The History of Oliver Beach
1932-1952
Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago. – Warren Buffet
In the beginning ….
1820 – Robert Oliver (1756 – 1834) was one of Baltimore’s first mercantile millionaires and a public-spirited man. He had the Oliver House built as a hunting lodge around 1820.
The First 30 years
1930 – The land was purchased by the Gassinger Brothers.
Dwellings were built and used as summer homes and later some homes became permanent residences. Sears kit houses were popular.
Gassinger Brothers donated seven pieces of land to give all property owners access to the Gunpowder River, and a large tract of land to build a meeting hall.
1932– The Oliver Beach Community was established by the Gassingers.
The Oliver Beach Improvement Association (OBIA) met monthly on various days of the week. Meetings were held in private homes, as well as the Oliver House and the Bengies-Chase Democratic Club.
1940 – In September, OBIA was incorporated for a fee of $10.00.
The first meeting of the Oliver Beach Improvement Association, Inc. was held on October 2, 1940 at 8 o’clock PM. Among those in attendance were John W. Frederick, August F. Gassinger, Gerard P. Gassinger, Charles Manner, and Louis Dankmeyer.
Membership fee was $1.00 for males over 21 years old.
1947 – The By-Laws were amended to allow women to attend meetings with their husbands, and later amended to give women full membership. This led to a Ladies’ Auxiliary.
1949 – The Gassinger Brothers officially deeded the eight parcels to the Oliver Beach Improvement Association, Inc.
1952 – The Community Hall was built. It was heated by coal stoves.
September 8, 1952 – OBIA held its first meeting at the Community Hall.
Permission was granted to keep a chain across the community building road provided a key is given to the fire department.
The History of Oliver Beach, 1932-1952