Distinguished Alumni Award. She attended the University of Pittsburgh for two years in a doctoral program in instructional technology/communications where she earned The Letter of Highest Commendation. She was endowed to the University of Rochester's writing program for 5 years & to Middlebury College's prestigious Bread Loaf Writing Program.

She speaks internationally, especially on cruises, on globalism, politics, religion, and current events; is a recipient of many tributes, former college professor & department chair, and author of 18 novels & nonfiction books. She writes screenplays, is a print & online syndicated columnist for 22 newspapers nationally and internationally. She hosts a radio talk show on American Voice Station, which features noted authors, celebrities, politicians, and is heard worldwide on AM/FM stations nationwide and the internet, among other venues. Many of her guests are noted personalities, such as TV news correspondent Bernard Goldberg, Congressman Kucinich, Vince Bugliosi (Manson trials), Dr. & Ambassador Alan Keyes, Judge Napolitano, Phyllis Schlafly, Mel Gibson's father and chef, and many others. Dr. Hayes also speaks on politics and eschatology (religion, philosophy and history with Bible prophecy).

She founded The Writers Bloc, Inc, on 1992, was distinguished at many authors' receptions, featured in Contemporary Authors Encyclopedia, nominated for the Governor's Award of Writing, and was honored at her undergraduate college for Women's History Month 2003 where she gave a campus presentation. She has been unanimously voted into her high school Hall of Fame Award for Distinguished Alumni.


Gianni DeVincenti Hayes, Ph.D has been honored by her doctoral school alma mater by setting up an archive of her papers, in her name, in the University Libraries. The collection consists of her books, various manuscripts, instructional materials she created as a college department chair & associate professor, her business reports, speaking materials, and personal correspondences with other authors and people of note.

She serves on the Board of Directors for Pemberton Hall, as President Emeritus and Founder of the Writers Bloc, Inc., is an equal partner in two corporations, and belongs to Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, the Authors Guild and the National Writers Union.

She writers under several pen names, has over 100 articles & short stories published in major newspapers & national magazines, including books published in print & in electronic form. Research, biographies & current events topics are subjects of experience. She has appeared nationwide in newspapers and magazines, and on dozens of national radio and television shows, including A & E Biography, and Pennsylvania Cable Network TV, comprised of 145 stations statewide & nine million viewers.

When not speaking around the world, Dr. Hayes enjoys oil painting and listening to classical music, and reading. She is married with two daughters.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting, November 20, 2005

By 

Kiki Fleishem (Denver) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ocean City, Vol. 1 (Images of America: Maryland) (Paperback)

This is a worthwhile book. The history is well reserched, the photos are good, and the writing is smooth. Good deal. I loved the pictures. The book makes me want to visit Ocean City. It's sequel, Ocean City Vol. II, is equally good.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Images of America-Ocean City-Volume 1, July 10, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Ocean City, Vol. 1 (Images of America: Maryland) (Paperback)

This book addresses the eternal quest by Americans to learn their beginnings, to reflect on the past, and dream of good times when life was simple. I enjoyed the book even though I was born in the 60's. I look forward to volume II.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Off to the Beach, November 13, 2005

By 

Kasey Larson (St. Maartens) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ocean City, Vol. 1 (Images of America: Maryland) (Paperback)

I'm not much for reading pictorial histories but this one got my attention. Ocean City Maryland is nicer than most resorts and has a good blend of commercialism to solitude, and wonderful activities, even at Christmas. It's a family resort, and my family and I like that. I thought this book was well written with finely tuned info and outstanding photos.