Asbury Park, New Jersey

Asbury Park
From Left: Asbury Park Convention Hall (image courtesy of Dave Frey), Main Street, Tillie, Cookman Ave, Old Heating Plant, Philadelphia Toboggan Company Carousel
Map of Asbury Park in Monmouth County, NJ, along the Atlantic Ocean (also see: full-state map).
Country United States
State New Jersey
County Monmouth
Government[1]
 - Type 1923 Municipal Manager Law
 - Mayor Ed Johnson
Area
 - Total 1.6 sq mi (4.1 km2)
 - Land 1.3 sq mi (3.3 km2)
 - Water 0.3 sq mi (0.8 km2)
Elevation 20 ft (6 m)
Population (2007)[2]
 - Total 17,577
 - Density 14,290.0/sq mi (5,517.4/km2)
Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
 - Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code 07712
Area code(s) 732
FIPS code 34-01960[3][4]
GNIS feature ID 0874396[5]
Website http://www.cityofasburypark.com

Asbury Park is a city in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States, on the Jersey Shore and part of the New York City Metropolitan Area. As of the 2000 United States Census, the city population was 17,930. Asbury Park was originally incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 26, 1874, from portions of Ocean Township. The borough was reincorporated on February 28, 1893. Asbury Park was incorporated as a city, its current type of government, as of March 25, 1897.[6]

The city is known for its musical history and unique nature. It was ranked the sixth best beach in New Jersey in the 2008 Top 10 Beaches Contest sponsored by the New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium.[7]

Contents

History

Asbury Park beach, early Twentieth Century

Early years

A seaside community, Asbury Park is located on New Jersey's central coast. Developed in 1871 as a residential resort by New York brush manufacturer James A. Bradley, the city was named for Francis Asbury, the first American bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States.

Bradley was active in the development of much of the city's infrastructure, and despite his preference for gas light, he allowed the Atlantic Coast Electric Company (precursor to today's Jersey Central Power & Light Co.) to offer electric service.[8] Along the waterfront Bradley installed a boardwalk, an orchestra pavilion, public changing rooms and a pier at the south end of the boardwalk. Such success attracted other businessmen. In 1888 Ernest Schnitzler built the Palace Merry-Go-Round on the southwest corner of Lake Avenue and Kingsley Street, the cornerstone of what would become the Palace Amusements complex; other attractions followed.[9] During these early decades in Asbury Park, a number of grand hotels were built, including the Plaza Hotel.[10]

Postcard of Asbury Park and Ocean Grove Railroad Station, dated 1908

Uriah White, an Asbury Park pioneer, installed the first artesian well water system.[11] More than 600,000 people a year vacationed in Asbury during the summer season in the early years, riding the New York and Long Branch Railroad from New York City and from Philadelphia to enjoy the mile-and-a-quarter stretch of oceanfront Asbury.

The country by the sea destination experienced several key periods of popularity. The first notable era was the 1890s, marked by a housing growth, examples of which can still be found today in a full range of Victorian architecture. Coinciding with the nationwide trend in retail shopping, Asbury Park's downtown flourished during this period and well into the next century.

1920s and modern development

Asbury Park boardwalk, c. 1935

The 1920s saw a dramatic change in the boardwalk with the construction of the Paramount Theatre and Convention Hall complex, the Casino Arena and Carousel House, and two handsome red-brick pavilions. Noted Beaux Arts architect Warren Whitney of New York was the designer. He had also been hired to design the imposing Berkeley-Carteret Hotel positioned diagonally across from the theater and hall. At the same time, Asbury Park launched a first-class education and athletic program with the construction of a state-of-the-art high school overlooking Deal Lake.

Neither the Great Depression nor World War II was kind to Asbury Park. In 1934, the wreck of the SS Morro Castle beached itself near the city. In 1943, the New York Yankees held their Spring Training in Asbury Park. This was because rail transport had to be conserved during the war, and Major League Baseball's Spring Training was limited to an area east of the Mississippi River and north of the Ohio River.[12]

The Casino's boarded walkway that links Asbury Park to Ocean Grove. As of 2008, the casino is being renovated.

In the decades that followed the war, surrounding farm communities gave way to tracts of suburban houses, encouraging the city's middle-class blacks as well as whites to move into newer houses with spacious yards. With the opening of the Garden State Parkway, Asbury Park saw the travel market change as fewer vacationers took trains to the seashore. After the Monmouth Mall opened 10 miles away in Eatontown in 1960, Asbury Park's downtown became less of an attraction to shoppers. Office parks built outside the city resulted in the relocation of lawyers, accountants, doctors, dentists, and other professionals. The opening of Six Flags Great Adventure, a combination theme park and drive-through safari located on a lake in Jackson Township - and close to a New Jersey Turnpike exit - proved to be stiff competition for a mile-long stretch of aging boardwalk amusements. Although it was placed on the National Registers of Historic Places,[13] in 1988 Palace Amusements was closed, and was demolished in 2004 despite attempts to save it.[14] The complex had featured the famous face of Tillie, a symbol of the Jersey Shore.[14] In 1990, the famous carousel at the Casino Pier was sold to Family Kingdom Amusement Park in Myrtle Beach, SC, where it continues to operate. The city's changing fortunes, together with municipal mismanagement, led to civic unrest. On July 4, 1970 riots resulted in the destruction of aging buildings along Springwood Avenue, one of three main east-west corridors into Asbury Park and the central shopping and entertainment district for those living in the city's southwest quadrant. In 2007 many of those city blocks have yet to be redeveloped.

21st century

Former Howard Johnson's renovated and reopened as Salt Water Beach Cafe (summer 2007) on the boardwalk in Asbury Park

From 2002 onward, the rest of Asbury Park has been in the midst of a cultural, political, and economic revival, led by a burgeoning industry of local and national artists. Its dilapidated downtown district is undergoing revitalization while most of the nearly empty blocks that overlook the beach and boardwalk are slated for massive reconstruction. In 2005, the Casino's walkway reopened, as did many of the boardwalk pavilions.

The year 2007 proved to be an important one, full of milestones for the redevelopment of Asbury Park. The eastern portion of the Casino building was demolished. There are plans to rebuild this portion to look much like the original; however, the interior will be dramatically different and may include a public market (as opposed to previously being an arena and skating rink). There has also been more of a resurgence of the downtown as well as the boardwalk, with the grand reopening of the historic Steinbach department store building, as well as the rehabilitation of Convention Hall and the Fifth Avenue Pavilion (previously home to one of the last remaining Howard Johnson restaurants). The year 2007 has also seen the purchase of the historic Berkeley-Carteret Hotel, which is to be restored to four-star resort status; the first residents moving into the newly constructed condominiums known as North Beach; and the rehabilitation of Ocean Avenue. Asbury Park looks to regain its reputation as the cultural and amusement capital of the Jersey Shore.

Government

Local government

The City of Asbury Park is governed under the 1923 Municipal Manager Law form of New Jersey municipal government. The government consists of a five-member City Council, with all positions elected at large in nonpartisan elections, to serve four-year terms of office on a concurrent basis. After each election, the council selects a mayor and deputy mayor from among its members.[1]

The Asbury Park City Council consists of Mayor Ed Johnson, Deputy Mayor John Loffredo, Kevin Sanders, James Bruno, and Susan Henderson.

Federal, state, and county representation

Asbury Park is in the 6th Congressional district. New Jersey's Sixth Congressional District is represented by Frank Pallone (D, Long Branch). New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Bob Menendez (D, Hoboken).

Asbury Park is in the 11th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature, which is represented in the New Jersey Senate by Sean T. Kean (R, Wall Township) and in the New Jersey General Assembly by Mary Pat Angelini (R, Ocean Township) and Dave Rible (R, Wall Township).[15]

Monmouth County is governed by a five-member Board of Chosen Freeholders. As of 2010, Monmouth County's Freeholders are Freeholder Director Lillian G. Burry (R, Colts Neck), Freeholder Deputy Director Robert D. Clifton (R, Matawan), John D'Amico, Jr. (D, Oceanport), Amy A. Mallet (D, Fair Haven) and John P. Curley (R, Middletown).[16]

Music and culture

Springsteen's debut album, "Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J."

Asbury Park is considered a destination for musicians, particularly a subgenre of rock and roll known as the Jersey Shore sound, which is infused with R&B. It is home to The Stone Pony, founded in 1974, a starting point for many performers. The Asbury Lanes, the Saint and the Wonder Bar are smaller venues that continue the tradition of offering original, live music to the jersey shore. Asbury Park Convention Hall holds larger events.

In 1973 Bruce Springsteen released his debut album Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J.. On his follow-up album, The Wild, the Innocent and the E Street Shuffle, one of the songs is entitled "4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)". Several books chronicle the early years of Springsteen's career in Asbury Park. Daniel Wolff's 4 July Asbury Park examines the social, political and cultural history of the city with a special emphasis on the part that music played in the city's development, culminating in Springsteen. Beyond the Palace by Gary Wien is a comprehensive look at the local music scene that Springsteen emerged from, and includes many photographs of musicians and clubs. Against the backdrop of the fading resort, Alex Austin's novel The Red Album of Asbury Park tracks a young rock musician pursuing his dream in the late 60s/early 70s, with Springsteen as a potent but as yet unknown rival.

West view of Asbury Park Convention Hall & Paramount Theatre (Asbury Park, New Jersey) complex

In 2004, Asbury Park based musician Colie Brice (formerly of Phantom's Opera, Gemini, Brian Saint and the Sinners, Geena and Dragster, Luna Muse, the New Age Blues Experience, and currently with Captain James and the Pain) launched an Asbury Park-based label called AERIA Records, which was distributed by Universal Music Group. Over the past several years AERIA has released albums by local artists such as Brian Amsterdam, St. Christopher, Agency, Juggling Suns, Colie Brice, Rick Barry, Brian Saint and the Sinners, James "JPAT" Dalton, The Hesh Inc., Boston indie rock pioneer Joe Harvard, Neptune native Metamorphosis Greg Wilkens, Last Perfect Thing, and Lost In Society featuring Richie Sambora's (BON JOVI) God Son Zack Moyle on guitar and vocals. On July 4, 2009 AERIA Records released an iPhone application featuring free mp3s, videos, photos, and event information pertaining to its catalog featuring original music by local artists.

In 2005, the New Jersey Music Hall of Fame was founded in Asbury Park. There are plans to build a museum somewhere in the city as part of the redevelopment.[17]

Nightlife

Asbury Lanes

Asbury Park's nightlife includes The Stone Pony, a bar frequented by Bruce Springsteen as well as Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes. On Main Street is The Saint (formerly the Clover Club), a small club that showcases local acts as well as established performers. Across town, on Fourth Avenue, is Asbury Lanes, a functioning vintage bowling alley and bar with live performances ranging from musical acts, burlesque, hot rod, and art shows. Nearby is the Baronet, a vintage movie theater which dates back to Buster Keaton. A number of new restaurants, lounges and bars have opened up city wide: Tim Mcloone's Supper Club, which features live entertainment, Langosta Lounge, The Annex, Stella Marina, Market in the Middle and the Watermark Lounge.

Popular with numerous Asbury Park residents and visitors is the monthly First Saturday event. On the first Saturday of every month, Asbury Park's downtown art galleries, home design studios, restaurants, antique shops, and clothing boutiques remain open throughout the evening, serving hors d’œuvres and offering entertainment, to showcase the city's residential and commercial resurgence.

Commerce

Urban Enterprise Zone

Portions of Asbury Park are part of an Urban Enterprise Zone . In addition to other benefits to encourage employment within the Zone, shoppers can take advantage of a reduced 3½% sales tax rate (versus the 7% rate charged statewide).[18]

Hotels

There were at one time many hotels along the beachfront. Many were demolished after years of sitting vacant, although the Sixth Avenue House Bed & Breakfast Hotel (formerly Berea Manor) was recently restored after being abandoned in the 1970s. Hotels like the Berkeley and Oceanic Inn have operated concurrently for decades, while the Empress Hotel and Hotel Tides were recently restored and reopened.

Currently open:

Demolished:

Berkeley Hotel, south face 2007.

Education

Asbury Park's public schools are operated by Asbury Park Public Schools. The district is one of 31 Abbott Districts statewide.[20] Schools in the district (with 2005-06 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics[21] are Barrack Obama Elementary School (formerly Bangs Avenue Elementary School (523 students), Bradley Elementary School (401) and Thurgood Marshall Elementary School (518) for grades K-5; Asbury Park Middle School (601) and Asbury Park Alternative Middle School for grades 6-8; and Asbury Park High School (620) for grades 9-12.

In February 2007, the offices of the Asbury Park Board of Education were raided by investigators from the State Attorney General's office, prompted by allegations of corruption and misuse of funds.[22]

Students may also attend Academy Charter High School, located in Lake Como, which serves residents of Allenhurst, Asbury Park, Avon-by-the-Sea, Belmar, Bradley Beach, Deal, Interlaken and Lake Como, and accepts students on a lottery basis.[23]

Geography

Asbury Park is located at (40.222399, -74.012098).[24]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.6 square miles (4.1 km2), of which 1.3 square miles (3.7 km2) of it is land and 0.3 square miles (0.4 km2) of it (10.62%) is water.

Demographics

Historical populations
Census Pop.
1900 4,148
1910 11,150 168.8%
1920 13,400 20.2%
1930 15,981 19.3%
1940 16,617 4.0%
1950 18,094 8.9%
1960 18,366 1.5%
1970 17,533 −4.5%
1980 18,015 2.7%
1990 17,799 −1.2%
2000 17,930 0.7%
Est. 2007 17,577 [2] −2.0%
Population 1930–1990.[25]

As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 17,930 people, 6,754 households, and 3,586 families residing in the city. The population density was 14,290.0/mi2 (5,629.4/km2) making it Monmouth County's most densely populated municipality. There were 7,744 housing units at an average density of 2,090.9/km2 (5,416.7/mi2). The racial makeup of the city was 15.77% White, 67.11% Black, 0.32% Native American, 0.70% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 6.49% from other races, and 5.53% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 18.58% of the population.

There were 6,754 households out of which 31.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 20.2% were married couples living together, 26.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.9% were non-families. 39.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.36.

In the city the population was spread out with 30.1% under the age of 18, 10.6% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 18.3% from 45 to 64, and 11.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 88.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $23,081, and the median income for a family was $26,370. Males had a median income of $27,081 versus $24,666 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,516. About 29.3% of families and 40.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 46.5% of those under age 18 and 37.1% of those age 65 or ver.

Crime

The vacant streets of Asbury Park were a common sight in the 1980s and 1990s.

Asbury Park has been afflicted with a high crime rate for several years. Drug and gang violence have been a persistent problem within the city, and by 2004 Asbury Park was ranked as one of the most dangerous cities in New Jersey.[26] In recent years, however, Asbury Park has seen a dramatic decrease in crime due to proactive policing as well as gang task force operations at the county and state levels. "The streets have become remarkably quiet, something Monmouth County Prosecutor Luis Valentin attributes to aggressive policing." [27]

Notable residents

Notable current and former residents of Asbury Park include:

See also

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 2005 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, April 2005, p. 58.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Census data for Asbury Park city, United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 1, 2008.
  3. 3.0 3.1 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  4. A Cure for the Common Codes: New Jersey, Missouri Census Data Center. Retrieved July 14, 2008.
  5. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  6. "The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606–1968", John P. Snyder, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 177.
  7. Urgo, Jacqueline L. (May 23, 2008). "Triumph for South Jersey". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on 2008-06-05. http://web.archive.org/web/20080605225601/http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/entertainment/19204259.html. Retrieved 2008-05-30. 
  8. Pike, Helen-Chantal (2005). Asbury Park's Glory Days: The Story of an American Resort. Rutgers University Press, pp 8 ISBN 0-8135-3547-6
  9. 1888 Palace Amusements Online Museum. Retrieved 2007-08-17.
  10. Asbury Park, NJ Side O'Lamb: Urban Exploration of the Jersey Shore. Retrieved 2007-08-17.
  11. Pike, Helen-Chantal (1997,2003). Images of America: Asbury Park. Arcadia Publishing, pp 13 ISBN 0-7524-0538-1
  12. Suehsdorf, A. D. (1978). The Great American Baseball Scrapbook, p. 103. Random House. ISBN 0-394-50253-1.
  13. "National Register of Historical Places - New Jersey (NJ), Monmouth County". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2007-02-14. http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/NJ/Monmouth/state.html. Retrieved 2009-10-08. 
  14. 14.0 14.1 Aftermath Palace Amusements Online Museum.'.' Retrieved 2007-08-17.
  15. "Legislative Roster: 2010-2011 Session". New Jersey Legislature. http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/roster.asp. Retrieved 2010-02-08. 
  16. Board of Chosen Freeholders, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed January 17, 2010.
  17. Wise, Brian. "From Croon to Doom Metal", The New York Times, June 5, 2005. Accessed November 2, 2007. "Even so, plans for a New Jersey Music Hall of Fame center on Asbury Park, where Mr. Springsteen got his start by playing in the scrubby clubs there."
  18. Geographic & Urban Redevelopment Tax Credit Programs: Urban Enterprise Zone Employee Tax Credit, State of New Jersey. Retrieved July 28, 2008.
  19. YouTube - Where to stay at the Asbury Park NJ beach for under $100
  20. Abbott Districts, New Jersey Department of Education. Retrieved March 31, 2008.
  21. Data for the Asbury Park Public Schools, National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved July 21, 2008.
  22. "Investigators probe Asbury Park Board of Ed", WABC-TV, February 22, 2007. Retrieved June 18, 2007.
  23. Academy Charter High School 2007 Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Retrieved March 12, 2008.
  24. "US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2005-05-03. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  25. Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930–1990, Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network. Retrieved March 1, 2007.
  26. Best and Worst Crime Areas in the State Of New Jersey
  27. Violence drops in Asbury Park | New Jersey Real-Time News - - NJ.com
  28. Pike, Helen-Chantal. "Asbury Park's Glory Days - The Story Of An American Resort", Gameroom magazine reviewed by Tim Ferrante. Accessed June 18, 2007. "I didn’t know Bud Abbott was born there. It was also the home town of then hair stylist Danny DeVito (yes, there is a photo of the famed actor in his family’s shop!) and the childhood stomping ground of Jack Nicholson."
  29. Stewart Hoffman Appleby, Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved August 30, 2007.
  30. Theodore Frank Appleby, Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved August 30, 2007.
  31. Lustig, Jay. "Greetings From Neptune City, NJ", "The Star Ledger" October 27, 2007 Accessed January 18, 2008 "Atkins, who now lives in Asbury Park, says she considers herself a Jersey artist..."
  32. Bernstein, Adam (2007-10-23). "Frederick Bayer, 85; biologist studied corals in deep sea". Washington Post (Boston Globe). http://www.boston.com/news/globe/obituaries/articles/2007/10/23/frederick_bayer_85_biologist_studied_corals_in_deep_sea/. Retrieved 2007-10-23. 
  33. SmackDown Countdown 2006: Bam Bam Bigelow - The Beast from the East comes out of retirement, November 6, 2006.
  34. "Boardwalk fortune teller Madam Marie dies". Asbury Park Press. 2008-07-01. http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080701/NEWS/80701031. Retrieved 2008-08-26. 
  35. Blackwell, Jon. "She kept America in Vogue", Asbury Park Press, May 14, 2001. Accessed July 31, 2007. "Born in Asbury Park on March 14, 1877, Edna barely knew her father, who split up with her mom while she was still an infant."
  36. Stephen Crane at "The Literary Encyclopedia". Retrieved December 10, 2006.
  37. Shaw, David. "DeVito! Although He Has a Penchant for Dark Comedies, Actor-Director Danny DeVito Is Serious About His Craft, His Family and His Cigars", Cigar Aficionado profile, accessed May 2, 2007. "Danny DeVito was born in 1944 in the shore town of Neptune, New Jersey--hence the name of his production company--and raised in neighboring Asbury Park, the youngest of five children (two of whom died before he was born)."
  38. Anderson, Dave. " Sports of The Times; Hess Mulled The Return Of the Jets", The New York Times, May 9, 1999. Accessed September 23, 2007. "'I was born and brought up in Asbury Park, N.J.,' Hess said that day in a rare appearance at a news conference."
  39. http://thecoaster.net/wordpress/2008/03/20/do-you-know-lou-libatore/
  40. Genocchio, Benjamin. "ART; Making Art Amid The Ruins", The New York Times, May 22, 2005. Accessed December 30, 2007. "Mr. Melee took his money and bought a house in Asbury Park, after falling in love with the decaying grandeur of the Jersey Shore."
  41. "Greetings From Asbury Park", NJN. Accessed June 18, 2007. "Rick Benjamin, founder of the Paragon Ragtime Orchestra, and a specialist in the music of Arthur Pryor – an Asbury Park musical superstar long before Bruce Springsteen – who transformed the forbidden music of Ragtime into wholesome popular entertainment."
  42. Lustig, Jay. "Revisiting E Street: Ex-Springsteen sideman looks forward to Shore gig", "The Star-Ledger", July 15, 2005. Accessed July 30, 2007. "Sancious grew up in Asbury Park and Belmar. The E Street Band was named after the address of his mother's Belmar home, where they sometimes practiced. Sancious lived in Red Bank in the late '70s, before relocating to his current hometown, Woodstock, N.Y."
  43. Tom Smith's legislative web page, New Jersey Legislature, backed up by the Internet Archive as of November 8, 2008. Accessed April 23, 2008.
  44. Lucia, Peter "Asbury Park Life Stimulus For Author", Asbury Park Press, October 2, 1995. Retrieved April 9, 2008.
  45. Nye, Peter Joffre. "Newark, N.J., Started a National Cycling Tradition", United States Bicycling Hall of Fame. Retrieved July 21, 2008.

External links