By: Reilly P Sharp Curator Barnegat Light Museum
After the Brown family sold the Ashley House and, later, sold off their land holdings in the late 1860's in the wake of John Ashley Brown's drowning off the Carolinas, a pair of Camden businessmen saw an opportunity on a virginal New Jersey beach. Only a smattering old fishing cottages, the Ashley House, Barnegat lighthouse, and the Life-Saving Station occupied the sandy north end. These men, though, had visions of the "next" Atlantic City, which was bursting with tourist dollars and development just 30 miles south of Barnegat inlet. Benjamin Archer and William Bailey bought much of what the Brown's were selling by 1871, and held on to it, though developed little, in the preceding decade. By 1884, though, things began to change.
Their master plan, which they called "Barnegat City" in their advertisements to borrow from the attraction of the other glittering city by the sea, was anchored by two hotels. The San Souci was located on the bay near the inlet. The larger Oceanic was on the ocean side. Between the two, a wide boulevard was laid down in stone and hard packed earth, which was 4th Street and a "broad way" that turned toward the San Souci and the bay. At the end of Broadway and in front of the towering San Souci, was a long steamboat pier that stuck far out into the bay just inside the inlet. A horse-drawn cart capable of carrying about a dozen was brought in to operate along Fourth and Broadway. And, in between the hotels were built six large cottages of the same style.
Elsewhere, more cottages of varying styles but towering in scale were built on 5th, 7th, and 12th streets. The Archers themselves occupied most of those on 12th. They even built a church on 7th to serve the Oceanic guests. After all, it was initially a place of temperance and prayer was quite necessary.
In 1885, Archer & Bailey worked with other hotel owners down the Island to bring the Tuckerton Railroad to Long Beach. The track was cut thru the pines along present-day Route 72 and a trestle bridge built across Manahawkin Bay, with service operating from one end of the Island to the other.
By the end of this late 19th century building boom, "Barnegat City" was a town of just five streets, from 3rd to 7th, with the Archer cottages of 12th all alone down the rail-road.
In this postcard photograph from about 1910, one can see the wide sweep of Archer & Bailey's 4th St. dream. Looking west from the eastern end of 4th, one of the cottages is out of frame on the left, but the others are plainly seen down the block. The gigantic Oceanic dwarfs these otherwise impressive homes. The Haddock house, left, was actually a late addition to the bustling boulevard, built in about 1889. The San Souci and pier were around the corner to the right at the other end of the boulevard.
Barnegat City never resembled its namesake Atlantic City, fortunately or unfortunately depending on your point of view. What Archer & Bailey did succeed at, though, was bringing the unique allure of the north end to the populace back in the cities. They didn't come by the boatload or trainload or carload like the other City by the sea. But, we all came slowly but surely, like a tide, over the next century. Though it's nothing like the scale and hustle and excitement of Atlantic City at its once-upon-a-time best, most would say Barnegat Light glitters with a different kind of gold and captures you like no place else can.
Our Mission:
The Barnegat Light Historical Society is a non-profit corporation organized under the laws of New Jersey whose purposes are exclusively charitable and educational.
Our main objective is to keep the history of Barnegat Light alive and available to the public through the preservation of local artifacts and pictures in the 106 year old restored schoolhouse museum, and through various programs and events promoting our museum, our society, and the long history of the town. We reach out to members, the community and vacationers through the daily access to the museum in the spring, summer and fall months, fundraisers and various celebratory events.
Barnegat Light Museum, home of the Lens, operated by the all-volunteer Barnegat Light Historical Society. Located in the town's one room schoolhouse, circa 1903, at 5th St and Central Avenue in Barnegat Light. Open weekends June and September. Daily July-August. Always 10am-4pm.
