Five

BESIDE THE SEA

Pleasure Bay hosted many amusements including circus sideshows. This postcard shows groups of people lining up to purchase tickets to the events that included shooting galleries, balloon ascensions, and games. In 1904, crowds lined up to see Mrs. Murphy go up in a balloon on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. Everyone was disappointed when Mrs. Murphy turned out to be a monkey trained to parachute out of the balloon’s basket.

Wardell’s Port-Au-Peck Hotel was located opposite Pleasure Bay and named for one of the original Long Branch settlers, Eliakim Wardell. Located on the banks of the Shrewsbury River, it was a destination for the Patten Line Steamboats as well as visitors waiting to be served a classic shore clambake that consisted of local clams, Jersey corn, and chicken all steamed in a bed of seaweed.

Seen here is another view of the Pleasure Bay amusement area on the shores of the Shrewsbury River.

Many of the wealthier residents of Long Branch presented their children with pony or goat carts.

The Stetson Hotel, located on the corner of Brighton and Ocean Avenues, gave a grand ball for Pres. Ulysses S. Grant in the summer of 1869. Not one for dancing, Grant commented to a hopeful partner, “Madam, I would rather storm a hill than have another dance.” In 1883, the Stetson Hotel was renamed the West End Hotel.

Ocean Park was the scene of daily afternoon concerts. It was located on Ocean Avenue and prided itself on its 10 acres of parks, flower beds, and fountains.

The band concerts at Ocean Park were well attended. Usually held in the afternoon, residents and vacationers dressed in their best when attending.

Cornelius Vanderveer built a circular racetrack on his estate at the northwest corner of Joline Avenue and Liberty Street. Later known as Wheeler’s Trotting Park, it sponsored small events. In 1866, a horse race offered a $25 prize to the winner.

A popular swimming spot, Cranmers Pavilion was located on the west side of the boardwalk. There was an underground tunnel attaching the pool and lockers with the beach.

Race meets were a regular social event in town. Long Branch produced many accomplished swimmers and noted lifeguards. Frank Sinatra was a lifeguard in Long Branch. He met his first wife, Nancy, here while lifeguarding. She lived on Nesto Terrace, a street close to the boardwalk.

In the early 1900s, parades were very popular. Baby parades were an institution in town for many years. There were so many children born in one area of town, Fourth Avenue, it was renamed Baby Lane. In 1905, the first baby parade was organized. It was so successful that three years later it was renamed the Children’s Parade, with more than 1,000 participants. The parade route ran from the corner of Ocean and Brighton Avenues along the boardwalk to Broadway. The parade was disbanded because it was felt the heat and excitement of the event were harmful to the children.

A floating stage on the Shrewsbury River was one of the centerpieces of Pleasure Bay. Audiences of as many as 2,000 watched performances of Gilbert and Sullivan operettas and other musical and dramatic productions. The actress Charlotte Greenwood broke into vaudeville on the Pleasure Bay Stage. In 1938, Greenwood recalled, “People in rowboats smacked up against the stage all through our act. We were on right after Fink’s Mules.”

In addition to golf, fine dining, and entertainment, the Hollywood Hotel offered guests the fun of taking a dip in its inground pool or to sunbathe on a cushioned lounge. This was a typical scene on the grounds of the hotel througout its hayday. The main building was destroyed by fire.