Herald Harbor: A Century on the Severn Hardcover – October 13, 2024

In the roaring 20s, Herald Harbor was a beach resort with beauty pageants that rivaled Atlantic City, regattas that attracted thousands of spectators and dance competitions where flappers twirled to popular jazz bands. It all began as a newspaper circulation gimmick boasting a utopia for the middle class. But it soon led to real-estate scandals, financial feuds and hanky-panky behind the scenes. In the 1930s, the beach park was a haven for sports writers with its competitive boxing, speedboat racing and aquaplaning. During World War II, it was a recreational get-away for troops who swam until dark then danced to the tunes of Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy and Pistol Packin’ Momma. The 1950s brought visits by celebrities such as Pat Boone and continued patronage by thousands who packed the parking lots on weekends, despite opening of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and the growing popularity of Atlantic beaches. In the 1960s, the beach park transitioned to the private Harbor Club and the community became contrasted by decaying bungalows and expensive waterfront property, beset by youth vandalism. More recently, it has been the site of a struggle between private development, habitat conservation and a desire to establish community recreational areas. Read more