Ocean Pines

History

Prior to the late 1960s, Ocean Pines was a small community, composed primarily of retirees. On May 16, 1968, the Eastern Shore Times newspaper reported the rumor that a multi-million dollar land development project was being considered by the Boise Cascade Corporation in the "Hog Skull" area just north of Berlin. The company began development of the first phase of Ocean Pines on July 12, 1968 and continued at a rapid pace throughout the 1970s. Boise Cascade utilized unique marketing strategies to sell lots "in the middle of nowhere", including Hawaiian luaus, a private clubhouse and pool on the beach of Ocean City, and transportation to Ocean Pines by a double-decker bus and an engine-operated paddlewheel boat named the "Amy Ross". During the 1980s and 1990s, it was normal for 400 new homes to be constructed in the area annually. At the end of 1996, there were 7,381 platted lots and 5,269 dwelling units in the CDP. In 1984, Gerald S. Klein bought $55 million in property for development using Merritt Commercial Savings and Loan assets including a $2 million Maryland Marine wastewater plant. Maple Lawn and Burleigh developer partner Stuart Greenbaum, purchased 800 additional acres for subdivision. In 1985, Worcester County commissioners condemned the Maryland Marine Systems Merritt Commercial Savings and Loan owned sewer system embroiled in the Jeffery Levitt Scandal in order to remove a development moratorium. The system had failed to implement $1.3 million in required maintenance to prevent sewer overflow into the streets creating the moratorium. In 1994, Balfour Holdings purchased $6–8 million in property. In 1995, Balfour representatives presented the Ocean Pines Association with a plan for a library, post office, church, recreational complex, school, and shopping…

Geography

Ocean Pines is located at (38.383692, −75.152755). According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of , of which is land and (29.0%) is water.

Race & ethnicity

Largest nearby schools

• Stephen Decatur High
  High · Berlin · 1,431 students · 16.4:1 ratio
• Stephen Decatur Middle
  Middle · Berlin · 697 students · 12.2:1 ratio
• Berlin Intermediate
  Middle · Berlin · 640 students · 12.5:1 ratio
• Showell Elementary
  Elementary · Berlin · 621 students · 12.2:1 ratio
• Ocean City Elementary
  Elementary · Ocean City · 521 students · 10.9:1 ratio
• Buckingham Elementary
  Elementary · Berlin · 515 students · 11.4:1 ratio