The Monmouth Beach Bathing Pavilion (MBBP) marked its centennial season last summer — 100 years of sun and fun.
I’ve enjoyed the spot ever since my first job as a pavilion beach boy in Summer 1974. I’m drawn to its imagery, too. Have a look at my MBBP photo collection as it stands, and if you know of any other images to share please reach out, HERE.
For the 2022 Summer, a MBBP season beach badge for an adult resident is $150 and it’s $420 for non-residents (kids and seniors get discounts). A daily pass is $10.
And here’s the MBBP history.

MBBP after Superstorm Sandy, November 2012.

“Vinyl Traction” band performs at the MBBP Summer Concert series, June 2022. MORE INFO.

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, 1950s.

Monmouth Beach Bathing Pavilion, 2016.

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, 1940s. Note — there’s no bulkhead or seawall for protection.

MBBP, 1943.

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.

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.

MBBP, 1930s. The original pavilion on Ocean Avenue was opened in 1921 and wrecked by a 1962 storm.

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 at that spot had burned to the ground in May 1903. Prior to the town building the MBBP, 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, 1930s.

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, 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).

Gov. Christie Whitman at the MBBP sand replenishment celebration, August 1994 (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 at sunset, 2018.

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, 1962 (Long Branch Daily Record).

MBBP Dolphins compete in a swim meet, 2017.

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 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 on Ocean Avenue, 1930s

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 after “Ash Wednesday Storm,” 1962.

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.

Storm damage to the MBBP, 1984. (Brian Tober photo)

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.

Old MBBP, 1930s.

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.

Sunset at MBBP, 2018.

MBBP, 1930s.

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.

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.

MBBP, 2019 (Jack Flaherty Photo).

Taking a dive at MBBP, 1970s.

MBBP sand replenishment, 1995 (Jack Flaherty Photo).

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, Summer of 1962.

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 postcard, 1960s.

MBBP new parking setup, 2019.

MBBP, 2019.

MBBP damage after Hurricane Sandy, 2012.

Old MBBP damage after storm, 1962.

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, 1980.

MBBP post storm, 1977.

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.

MBBP storm-damaged parking lot, 1970s.

Newly replenished beach with planted dune grass at MBBP, 1995.

Newly replenished beach 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.

Mayor Lou Sodano (above) examines seawall damage near MBBP, late 1970s.

Serenity by the sea at MBBP, 2009.

Post Hurricane Sandy dump at MBBP, 2012.

Pork Roll truck at MBBP, 2017.

MBBP after Hurricane Sandy, 2013.

MBBP sunrise, 2017.

MBBP, 1930s.

Boyle Family at MBBP, 1933.

MBBP in winter, 1930s.