Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-07-07
THE GREAT TMETHODIST TSEA-SIDE
RESORT.
IC0Tfesp0ndence Of the Erentng Stdr.l
OCEAN GROVE n L .Inlx 1870

OIhAN 1kOEE, n. D., July 5, 1879.
This unique seaside resort, six miles below
Long Branch, was established some ten years
ago by few members Of the Methodist Epis
copal Church in Pennsylvania, New jersey and
New York, as adenominatlonal camping ground
and summer retreat; but 1t has grown up in
that time from desolate waste of sand dunes
and scrub pines to be such an attractive and
health nealthf9l summeIing place, that good many
themselves OF the peculiar advantages of the
place. Among these are the freedom from the
intrusion m OF disorderly people, the saluorlous
which 1t is claimed is drier and more favorable
to delicate lungs and throats than at Other
points upon the coast; and the re-
lief from 49,, the o constraint, expense, and
fashionable watering places. At ocean Grove
you can enjoy yourself pretty much as you
lease that is, your enjoyment doesn't run In
hens, or fast horses. The sale of intoxicating
liquors is prohibited at ocean Grove Fishing,
boating, bathing, and driving are forbidden on
dfsts to comply with the first restriction for the
game blue fish have got the habit of parading
tantalizingly In great schools up and down the
But II these restrictions are little rough upon
Christians as we'll as the worlds people, there
are c0mpensatfoDS in some OF the Others For
instance 1T sis not lawful for any pack peddler
hand peddler, organ grinder, scissors grinder,
rag gatherer, or other person engaged In similar
pursuits to pursue their calling within the
premises OF the association" Howling dogs
ard scratching hens are forbidden the grounds,
The inevitable piano nuisance is mitigated by
the sensible practice the landlords have Of lock-
Ing up the Objectionable instruments at 10 pm.
Washingtonians whose nights are made miser-
able by bowling dogs and yelling street huck-
sters can imagine what a haven OF rest is ocean
Grove, where these and similar sleep murder
Wener R has TgdS Is
wholesome regulations has grown up from
single cottage in june 1870, to 500 cottages In
1879, several hundred tents, numerous hotels
and boarding houses, and 100 900 visitors In sea.
SOL? The cottages are exceedingly pretty, and
some OF them are quite ornate, but the most
unpretendlng OF them are neat and attractive,
anu nave bright surroundings OF flowers and
grass platS. Even the tents In many Instances
are SO elaborately decorated, furnished and
''t1trlvated' with pretty fr1nges, gay carpets
handsome furniture, windows and doors covered
with honey-suckle. wood bine aud the like,
green lawns, with parterres of variegated
plants, and geraniums and other bright. .colored
MOVERS, that every body stops In passing to say
odist sisters inhabiting them are not at ali dis
pleased to overhear these remarks. The main
body Of the tents are in the vicinity of the
camp-meeting grounds but they are scattered
mere and there, also, among the cottages over
the whole extent OF the 800 acres Of ocean
Grove.
A charming feature of the place, and which
helps to make it sort Of paradise for children,
is pretty Wesley Lake, a narrow and safely
shallow stretch OF fresh water about mile in
lengtn, and which Is literally covered with
ga1ly decorated row boats, manned,-or rather
Doyed and g1rled, by thrOngs OF merry young
people, who get healthful exercise and no end
OF lun IN TINS way. The sisters and the cousins
and the aunts and all the other relatives are
rowing, and what with wild steering, catching
crabs and emulOuS soaring" they sometimes
mix those boatists up In snarl that wakes
hurrah OF laughter from one end OF the lake to
harm comes from a collision and the lake is
well policed also. 1t is claimed that life has
bae beeer been lost, either on the lake or on the
same as at Long Branch, but for
the safety S OF the throngs Of children bath
oW TIDE when there Is least undertoW. The
managers OF Gcean Grove,-Brother Stokes and
Inc rest,-seem to be sturdy, hearty, manly
men; cheerful, muscular Christians, who can
90 good days work In the pulpit or out, eat and
digest good square meal, enjoy good laugh;
In short, men who believe in making the most
OF this world and the next. They have GER
wildwood waste and making it such a beauty
SPOT; and as they apply the money received
from the sale OF lots, &C., to further improve
ments, m It's attractions are certainly not likely
"A number Of religious, temperance, educa-
tional and other conventions are held during
The summer here but the "height OF the sea.
oOA az OCCou NIOSc Is ITOW august Is 10 Au-
gust Is, when the great annual camp meeting
Is held. attended on some days by 20 600 people.
The leading hotel here, The Arlington, ad.
mirabiy kept by Mr.. Charles E. HoWland, is
held In great esteem by Washingtonians who
make it their headquarters. The number of
WashfngtOnians who visit ocean Grove yearly
Broadway Bouse, kept by MI. NJ E. Webster is
also comfortable ard well-situated establish
ut. The Rowland House, Long Branch, The
Mcnmonth House and Carleton, at Spring Lake
Beach. four miles below ocean Grove, and the
Beach House, at Sea Glrt, one mile beyond, are
also houses greatly liked by Washingtonians.
n OF