Old and new happenings around New Gretna and vicinity BLOG POSTINGS WILL BE MADE ABOUT ONCE A WEEK
How to add a posting below . . .
To add a new posting, send an email to me at bassriverhistory@gmail.com with a comment, question, story, photo, observation, etc. It will be posted below, shortly after the email is received. To comment on an existing posting, click on the "comments" command below the posting and type your comment. Your comment will show up immediately. Pete Stemmer
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
The Bridges to Long Beach Island
Anyone driving around the Bass River area in the last couple of years can't help remembering the construction of new bridges on Rt 9 at the Bass River and Nakote Creek and the just completed Garden State Parkway bridge spanning the Mullica River.
Now there is talk of adding another bridge, parallel to the existing bridge, from the mainland in Manahawkin to Long Beach Island. I shudder to think of the massive traffic jams that will cause, especially in the summer months.
A new bridge will be the fourth built to Long Beach Island. I thought I would share a view photos of previous bridges and a video of the current bridge.
I wonder if there is anyone out in the Blog-O-Sphere that remembers crossing over the previous bridges, perhaps on a summer vacation as a child. If so, I would like to hear from you.
Pete S
The first bridge to Long Beach Island.
Before 1886, there was only one way to reach Long Beach Island - boat. Many of the visitors to the island were wealthy enough to own their own boats. Some of the larger boarding houses offered ferry service to and from the island. A formal, scheduled ferry line was created in 1873. Builder Archelaus R. Pharo, from Tuckerton, started the ferry service in order to bring construction materials to the newly founded community of Beach Haven.
The two mile bridge postcard
A newer drawbridge in a 1954 photo
Courtesy of Leslie & Shirley Whealton
The current LBI causeway bridge was built in 1958.
It carries about 42,000 cars a day in the summer.
Courtesy of Google Images
Entering Long Beach Island today.
The following is a You Tube video of the old shack that my history buddy, John Yates, remembers seeing along the causeway bridge as a child during trips to Long Beach Island with his parents. Thanks, John, for bringing it to my attention.
I don't have any real recollection of the early 1950s bridge, but I was probably over it with my parents.
In the video I believe I spotted the falling down shack on the meadows. I do remember seeing that over the years. I think I saw in the newspaper that someone has purchased it and will be restoring it.
Your bridge pictures bring back many memories for me. My grandfather had a house on the West side of Cedar Bonnet Island from the late 1930’s until they started construction of the current bridge in the 1950’s. It was only a few houses from the bridge and I can recall laying in bed at night an hearing the clank, clank of the boards as the cars and trucks traveled to and from the island.
He had a long pier extending out into the bay and there was usually very good fishing right from the end of his dock. In those days many of the modest cottages had names posted on them by the owner… My grandfather named his place “Dew Drop Inn”. During the early years water came from a well and there was a sturdy outhouse just behind the cottage.
Unfortunately, when work on the current bridge was started it all came to an end since the new bridge was going straight through his house and the State condemned the property.
I should also mention, the main channel was much closer to LBI at that time and the drawbridge was right by Cedar Bonnet. However, for some reason when the current bridge was constructed the engineers found it necessary to relocate the main channel much closer to the mainland. This, of course, required quite a bit of dredging in addition to the bridge building.
My grandfather and father were members of a fishing club (The Bayside Club) that had a house on the east edge of Cedar Bonnet Island, overlooking the channel. I believe the channel was moved so that boats could pass under the newer, higher span making a drawbridge unecessary. I can recall the largest bridge being completed and then construction beginning on the bridge that replaced the drawbridge. 50 years later, I still feel that the island was never the same after tehy removed the old causeway. I can't imagine what it will look like with a twin span where the original causeway was.
I was born in 1953 and I remember being being terrified the car would fall off the old causeway that was like driving on a rickety old dock to get to bungalows the family would rent for a week each summer in Beach Haven - so that must have been before the new bridge was built in 1958. We survived, lol.
To view back postings and comments, see the Archive Section below.
DOWNLOAD BLOG PHOTOS
You may download blog photos by right clicking on the photo and choosing "Save Image As" from the pop up menu. You can also drag a photo directly from the blog to your desktop.
Material from the Bass River History Blog may be reproduced for educational and research purposes and non profit historical publications; however, written permission must be obtained for the use of any material which is used in an end product to be sold for profit. All uses must reference the Bass River History Blog as the source.
How “Herrintown” Got Its Name by the Herrintown Poet (July, 1998)
A little silver fish we have to blame
For how our town got its name.
We’ve heard of towns from East to West
With names that seem to suit them best.
Bean Town - Big Apple - The Windy City
Now most folk think that’s pretty witty
To name a town for a thing unique
But to name a town for a fish? That’s cheek!
Wondering how it came to be?
Come back to long-ago with me.
When the bay and river produced the wealth
And added to the people’s health.
Long ago in a different clime
We can watch the scenes flash through our mind.
Up in the north in the cold and deep
Off Nova Scotia’s rocky reef.
In the days of March when the wind is raw,
When the ice in the river begins to thaw
Something stirs within their heart,
And like their fathers before- off they start.
They take the long and ancient trail
Every season without fail.
This silver fish with streamline frame.
It never gained the sport man’s fame.
Cared not a wit about its fate.
Called it worthless, call it bait.
But how could they know of a time and place
And this lowly fish in the watery trace?
How could they know of the native here,
About the folk that counted this fish so dear?
They packed the fish in a barrel of brine.
Kept it in the cellar til winter time.
When breakfast came at early morn,
Wood stove burning to keep them warm.
Smoke from chimneys hangs over town
And smell of pancakes turning brown.
Salt fish poached and served up hot
With plenty gravy poured on top.
Think it strange fare as well you may
But this was the start of the bayman’s day
Let’s turn back now to a scene in the bay
The wind picked up since break of day
Nor-wester’s blowing cold and clear
A sail in the river is drawing near.
The boatman leans out over the side
Shouts “Let ‘em know far and wide.
The shoal of fish came through the bight.”
To him it was an old familiar sight.
The silver sides flashing in the sun.
The multitudes in the migration run.
It was Sunday morn this day in the Spring.
The Presbyterians were gathered and had started to sing.
I don't have any real recollection of the early 1950s bridge, but I was probably over it with my parents.
ReplyDeleteIn the video I believe I spotted the falling down shack on the meadows. I do remember seeing that over the years. I think I saw in the newspaper that someone has purchased it and will be restoring it.
Are there pictures of that shack over the years?
John Yates
Your bridge pictures bring back many memories for me. My grandfather had a house on the West side of Cedar Bonnet Island from the late 1930’s until they started construction of the current bridge in the 1950’s. It was only a few houses from the bridge and I can recall laying in bed at night an hearing the clank, clank of the boards as the cars and trucks traveled to and from the island.
ReplyDeleteHe had a long pier extending out into the bay and there was usually very good fishing right from the end of his dock. In those days many of the modest cottages had names posted on them by the owner… My grandfather named his place “Dew Drop Inn”. During the early years water came from a well and there was a sturdy outhouse just behind the cottage.
Unfortunately, when work on the current bridge was started it all came to an end since the new bridge was going straight through his house and the State condemned the property.
I should also mention, the main channel was much closer to LBI at that time and the drawbridge was right by Cedar Bonnet. However, for some reason when the current bridge was constructed the engineers found it necessary to relocate the main channel much closer to the mainland. This, of course, required quite a bit of dredging in addition to the bridge building.
In my mind, it was a much nicer LBI back then!
Dick Ireton
My grandfather and father were members of a fishing club (The Bayside Club) that had a house on the east edge of Cedar Bonnet Island, overlooking the channel. I believe the channel was moved so that boats could pass under the newer, higher span making a drawbridge unecessary. I can recall the largest bridge being completed and then construction beginning on the bridge that replaced the drawbridge. 50 years later, I still feel that the island was never the same after tehy removed the old causeway. I can't imagine what it will look like with a twin span where the original causeway was.
DeleteVacation Rentals
ReplyDeleteWonderful OCEANFRONT, top floor. Sleeps six in three bedrooms.
Location: Duplex in Long Beach Island, North Beach. NJ
Price: $1,800-5,000 /Week ( All rates )
SEASONAL LEASE
Owners: Jetty Brand Partners, LLC
43 North Lake Road
Armonk, NY 10504
Contact Person: Ellie & John Klem
Contact Email: jjkeek7@gmail.com
Website:
https://telegra.ph/Wonderful-OCEANFRONT-Sleeps-six-in-three-bedrooms-09-15
I was born in 1953 and I remember being being terrified the car would fall off the old causeway that was like driving on a rickety old dock to get to bungalows the family would rent for a week each summer in Beach Haven - so that must have been before the new bridge was built in 1958. We survived, lol.
ReplyDeletemoved here Louis Vuitton replica Bags click here now www.dolabuy.ru the original source best replica designer
ReplyDeletem7c07u5d10 g1d39k9s66 o1i45g0r85 d1y85b3h27 t6d45k8x47 j8n14l7y86
ReplyDelete