Stone Harbor's Bungalow Colony

i Modernized

Reminders Of The Early 1900s

by Shirlianne Gunther

STONE HARBOR - The bungalow colony — six rows of houses — once put up as temporary dwellings for a convention, remain here as an historical part of the island’s development. The bungalows break up the blocks from 108th St. to 111th St., two rows in each little alley, known as Bower Court, Stone Court- and Weber Court. According to residents they were named after the first familes in Stone Harbor. Area residents were unsure of just when the development started but some old timers said they were put up for a Stonemen’s convention early in the 1900s. The Stonesmen were a religious order. "The bungalows were really sturdy and well built to be put up just for a convention,” said Connie Thomas of Bower Court. THE COI.ONV IS UKE Elfreth’s Alley in Philadelphia and the comparison is a good one. Stone Harbor history is sparse, but a paragraph in Dr. JuliusWay’s book, An Historical Tour of Cape May County, published in 1930 states: “a feature of Stone Harbor which is unique and well worth visiting is the bungalow colony consisting of 100, one story, four-room pottages conveniently arranged and located giving the occupants ready access to the ocean- bathing as well as the business section of the resort. Each one has all the modern conveniences with bathrooms and furniture complete* thereby eliminating all the discomforts of camping. References are required to order to rent one of them, as they are occupied by many of our finest people. Professional men, bankers, rperchants,. college and school professors are\ among the regular patrons of\ these bungalows. The same families return year after year.” Way’s reference to the bungalows is the only one that could be found in local libraries and local historical documents. Since Way was a professional man himself, it is safe to assume that he may have been acquainted with visitors to the bungalow colony. , J

OUT FOR A STROLL down Bower Court: Jeff Andrews and Grover.'

THE ORIGINAL PRICE of the bungalows was about $900 with $100 down and $10 a month. During the Depression, sharp real estate brokers bought many of the houses and the investment was sound. The houses are now worth about $50,000 to $85,000 depending on condition. The “temporary” dwellingslhad electric, water and oil stoves’; no central heating system. In the Stone Harbor building boom of 40s through the 60s, many magnificent beach-and bayfront properites dwarfed the tiny bungalows and they were, for a time, considered second-rate. But in the last 20 years the bungalow colonies have taken on a new look: fireplaces, second stories,

Today no two bungalows are alike, but rather reflect the individuality of their owners. A law now prohibits the building of second stories, but it hasn't prevented some very interesting side additions. Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Hornsby Jr. and Mr. and Mrs. Ken Hawk put new siding on homes at Bower Court and added beautiful new additions and renovations making the home showiSlaceS. 'Both families have since sold their homes. Many other people have made similar improvemelnts adding class and distinction to the bungalows Some of the cottages still retain their original charm, and the ivy covered homes are rustic and beautiful, providing a

"A feature of Stone Harbor which is unique and well worth visiting../'

porches, additions and renovations of every kind have made the colonies evermore unique.

SAID ONE RESIDENT: wasn’t always so.

ll’m surprised it's so quiet here.' But it

dwellings. BUT IN SPITE of their diffffences, the bungalows remain a conlmunity of homes, close, knit and picturesque. Dr. Way would hardly recognize some of the bungalows as the original tax prepared, tongue and groove cottages. Though the houses are so close together, residents like living there. ‘.'I'm surprised it's so quiet here,” said one resident of Stone Court. "People drive up and down the bungalow colony just looking." l According to one deed, the land . where the bungalow colonies now stand was originally owned by the Avalon Development Company. The deed is dated Sept. 4, 1907. In 1908 the South Jersey Realty Company was granted rights to construct pipes and supply water to any building on the tract, between then and. April 24, 1916, when a certificates of incorporation was issued for the Stone Harbor Bungalow Colony. The land changed ownership several times

and some time during those eigdt years, the bungalows were built. ACCORDING TO ONE report in the 1,930s, the bungalows rented for $25 a Week; today its more than $200. One of the earliest visitors to the bungalow colony was Constance Vcrweyde, who rented and then purchased a bungalow. After her death the bungalow became the property of her only child, Conrstance Thomas. "I always intended to retire down here and the bungalow Is perfect for me," Mrs. Thomas said. In the old days, two railroads, Pennsylvania and Reading, served the shore area. There was a "Toonervillfe trolley" that met the train in Cape May Court House in those by gone days. Snakes, bats and mosquitoes were in sharp evidence then as the area around the bungalows was thick with bayberry and.wilderness Although many of the bungalows have become yearround homes, old timers remfember wild parties in the little cottages. ‘ BABE LATOUR, well known singer and entertainer, and Pressler and Claiss, famous vaudeville team from the Keitch Circuit, often vacationed in Bower Court. Thij, sonfetimes created a conflict between the late flight party-goers and the "proper folk." At night the entertainers would play music and party, but in the early morning the "proper folk" would “have their day” and turn up the volume on their radios jand play hymns. LaTour also lived in another bungalow colony at the other end of town. Linden Lane, located between 84th and 85th St. These bungalows were believed to have been moved from an area nearby known as Scotch Bonnet. Forty years ago those bungalows sold for $1,000 apiece. Despite sketchy details, one thing is certain. Whoever constructed the small bungalows in the Courts and at Linden Lane sure knew what they were doing. Shirlianne Gunther of Cape May Court House is a freelance writer. CAPE MAV COUNT* MAGAZINE/5 —