News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1888-10-04
Ocean Grove and Ashury Park.

NEW JERSEYS POPULAR SUMMER RE
sORTS-THEIR WONDERFUL GROWTH
FINE HOTELS-SURF BATHING, ETC.
Editors Neaos and Citizen:
Kind friends, come out with me for
a few minutes this pleasant afternoon
and let me show you two Of the most
charming watering-places on our east
ern coast. Asbury Park and Ocean
Grove are practically one place, as
only a narrow lake divides them.
| First let us look about some in Ocean
Grove. j. A. Bradley purchased the
first lot here at SS5 premium in 1870,
at which time it was one vast wilder
ness, but so rapid has been it's growth
that now there are 5000 permanent
residents, and thousands more sojourn
in tents during the summer months.
1t is said that there are at least one
hundred strangers here during camp
meeting. Nine years ago there was
no railroad and people were obliged
to come by stage from Long Branch.
Now there are Sc daily trains during
the summer. The place is governed
by the Methodists and it is an e1cep-
tional town in many respects. The
temperance law is strictly enforced
and no one is ever seen intoxicated
upon the streets. There is no driving
allowed on Sunday and the selling of
Sunday papers is also prohibited.
The auditorium, large building near
the center of the town, will seat
10000 people. At this place you can
hear many noted speakers and be as
devotional as you wish, as services
often commence at sunrise and con-
tinue until late hour.
There are many good hotels here,
the Sheldon, Atlantic, Waverly and
United States being some of the larg-
est. They are all in good locations
and make pleasant place to spend a
few weeks during the summer. There
are many small parks and lakes which
add greatly to the beauty Of the place.
The drainage is perfect and all the
water used comes from artesian wells.
The beach here for surf bathing is one
of the best, it being much superior to
Long Branch or any above here. AT
any hour of the day you can see hun
dreds OF people enjoying that most
popular amusement. Some enter the
water shrinking and cringing, while
others push boldly in to enjoy the fun.
All about, you can see the children
digging in the sand, and just under
that sun-shade you see over yOnder
is couple presumably deeply inter-
ested in some scientific work, for they
sit with the sun-shade snugly over
their heads until some wicked urchin
runs up and gives them shower of
sand, which comes so suddenly that
their meditations are rudely disturbed.
Looking further on you see one of the
bathers in the sand, entirely covered,
except the end Of his nose, which
looks very queer and would not be
pleasant sensation to most Of us.
There are two pavilions in Ocean
Grove with bath houses. At one end
of the board walk is Lilligrove's and
at distance of half mile we come
to ROSES, which is most pleasant
place.
Upon leaving ROSES we find our
selves in Asbury Park, still proceed
ing upon the board walk, which ex-
tends about two miles into the Park,
place far different from Ocean Grove.
All wicked sinners come here. This
is city and watering place combined.
Among the many hotels here you will
find the West End the largest and
most lively, the large parlors always
open and chop" always going on.
The Oriental is another large house,
where all the Jews congregate. There
are many large stores and Japanese
bazars, where you are induced to part
with your money for beautiful rose
jars, elegant pottery and shells Of
every variety and shape. There are
seven churches here, an opera house,
public library. several halls, a large
school building and the best Masonic
hall in Monmouth county. The place
also abounds in ice cream gardens,
which are we'll patronized on warm
evenings. The place is we'll laid out,
broad streets running to the sea. The
depot grounds are the best on the
Jersey shore, with four acres of
streets and woods adjoining. The
street cars are run by electricity and
for small sum you can ride distance
of four miles. Going up one of the
broad avenues you will see first the
Republican banner floating in the
breeze, then the Democratic, and even
the third party flag floats here. For
amusement there is always the board
walk by the sea, where every one
goes evenings. 1t is very amusing to
watch the crowds here. Some have
come to hear the music. some to watch
the others, and more to have a good
time. Near by are the "merry-go-
rounds" where a crowd is always to
be found. There are several small
lakes near here with row-boats upon
them, which look quite gay in the eve
ming with all their freight and colored
lanterns. Occasionally there are car
nivals on the lakes We attended one
q short time ago where there was
most brilliant display of fireworks.
Sometimes, however, the fates are
against us and pouring rain disturbs
our expected pleasure. If you wish
to drive you will find it most charm
ing drive TO Long Branch, a distance
of eight miles. You pass through FL
boron, where you see Grants and
Garfield's summer house and many
other noted places. On returning do
not fail to stop at the life saving sta
ton and see the boats, with all their
rigging, which are used in case of a
wreck. After leaving here we soon
ind ourselves at Sunset Lake. This
s too romantic place to be passed
so l will leave you here to
enjoy the scenery as long as you
wish. A.C.s.
An Explanation.
NHnf 80 T.