\ LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 014 205 075 4 HoIIinger pH 8.5 Mill Run F3..1719 PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD ASBURY • PARK • NEW JERSEY ASB URY PARK A PRESENTATION OF ITS ATTRAC- TIONS AS A SEASHORE RESORT NATIONAL EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION EDITION NINETEEN HUNDRED AND FIVE Pennsylvania Railroad J. R. Wood, Passenger Traffic Mgr. Geo. W. BOYD.Gen'l Passenger Agt. Copyright. 190S. by The Pennsylvania Railroad Co. ^^f$ AT Asbury Park one finds a charming: blending of the sylvan and the marine. It is a park on the brink of the sea. The wooded highlands of New Jersey and the ocean's restless waves almost meet across the narrow strand. One turns from the sandy beach, lapped by the surges of the sea, to the broad streets of the city, bordered with spreading trees, whose thick foliage in some instances forms leafy arbors over the entire "^^IP avenue. Those accustomed to the noontide glare at some seaside resorts will appreciate the grateful shade these trees afford during the summer season. It is a unique feature. Were it not for the sound of the breakers, the visitor could well imagine himself many miles from the ocean, so like a prosperous inland town is this Sylvan City by the Sea. And yet Asbury Park is a typical sea- shore resort. Upon its boardwalk, eighty feet in width and three miles in length, one may walk for hours, inhaling the saline breezes rrom the ocean which beats upon the beach only a few yards distant. One may enjoy the exhilaration of a bath in the surges which break upon the sands. One may be amused in varied ways as the fancy dictates. The fisherman finds plenty of opportunity for engaging in his favorite sport, and the sailor may toss for hours on the bright blue sea. And all this within sight of bright flowers, green grass and the monarchs of the forest which surround the city and invade its very thoroughfares. Asbury Park is fortunate in ita location. The center of a chain of resorts extending from Seabright, on the hillocks of Sandy Hook, to Point Pleasant at the head of Bar- negat Bay, it is the metropolis of the North New Jersey Coast. Its neighbors are settle- ments inhabited from early Summer to late Fall by representatives of the best families in the land. Nothing that brains and money can devise has been left out in the building up of these pretty towns. « The city is bounded upon three sides by water. In front stretches the ocean ; to the north is Deal Lake, a beautiful body of water which extends from within a few yards of' the ocean back into the country for some distance. It is dotted with islets and is a favorite point of resort. On the southern border is Wesley Lake, which separates Asbury Park from its neighbor, Ocean Grove. Sunset Lake, which is also dotted with small islands, lies in the northern section of the city. It is the Mecca of many a gay party in summer time. These pretty lakes, with Fletcher Lake, which lies to the south of Ocean Grove, are a feature of this section of the New Jersey Coast. Containing perfectly fresh water, they extend, in some instances, to within a few yards of the ocean, only a narrow strip of beach dividing the fresh water from the brine of the ocean. About these lakes the fine old trees, which are such a feature of the city, cluster thickly. On the upper portions of Deal Lake one may row for hours beneath the shade with never a thought of the busy city streets so near and yet seemingly so far away. Visitors to Asbury Park are impressed at once with the delightful sense of the beauty and comfort of the private resi- dences and cottages which line its shaded avenues. It is preeminently a "home" city. In no large seashore resort on the Atlantic Coast does cottage life enter so largely into the social make-up as here. Standmg upon any of the avenues, one sees upon either side hundreds of beautiful residences, many of them costly in con- struction, and all artistic in architecture. There is every evidence of culture and refinement, and one misses, without regret, the garishncss which so often enters into the architecture of a resort town. There has been no sacrifice of beauty and comfort to economize in space. The majority of the cottages sit from fifteen to twenty feet back from the broad sidewalks, and all are surroimded by well-kept green sward. In summer time these lawns are ablaze with flowers. This feature of deco- ration is a charming adjunct to Asbury Park's many beauties. One may see a perfect wealth of bloom during the whole summer season. Many of the cottages are em- bowered in vines; roses, wisteria and other climbing vines bloom in gorgeous profusion, set off, like jewels, against the green sward, the green trees and the varied hues of shinprle and stnne. The city authorities have provided great beds of flowers at the ocean end of each avenue, as ■well as along the esplanade which skirts the beach back of the boardwalk. One does not soon forget the picture formed by this com- bination of color, through which gleams, in hundreds of vistas, the blue ocean. To many the cottage life does not appeal- So Asbury Park offers to them a selection of about three hundred hotels, the rates of which are graded to suit all visitors. Many of these are large and well appointed, several being open during the whole year. All are comfortable and always ready to welcome the incoming visitor with cheerful hospi- tality. Many of the cottages are also open to receive guests in smaller numbers. The city itself stands at the forefront among American resorts. The municipal authorities have spent large amounts upon its beautification, particularly of its beach front. Like all seaside resorts, a portion of the city is devoted to business interests. But these do not intrude themselves unpleasantly upon the visitor. There is no sense of com- mercialism apparent either in the well-kept hotels, the residence section or the boardwalk. This structure is practically free from places of business, save the few small booths in the Arcade and Casino, and the offices of the bathinj^ houses. The former structures, which are centers of attraction to the visitor, are the only obstructions to a clear view of the ocean in the whole length of the board- walk. It is proposed to build a fine ocean pier at the northern end of the city, extending from the boardwalk nearly half a mile sea- ward. A shorter pier, near the center of the city, is utilized by fishermen and many a finny capture has been made from its end and sides. The departure of the fishing schooner, which makes daily trips to the banks about fifteen miles off shore, is an event of importance in the summer program. One need not lack amusement at Asbury Park. It caters to young and old ; the serious and the gay ; the student and the athlete, and no one particular class interferes with the enjoyment of others. There is not a week during the summer season during which some particular public function is not being held, chief among which is the Baby Carnival, usually held during the month of August, which attracts thousands of visitors. As all seaside resorts, the beach is the chief center of attraction at Asbury Park Hundreds of visitors spend almost the whole day on its gentle slope. Its soft sand and pebbles are a source of endless delight to little ones, and children of a larger growth find almost as much pleasure in it. The bathing is remarkably good. One may enjoy a dip in the surf at almost every point of the beach from the lower end of Ocean Grove to the upper end of North Asbury Park with perfect safety, and thou- sands enjoy the exhilaration of this sport every year. For those who do not care for the surf bathing, there are several pools where they may get all the tonic benefit of the sea water without the excitement of fighting the waves. At the two main centers of attraction on the boardwalk, the Casino, and the Arcade, located directly on the ocean front, band con- certs and other forms of diversion are daily occurences. These places, while providing bright amusement for old and young are kept free from objectionable features. Theatrical performances are also a feature of the sum- mer life, engagements being placed by high class attractions which draw patrons not only from the Iiotcls but from the many cottages. The hotels are centers of amusement. Frequent dances and card parties are features of the social life at these hostelries, whose hosts meet their guests more than half way in providing those little extra delights which go quite far in making a summer vacation enjoyable. To the younger element the numerous carrousels and similar forms of amusement appeal more strongly than do the concerts and the quieter forms of diversion. Care is taken to surround these places, none of which obtrude themselves unpleasantly upon those desiring the peace and quiet of the seashore, with reasonable regulations. The lakes afford an almost endless source of delight to summer visitors. Craft of many descriptions, the old fashioned flat bottomed rowboat, the graceful canoe, busy naphtha and electric launches and small sail boats, dot the quiet waters of Fletcher, Wesley, Sunset and Deal Lakes morning, noon and night. During the summer numerous boat-car- nivals are held on these lakes, some during the daylight hours, and some at night, when fireworks and the illumination of the craft are special features. The bridges crossing the large lakes are lighted with electric lights, and around Wesley and Sunset Lakes stretch chains of small incandescent lamps, which make a fairylike scene after nightfall. Fishing and crabbing are two forms of relaxation that appeal to many and they may be indulged in during the whole Summer. In addition to the fine fishing from the ocean pier, there is good angling in the lakes. If one desires, a trip may be made to the fishing banks at sea, on the little schooner which makes daily trips. Crabbing parties usually journey a few miles down the shore to Shark River^ where the crustaceans fairly swarm. This journey may be made by trolley or train. For the athletic minded, there is much opportunity fur pursuing one's choice of sport. Golf, tennis, baseball, bowling and shuffle-board playing are favorites during the Summer. Just north of Deal Lake lies the Golt course of the Deal Country Club, one of the prettiest in the State of Kew Jersey. Here devotees of '* the ancient game " spend hours in pursuit of health and pleasure on the per- fect tees and greens of these famous links. Frequent tournaments and social events at the attractive club house furnish a never- failing source of delight. Thousands of dollars have been spent by the officers of the Country Club in improve- ments to the course. Its location upon a porous soil, permitting the most perfect natural drainage, ensures dry greens. Care is taken to keep the putting greens level and free from obstructions. The course is naturally diversified, and, with well-con- structed bunkers and other artificial haz- ards, provides as sporty playing as could be desired. Tennis is largely indulged in, the courts at the Country Club providing ample oppor- tunity for this sport. In addition, many of the cottagers have constructed courts on their lawns. Baseball enthusiasts find their Mecca in the fine athletic field just outside the city where numerous matches are played during the Summer. Bowling and shuffle- board, too, have their devotees. No resort section in the world presents so many delights to the driver and auto- mobilist as Monmouth County, in which is situated Asbury Park. Hundreds of miles of hard roads radiate in all directions, cover- ing a country charming in natural beauty, enhanced by the development of money and brains, and filled with historic associations. Along the Atlantic Shore from the heights of Atlantic Highlands to the head of Barnegat Bay, extends, almost unbrokenly, a boulevard which is the delight and wonder of all who see it. Through the lovely settle- ments of Sea bright, Monmouth Beach, Long Branch, West End, Elbcron, Deal, AUcn- hurst, it stretches to Wesley Lake without a break save for turns. Beyond Wesley Lake, after passing through Ocean Grove, it con- tinues through Bradley Beach, Avon, Belmar. Como, Spring Lake and Sea Girt to Point Pleasant. Throughout this entire distance of twenty miles, it winds its way past cot- tages and hotels which cannot be surpassed anywhere for beauty and comfort. The superb villas which line it on either side have gardens which arc a triumph of horticultural art. To the north of Asbury Park these sweep back from the boulevard to the bluff overlooking: the ocean. Nothing that wealth could provide has been spared in the adornment of these places. The road itself, laid in stone for almost its entire Icn^thi is wide and always kept in perfect driving condition. The character of the soil precludes the existence of dust. Another road runs parallel with the shore boulevard about a half a mile inland. The famous Rumsen Road, one of the finest driveways in the State, affords superb driving and automobiling for miles. Southward and westward from Asbury Park other fine roads lead to the many attractive pine-belt towns. During the summer season these roads are constantly filled with a procession of vehicles. Not even Newport, with its mag- nificence of riches, excels this passing show of society, with its elegant gowns and hand- some equipages, on a summer afternoon. 'Tis Newport, Saratoga and Nice combined in a setting of natural beauty not to be found in ir~ cither of these resorts. One may procure vehicles of all kinds from the livery stables maintained in Asbury Park, so that driving and auto rides are frequent. The excellent service maintained by the Pennsylvania Railroad makes Asbury Park neighbor to every large city in the United States. Fifty-five miles distant from New York and eighty-nine miles from Philadel- phia, it is connected with these cities by frequent trains in both directions. To and from Philadelphia one has a choice of two routes, one following the main line of the railroad between Philadelphia and New York to Monmouth Junction, thence cutting through the famous pine-belt of Northern New Jersey to the coast at Sea Girt, and Asbury Park; the other leaving Market Street Wharf, Philadelphia, and running in almost a straight line to the shore at Sea Side Park, and thence up the coast to Asbury Park. Trains are also run during the summer season between Broad Street Station, Phila- delphia, and Asbury Park by way of the famous Delaware River Bridge, and Sea Side Park. The highest grade of service is main- tained on both the New York and Philadel- phialines, and connections may be made from all parts of the country at both of these cities. Ocean Grove, Asbury Park's next-door neighbor, which directly adjoins Asbury Park on the south, is one of the unique resorts in the United States. Founded many years ago as a camp-meeting site, it has been developed under the care of the Meth- odist Church until to-day it is one of the world's greatest centers of religious thought. In its auditorium, seating ten thousand persons, are held every year great moral meetings which are attended by members of every religious sect. Magnificent concerts are given there by large choruses, and the whole atmosphere of the place is tinged with religious sentiment. Ruled by the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, many of its rules seem strict in these liberal days, but the prosperity of the place bears evidence of the fact that there is a large number of people to whom such a resort is attractive. It has many large hotels, but the bulk of the summer population live in small cottages, and many occupy tents during their stay in true camp-meeting style MEETING OF THE NATIONAL EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS BURY PARK will be particularly prominent this Summer from the fact that the Forty-fourth Annual Meeting of the National Educational Association is to be held there July 3d, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th. This organization numbers among its mem- bership educators from all sections of the United States, and it is promised that this year's session will be one of the most im- portant ever held. The use of the Ocean Grove auditorium has been tendered the National Educational Association for its convention, and it is pro- posed not only to hold the sessions of the convention there, but to have numerous concerts and other forms of diversion in this enormous hall during the sojourn of the delegates in Asbury Park.. The Pennsylvania Railroad Company cells regularly special low- rate excursion tickets lo Asbury Park within a radius of about loo miles. The fares for these excur- sion tickets vary according to the limit, short limit excursion tickets being available at slightly more than the one-way fare. From points more than loo miles distant from Asbury Park, special excursion tickets including membership coupon, will be sold on account of the National Educational As- sociation Meeting at greatly reduced rates. These special tickets will be sold July ist, 2d and 3d, good for return passage until July loth. If ticket is dt-posited with Joint Agent, Asbury Park, not later than July loth, and a fee of fifty cents paid at time of deposit, the return limit will be extended to August 31st. A ten-day stop- over, not to exceed the final limit, will be allowed in New York City on National Edu- cational excursion tickets reading through that point. To secure the stop-over at New York, tickets must be deposited with Joint Agent and fee of $i.oo paid at time of deposit. Stop-over will be permitted at Washing- ton, Baltimore and Philadelphia on tickets reading through those cities. Stop-over on going trip will be limited to July 3d. On the return trip stop-over will be allowed within the final limit of July loth, and where tickets have been extended at Asbury Park, within the extended limit of August 31st, not to ex- ceed ten days. To obtain stop-over, tickets must be deposited with depot ticket agent immediately on arrival in the city at which stop-over is desired. Full information concerning rates to Asbury Park, both for the Meeting of the National Educational Association and for tickets regularly on sale, may be had of any Pennsylvania Railroad Ticket Agent. 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