George Fisher Baker: Gilded Age Tycoon

During the late 19th Century — and probably even today — the 1.6-mille Ocean Avenue section of Monmouth Beach was known as “Millionaire’s Row.” Beginning in the early 1870s, the first of many magnificent seaside mansions were built along our coast to house many of the nation’s elite families.

George Fisher Baker

Among the most iconic was a massive house called the “Seaverge.” Built in 1882, it was once the seaside residence of financier titan, George Fisher Baker, whom Time magazine called “the richest, most powerful and most taciturn commercial banker in US history.” Baker would “help lay the groundwork for modern industrial America,” according to his 1931 New York Times obit.

Located where The Shore’s condominium now stands, the house was designed by Bruce Price, a New York architect whose work would inspire Frank Lloyd Wright (Price created the “Shingle-Style” design). The house was torn down in the early 1970s. At the time he was making Monmouth Beach into a high-class resort, Baker was among the richest men in the country with a reported net worth in excess of $200 million.

The Ocean Avenue house wasn’t his only holding in Monmouth Beach. A quick review of an 1889 Wolverton’s Atlas shows that he owned a great many prime pieces of real estate, including virtually all of the area encompassing today’s Anderson Street, Johnson Street, and Robbins Street. Baker lived at “Seaverge” until 1901 when he moved to Tuxedo Park, NY.

In addition to being a major land investor and developer of Monmouth Beach (including a golf course), Baker was an original investor in the First National Bank of New York (today’s Citibank) in 1863 with an original investment of $3,000. He started as a teller and rose to bank president by 1877 and then cairman of the board in 1909.

Born in Troy, NY in March 1840, Baker had massive holdings in banking, insurance, utilities, real estate, and railroads. Starting as a bank clerk in 1856, he had controlling interests in more than 80 companies upon his death. But despite his massive wealth and influence, Baker seldom wanted any publicity. “His aversion to being interviewed was deeper than the Atlantic,” according to Forbes.

“The way to wealth depends on just two words, industry and frugality.”
—Benjamin Franklin

Called the “Sphinx of Wall Street,” Baker died in May 1931 in New York City. Although he had a winter home in Jekyll Island, Ga., he was a Monmouth Beach summer resident up until his death.

Baker should be remembered and revered for his fabulous philanthropic efforts — donating much of his fortune to worthy causes. In 1924, he endowed the Harvard School of Business donating $5 million to build the campus along the Charles River. He also gave $2 million to Cornell University in New York and another $1 million to construct the Baker Memorial Library at Dartmouth University in Rhode Island. Baker Field at Columbia University in New York City was built with his support.

He was also president of the Central Railroad of New Jersey, which controlled the Long Branch & Sea Shore Railroad and helped to make our area a suitable spot for the high society (and all who came after). The trains, which also served a thriving fishing business, stopped running in town in 1946.

Legend is that in later years Baker’s “Shingle-Style” home was owned by the brother of Diamond Jim Brady, the tycoon know for his gargantuan appetite. Summer visitors to the house included Cardinal Eugenio Pacelli, who would go on to become Pope Pius the 12th in March 1939, and the legendary Cuban band leader, Xavier Cugat.

“SeaVerge” (r) in all its glory, 1890s Summer. Monmouth Beach Mayor John J. Campbell (from 1929-1933) also owned the house.

All the Glory — The Baker house (r) leads the way of Ocean Avenue mansions, 1902.

Prime Time — George F. Baker house on Ocean Avenue, 1905.

Baker house interior, late 1800s.

Baker home on Ocean Avenue, early 1900s.

Baker home on Ocean Avenue, early 1900s.

George Fisher Baker house, early 1900s.

Baker house sketch, 1890s.