THE HISTORY OF
POINT PLEASANT BEACH...
From the earliest times, Lenni-lenape Indians trekked from New
Jersey's inland regions to enjoy the summer-warmed waters along the
peaceful shores that would one day be known as Point Pleasant Beach.
It was an annual event, where the braves enjoyed harvesting fish, and
the squaws stayed in a wooded area nearby to socialize among
themselves.
Early settlers of the area (which was originally a part of Brick
Township) were primarily farmers. But, they continued he Indian's
tradition, spending much time fishing and clamming to supplement their
family's homegrown produce. Point Pleasant Beach's access to both salt
and fresh water naturally brought the shipping and fishing industries
to the community in the late-eighteenth century. Will's Hole, a deep
channel in the Manasquan River, was a major port for loading local
produce, fish, and livestock for transportation to New York. Still
productive today, the area boasts a series of thriving marinas.
By the 1870's, Point Pleasant Beach was becoming an active resort
community, and soon boasted the first seaside horse-drawn trolley.
Operated every summer through 1890, the service ran from Resort House
on Forman and Richmond Avenues to the beach, and then on to the
riverfront.
The Resort House was the community's first luxury hotel. It boarded
one hundred people, and offered vacationers more stylish quarters than
the boarding houses and summer cottages available throughout the
community. During its heyday, the likes of Grover Cleveland, Lillian
Russell and Robert Louis Stevenson took up summer residence there.
Local legend claims that Stevenson's visit to Point Pleasant Beach
inspired him to write his classic, "Treasure Island". The famous
island is reportedly modeled after Osborne Island, a picturesque plot
west of Route 35 in the Manasquan River.
By the early 1880's, the railroad had crossed the Manasquan River,
bringing still more visitors to the area. In late 1885,
twenty-nine-year-old Joseph W. Johnson found the perfect business
investment in a five-year-old hardware store on Arnold Avenue. James
Monroe Vannote, who gave up his long career as a sea navigator to open
the store on Arnold Avenue and Cooks Lane, developed and founded
Vannote Lumber that same year.
With the rapid growth of the community, 185 also brought the
founding of Ocean Fire Company #1, the county's first fire company.
The group's first official action was to purchase two dozen buckets
from Johnson's Hardware Store.
By 1886, Point Pleasant Beach was large enough to separate from
Brick Township and incorporate as a permanent town and the community's
rapid growth continued.
The telephone came to town in 1895, when a single line was strung
between Johnson's Hardware and O.B. Van Camp's Grocery Store. The
communication network consisted of a wire laid over the trolley line
and powered by a wet cell battery. A switchboard set up in Mrs.
Johnson's kitchen directed the few calls. Two long distance lines were
later strung west toward Brick Township. When first installed, the
wires hung atop pine trees extended across the bottom of the Manasquan
River encased in garden hose. Completion of the Garden State Parkway
in 1952 brought a new population boom to Point Pleasant Beach,
offering New York and North Jersey employees an opportunity to live in
the community year round. According to U.S. Census figures, between
1960 and 1980 the population increased by 150 percent, as many new
residents constructed their personal dream homes among the existing
Cape Cod-style cottages. The community's current population is around
5,100.
Little else changed in Point Pleasant Beach during that time. The
main street, Arnold Avenue, still offers a large selection of shops,
stocking an assortment of novelties, clothing and crafts. Quality
restaurants lead the way to a mile-long boardwalk dedicated to family
entertainment. Flowering pear trees line the quiet streets of the town
center, adding to the natural charm of the seaside community that has
always boasted serene white sand beaches.
From the Manasquan Inlet, which remains an exceptional natural
attraction, to the Manasquan River that leads to Barnegat Bay, the
community offers something for everyone.
Point Pleasant Manor
310 Sea Avenue
Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
Telephone (732) 899-7300
Fax (732) 899-0276
