The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1875-06-19

a DEsCRliIlON OF NE w
AT CAPE MAY.
At the extreme southern end of the State
of New Jersey, as every school boy very
well knows, is the far-famed Cape May
although it is no uncommon thing to find
Cape May City and Cape May Point spoken
of as the same locality, notwithstanding
the fact that there is distance of about
two miles between these places; of course
this is not great when we compare it with
the grand coast front of the entire State
1t appears that when the founders of Cape
May City began their settlement their
object was to get as much of the Ocean
Beach as possible, outside and away from
the Delaware Bay, and at the same time
retain a full view of the Point 1t has
often been wondered at that some one had
not built even small cottage for guests at
this Point, and the reason why could hardly
be answered. Several years ago, however,
a number of gentlemen from New York
undertook the organization of company
for the development of this site, but not
possessing sufficient funds to put their
project into execution, the effort was aban-
doned. Years have come and gone leaving
Cape May Point the same dreary wilder
ness until this Spring, when Mr.. Alexander
Whilldin, (the well known enterprising
wool merchant of No. 90 South Front St.,
Philadelphia became inspired with the
idea that an incorporated company might,
by the Divine blessing, establish at this
spot seaside resort, where the care-worn
and weary minister, the merchant, the pro-
fessional man, and the artisan could recu-
perate their energies and spend portion,
if not all, of their Summer months away
from the heated city, in the enjoyment OF
liberty, the pursuit of happiness and the
worship of God. To this end an organiza.
ton was Immediately effected, and num-
Der of well-known Christian gentlemen,
most of whom are in connection with the
Presbyterian Church, united with Mr..
Whilldin, and became incorporated as the
Sea Grove Association. Mr.. Whilldin was
chosen as their president, and contracts
were at once entered into for laying out the
town, grading the streets, building a large
hotel also number of pretty cottages ano
a magnificent pavilion to be dedicated te
the service of God.
These operations were accordingly com
menced in the latter part of the month o.
March, of this year 1878, and behold the
change! What was then a complete viii
derness of short pine and oak trees anG
underground is now most beautiful vii
lage, with fine wide avenues, that would d.
honor to city, diverging from the pavil
lion as center and extending to the Ocear
on the east, to the Point at the south, t.
the Bay on the west and the lovely fresl
water lake on the north, around which i;
fine carriage road is now completed. A
regular intervals these avenues are inter
sected by streets, varying in width from 81
to 100 feet, which extend in somewha
circuitous form around the center until thu
Beach Avenue is reached; this fine drive i
being rapidly pushed to completion ant
will make, when finished, one continuou
carriage way from the upper end of Cap
May City around the Point to the Beach Oh
Delaware Bay, thence on to the Steamboa
Landing. We can imagine no more elegan
ride than along this magnificent beach jus
as the sun is setting across the Bay.
The hotel is located on the ocean side O
the town directly at the shore; it is com
modious building, containing about 10
rooms and will be under the very best 0
management.
Regular Sabbath services will be held il
the Pavilion, and varied entertainment
may be expected on other evenings of tn
week during the Summer months.
The lots upon the main avenues will b
sold for the erection of dwellings, the in
tention of the Association being to avoid
if possible, the erection of any store build
ings upon the avenues leading from tn
Pavilion. There are cross streets of stuff
cient width for business purposes, as Their
are none of less than so feet wide With
the present limits of Sea Grove.
The greatest care has been observed i
the erection Of cottages 10 have them com