Celebrate OC's 150th Anniversary

Did you know Ocean City, MD, was founded by women? The legendary Petticoat Regime—a group of pioneering female leaders—shaped the town’s early history, proving that strong women create lasting legacies.

In 1875, five male investors built the Atlantic Hotel, marking the beginning of Ocean City as a seaside destination. But it was a remarkable group of women who truly defined its future. Known as the Petticoat Regime, these trailblazing women took charge of the resort’s development. By 1926, an Ocean City advertising brochure listed 32 hotels—all but two were owned and managed by women.

Their leadership built more than just hotels—it set the foundation for a community of innovation, resilience, and entrepreneurship that continues today. From Ella Phillips Dennis to Rosalie Tighlman Shreve and Anne Lockhart Showell, these women transformed Ocean City into a thriving destination.

Learn about these amazing women at the Mobile Museum in the OC Convention Center, or at the OC Lifesaving Station Museum on the Boardwalk!

https://shorebread.com/2012/04/03/in-the-land-of-women-the-trailblazing-ladies-behind-ocean-city-md/