Landmarks
June 11, 1764
Sandy Hook Is America’s Oldest Continuously Operating Lighthouse
Lighthouses have been aiding navigators for more than 2,000 years. The first lighthouse in America was the Boston Light, built in 1716 at Boston Harbor. Sandy Hook Lighthouse was the fifth lighthouse built in the United States, but it is one...
April 27, 1822
James P. Allaire Purchases Land in Monmouth County for the Howell Works Iron Foundry
On April 27, 1822, master mechanic and engineer James P. Allaire purchased a number of tracts of land, mostly in southern Monmouth County, from Wm. Newbold, which included an iron foundry. Allaire sought to develop this site to produce casting...
May 18, 1826
The Original Twin Lights of Navesink
On May 18, 1826, the U.S. Congress appropriated funds for a new lighthouse to be located in Highlands, which would become known as the Twin Lights of Navesink. Congress allocated funds to allow 2¾ acres of land to be purchased...
September 10, 1854
North American Phalanx
On September 10, 1854, a fire swept through the North American Phalanx, destroying its vital mill, ending the experiment in secular utopian socialist commune life. The North American Phalanx was located in Colts Neck Township. The North American Phalanx was...
May 1, 1862
The New Twin Lights at Navesink
On May 1, 1862, the lamps of the new lighthouse, Twin Lights at Navesink, were lit for the first time. The original Twin Lights of Navesink were first lit in 1828. By 1857, the original structure had fallen into disrepair....
July 30, 1870
The First Horse Racing Track at Monmouth Park
Monmouth Park’s long and storied history dates back to July 30, 1870 when the track first opened, just three miles from Long Branch, amid much national fanfare. Due to the high caliber of its racing, Monmouth Park achieved distinction as...
August 7, 1874
Sandy Hook Proving Ground
On August 7, 1874, U.S. Secretary of War William W. Belknap approved establishment of a proving ground at Sandy Hook for the testing of new long-range weapons. The need for such facilities had been felt for years, and became urgent...
July 5, 1886
The Seabright Lawn Tennis and Cricket Club
On July 5, 1886, The Seabright Lawn Tennis and Cricket Club first opened, making it the oldest lawn tennis club in the U.S. Located in Rumson, the club was founded mainly for athletic purposes, but soon became a center of...
May 19, 1887
The Reservation
By Randall Gabrielan Editor’s note: On May 19, 1887, the Monmouth Inquirer of Freehold published a list of "New Incorporations" filed with the county clerk's office, which included the following: Buffalo Bill's Wild West Company. Office at Long Branch. William...
August 29, 1900
Cedar View Cemetery of Lincroft: A Final Resting Place for Black Families and Civil War Veterans
By John R. Barrows On August 29, 1900, Charles Reeves died, age 80, in Lincroft. A former slave, he lived his entire life in the Middletown area, and was laid to rest in Cedar View Cemetery. Charles Reeves was considered...
November 11, 1926
The Count Basie Theatre
The Count Basie Center for the Arts originally opened as the Carlton Theater on November 11, 1926. The theater was one of the highlights of nightlife in downtown Red Bank for many years. In 1970, after the Strand, Palace, Empire,...
January 1, 1930
Paramount Theatre
On New Year's Day, 1930, a showing of the 1927 film "Wings" marked the opening of the new Paramount Theatre in Asbury Park. The Paramount is co-located with the Asbury Park Convention Hall on the boardwalk along the Atlantic Ocean....
March 24, 1930
Red Bank Airport – An Aviation Hub for Monmouth County
Editor’s note: On March 24, 1930, the aviation facility then known as Airview Field was the scene of an accident, quite possibly for the first time, when an airplane attempting a night landing overturned, wrecking the aircraft. Luckily, the three...
September 4, 1931
The Curious Origin of the “Seven Presidents” of Monmouth County
Editor’s note: This research project owes much to three people who deserve acknowledgement: Janice Grace, Long Branch historian, Library Associate and History Room Manager of the Long Branch Free Public Library; Robert Waitt, president, Historical Society of Ocean Grove; and Randall...
December 13, 1943
Naval Weapons Station Earle
On December 13, 1943, Naval Ammunition Depot Earle was commissioned. The facility, which sits on 11,000 acres in Monmouth County, was designed to provide for the safe and secure storage and transfer of ordnance – bombs, bullets, missiles, torpedoes, depth...
June 19, 1946
Monmouth Park Racetrack
On June 19, 1946, the Monmouth Park Jockey Club, a thoroughbred horse racing stadium now known as Monmouth Park Racetrack, opened its gates with 18,724 in attendance. This is the third Monmouth Park horse racing facility on this site in...
November 11, 1950
The Amazing Monument Men of Monmouth County
Timeline story by Rick Burton On November 11, 1950, Armistice Day (now Veterans Day), Major General Francis H. Lanahan, commanding officer of Fort Monmouth, delivered the principal address at dedication ceremonies marking the official unveiling of the monument to the...
June 30, 1956
Loew’s Route 35 Drive-In Theatre
On June 30, 1956, the Loew's Route 35 Drive-In theater first opened in Hazlet. New Jersey has a long history with drive-ins, with the very first true drive-in theater having opened in 1933 in Camden. During the “Golden Age” of...
September 1, 1961
The Bell Labs Holmdel Complex
Famed architect Eero Saarinen died on September 1, 1961. At the time of his death, one of his major projects was the The Bell Labs Holmdel Complex, in Holmdel Township. Bell Labs functioned for 44 years as a research and...
June 12, 1968
PNC Bank Arts Center
On June 12, 1968, the PNC Bank Arts Center, an amphitheater in Holmdel, first opened. Known then as the Garden State Arts Center, the venue has 7,000 seats and the grass area can hold about 10,500 people. It is ranked...
February 8, 1974
The Stone Pony
On February 8, 1974, The Stone Pony, one of the world’s best-known live music venues, first opened its doors in Asbury Park, across the street from the boardwalk. Founders John P. “Jack” Roig and Robert “Butch” Pielka bought the club...
August 1, 1980
The National Guard Militia Museum of New Jersey – Sea Girt
On August 1, 1980, the state of New Jersey officially established the National Guard Militia Museum of New Jersey, placing it under the direction of the New Jersey Military Academy; both are located on the National Guard Training Center in...
November 27, 1988
Asbury Park’s Legendary Palace Amusements Resort Closes After Almost 100 Years of Fun
On November 27, 1988, the famous Palace Amusements indoor amusement park and resort closed its doors for good after nearly 100 years in operation. The resort was the brainchild of Ernest Schnitzler, who had moved to Asbury Park and saw...
May 7, 1995
The New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial
While the Fall of Saigon happened on April 30, 1975, for various reasons, U.S. President Gerald Ford declared May 7, 1975, to be the date that marks the end of the Vietnam War era. Exactly 20 years later, dedication ceremonies...
November 20, 1999
InfoAge Science & Technology Museums
On November 20, 1999, more than 1,000 people showed up in Wall Township at the site of the former Army base Camp Evans, a part of the World War II expansion of Fort Monmouth, to visit the brand new learning...
June 8, 2004
“Tillie” Mural Saved from Condemned Palace Amusements Landmark
On June 8, 2004, volunteers removed one of the "Tillie" murals from the Palace Amusements building in Asbury Park, so as to ensure its preservation prior to the demolition of the building. "Tillie" is the nickname of two murals of...
June 24, 2008
The Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County
On June 24, 2008, the Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County officially opened to the public. The Museum is dedicated to the promotion of public awareness of the County’s Jewish heritage for the education and enjoyment of both children and...
May 23, 2019
The T. Thomas Fortune Cultural Center in Red Bank
On May 23, 2019, the T. Thomas Fortune Cultural Center officially opened in Red Bank. This new community orgnaization is headquartered in the fully restored T. Thomas Fortune House, one of the most historically significant properties in the United States....
January 17, 2022
Lost Monmouth County
Book review by John R. Barrows By Randall Gabrielan The History Press, 2021 $21.99 160 pages Perhaps the very first history book to speak nostalgically about a special region that became thought of as “lost” was a poem published...