Rosalie Tilghman Shreve

In the record (24)

1. 1884

   "Cottage board at Ocean City, Md." — Mrs. R. T. Shreeve advertises Sea Foam Cottage in the Washington papers.

   In the Evening Star of July 12, 1884, immediately above the Atlantic Hotel's card: "COTTAGE BOARD AT OCEAN CITY, MD. Address Mrs. R. T. SHREEVE, Sea Foam Cottage, Ocean City, Md. For particulars see, or address, Mrs. S. A. HARRINGTON, 917 16th st., Washington, D.C." It is a small ad for a large idea — the beach cottage let out for board, sold to the capital through a Washington agent, running beside the hotels rather than under them.

   Source · checked 2026-08-06

2. 1894 · 1894-10-27

   Mrs. R. T. Shreve of Baltimore buys two ocean-front lots with a hundred feet of frontage from the Sinepuxent Beach Company — the ground the Plimhimmon stands on.

   Under the heading "Improvement at Ocean City," the Messenger of 27 October 1894: "Among the most notable improvements to be made at Ocean City for the coming season will be the erection of a large house by Mrs. R. T. Shreve, of East Franklin street, Baltimore. She has lately purchased from the Sinepuxent Beach Company two desirable lots facing on the ocean and having a frontage of 100 feet..." The rest of the paragraph is lost where the OCR crosses into the adjacent column. Eight weeks later the same paper's Ocean City correspondent reported that "Mr. D. J. Adkins is going right ahead on the Plimhimmond Hotel which is going to be a great improvement to Ocean City" (22 December 1894), and a week after that the town's building programme was still being described as work for the coming season.

   The campaign has carried 'Rosalie Tilghman Shreve built the Plimhimmon in 1894' on the strength of a secondary source. Here is the transaction underneath it, in the county paper, in October — two lots, a hundred feet of ocean front, bought from the Sinepuxent Beach Company for a house to be ready for the COMING season. Which means 1894 is the year the Plimhimmon was bought and begun, and 1895 is the year it opened.

   Sinepuxent Beach CompanyDavid J. Adkins

   Source · checked 2026-08-11

3. 1895 · 1895-06-15

   The Plimhimmon opens on 15 June 1895 — 'directly on the ocean front, just completed and modern in every particular' — under Mrs. R. T. Shreve.

   The hotel D. J. Adkins was 'going right ahead on' in December 1894 opened for the season of 1895. The Washington Evening Star carried the advertisement through June: 'THE PLIMHIMMON, OCEAN CITY, MD., OPENS JUNE 15. Directly on the ocean front. Just completed and modern in every particular. For rates and information address MRS. R. T. SHREVE, Ocean City, Md.' The Star's summer-resort notes of 22 June say the same in prose: 'The Plimhimmon has just been completed at Ocean City, Md. It is directly on the ocean front and modern in every particular.' By 6 April the Messenger had already listed 'the opening of the new hotel, the Plimhimmon' among the season's additions, and on the Fourth of July fireworks were let off in front of it.

   David J. Adkins

   Source · checked 2026-08-11

4. 1898

   Board at Ocean City in 1898 runs $7 to $10 a week; a new furnished ten-room cottage lets for $150 for the season.

   From the Washington Evening Star's summer-resort columns: 'SEASIDE HOTEL, OCEAN CITY, MD.; admirably located; 88 rooms; refurnished; greatly improved; modern luxuries and conveniences; rates, $7 to $10 per week. Address Mrs. A. B. Showell, Proprietress.' (By late August the same house advertised '$7 to $9 per week.') 'THE COLONNADE, Near the beach. Superior table. Terms $7 to $10 weekly. Mrs. Massey, Ocean City, Md., formerly of "The Gables."' And in the Washington Times of 3 July 1898: 'FOR RENT — At Ocean City, Md., a new ten-room cottage; furnished; unobstructed view of ocean and bay; terms $150. Apply to R. J. Dennis, Ocean City, Md.' Dennis was elected to the city council four weeks later. The Colonial offered 'special discounts made for September if booked in August'; the Plimhimmon, under Mrs. R. T. Shreve, advertised electric light, hot and cold baths, ball rooms, an orchestra and Chattolanee spring water served without extra charge, and opened 15 June.

   Two years earlier the county paper complained that Ocean City's prices were 'beyond the reach of many that would delight to spend a week': the Isle of Wight Cottage wanted up to $17.50 a week. In 1898 the same proprietress, Mrs. A. B. Showell, was asking $7 at a bigger house. The town had heard the complaint.

   Mrs. A. B. ShowellReverdy J. Dennis

   Source · checked 2026-08-06

5. 1899

   $150 to $400 for a furnished cottage for the year, and a hotel that slept 350: the 1899 Ocean City season, priced in the Washington papers.

   Three Ocean City houses advertised all season in the Washington Evening Star. The Colonial — "converted into an ideal spring and summer hotel … over 150 feet of glass-inclosed veranda, with heated sun parlors for invalids … purest artesian water. Gunning, fishing and sailing are the popular sports" — was run by W. J. Warrington and offered "Lots for sale. Summer cottages for rent, furnished, $150 to $400 per year. Stores and boarding houses for rent." The Atlantic Hotel opened 22 June with "accommodations for 350. Directly on the beach. First class throughout, with all modern improvements. Dancing pavilion; excellent music. The newest and most delightful health and pleasure resort on Atlantic coast" — under Maj. Geo. D. De Shields, manager of the Dewey Hotel in Washington. The Hotel Plimhimmon and Casino advertised under R. T. Shreve's name: "Fine surf bathing. Good fishing and sailing. Excellent cuisine. Grand piazza. Orchestra."

   Atlantic HotelPlimhimmon Hotel / Plim PlazaJohn F. Waggaman

   Source · checked 2026-08-06

6. 1900

   Board at the Dennis House costs $6 to $8 a week, and a Washington man builds a new hotel on the board walk.

   The Evening Star's summer-resort columns and the town's own correspondents give the fullest hotel roster this project holds for the turn of the century. The Atlantic Hotel opened Saturday 23 June, "thoroughly refurnished and refitted, private baths attached," rates from Geo. D. De Shields at 700 14th St NW, Washington — John F. Waggaman's address of the year before, and Waggaman himself was abroad for much of the summer. The Plimhimmon Hotel and Casino opened 9 June "greatly enlarged": ocean front, dining room capacity 200, "orchestra and ball room; surf bathing, sailing, fishing, gunning, etc.; bath houses connected with hotel; bowling alleys, pool tables, etc.; Chattolanee spring water served," over Mrs. R. T. Shreve's name, with a large ocean-front dining room added as an annex that spring. The one house that printed a price was the Dennis House, Mrs. R. J. Dennis: "Unobstructed view of ocean and bay; excellent table. Terms, $6 to $8 per week. Also furnished cottage for rent." Also advertising: the Seaside Hotel (Mrs. A. B. Showell, proprietor; John L. Streeper, manager), Ocean Swell Cottage (J. D. Showell, open from 1 May, "one of the best places at Ocean City, Md., to have a royal good time"), the Colonial (W. J. Warrington), Sutton Lodge (Mrs. M. K. Michael), Tarry Awhile Cottage (Mrs. Mason), and Neptune Villa, advertised in the Washington Times as "direct on sea ... fruits, vegetables, butter and milk from Eastern Shore. Terms moderate. Address Manager, Box 45." John F. Waggaman advertised the town itself over his own name in the Evening Star through June — "Spend the summer in the cool breezes at Ocean City, Md. Directly on the Atlantic. Always cool ... splendid bathing, fishing and boating. Living is remarkably cheap" — with furnished cottages for rent, cottages and lots for sale and "money loaned to build." Congress Hall, the Gordon and the Ocean Wave appear in the Black correspondence. And new for the season: "Mr. W. E. Buell of Washington has erected a large hotel on the board walks near the United States life saving station, to be known as the Mt. Pleasant" — opening 20 June, "directly on the beach; comfortable rooms, wide verandas, ocean front, dining room, sun parlor, bath rooms" — one of "as many as a dozen smaller buildings ... built this spring." By late July it was "thinking about putting out the 'standing room only' sign."

   Atlantic HotelPlimhimmon Hotel / Plim PlazaOcean City BoardwalkMaj. George D. De ShieldsJohn F. WaggamanWilliam Warrington

   Source · checked 2026-08-06

7. 1900 · 1900-08-23

   A vaudeville carnival and an eleven-couple cake walk fill the Atlantic Casino; the season's last ball is held at Trimper's Auditorium.

   "The superb carnival given by [Hamlin's] big vaudeville [company] at the Atlantic Casino Thursday" was, The Colored American reported on 25 August, "a just recognition of ... colored talent." The bill: Sir Julius Matoca, "the well known tragedian"; Miss Hattie Robinson in a sketch; Mrs. Mary Covington singing "The Warmest Baby in the Bunch"; Hy Pride, late of the National; a soprano from Snow Hill; Fawcett, Holland and Edward Allan, "the great black face and character comedian." "The leading feature however was the grand cake walk composing 11 couples." It was not the only one: a grand cake walk at the Seaside Hotel in late June drew "artists from Baltimore, Philadelphia and Wilmington," and a ball was given for the waiters of the Plimhimmon Hotel in August that "eclipsed any that has been given here this season." The same column supplies the year's other landmark: "the last grand ball of the season took place at Trimper's Auditorium Tuesday night" — the earliest reference this campaign has to a Trimper hall at Ocean City. Meanwhile the white season's set piece was "the first subscription german of a series" at the Plimhimmon Casino, twelve figures long, the stage decorated with ferns, palms, potted plants, Japanese parasols, lanterns and smilax. — 1900 FULL PASS, 2026-08-11 [reviewed]: Names the company and the framing. The Colored American's Ocean City letter of 25 August 1900 calls the carnival "a just recognition of [the bes]t colored talent" and lists the bill: Hamlin's vaudeville company at the Atlantic Casino on the Thursday; Sir Julius Ma[t]oca, tragedian; Miss Hattie Robinson in a sketch; Mrs. Mary Covington singing "The Warmest Baby in the Bunch"; a Pride, "late of the National", who "had no difficulty in convincing some that minstrels have some [things] that are elevating"; a soprano from Snow Hill; Edward Allan, "the great black face and character comedian"; and "the leading feature however was the grand cake-walk composing 11 couples." Music at the accompanying ball was by the Hall Orchestra. The OCR of this column is badly damaged and several performers' names are recoverable only in part; the page image would settle them.

   Plimhimmon Hotel / Plim PlazaTrimper RidesAtlantic HotelThe Trimper Family

   Source · checked 2026-08-06

8. 1901

   The 1901 hotel roster: eleven Ocean City houses advertised in Washington, from the Atlantic's Venetian doors to the Dennis at $6 a week.

   The Evening Star's summer-resort columns carried Ocean City, Md. as a standing heading through 1901, and the year's houses can be listed almost completely from them. THE ATLANTIC HOTEL - "Opens for the season 1901 June 29. Thoroughly renovated. Many newly furnished rooms. Rooms single and en suite, with bath. Venetian doors to every bed room... Rock spring water served to guests at table and rooms. Finest bathing beach on the Atlantic coast. Lots for sale; cottages for rent" - Chas. Webb of J., manager, at 700 14th St NW until June 15 and at Ocean City after. THE PLIMHIMMON - opened 25 April, the earliest opening of the year, "refurnished and enlarged; ocean-front dining room; capacity 200; surf bathing absolutely safe; bath houses connected with the house; Chattolanee Spring water served at table", Mrs. R. T. Shreve. THE MT. PLEASANT - W. E. Buell, "directly on the beach... porches and sun parlor; new sanitary plumbing". THE COLONIAL - W. J. Warrington, "ocean front. Sanitary plumbing. Buena Vista water." THE DENNIS - Mrs. R. J. Dennis, "home comforts; unobstructed view of ocean and bay; excellent table; terms, $6 to $10 per week; use of bath rooms free of charge." THE GLENMORE - Miss Mary A. Bennett, "ocean front. Large new house." THE GABLES - Mrs. D. J. Barry, "under new management." THE LINDEN COTTAGES - Paul & Hanson, "directly on beach." TARRY-A-WHILE - advertised in June under A. W. Lyman, manager, and in July as a "new house; full ocean view; double piazzas; soft beds" over the name of Geo. W. Dietrick of Washington. NEPTUNE VILLA - "sea front; electric lights; modern improvements." Congress Hall, the Hotel Hamilton and the Isle of Wight Hotel appear in guest lists and in the Delaware papers.

   Atlantic HotelPlimhimmon Hotel / Plim PlazaWilliam J. WarringtonReverdy J. Dennis

   Source · checked 2026-08-11

9. 1902

   The Washington press names four Ocean City houses the county paper's hotel block never listed — The Breakers, the Mervue, the Waverly and the Fenwick.

   The Evening Star's 1902 Ocean City advertising block and the two Washington papers' weekly guest lists between them add to the campaign's 1902 hotel roster: The Breakers, "directly on the beach… surf bathing, sailing and golf; bath houses connected with house," kept by Miss M. E. Newton of the Guysboro in Washington; the Mervue (printed "the Mervin" in August); the Waverly, on the boardwalk fronting the ocean; and the Fenwick. The same block gives details the Messenger's advertisements omit: the Atlantic Hotel opened 28 June under manager Chas. Webb of J., serving Rock Spring water, with a golf course and tennis grounds and "lots for sale and cottages for rent"; the Plimhimmon opened 15 June with a handsome ballroom, the Hollywood Mandolin Orchestra and Chattolanee spring water; the Colonial advertised "pure water; complete sanitary system." Cottages named in the season's columns include Sutton Lodge and the Smoot cottage.

   Two of these houses are on the boardwalk, which is how the campaign now knows where the boardwalk was.

   Plimhimmon Hotel / Plim Plaza

   Source · checked 2026-08-06

10. 1902 · 1902-07-05

    The 1902 season's hotel roster, from the county paper's standing "Ocean City Hotels" block: nine houses, an orchestra, artesian water and a sun parlor.

    Running weekly from early July: the Hotel Brighton, "first class in every respect, about 100 yards from surf, excellent table, sanitary system, annex attached," R. C. Quillin, Prop.; The Mt. Pleasant, "centrally located, directly on the beach, sun parlor, perfect sanitary system, first-class table," Mrs. W. E. Buell, Prop.; Neptune Villa, "now open, right on the sea front"; THE DENNIS, "home comforts, unobstructed view of ocean and bay, excellent table; terms $6 to $10 per week," Mrs. E. J. Dennis, Prop.; The Plimhimmon, "one whole block ocean front, newly decorated, Hollywood Mandolin Orchestra, capacity 200, artesian spring water," Mrs. R. T. Shreve; The Hamilton, "beautifully situated, directly facing the ocean ... one of the finest hotels on the beach," Mrs. Massey; and the Atlantic Hotel, "thoroughly renovated, many newly [furnished] rooms, rooms single and en suite." Congress Hall (John Kelley part owner) and the Colonial appear elsewhere in the same issues, and Rayne's Hotel is named in the surf-rescue reports. Joseph Shaefer, "The Baker and Ice Cream Manufacturer," advertised that he was "again at Ocean City for the season." FIGURE RECOVERED 2026-08-06: the Dennis's terms, printed as "[$—] to $10 per week" from the Messenger's damaged OCR, are $6 TO $10 PER WEEK — read off the Evening Star's Ocean City advertising block of 14 June 1902 at the page image.

    S. J. Massey

    Source · checked 2026-08-06

11. 1903 · 1903-07-11

    The Hotel Mount Vernon advertises itself all summer at "Talbot Ave. and Boardwalk" — $1.50 a day, $7 to $10 a week, and a fifty-cent dinner.

    The standing "Ocean City Hotels" advertising block, running weekly in the Democratic Messenger from at least 4 July to the end of August 1903: "HOTEL MOUNT VERNON, Talbot Ave. and Boardwalk, OCEAN CITY, MD. FULL OCEAN VIEW. $1.50 Per Day. $7 To $10 A Week. EXCELLENT TABLE. Our 50 Cent Dinner a Specialty. MRS. S. M. PURNELL, Two Blocks North R. R. Station." The same block carries The Plimhimmon — "One whole block Ocean front. Newly decorated. Hollywood Mandolin Orchestra. Capacity 200. Chattolanee Spring water. Mrs. R. T. Shreve"; The Hamilton — "Beautifully situated: directly facing the ocean, newest and one of the finest hotels on the beach. Mrs. Massey"; and The Colonial — "Was opened for the reception of guests on Saturday, June 27th. Bath house in connection with the hotel and all modern conveniences. Terms moderate." A boarding week at the Mount Vernon in 1903 cost less than half what the Atlantic charged the convention trade by the day. **The address is the point.** "Talbot Ave. and Boardwalk" is a paid, repeated, commercial street address, printed weekly in 1903 — the earliest use this campaign has found of *Boardwalk* as the name of a place you could be told to go to.

    Josephine L. MasseyMrs. S. M. Purnell

    Source · checked 2026-08-06

12. 1905

    The 1905 hotel roster: Plimhimmon, Atlantic, Seaside, Hamilton, Mount Pleasant and Colonial — and the railroad agrees to give up Baltimore Avenue and let it become a driveway.

    From "Ocean City Improvements," 10 June 1905: the Plimhimmon was already doing business before its formal opening, Mrs. Shreve having "thoroughly renovated and repainted the house" and added a laundry annex, with Manager Ijams running it; proprietor August Roder of the Atlantic and Seaside Hotels had "a large force at work getting ready for the 29th"; Mrs. Massey of the Hamilton was making improvements; E. E. Emerson was the new proprietor of the Mount Pleasant; and "The Colonial makes a fine appearance in its new dress of colors and is about ready for opening." The same column reports "The early abandonment of Baltimore avenue by the railroad and the making of a driveway," and complaints about railway service that the company proposed to answer with daily fast trains. On 19 August: "Contracts have been made for several new cottages at Ocean City, and another hotel up the boardwalk is probable for next year, to be built by parties from York, Pa." and "Every hotel and boarding house at Ocean City is running to full capacity."

    Atlantic HotelPlimhimmon Hotel / Plim PlazaBaltimore, Chesapeake & Atlantic RailwayAugust RoderJ. Edgar Ijams

    Source · checked 2026-08-06

13. 1907

    The 1907 hotel line-up: the Atlantic reopens renovated under T. L. Page, and nine houses advertise in the Washington papers.

    The Washington summer-resort columns of 1907 give the fullest hotel roster the campaign has for the decade. The ATLANTIC HOTEL, Ocean City, Md., "opens June 15. Modern and high class in every particular. Recently renovated and greatly improved throughout. Faces the ocean" - T. L. Page, manager, described by the Star's own Ocean City correspondent as "Mr. Page of Washington." THE PLIMHIMMON HOTEL, "beach front... surf bathing, ballroom, orchestra," R. T. Shreve. MT. PLEASANT HOTEL, "under new management; ocean front; sun parlors; airy rooms; excellent table," W. O. Abbott, prop. THE RIDEAU, "post office Box 103. Directly on the beach. Table unsurpassed. Modern improvements," Mrs. Paul. The OCEANIC HOTEL and the MT. VERNON HOTEL, ocean front, J. D. Showell. THE DENNIS, "table first-class, terms very reasonable," Mrs. R. J. Dennis. The SEASIDE HOTEL. The HOTEL HAMILTON. And Sea Crest Cottage, Mrs. Anna B. Showell. On 20 July the Star's correspondent added the year's grace note: "The Atlantic Hotel boasts of an orchestra composed of young ladies. This adds greatly to the attractiveness of the place."

    Unverified — sourced but not confirmed against a primary record.

    Atlantic HotelPlimhimmon Hotel / Plim PlazaTheodore L. PageJohn D. ShowellW. O. Abbott

    Source · checked 2026-08-06

14. 1913

    Six Ocean City houses advertise all summer in the Washington Evening Star — and one Washington family advertises for "a good, plain cook, to go to Ocean City, Md."

    The Evening Star's SUMMER RESORTS column ran an "OCEAN CITY, MD." block through the 1913 season, in competition with Braddock Heights, Pen Mar, Piney Point and Atlantic City. The standing advertisers: the Plimhimmon Hotel and Cottages, "Ocean front; best service," R. T. Shreve; Mt. Vernon and Oceanic, "Ocean front. Rooms facing beach. Bathhouse attached," J. D. Showell; The Dennis, "Porticos overlooking ocean and bay; 1 block from pier. Comfortable and homelike. Excellent table. Moderate terms," R. J. Dennis; The Breakers, "Directly on the beach," M. E. Newton, whose off-season address was 1309 17th Street N.W.; The Virginia, "Ocean front. Excellent table. Reasonable rates," M. P. Moore; and The Mount Pleasant, "On Ocean front. Comfortable rooms. Excellent table. Open June 21st," Mrs. W. E. Buell. The domestic-help columns of the same paper carry the other half of the trade: "COOK — A good, plain cook, to go to Ocean City, Md.; reference required. Apply 1309 17th st." — the same 17th Street address as The Breakers.

    Plimhimmon Hotel / Plim Plaza

    Source · checked 2026-08-06

15. 1914

    Washington's summer-resort column carries fourteen Ocean City, Md. houses in 1914 — more than double 1913's six.

    The Evening Star's SUMMER RESORTS block, under the standing line "Ocean City, Md. Finest beach in world. Ocean on one side, bay on other. Cool & healthful. Ex. boating & fishing," advertised through the 1914 season: **The Atlantic** ("most modern on beach. Elevators, etc. Large porches. Ocean front. SAVAGE & POWELL"); **Plimhimmon Hotel and cottages** (R. T. Shreve); **The Oceanic & Mt. Vernon** (J. D. Showell); **The Shelburne** ("Large, cool rooms; excellent cooking; reasonable rates," Brewington & Trealoar); **The Dennis** ("Porticos overlooking Ocean and Bay," R. J. Dennis); **The Nordica** ("On the Boardwalk; 3 squares from depot; 1 square above new piers," Mrs. G. R. Bassett); **The Colonial** ("On Boardwalk. Bathing from Hotel. First-class table. New management. N. C. Dean"); **Seaside Hotel** ("Under new management," Miss J. M. Friel); **The Belmont** ("New addition, with ocean view," L. R. Hearne); **New Avalon** (K. C. Hastings); **The Mervue** (T. W. Taylor); **The Mount Pleasant** (Mrs. W. E. Buell, "Opens June 27"); **Wetipquin Hall** ("Directly on Boardwalk," S. H. Dashiell); **The Breakers** ("Directly on Beach," M. E. Newton, 1309 17th St. N.W.); **The Lin-Mar** (new management, Mrs. Thos. T. Moore); and **Adams Hotel** (R. B. Adams). The Atlantic Hotel's proprietorship line has changed: in 1913 mayor W. B. S. Powell bought it with Capt. John H. Long of Frankford, Del.; in 1914 it advertises as **Savage & Powell**.

    Atlantic HotelPlimhimmon Hotel / Plim PlazaOcean City BoardwalkWilliam B. S. PowellJohn D. Showell

    Source · checked 2026-08-06

16. 1915

    The Evening Star's summer-resort page carried thirteen Ocean City, Md. houses in 1915 against six in 1913, under a standing slogan: "Finest beach in world. Ocean on one side, bay on other."

    Through the 1915 season the Washington Evening Star ran an "OCEAN CITY, MD." block on its SUMMER RESORTS page, headed with the town's own line — "Ocean City, Md. Finest beach in world. Ocean on one side, bay on other. Cool & healthful. Ex. boating & fishing." The houses advertising in it: THE ATLANTIC HOTEL, ocean front, W. B. S. Powell, Prop.; MT. VERNON AND OCEANIC, ocean front, J. D. Showell; THE COLONIAL, on Boardwalk, "Bathing from Hotel", J. M. Ames & N. C. Dean; THE BELMONT and Cottages, L. R. Hearne; THE DENNIS, "porticos overlooking ocean ... bathing free", Mrs. R. J. Dennis; TOURIST INN, on the boardwalk, rooms single or en suite with private bath, M. E. Miller; THE MOUNT PLEASANT, ocean front, Mrs. W. E. Buell; HOTEL DELMAR, "newly built and newly furnished; unobstructed view of ocean and bay", Mrs. B. F. Barker; PLIMHIMMON HOTEL and Cottages, R. T. Shreve; "The Breakers", M. E. Newton, 1309 17th st. [Washington]; WETIPQUIN HOTEL, "directly on Boardwalk", S. H. Dashiell; ADAMS HOTEL, "open all the year around", R. B. Adams; and TARRY AWHILE, ocean view, B. Kinnamon. Two things have changed since the 1913 block. There are thirteen houses where there were six, three of them new to this registry (the Colonial, the Delmar and the Wetipquin) — and the Adams advertises itself as open all the year around, the first year-round hotel the campaign has recorded at Ocean City. The mayor's own Atlantic heads the list.

    Atlantic HotelPlimhimmon Hotel / Plim PlazaOcean City BoardwalkWilliam B. S. PowellJohn D. Showell

    Source · checked 2026-08-06

17. 1917

    The Evening Star's summer-resort column carries a dozen Ocean City houses in 1917 — and the Atlantic Hotel now advertises garage accommodations.

    Through June, July and August 1917 the Evening Star ran a standing "OCEAN CITY, MD." block under a fixed slogan — "Finest beach in world. Ocean on one side, bay on other. Cool & healthful. Ex. boating & fishing." The houses advertising in it: the Plimhimmon Hotel and Cottages ("Ocean front. Best service. Booklet. R. T. Shreve"); The Colonial ("On boardwalk. Bathing from hotel. First-class table. N. C. Dean, Owner and Manager"); The Mount Pleasant ("On ocean front. Comfortable rooms. Fine table. Mrs. W. E. Buell"); The Belmont and Cottages ("New addition, with ocean view... L. R. Hearne"); the New Avalon; the Oceanic; the Hastings; Hotel Hamilton; The Virginia; Hotel Tudor; Mrs. Jennie A. Harbin's house; and "THE ATLANTIC HOTEL, OCEAN FRONT. Garage Accommodations. W. B. S. Powell, Prop." That last line is 1917 in four words: the hotel the town was founded to build, owned by the sitting mayor, selling parking. In 1913 the same column carried six houses; in 1917 it carries twelve, and the guests in the Star's society notes arrive by motor car.

    Atlantic HotelPlimhimmon Hotel / Plim PlazaWilliam B. S. Powell

    Source · checked 2026-08-06

18. 1919

    Ten Ocean City houses advertise in the Washington Evening Star under the same slogan as 1917 — and two of them are new.

    The Evening Star's standing "Ocean City, Md." resort block ran all summer under the unchanged banner "Finest beach in world. Ocean on one side, bay on other. Cool & healthful. Ex. boating & fishing." The houses in it: the Plimhimmon Hotel and cottages ("Ocean front. Best service. Orchestra." — R. T. Shreve); The New Avalon ("Terms moderate. Home cooking. Special weekly rates; bath houses attached." — Stout & Stout); The Dennis ("Comfortable and homelike. Porticos overlooking ocean and bay. Excellent table. Modern improvements. Bathing free." — Mrs. R. J. Dennis); The Lin-Mar ("Running water in rooms" — Mrs. H. F. Boyd); Wetipquin Hall ("Special rates for July" — Mrs. S. H. Dashiell); The Belmont and Cottages (L. R. Hearne); The Del-Mar ("Low rates for June. Large porches" — Mrs. Harry Forman); The Hastings ("Newest hotel on Boardwalk; excellent rooms and private bath" — Mrs. K. C. Hastings); Hotel Hamilton (J. L. Massey & Son); and "THE ATLANTIC HOTEL, OCEAN FRONT. Garage Accommodations. W. B. S. POWELL, Prop." The Lin-Mar, the Del-Mar and Wetipquin Hall are new to the registry since 1917.

    Atlantic HotelPlimhimmon Hotel / Plim PlazaWilliam B. S. Powell

    Source · checked 2026-08-06

19. 1920

    The Evening Star's "Ocean City, Md." block grew from ten houses in 1919 to fifteen in 1920, and six of them were new to this registry.

    Under the same standing banner as 1917 and 1919 — "Finest beach in world. Ocean on one side, bay on other. Cool and healthful. Ex. boating and fishing" — the Washington Evening Star carried through the 1920 season: THE RIDEAU, "On boardwalk. Ocean front dining room. Excellent table. La Fayette Johnson, Prop."; SEA SIDE HOTEL, "Under new management. Good, wholesome home cooking. Vegetables from our own farm. Dr. J. H. Botz, prop."; THE BREAKERS, "Ocean front. Under new management. Home cooking. Bathhouses attached. Reasonable rates. Apply Mrs. C. Timmons, Prop." — and later in the season, under a second banner, "Only boardwalk hotel. Diet kitchen attached for convalescents. Garage. K. A. Young, Mgr."; THE COLONIAL, "On Boardwalk; remodeled and enlarged; private baths; running water; booklet. Ownership management."; OCEAN VIEW COTTAGE, "on 3d ave. near boardwalk. Rooms with or without board. Modern conveniences."; THE GABLES, "Rooms without board; cool and comfortable. Mrs. A. E. Cropper."; MONROE HOUSE, "Formerly the Sherman. Cool rooms. 3 acres of lawn. Excellent table." Returning from 1919: The Dennis (Mrs. R. J. Dennis, "Bathing free" — and, from August, "Apply for September rates"), The Belmont and Cottages (L. R. Hearne), Plimhimmon Hotel and cottages ("Ocean front. Best service. Orchestra." R. T. Shreve), The Atlantic Hotel ("OCEAN FRONT. Garage Accommodations. W. B. S. Powell, Prop."), The Lin-Mar (Mrs. H. F. Boyd), Hotel Hamilton (J. L. Massey & Son), The Hastings ("Newest hotel on Boardwalk", Mrs. K. C. Hastings). Every one of the seven February storm-damage names that was a hotel is back in the advertising by June. And still not one of the fifteen prints a price.

    Atlantic HotelPlimhimmon Hotel / Plim PlazaOcean City BoardwalkWilliam B. S. PowellLafayette Johnson

    Source · checked 2026-08-06

20. 1922

    Eleven Ocean City houses advertise in the Washington Evening Star's summer-resort block in 1922 — the Plimhimmon now has a ballroom, a grill room and the Morris Orchestra — and not one of them prints a price.

    The Evening Star ran its standing "OCEAN CITY, MD." block through the summer of 1922 under the banner it had used since 1917: "Finest beach in world: ocean on one side, bay on other; cool, healthful; boating and fishing." The houses: the PLIMHIMMON HOTEL and Cottages, "Ocean front; best service; ballroom, Morris Orchestra; grill room"; the ATLANTIC HOTEL, "Ocean front. New management. New steward. Running water in rooms. American plan. C. W. Purnell, Prop."; HOTEL HAMILTON, "Ocean front. J. L. Massey & Son"; THE RIDEAU, "on boardwalk. Ocean front dining room. Excellent table. La Fayette Johnson, Prop."; THE LIN-MAR, "Ocean front. Running water in rooms. All conveniences. Bath houses attached. Mrs. H. F. Boyd"; BREAKERS, "on boardwalk. Large, airy rooms. Hot, cold water in rooms. Phone 76. Mrs. A. Timmons, Prop."; THE BELMONT, "Running water in every room. With ocean view. Cool, delightful rooms. Excellent table. L. R. Hearne"; THE DEL-MAR, "Cool, airy rooms. Overlooking ocean and bay. Homelike. Rates reasonable. Mrs. S. I. Carey, Owner-Prop. Bathing free"; MOUNT PLEASANT HOTEL, "On Boardwalk. Rooms with running water. Home cooking. S. M. Mason, Prop."; THE DENNIS, "Comfortable and homelike. Porticos overlooking ocean and bay. Terms reasonable. Bathing free. Mrs. R. J. Dennis"; and the SEASIDE, "Street near Boardwalk. OPEN JUNE 29. Everything new and modern. Running water in all rooms. Private baths. American plan." The Rideau, the Breakers and the Seaside are new to this registry, and the Del-Mar has changed hands from Mrs. Harry Forman to Mrs. S. I. Carey. Running water in the rooms is now the standard boast; three years earlier only the Lin-Mar claimed it.

    Plimhimmon Hotel / Plim PlazaAtlantic HotelLafayette JohnsonMrs. S. M. Mason

    Source · checked 2026-08-06

21. 1922 · 1922-04-13

    Rosalie Tilghman Shreve, who built the Plimhimmon, is dead by 1922 — and Chapter 475 of that session validates her gift of Honey Moon Cottage on Baltimore Avenue to the Episcopal Diocese of Easton as a vacation house for clergy.

    Chapter 475 of the Acts of 1922, a long omnibus act validating devises and bequests to religious corporations, includes at item (51) the will of "Rosalie Tilghma[n] Shreve, late of Baltimore City, State of Maryland, deceased," recorded in Baltimore Wills Liber H. W. J. No. 136, folio 161: "(a) To the Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Easton, Maryland, a house and lot of land known as Honey Moon Cottage, located on Baltimore Avenue, in Ocean City, Worcester County, Md., to be used as a vacation clergy house, as a memorial to a deceased sister, Mrs. Henrietta Kerr Burroughs. (b) To the Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Easton, Maryland, towards the maintenance of said vacation clergy house, stock of the par value of five thousand dollars in the Plimhimmon Hotel Company of Worcester County, Maryland." Shreve — a Civil War widow who built the Plimhimmon in 1894 as one of Ocean City's first three grand hotels and was still opening it for the season in 1898 and advertising it in 1919 — turns out to have left the town both a clergy house and the endowment to run it, in the form of shares in her own hotel. The act also reveals that the Plimhimmon was held by a company: the Plimhimmon Hotel Company of Worcester County.

    Plimhimmon Hotel / Plim PlazaPlimhimmon Hotel Company of Worcester County

    Source · checked 2026-08-06

22. 1923 · 1923-05-27

    A stained glass Ascension window is consecrated at St. Paul's-by-the-Sea as a memorial to Arthur B. Shreve, son of the Plimhimmon's builder.

    Worcester Democrat, 26 May 1923: "Messrs. Gettier Co. have installed a stained glass window in St. Paul's Church, which will be consecrated next Sunday. The window is a memorial to Arthur B. Shreve, a son of Mrs. Rosalie Shreve, late proprietor of the Plimhimmon. It represents the Ascension, and is done in Gettier's best style." The word "late" confirms from a second direction what the 1922 session laws implied: Rosalie Tilghman Shreve — Civil War widow, builder of the Plimhimmon in 1894, and the only woman among the town's early developers — was dead.

    St. Paul's by-the-Sea Episcopal ChurchPlimhimmon Hotel / Plim Plaza

    Source · checked 2026-08-06

23. 1923 · 1923-07-07

    Rosalie Shreve's bequest works: a clergyman and his wife are living in the Clergy Rest House at Ocean City by July 1923.

    Worcester Democrat, 7 July 1923: "Rev. and Mrs. Borden Smith are occupying the Clergy Rest House during the present week." Chapter 475 of the Acts of 1922 had validated Rosalie Tilghman Shreve's devise to the Diocese of Easton of "a house and lot of land known as Honey Moon Cottage, located on Baltimore Avenue, in Ocean City… to be used as a vacation clergy house," endowed with $5,000 par value of stock in the Plimhimmon Hotel Company. The 1922 pass left it open whether the house ever housed a clergyman. It did, within fifteen months.

    St. Paul's by-the-Sea Episcopal ChurchPlimhimmon Hotel Company of Worcester County

    Source · checked 2026-08-06

24. 1924

    Rosalie Shreve's Clergy House keeps a Pocomoke rector for the whole of September — his parish's services 'omitted owing to the rector's vacation at the Clergy House, Ocean City.'

    The Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Pocomoke City, printed the same notice in the Worcester Democrat every week of September 1924: 'Services, until the 21st, will be omitted owing to the rector's vacation at the Clergy House, Ocean City.' Rosalie Tilghman Shreve left Honey Moon Cottage to the church in 1922 as a rest house for clergy; 1923 found it occupied for a week; by 1924 it is closing a parish for three. The Rev. Dr. Edmund Burk of Ocean City meanwhile appears through the year as celebrant at the county's Episcopal gatherings, and in October was 'detained at Ocean City on account of the burial of one of his parishioners.'

    St. Paul's by-the-Sea Episcopal Church

    Source · checked 2026-08-06