Herald - Lantern - Dispatch 9 April '86 • 25

—Jersey Cape Historically ^P[ By John Merrill^

As a resident of the county, one has ample opportunity to study local history. Anyone who has studied local history, will have heard of "Hickorynut" or "Hickory Island". Located in the marshes of the Fishing Creek area, the island has been fairly well preserved and has escaped the vandalism and commercialization that have taken place to other 'wilderness retreats.' To step on the island is to journey back into the history of the county. BEFORE BECOMING T'bird Inn Burglary Probed NORTH WILD WOOD - A burglary occurred early Jan. 26 at the Thunderbird Inn. 24th and Surf Avenue here. The office of the inn was broken into. Once inside the office, the burglars were able to open the safe and remove several thousaad dollars iif» money and jewelry. When the burglars left, they replaced the interior door to delay someone from discovering the burglary. ANYONE HAVING any information on the crime should contact the Detective Division of North Wildwood, 522-2411, or Cape May County Crimestoppers. 465-2800. They will pay up to $1,000 for any information leading to arrest and indictment of the criminals. Toys Ahoy : r« — —n — -T & * Now Opert With Two Floors Of The Unordinary At: 261 96th Street Harbor Square Stone Harbor 368-8342 Open Weekends

part of the old Bates' Plantation (the plantation I house, torn down some ; years ago was as unique as I the island itself, having a smokehouse located in the third floor area attached to i the chimney), it was the favorite haunt of the local and visiting American Indians. I A few local historians even suggest, contrary to popular beliefs and various local traditions, that King ' Nummy of the 'Lenni Lenape Indians is buried here and not at the claimed other locations within the county. ; PRIOR TO the American Revolution, when pirating off our coast was not uncommon, it was possible for a sloop to sail a half mile (or more) up Fishing Creek into the interior of the marshes. Located out of sight of ^ the searching eyes of ■ British and colonial 1 vessels, "privateers" may 1 have encamped there, for many fresh water springs can be located in the marshes along the southwestern coast of the island. Here would be an excellent place to relax, resupply. and repair their vessels. Their neighbors, too, were not that unfriendly. DURING THE American Revolution and the War of 1812, the island saw usage as a self-contained cattle pen. To prevent the British from getting fresh supplies of meat, local cattle herds were walked to the island over a mud (and water) covered cedar-corduroy road. Constructed just under the level of the water, this road is claimed to have originated from the J mainland near what is to- V dav Tampa Avenue in the Villas section of Lower Towrahip. The cattle were then walked to the island and left there out of sight of the British raiding parties. Used as a cattle pen without fences, the island saw use as such until the 1850s or 1860s. When the popularity of the island as a cattle pen diminished, people still made frequent visits to collect the thousands of hickory nuts. Today, most of the ancient hickory trees are dead, but a few are still standing and bearing fruit. A JOURNEY to Hickory Island is a journey into the county's past. Although it's extremely difficult to get there, it is a worthwhile journey for naturalist and historian alike. j (Arthur Schwerdt, coowner of The August Farmhouse, on Route 9 in Swainton, invites questions c/o this newspaper .)

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Trip to Zoo WILDWOOD - A picnic trip to the Philadelphia Zoo to benefit St. Jude Cancer Hospital will be held May 3, with the bus leaving the Wildwood Bus Depot and Jamesway Court House. Price includes beverage, chips, and pretzels. For information and reservations call 465-5539.

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