Asbury Park New Jersey Information
Asbury Park, New Jersey, got its start in 1871 when James A. Bradley, a New York manufacturer, bought an uninhabited 500-acre tract of woodland for $90,000. In poor health, Bradley sought refuge and peace in the town. After a short stay in Asbury Park and with his health restored, Bradley threw all his energies into building a seashore resort that would be “second to none.” The city was named in honor of Bishop Francis Asbury and Asbury Park was incorporated as a City on March 25, 1897.
Between 1871 to the time of his death in 1921, Bradley was deeply involved in every aspect of Asbury Park’s development. He planned the town’s layout before the first structure was built.
By the 1930s, the city had become a premier destination at the Jersey Shore. There was a swan boat and paddle boats on Wesley Lake, pony rides and miniature golf on Ocean Avenue. A footbridge crossed Ocean Avenue near the Berkeley-Carteret, providing easy access to the many pavilions, many which provided both fresh- and salt-water swimming pools. During the evenings, noted “Big Bands” played at the various pavilions for dancing. After that, a decline set in.
During the late 1960s, when Bruce Springsteen first came of age, the town’s council started implementing a plan for revitalization; the changed economy has made it necessary to go back to square one, forcing the council to revise plans for a “new” renewal.
The Stone Pony, a world-renowned music venue, opened in 1974 in a building which formerly housed a popular restaurant called Mrs. Jay’s. The club attracted fans from around the world, all hoping to catch a glimpse of Bruce Springsteen, who performed regularly on stage with friends or with the E Street Band before going on tour.
More recently, Asbury Park has been undergoing a revitalization. Trendy, hip restaurants, lounges and housing developments have popped up. There are plenty of interesting shops to visit and exquisite restaurants to sample. But some of the staples here are still around—The Stone Pony, for one—so you know Asbury Park will always stay true to its roots.
