Ocean Pines: Rich in History

Ocean Pines is a planned, residential community nestled on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, only 5 miles from bustling Ocean City, and features more than nine miles of waterfront property on 3,000 acres of wooded areas. Amenities include a beachfront restaurant in Ocean City and a public Yacht Club in Ocean Pines. There are also five pools, two marinas, a premier racquet sports complex, and a Robert Trent Jones Sr.-designed championship golf course. Today the community has 8,452 platted lots and is home to 12,000 full-time residents and 8,000 part-time residents and guests.

History of Ocean Pines, Maryland

The community of Ocean Pines opened for business in July of 1968. Nestled on 3,500 acres of former farm and wooded land with over nine miles of waterfront property, Ocean Pines began as a quiet resort area. While the five-mile distance from Ocean City has not changed, the face of Ocean Pines has aged gracefully over the decades. Following a rapid growth and development of both the residential and business communities.

Construction started on the first phase of Ocean Pines on July 12, 1968. The community started as a small resort and has grown into the largest residential community in Worcester County.

Important Dates in Ocean Pines History

1968: Road construction began; Opening Day of sales was July 12
1969: Boise Cascade purchased 3,500 acres of land; first home sold to John & Mickey King
1970: First year-round residents, Jerome & Gloria Richards, occupied home; Route 90 opened
1971: Beach Club, Swim & Racquet Club opened; Equestrian Center opened
1972: Eighteen-hole golf course opened; Ocean Pines Association formed
1974: Community Hall built
1975: Yacht Club & Marina built; Sports Core Pool & tennis courts opened
1981: New South Side Firehouse dedicated
1986: Pines Plaza opened
1989: Ocean Pines Memorial Pavilion built in White Horse Park
1990: New tennis center opened at Manklin
1992: Cathell Road extended into Ocean Pines community
2003: Fundraising efforts led by resident Barbara Kissel and community volunteers resulted in a newly installed playground at Manklin
2005: Worcester County Veterans Memorial at Ocean Pines dedicated
2009: Ocean Pines Skate Park opened
2012: Ocean Pines Farmers Market opened; Ocean Pines Dog Park opened
2013: New Yacht Club construction project broke ground; all 18 greens were renovated on golf course
2014: New Yacht Club opened
2017: New pickleball courts and platform tennis courts opened at Manklin; Farmers Market expanded, changing its name to Farmers & Artisans Market after breaking vendor
registration history
2018: 50th anniversary celebrated
2020: New Golf Clubhouse opened

To learn more about the community of Ocean Pines and other concierge-level secrets, contact Mechelle Nichols, Luxury Collection Specialist, at (410) 430-1575 (cell) or [email protected].