New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-08-02
IN UNLUCKY RESORT.
Checkered Career of Barnegat Park
n. J.

Asbury Park N j. Aug. I (specaD.-"Fsw
places are better known than Barnegat Park. on
the Pennsylvania and the New-Jersey Southern
railroads." said West Point soldier who saw
much active service some years ago, and who ia
now stopping at Ashury Park once more q
promises to be one of the most interesting and
exclusive settlements Of this country a home
for officers Of the army and navy-a seaside home
in the pines. designed 10 be occupied by members
of both branches Of the service and their families
Many travellers or their way the fishing
grounds of Barnegat Bay" he went on. 'renem-
Der passing through Borough Park, observing the
military aspect of the place and wondering what
the cannon. mortars. shells and balls were there
for The originator OF the scheme and the chief
hacker Of the enterprise my friend and fellow
soldier. Lieutenant Edward :. FarrOw Of the regu-
lar army II his pet hobby to found an army
and navy resort where members OF these branches
of the service could enjoy each others society
with mutual advantage and with freedom from tho
intrusion of unweIcOme neighbors- Some time
along in 1855 he purchased about 5000 acres of
land which covered almost entirely with
young growth of pine trees, which are Indigenous
to the locality, and preparations on a large scale
were begun to convert it into paradise, accord
ing TO Lieutenant Farrow's plans Avenues OF
from so 100 feet in width were cleared and
graded north and south. and named FOR dlstin-
gI1ished army officers, such as Washington. Grant
Hancock. Custer and Hooker The streets and
avenues running east and west were similarly
named. but in honor of famous naval officers who
had passed away Plazas and circles were planned
at the intersections of the more important thor
oughfares.
1T was understood that no civilians were 10 bs
permitted to acquire property i'm the park unless
they We're recommended by an army naval off,
Ger. By this means il was hoped 10 keep the place
within the original limits OF the plan AmOns tho=s
who were property owners at the beginning of ire
project We're Generals R G. Drum. Frank Wheaton,
Augustus Kautz and Stewart Van Vliet. with many
others we'll known in army and navy circles TIE
plans were carried forward with rush. Surveyors
laid out the tract for the engineers, and a small
army of Iaborers began clearing it and mak--S
roads Soon the wilderness began TO assume the
erected west Of the railroad. Then came a general
store house a railroad station and 3(her 21lld-
and church were built some distance west OF the
railroad amors the pines The hotel and other
buildings and The main avenues we're lighted -
eonical piles of round shot and she'll and number
of ed pieces with tGelr tarrtaStS and CdlSSOiiS,
|eTf n sT rTa5 as PS rf 2 g axes were a9
among the attractions of the place. and a police
Park. but he had little more to do than to keep
himself IN view \ uaiI'sIne9 oand ayeG L,1lrl
evenings Everything looked brilliant for the future
planning houses. and all local business pros
porous II seemed toat III. mos 7,IHs ire4 ms
cause Of the rapid growth of the park and Tor
corporated company 10 carry forward the business
was organized. and the Holland Trust Company Of
NeW-YOrE became its trustee This action. TO say
ming OF a long and bitter Tesa Contest To the
proceedings of the trust company Lieutenant Far
f51Iebt ma iTstiTiIfio- in Utmost eysr CONT in
New-York and New-Jersey until. largely through
his persistence and courage II was finally dellv-
cred insoIvent 10 the New-York Superintendent OF
Banking. Now that this influence has been re-
moved and I-ieutenant Farrow is again at its head
Barnegat Park bids fair 70 become one OF the
unique settlements or this country