Local Ocean It’s History
Above: Mayor Jay Gillian on the Moorlyn Terrace beach the Friday before Memorial Day to unlock the beach. Here he is joined by Martin Z., Fred Miller, and Molly. Left: In 1984, four Ocean City mayors pose for this picture: from left, B. Thomas Waldman, Robert L. Sharp, Chester J. Wimberg, and Jack Bitter. Bitter was mayor when the picture was taken.
Mayors of Ocean City BY FRED MILLER
Gainer P. Moore (1884-1890)
Above: Gainer P. Moore was Ocean City’s first mayor.
James E. Pryor, MD (1890-1892)
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INCE the Lake family founded Ocean City in 1879 there have been five forms of government. The Ocean City Association transacted all official business from 1879 to 1884. In 1884 the growing town was incorporated as a borough run by a mayor and four councilmen. Beginning in 1897 the resort operated under an act incorporating it as a city run by a mayor and six councilmen. In 1911, a commission form of government was adopted. Now voters would select three commissioners and one would be designated mayor. Since 1978 the City of Ocean City has been operated under the Mayor-Council form of government pursuant to the Faulkner Act. This is a good time to remember the 22 men who have held the title of Mayor of Ocean City.
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Moore, Ocean City’s first mayor was born in Chester County, PA in 1834. He served honorably in the Civil War for the Union. He came to Ocean City in 1881 earning a living as a builder. Moore is credited with leading Ocean City’s first Decoration Day celebration (now known as Memorial Day). He led a small group of men marching along Asbury Avenue to commemorate America’s fallen soldiers.
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Pryor graduated in 1888 from Detroit Medical College. He came to Ocean City in 1888 and quickly established a successful medical practice.
Gainer P. Moore (1892-1894) The 1892 Ocean City Guide Book reported, “He came to Ocean City in 1881, and has held the office of mayor since its incorporation, with the exceptions of one term. He is a progressive official, honored by all parties, and has served the city well.”
H. G. Steelman (1894-1895) Steelman came to Ocean City in 1888 and opened a grocery store at 705 Asbury Avenue. The mayoral election of 1894 ended in a tie between Steelman and Robert Fisher. City Council chose Steelman to be mayor and he served for the first year of a two-year term. Fisher went to court to contest the choice, and was allowed to serve the remaining year, beginning on March 8, 1895.
Robert Fisher (1895-1896) Fisher came to Ocean City in 1879 to survey the island for the Lakes. He served one year as mayor after the
contested 1894 mayoral election. He was the city’s first real estate agent.
Gainer P. Moore (1896-1897) Moore, according to an article in the Ocean City Sentinel, “Advanced and supported such projects and gave promise of success and the advancement of Ocean City’s interest in wealth, population and intelligence.”
Wesley C. Smith (1897-1901) Smith, on April 13, 1897, was elected mayor under the new city charter. He was re-elected on April 11, 1899.
Joseph G. Champion (19011907) Champion came to Ocean City in 1890 and established himself as a builder and contractor. He was first elected mayor on November 5, 1901 and served three two-year terms.
Lewis M. Cresse (1907-1911) Cresse, before being elected on November 5, 1907, was a state assemblyman and a state senator.
Harry Headley (1911-1915) Headley, the first mayor under the commission form of government, came to Ocean City in 1893. He was a building contractor and realtor. His political career began in 1896 when he ran for and was elected to city council. He built the city’s first brick building in 1895 on the northwest corner of Asbury Avenue. He also built the city’s first ocean pier in 1899. While mayor, the first bridge to Somers Point was built, and City Hall was built.
