MB Bathing Pavilion Images …
The Monmouth Beach Bathing Pavilion (MBBP) — the borough’s 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 its history, too. Have a look at this MBBP photo collection as it stands. A more complete MBBP history is — HERE.
Another Beach Day — A classic summer sunrise at the MBBP, 2017.
Super Savers — MBBP lifeguards and Monmouth Beach EMS members during a joint training session on the pavilion beach, June 2025.
Good Luck — MBBP rainbow, Spring 2022. The pavilion did nearly $1.8 million in gross revenues for the ’25 summer season.
Filling Gaps — A $30 million project gets underway at the MBBP, 2018. Under federal government orders, the stone seawall along the entire pavilion property was finally linked up.
Season Done — MBBP on Ocean Avenue, September 2020. Membership rates for 2025 MBBP summer season include a modest increase. Adult residents (age 12-64) will pay $185 for a season pass (beach and pool rights). Borough seniors and children are charged $75. For nonresidents, a season pass is $460 for adults ($105 for beach only) and $210 for children. The daily fee is now $13 — MORE INFO.
New Club — MBBP aerial images, 1960s.
$ in Sun — MBBP postcard, 1950s. The borough’s beach club first grossed $1 million+ in season revenues during Summer 2011.
No Foundation — MBBP after major storm, March 1962.
Swiss Cheese — MBBP seawall/bulkhead after storm, March 1962.
“The Johnson Touch” — The MBBP biggest advocate, Long Branch Daily Record, May 1921.
Way Back Beach — MBBP postcard, 1940s.
Pavilion Pieces — MBBP after brutal “Ash Wednesday Storm,” March 1962.
MBBP manager Bill Heath (l) and lifeguard Frank Manzi (r) examine trash washed-up at the borough municipal beach club, Red Bank Daily Register, July 1966. A seasonal beach badge for residents first hit $50 in Summer 1987.
On a Roll — MBBP manager Bill Heath paints the kid’s pool, Red Bank Daily Register, May 1981.
New MBBP sketch proposal, 1962. The old pavilion was wrecked during the “Ash Wednesday Storm” in March 1962. Albert Benoist was the architect and Bill Hansen was the builder. Construction cost was $25,000.
Fine, Fun Art — MBBP sketch (Joe Savarese Photo), 2020s.
Shore at Dusk — Off the MBBP, January 2025 (O’Brien Realty Photo) — MORE INFO. The cost a beach badge was raised to $2 per season for Summer 1950.
Day’s End — MBBP pool area, Summer 2018. The MBBP swimming pool was opened in June 1964. Built to “promote municipal growth” and in accordance with the late President John F. Kennedy’s national physical fitness program. The 25-meter (half Olympic-size) outdoor pool cost $42,000; the original held salt water. The children’s pool was also constructed for that summer. The new pool juiced MBBP revenues that first summer — doubling to $52,000+.
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.
Off- Season — MBBP during winter, 1940s.
Shore Protection — MBBP aerial image, 2019. (Frank E. Snead Photo). Shortly after the competition of a new seawall. The cost to fill the 700-foot gap was $30 million — all paid for by FEMA and the state DEP. The general contractor was J. Fletcher Creamer & Son, Inc.
Sandless Times — MBBP during high tide, mid-1970s. For Summer 1940 a season beach badge was $1 and the pavilion earned a $4,500 profit.
Still Summer — Monmouth Beach Firemen’s Fair rides visible in the MBBP parking lot, September 2024.
Send Sand — MBBP with little sand, late 1970s. The first official borough beach badge system began for Summer 1932 — “to be worn by those to whom they are issued,” according to the Long Branch Daily Record. Alfred Ennis was MBBP manager that season.
“Sand-Breaking” Moment — NJ Governor Christie Whitman visits the MBBP to 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 — Memorial Day weekend at MBBP, May 2024 (Maureen Somers Photo).
The Spread — MBBP on Ocean Avenue aerial image, 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. In April 1921, the borough council passed an ordinance authorizing the building of bathing houses and pavilion” on Ocean Avenue for town use. The cost not to exceed $8,000. Mayor A.O. Johnson said that with the new pavilion “Monmouth Beach had returned to its own.”
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 — 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. For a longtime the borough had agreement with Long Branch and then Monmouth County to rake the beaches. When that deal ended the borough had to act — purchasing a tractor and large rake to do the job. The equipment cost was about $100,000 and the town also contracts to rake the Monmouth Beach Club section (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 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).
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.
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).
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 “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.
