Berkeley Township

By Alfred T. Stokley

Incorporated in 1875, Berkeley Township was settled along the Barnegat Bay shoreline, dotted with homesteads and fishermen's shanties. The Central Railroad first brought summer tourists to the area for recreation in the late 19th century, and in the years to follow, many new attractions were established, including B.W. Sangor's lavish Royal Pines Hotel. Edward Crabbe established the village of Double Trouble in 1903 for lumber and cranberry production, and Sutton's Pavilion became Bayville's first fishing camp in 1905. Also in this era, George C. Crossly mined clay for terra-cotta products, using a narrow-gauge spur of the Pennsylvania Railroad. In 1928, Rudy Korman opened his restaurant and picnic grove, soon known as Korman's Corner. By the 1930s, Clover Cream Top Dairy was the largest in Bayville. In 1932, Dino the Dinosaur was built for a Sinclair Service Station and became a landmark. Historic Route 9 was used heavily through the middle of the 20th century, featuring roadside stands and tourist cabins. Berkeley Township showcases these landmarks and the rich recreational and commercial history of this Ocean County community.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Arcadia Publishing
• Release date: Jan 26, 2015
• ISBN: 9781439649091

Alfred T. Stokley

Alfred T. Stokley grew up in Bayville, spending his early summers on Barnegat Bay working on his father's shrimp boat. He is past president of the Berkeley Township Historic Society, a former trustee of the Ocean County Historical Society, and an instructor on Jersey Shore Railroads.

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Museum.

INTRODUCTION

Berkeley Township, named after Lord John Berkeley of England, was originally part of Dover Township. It later became a separate municipality and incorporated on March 31, 1875. Created from Berkeley were six separate boroughs: Seaside Park, in 1898; Beachwood, in 1917; Ocean Gate, in 1918; Pine Beach, in 1925; South Toms River, in 1927; and Island Beach, in 1933l, but reabsorbed as a state park in 1965. The total area now is 42 square miles with a population of 44,000. It is located in the central part of Ocean County, bordering the New Jersey Pinelands Reserve on the west and Barnegat Bay on the east. Sections include Bayville, Pinewald, Manitou Park, Pelican Island, and South Seaside Park.

The Lenni-Lenape Indians first inhabited Berkeley. In 1609, Sir Henry Hudson, sailing in the Half Moon, cruised its coastline. Early industries included bog iron, lumber, cranberries, salt hay, farming, pound fishing, and shipbuilding. There were quaint homesteads and shops along the old shore road, now Route 9.

Bayville became the populated section of Berkeley along the five-mile Route 9 corridor between Toms River and Forked River. In 1850, the post office established the area as Potters Creek; in 1868, as Chaseford; and finally, in 1870, as Bayville or Cape Bayville. In 1871, a Central Jersey Railroad train station was established in Pinewald. In the 1970s, with the spreading population and the advent of senior housing west of the Garden State Parkway, the entire municipality was, and still is, generally referred to as Berkeley.

In 1887, Lt. Edward Farrow developed Barnegat Park for retired military officers. In the 1920s, B.W. Sangor purchased the property and established what is now Pinewald. The mammoth project included several hundred lots, but it failed during the Depression.

Bayville later offered many water-based recreational activities at fishing camps and marinas found at Cedar Creek, Sloop Creek, Mill Creek, and Barnegat Pier. From Barnegat Pier, there was boating access from Barnegat Bay to the Atlantic Ocean. Lagoon housing development along the bay’s shoreline would spark commercial growth. In the pines, Double Trouble State Park had a small village of workers to operate the cranberry bogs, packaging plant, and sawmill. It was dedicated in 1995 and reopened to the public.

Berkeley Township’s diversified geographic regions provide for an interesting and colorful history. This information has been recorded and saved in the unique photograph collection presented here.

One

HOMESTEAD

The three-story, Victorian-style Harbor Inn, with a mansard roof, was built around 1860. It is located at Harbor Inn Road and Neary Avenue overlooking Cedar Creek. It served as an inn for the many travelers and sportsmen who visited the Barnegat Bay area to hunt and fish. A two-story addition was added on the east side in 1909 to offer a total of 30 rooms for the inn. In 1925, Percival Grant, a Bayville native, became the owner and proprietor. His wife, Nettie Grant, used to serve chicken dinners for 50¢. The Thomas McIntyre family owned the property from 1929 to 1969 and used it as both a residence and business office for the nearby Cedar Beach development. Today, it continues to be a private residence. (Courtesy of Charles Hall.)

This cottage was nestled on a large lot overlooking Cedar Creek on East Harbor Inn Road. Members of the Grant family, who were listed as mariners on Barnegat Bay, owned the homestead around 1850. This location was known as Horne’s Point, with Lois Horne as the last sole occupant. The historic house was demolished around 2005 and replaced by a larger house.

The Miller farmhouse on Bay Boulevard is believed to have been built by William Morris, around 1870, in two sections with an entrance for each in the front. In 1926, Frank Miller purchased it from the Holly Park on Barnegat Bay Corporation. There have been several owners since then. Today, the house is vacant.

Clara B. Worth, the former principal of Bayville Grade School, once owned the house at 76 Route 9; it was built in the 1890s. Clara lived here for most of her 88 years. A single light from the back room at night would usually indicate that she was still doing schoolwork. The house has maintained its original size and integrity. Today, Quality Medical Transport occupies it. (Courtesy of New Jersey Historic Preservation Office.)

The historic Potter Sugar Hill House, located next to the Berkeley Museum, was built in 1888. This was the home of Hilbert and Mildred Potter, who were married in 1928. Hilbert Potter was the former Berkeley Township clerk and died in 1973. Mildred Potter was a teacher and principal of the Bayville Grade School for many years. She lived in the home until her death in 2007 at age 101. Today, the house is utilized for commercial purpose.