MB Bathing Pavilion Images …
The Monmouth Beach Bathing Pavilion (MBBP) — the borough’s only public beach club — has operated for more than a century of summers. I’ve favored the spot ever since my first job there as a pavilion beach boy in Summer 1974. I’m drawn to its imagery and history, too. Have a look at this MBBP photo collection as it stands. Here’s the MBBP history.
Town Beach — Monmouth Beach Bathing Pavilion on Ocean Avenue, 1938. When first opened for Summer 1921, the MBBP had 60 bathhouses — and a waiting list of 25 for the following summer season, according to the Long Branch Daily Record.
Sandless Times — MBBP during high tide, mid-1970s.
Way Back Beach — MBBP postcard, 1940s. John A. Chasey of Long Branch built the first MBBP for $6,000.
Still Summer — Monmouth Beach Firemen’s Fair rides in the MBBP parking lot, Sept. 2024.
Send Sand — MBBP with little sand, late 1970s.
“Sand-Breaking” Moment — It was 30 summers ago this season when NJ Gov. Christie Whitman visited the MBBP to help celebrate completion of the billion dollar sand replenishment project, August 1994 (Jack Flaherty photo). In white hat & jacket is borough Mayor Lou Sodano, who for years championed the beach fill project — “the best thing that ever happened to Monmouth Beach” many believe.
Beach Building — Monmouth Beach shoreline looking north during the recent sand replenishment project, March 2024 (StansPhotos.com). The nation’s biggest ever sand replenishment project began in Monmouth Beach in May 1994. The US Army Corps of Engineers selected Weeks Marine of Cranford Twp. to manage the $19.6 million project. More than 7.5 million tons of sand were pumped ashore 30 years ago.
Summer’s Start — The MBBP prior to Memorial Day weekend, May 2024 (Maureen Somers Photo). The pavilion did nearly $1.8 million in gross revenues for the ’23 summer.
Summer Sun — Monmouth Beach Bathing Pavilion postcard, 1950s.
Simpler Times — MBBP aerial image on Ocean Avenue, late-1970s (Mickey Howe Wich Photo).
In Living Color — MBBP, 1950s.
Pavilion Pounding — MBBP under assault from storm waves, 1984 (Brian Tober Photo).
Beach Dusk — MBBP at sunset, 2018.
New Club — New MBBP, Long Branch Daily Record, June 1962.
Old Club — Old MBBP, 1930s. The borough-owned “Pavilion” with 60 bathhouses first opened in July 1921.
Newer Club — MBBP, 2007.
Wide Open — MBBP, 1940s. Note — there’s no bulkhead or seawall for protection.
Piled High — MBBP as Superstorm Sandy waste dump, 2013.
Shore Playground — MBBP postcard, 1960s.
Big Red — MBBP after a winter storm, 1977.
Plenty of Room — MBBP after major sand replenishment project, 1995 (Jack Flaherty Photo).
MBBP beach day, 1940s.
MBBP hosts the Firemen’s Fair on Ocean Avenue, September 2023.
Old MBBP, Summer 1954. Long Branch builder John Chasey did the construction job for about $7,000.
In the neighborhood — Ocean Avenue houses across the street from the MBBP, 1910s.
MBBP and new seawall, November 2018 (Frank Snead Photo).
MBBP — Labor Day holiday weekend, September 2021 (Frank Snead Photo).
Good Morning — From the MBBP, July 2023 (Stephen Casner Photo).
Monmouth Beach Bathing Pavilion, June 2023 (Jim Clarity Photo).
MBBP, 1960s postcard.
Starting Out — MBBP, 1930s.
Beach Day — A late spring afternoon at the MBBP, May 2023.
The Spread — MBBP aerial image, 2022 (Dave Booth Photo).
Dusk — Another MBBP summer day ends, 2018.
Accessing Damage — MBBP in ruins after a major storm, March 1962.
Opening Day — New MBBP after repairs, June 1962.
Barging Past — A ship cruises by the MBBP, Winter 2023 (Helen McAndrew Photo).
Shore Soup — A late summer fog at MBBP, 2011.
No Parking — MBBP on Ocean Avenue, 1940s.
MBBP beach with plenty of sand, late 1990s.
Monmouth Beach Bathing Pavilion — little sand, Summer 1978.
Monmouth Beach Bathing Pavilion — newly replenished, Summer 1994.
MBBP and the borough’s two oceanfront high rises, Shores and Admiralty, 2022.
“Pavilion Pals” — Former MBBP employees held a reunion at the Oceanport home of Chip Rogers, October 2022. The group of friends and colleagues date back to the 1960s and 70s.
MBBP “postage stamp” beach, 1993. Before the major sand replenishment project in 1994.
High Dive? No — the MBFC Tower-Ladder truck looking down at the MBBP pool, October 2022.
MBBP — all kind of colors, 2019 (Jack Flaherty Photo).
Dawn Patrol — Longtime borough public works employee Lester Jones is up with the sun getting MBBP beaches clean and ready for the Labor Day holiday weekend, September 2022. The Monmouth Beach native has worked for the town since 1983 (Jack Flaherty Photo).
Hitting the deck — another MBBP summer concludes, September 2022.
MBBP pumphouse damage after a storm, 1978.
MBBP pumphouse damage after a storm, 1978.
MBBP damage after a storm, 1978.
MBBP beaches are packed for Labor Day weekend, 2022.
USS Los Angeles airship floating over the MBBP, 1926 (Underwood Photo). The German-designed Zeppelin belonged to the US Navy. Decommissioned in 1932, it had a range of 5,800 nautical miles and a 55-mph cruising speed.
MBBP, 1960s postcard.
MBBP after Superstorm Sandy, November 2012.
MBBP postcard, 1960s.
MBBP in ruins after “Ash Wednesday Storm,” March 1962.
MBBP postcard, 1960s.
MBBP starts with a smile, August 2022.
MBBP, August 2022 (David Booth Photo).
MBBP storm-damaged parking lot, 1978.
Old MBBP in ruins after storm, March 1962.
“Pavilion Moms,” 1960s postcard.
MBBP damages after a bad winter season, 1977-78.
MBBP — another summer begins, June 2022.
A MBBP day dawns, Summer 2022 (Stephen Casner Photo).
MBBP pool area, July 2022.
MBBP stroller along the shoreline, Summer 2022.
Sad Act — on the burned remains grew the MBBP in 1921. APP, May 1903.
Swim Team — Ali Kelly, Dave Booth and Shaun Booth (my niece and nephews from Long Branch) in the MBBP kid’s pool, Summer 1982. I worked at the pavilion every summer from 1974 to 1984.
MBBP after Superstorm Sandy, November 2012.
MBBP Art Show exhibit, 1978.
MBBP, June 2022. The town will spend about $800,000 to operate the municipal beach club this summer. Last season’s Pavilion revenue was about $1.5 million.
Monmouth Beach Bathing Pavilion, 2016.
MBBP, July 2022.
MBBP hosts the MB Firemen’s Fair, Sept. 2021.
MBBP rainbow, July 2017 (Erik Johnson Photo).
MBBP after the sand replenishment project, 1995 (Jack Flaherty Photo).
New MBBP sketch proposal, 1962. The old pavilion was wrecked in the “Ash Wednesday Storm” early that March. New construction cost was $25,000. Albert Benoist was the architect and Bill Hansen was the builder.
Monmouth Beach Bathing Pavilion, 2009. MORE INFO
MBBP after storm damage, 1977.
“Little Monmouth” painting by borough artist Gail Gannon.
Monmouth Beach Bathing Pavilion, 1940s.
MBBP beach, 2012.
MBBP, 2020.
Early MBBP Art Show. Red Bank Register, October 1970.
MBBP aerial image, 1940s.
MBBP aerial image. End of Summer 2021 (Frank Snead Photo).
MBBP, August 2021.
MBBP — a dawn rainbow. August 2021.
MBBP storm-front, August 2021.
The MBBP parking lot served as town dump after Superstorm Sandy, 2013 (MAC Photography).
MBBP celebrates a post-Superstorm Sandy opening, May 2013.
MBBP — July 4, 2021.
Coastal view of the MB Fireman’s Fair at the MBBP, 2013 (MAC Photography).
MBBP gets new parking lines, May 2021. The very unpopular back-in parking setup at the pavilion lasted just one season.
MBBP beach badges, 2019.
MBBP looking south in Long Branch, 2021.
Happy 101th — the MBBP marked its centennial season last summer. (RC Saab Photo).
Future MBBP property along Ocean Avenue. Wolverton Atlas, 1889. The borough acquired the property at the foot of Valentine Street in 1918. The land had been owned by the actor, Oliver Byron. His surfside cottage there burned to the ground in May 1903. Prior to MBBP construction, according to a Long Branch Daily Record story in September 1909, there was a private effort to develop the land and call it the Monmouth Casino & Swimming Pool.
MBBP aerial image, 2019. (Frank E. Snead Photo)
MBBP, 1978. The red color made the pavilion a 1970s shore standout.
MBBP, July 4, 2019.
MBBP, 2016.
MBBP remains, 1970s. Storms through the years have battered the property.
Rainbow at MBBP, 2018. Even with the severe weather over the years, members agree the place has a certain clam and peace to it.
MBBP, 2012 (Jack Flaherty Photo).
MBBP after Superstorm Sandy, 2012 (MBFD Photo).
MBBP — where sand erosion is always a concern, 2009.
MBBP gets some beach work done, 2012.
MBBP, 2018.
MBBP new seawall under construction, 2019. (Jack Flaherty photo).
MBBP, 2020.
MBBP new seawall under construction, 2019 (Jack Flaherty photo).
MB Firemen’s Fair at the MBBP, 2018.
MBBP, 1991.
MBBP pool aerial image, 2018.
MBBP aerial image, 2018.
MBBP aerial image, 2018.
MBBP shoreline, 2011.
MBBP roof view, 2018.
MBBP new seawall under construction, 2019. (Jack Flaherty photo).
MBBP new seawall under construction, 2019. (Jack Flaherty photo).
MBBP after Hurricane Sandy, 2013.
MBBP dune grass in front, 2016.
MBBP new seawall under construction, 2018. (Jack Flaherty photo).
MBBP new seawall under construction, 2018. (Jack Flaherty photo).
MBBP shoreline, 2018.
MBBP, 2018.
MBBP seawall project underway, 2018.
MBBP in ruins after a major storm, March 1962.
MBBP, 1960s.
MBBP after Hurricane Sandy, 2013.
US Congressman Frank Pallone and Borough Commissioner Jim Cunniff at MBBP after Hurricane Sandy, 2013.
MBBP parking lot after Superstorm Sandy, 2013.
MBBP after Superstorm Sandy damage, 2012.
MBBP new seawall project, 2018.
MBBP after Superstorm Sandy damage, 2012.
MBBP Dolphins compete in a swim meet, 2017.
MBBP reflections, 2016 (MAC Photography).
MBBP in ruins after March 1962 storm.
MBBP damages after Superstorm Sandy, 2012.
MBBP damages after Superstorm Sandy, 2012.
MBBP after a storm, 1978.
MBBP, 2020.
MBBP off season, 2019 (Frank Snead Photo).
MBBP before new seawall, 2013 (Frank Snead Photo).
MBBP sign, 2021.
MBBP hosts the MB Firemen’s Fair, Summer 2016.
Tober family at the MBBP, 1947 (Brian Tober Photo).
MBBP on a gray day, 2020.
MBBP on a fall afternoon, 2020 (Jack Flaherty Photo).
MBBP beach, 1970s. Times of little or no beach space.
MBBP winter storm, 2017 (Jack Flaherty Photo).
MBBP, 1940s.
MBBP preps for Superstorm Sandy, 2012.
MBBP — readying for another season, Spring 2013.
MBBP parking lot, 1930s. Looks as if beach parking has always been an issue around here.
MBBP, 2018.
MBBP in the winter, 2010s.
MBBP repairs after Superstorm Sandy, 2013.
MBBP damage after Superstorm Sandy, 2013.
MBBP repairs after Superstorm Sandy, 2013.
MBBP after Superstorm Sandy, 2013.
MBBP reopening after Superstorm Sandy, 2013.
MBBP aerial photo after Superstorm Sandy, 2013.
MB First Aid Squad members Paul Kleiberg and Lou Ferrugiaro watch Clara Panter during the squad’s “Turkey Shoot” held at the MBBP, 1970s. Clara was crack shot and a regular winner.
MBBP Bathing Belles 1: From left: Leona Woolley McConville, May Peterson Mass, Betty Talmadge Kahle, Pat Ryan Zweig, Helen Schumacher Butts, Marian Ryan Tuttle, Rosa McDaniel Green, Irene Saller West and Betty Smith, 1943.
MBBP Bathing Belles 2: From left: Elena Gallello, Gloria Damiani, Ann Strumolo, Yola Shalhoub, Josie Baldanza, May Lark and Grace Renna, 1965
MBBP art show, 1970s. Bill Heath, longtime MBBP manager and a patron of the arts, began the event in the late 1960s.
MBBP repairs/upgrades after Hurricane Sandy, 2013.
MBBP damage after Hurricane Sandy, 2013.
MBBP damage after Hurricane Sandy, 2013.
MBBP parking lot becomes town dump site after Superstorm Sandy, 2013.
MBBP parking lot becomes town dump site after Superstorm Sandy, 2013.
MBBP aerial image, 1977.
MBBP snack bar, 2020.
MBBP early fall, 2020.
MBBP dune grass, 2020.
Sunrise at MBBP, 2017.
Looking north from MBBP, 2013.
MBBP ticket kiosk, 2013.
MBBP post storm, 1962.
Storm waves and tides erosion at the MBBP, 2020.
MBBP patrons flee storm weather, 2020.
MBBP, Summer 2020 (Julee Bottcher Photo).
Bill Heath, was the longest-serving MBBP manager, 1970s.
MBBP, 2016.
MBBP, 2006.
MBBP guards march in MB-American Bicentennial Celebration: Parade, July 1976.
US Army Corps beach replenishing near MBBP, 2013.
Aerial view of MBBP, 2017.
MBBP sand erosion from Hurricane Irene, 2011.
Seating at the MBBP, 2016.
MBBP north beach access at twilight, 2016.
Dead Humpback Whale near MBBP, 2009.
MBBP “postage stamp” beach before 1994 sand replenishment.
MBBP aerial image, 2018 (Frank E. Snead Photo)
MBBP aerial image, 2018 (Frank E. Snead Photo)
Sunset at MBBP, 2018.
Sunset over MBBP, 2019 (Jack Flaherty Photo).
Dark clouds over MBBP, 2020.
MBBP, 2019 (Frank E. Snead Photo).
MBBP, 2019.
The “Nun’s Beach” just south of MBBP, 1960s. Remember the old wood pilings?
“Nun’s Beach” south of MBBP, 1960s. It was called that because an order of nuns, the Filippini Sisters, owned a nearby house from 1944 to 1978.
MB School Summer Campers at MBBP, 2018.
MBBP, 2018.
MBBP postcard, 1960s.
MBBP Art Show, 1970s.
MBBP, 2019.
MBBP after Hurricane Sandy, 2012.
MBBP at high tide, 2000s.
MBBP pool area, Summer 2018.
MBBP “baby pool,” Summer 2018.
MBBP dune grass, Summer 2018.
Mayor Sue Howard at MBBP, 2018.
MBBP south beach after Hurricane Irene, 2011.
MB Firemen’s Fair held at the MBBP, 2010s.
MBBP beach, 1978.
MBBP, 1978.
MBBP aerial image, 2018. (Frank E. Snead Photo)
MBBP, 2017.
MBBP Art Show, 1970s.
Caving in at MBBP, 2020.
Hurricane Sandy dump at MBBP, 2013.
Old MBBP in ruins after storm, 1962.
Surfer off the MBBP, 2020 (Jack Flaherty Photo).
Sand replenishment just north of the MBBP, 2020.
MBBP, 2020. (Jack Flaherty Photo).
Sand replenishment at MBBP, Dec. 2019. (Jack Flaherty Photo)
MBBP at dawn, 2019.
Equipment for sand replenishment at MBBP, 2019. (Jack Flaherty Photo)
MBBP swim meet, 2017.
MBBP after Hurricane Sandy, 2012.
MBBP after Hurricane Sandy, 2012.
MBBP postcard, 1960s.
MBBP storm tides, 2011.
MBBP pool pump room after storm, 1977.
Taking a dive at MBBP, 1970s.
MBBP aerial image, 2019. (Frank E. Snead Photo)
MBBP looking north, 2019
MBBP looking south, 2019.
MBBP baby pool, 2019.
MBBP main deck, 2019.
MBBP at sunrise, 2019.
MBBP, 1978.
MBBP no beach, 1993.
MBBP north seawall high tide, 1970s.
MBBP high tide, 1970s.
MBBP, 1950s.
MBBP, 1967.
MBBP circle marks the spot, 2018.
MBBP north side beach, 2018.
MBBP new parking setup, 2019.
MBBP, 2019.
MBBP damage after Hurricane Sandy, 2012.
MBBP aerial image, 2019. (Frank E. Snead Photo)
MBBP, Gail Gannon painting.
MBBP sunrise, 2000s.
MBBP jetty after Hurricane Sandy, 2013.
MBBP sand replenishment beginning, 1990s.
Ocean Avenue in front of MBBP after Hurricane Sandy, 2012.
MBBP shoreline in the winter, 2018.
MBBP, 1930s.
MBBP damage after Hurricane Sandy, 2012.
MBBP manager’s meeting, Summer 1980.
MBBP, 2019.
MBBP, 2019.
On the beach at MBBP, 1940s.
MBBP aerial image, 2019. (Frank E. Snead Photo)
MBBP aerial image, 2019. (Frank E. Snead Photo)
MBBP after Hurricane Sandy, 2012.
MBBP, 2019. (Jack Flaherty photo)
MBBP, 2017.
Newly replenished beach with planted dune grass at MBBP, 1995.
Mayor Sidney Johnson at MBBP with young swimmers, 1970.
MBBP at dusk, 2017.
MBBP after Hurricane Sandy, 2013.
MBBP aerial image, 2017.
Aerial view of Monmouth Beach, late 1990s.
Serenity by the sea at MBBP, 2009.
Pork Roll truck at MBBP, 2017.
MBBP sunrise, 2017.
Boyle Family at MBBP, 1933.
MBBP in winter, 1930s.
