By 1802, sailboats were carrying freight and passengers down the Delaware River, from Philadelphia to Cape May. Soon, travel by boat was bringing visitors from New York City to Long Branch, also.

In the 1820s, travelers to Long Beach took a stagecoach to Tuckerton, then boarded a boat the next day for the island. Fare for the crossing was 25 cents. At the south end of the island, stood The Philadelphia House. It was said to have had a rather shoddy appearance, but its reputation was that of good cheer. Up near the center of the island, The Mansion of Health opened in 1822. In 1815, the Haring Hotel was built within present day Island Beach State Park. It was said to have had an 80’ by 40’ dance hall. They served Jersey Lightning, the popular liquor of choice at the time. In the 1840s, at Ryan’s Boarding House on Absecon Island, festive beach-goers often danced the summer nights away. Then, in 1815, Thomas Hughes, built the first Congress Hall in Cape May. It is till entertaining guests today, the Grande Dame of resort hotels.

By the mid-19th century, larger establishments were being built up and down the coast. From Beach Haven to Spring Lake, many of the modest farmhouses that had been taking in guests, were being converted or replaced, by bigger and more formidable structures. Looking ahead to the period following 1850, these hardy pioneer innkeepers could never have imagined, the changes that were about to occur on these wild, untamed, dune-covered islands.


Music Credits
Scott Gratton – Had You Been
Scott Gratton – How it Fades
Scott Gratton – Forward Motion
Itdmyzik – We can do it

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