Herald & lantern 22 August '84 Stone Harbor Sidewalk Sale sh-ii

Stone Harbor Records Story of Quiet Growth

STONE HARBOR - This island resort community was named because there were rocks surrounding its sandy beaches, right? Wrong. The only rocks are in jetties. According to legend, a certain British merchant Capt. Stone, in peril (hiring a strain, found safety in the harbor of Great Channe), and graciously, if unknowingly, gave his name to the borough. Anyway, its history goes back quite a way, and is worth recounting. While Sir Walter Raleigh was granted a patent by King James as far back as 1584 for the lands which included the entire Province of New Jersey, the first recorded purchaser of the island was not noted until 1722. THIS ISLAND, known as Seven Mile Beach, contained 2,725 acres and the price paid was 70 pounds, ten shillings, or, about $380. The island is approximately seven miles in length, is but three or four city blocks in width, with the Inland Waterway to the west and

the Atlantic Ocean on the east. Stone Harbor occupies the lower, or southern half of the island, extending from 80th Street to Hereford Inlet. In 1891, the first building, an inn, was erected near 80th Street, followed by others, until finally, there were seven cottages to form the original resort. Today, Stone Harbor contains more than 2,477 properties with total ra tables of more than $500,000,000. IT WAS NOT until 1907 that dunes were leveled off and salt marshes filled in, streets, pavements, and curbing laid out, and two basins dredged from land adjacent to the Inland Waterway, and one natural basin deepened. The borough has seven basins. As a protection to the land adjacent to the basins, waterways and ocean, bulkheads and seawalls were constructed, while six jetties were built to protect the beaches from erosion. In 1909, a sewage system was developed and completed. Twenty-five miles of sewage lines are now in operation. The first artesian well was driven to a depth of 856 feet to reach the famous "Kirkwood Sands" from whence the supply of pure water is obtained. Our pumping station at 96th Street and 2nd Avenue was built in 1924. A new well, the fourth, was drilled in 1981. The borough now supplies a total of 200,000,000 gallons of water each year to meet the demands of the population. THERE ARE 25 miles of paved streets which are maintained by the borough and the County of Cape May. About 1910, the borough school started with five pupils and one teacher in a private home. In 1912 a school house was built on 93rd Street and in 1915 a still larger one was built on 94th. The new school consisted of four classrooms and a room for manual training. Five teachers were employed for 115 children ranging from the first to the eighth grades. For thenhigh school years they were taken by bus to Middle Township High School in Cape May Court House. A more modern building was then erected to house all pupils in one building including a room for pre-first grade children. AS FAR BACK as 1889, the first railroad entered Stone Harbor from the north via a bridge over Townsend's Inlet. This was the rally means of getting into Stone Harbor until 1911, when a highway at 96th Street, with two bridges over the inland waterways, was opened to the public. A year later, the second railroad spur entered from Cape May Court Htase and Elleled this new ay. With' highways atering Stone Harbor from the north, west and south, all traces of these two railroads were obliterated. Back in 1912, one guard was assigned to the beach at 94th Street. Today, Stooe

Harbor beaches are protected at 11 locations with 48 guards, one medic as a beach doctor, and all under the supervision of a captain and five lieutenants. A telephone communication network connects each beach with a central switchboard at headquarters, while an ambulance is available to answer all emergency calls. ALSO DURING the year 1912, the first policeman was appointed, holding the title of Watchman. Today, the police force comprises 20 full time employees, supplemented during the summer season by 12 additional officers. Complete modern headquarters were occupied in 1973. The Voluntary Fire Department was born too, in 1912 with 20 members. The force now consists of 45 members, with five pieces of fire fighting equipment. A new seven-bay firehouse was built in 1974. Finally, on May 12, 1914, the Borough of Stone Harbor was incorporated. The Chamber bf Commerce is proud of Stone Harbor and its achievements, not only for its progressive business community, but also as an ideal summer resort town. Thousands of summer visitors have found Stone Harbor to possess everything to be desired in a healthful and restful vacation. This is what makes Stone Harbor "The seashore at its best."

Service At Boro Churches

STONE HARBOR - Churches of three Protestant denominations and one Roman Catholic Church, most of which maintain summer schedules for victors, serve the religious needs of the borough. The churches are: Our Saviour Lutheran Church, "The Church of the Balles", 93rd Street and Third Avenue. Starting the third Sunday in June through Labor Day Sunday, worship service is at 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Telephone 368-3031. St. Paul's Roman Catholic Church, 99th Street and Third Avenue. Starting in July, Masses are held 5 and 7 p.m. Saturdays; 7:30, 9, 10:30 a.m. and noon Sundays. Confessions are heard 4:30-5 p.m. Saturdays. Telephone 368-3091. St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 95th Street and Third Avenue, 8 a.m., the Holy Eucharist 10 a.m., the (Holy Eucharist and sermon. Church school, 9:45 a.m. Sunday. Telephones, 368-5922 and 368-2670. Bethel U.A.M.E. Church, 81st Street. Worship 11 a.m. Sundays.

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^ THE CALICO RAINBOW [ HANDCRAFTED t UNIQUE OIFTS 25 O/fk OFF ENTIRE STOCK* J (With This Coupon) *Not Including Items Already Reduced 9712 Third Ave., Stone Harbor 967-5440 IN MISSY, JR, MEN'S, AND CHILDREN'S SIZES GREATLY REDUCED E s Large Selection ot 2m ip, Swimwear i- ) / Still In Stock. 9STH * 2ND AVE., STONE HAMOR 36E-6131 MON.-SAT. *0010:00 SUN 10:00*30

I ^ / T : I vtj' o / Ahe word on the street \ I f is about the sidewalk sale at The Eagle's Eye™ Company Store I . on Third Avenue and ~z at 212B 96th Street*

i Everything is 50% ofif our usual 35% to 60% off. ( Summer isn't even over and The Eagle's Eye Company Store is starting to clear away some of your favorite Rugby shirts, shorts, pants, sweaters, and more at the great Stone Harbor Sidewalk Sale now through September 1 5. So, if you've been on the beach too long and haven't seen the sunny sportswear and activewear for ladies and kids at The Eagle's Eye. hurry on over for great deals inside and out at two locations. (New Fall merchandise arriving daily at Third Avenue location only. ) ; \r\6\ The Eagle's Eye Company Store QKjh^LjAf 98 1 7 Third Avenue • Stone Harbor. NJ • 368-2090 Open 7 days. 10 am to 9:30 pm a Also at 212B 96th Street for this big safe! 1 ** (Across from the Stone Harbor MaH)