Thomas Farley

In the record (2)

1. 1880 · 1880-06-23

   The Atlantic Hotel adds 100 rooms and a dancing pavilion for a 600-guest capacity, and Congress Hall opens as the beach's third big house — 1880 is the year Ocean City gets a hotel row.

   Work on the Atlantic's addition was announced in early March — "the carpenters will soon be at work on the proposed addition to the Atlantic Hotel, which is to make it one of the largest and most" [complete of the resort's houses] — and by June the hotel was advertising the result across Maryland, Delaware and the District: "OPENED for the reception of guests June 23rd, with greatly increased facilities for the accommodation of pleasure seekers. The capacity of the house has been increased to 600 guests by the addition of 100 new rooms, new bath houses and a pavilion for dancing, with eminent musical talent, are among the attractive features." The Smyrna Times version put it plainly: "100 New Rooms have been added. New Bath Houses and Ball Room are among the latest improvements. THE BEST MUSIC That has ever been on the Beach is secured." Terms were $2.50 per day and $10 to $12.50 per week — the same rate card as 1877, three years and a hundred rooms later. John Tracy was still proprietor; S. C. Beckwith was chief clerk. Two days later a brand-new competitor opened: "Congress Hall, Ocean City, Worcester Co., Md. SEASON OF 1880, NOW OPEN. Commanding an Ocean view from all parts of the house. Good Fishing and Boating. An excellent Orchestra will be in attendance during the Season. The table will be supplied with all the delicacies of the season, Oysters, Fish, Crabs and Terrapins being in abundance... TERMS $12.50 and $10.00 per Week, according to location. Transient board, $2.50 per day. WM. B. R. SELBY, Proprietor. THOMAS FARLEY, Manager." The Evening Star's version of the ad dates the opening to June 25, 1880. With S. J. Massey & Co.'s Seaside Hotel opening June 15 "100 yards from the breakers," the July excursion party found three hotels to split among — and by 1881 Congress Hall, in only its second season, would be called the most popular house on the beach.

   Atlantic HotelJohn TracyCol. Wm. B. R. SelbyS. J. Massey

   Source · checked 2026-08-06

2. 1881

   Congress Hall adds a three-storey wing of sixty rooms, a new dining room and new bath houses — built through the spring by Snow Hill painters.

   Congress Hall's 1881 advertisement: "The great popularity and gratifying success of Congress Hall last season has induced the proprietor to increase the capacity of his hotel by the addition of a three-story wing, containing sixty well-lighted, large and airy rooms. Among other improvements are a new dining-room, bath-houses, new bathing robes... Notwithstanding the many improvements, the popular prices of last season will be maintained. THOMAS FARLEY, Manager. W. B. R. SELBY, Proprietor." The Messenger watched it go up: on 28 May "a number of our painters have left for Ocean City, to work on Congress Hall", and "the addition being built to 'Congress Hall' is rapidly approaching completion and is now partially in the hands of the painters. Ed. Boehm and his assistants, from your town, have the job of painting. The new 'L' will show the Hall off to good advantage." Alvey W. Smith of Snow Hill ran the hotel's livery stable that summer, and the Wilmington clerk J. Harry Godwin kept its office for a second season.

   Col. Wm. B. R. Selby

   Source · checked 2026-08-11