The wealthy founders of “Monmouth Beach” near the end of the 19th century were determined to avoid the “hotel crowd” scene that made up most of Long Branch and much of Sea Bright. They continued with big construction yes, but via private ownership. A few multi-dwellers did pop up though:

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The Green Inn

Boasting 600-feet of unobstructed ocean frontage, it was “one of the most delightful spots on the Jersey Coast” in 1907, according to the Long Branch Daily Record. Several magnificent wood-and-glass dwellings made up the Green Inn found on the eastside of Ocean Avenue — where unmatched Atlantic coast views for patrons prevailed.

Situated in the town’s Galilee section, the main structure was superlative dating back to the 1881 and the age of the Monmouth Beach Association (the ritzy syndicate that built the community since 1871). The inn — located directly opposite the Galilee train station — was promoted as “the most up-to-date summer resort near New York.”

With a new century at the shore inn amenities — for up to 150 guests — included the main house with its 17 bedrooms, two large cottages, four bungalows, a 600-feet of beachfront with private boardwalk, a popular fishing pier, and 60-foot water tower. The John W. Borders Orchestra serenaded over a large dining room that was served by an extra-large kitchen.

In Galilee one has “the ocean for a front yard and the river for a back yard,
—Long Branch Daily Record, 1964.

Col. Justus E. Ewing was the fellow who willed this shore resort into reality. One of the country’s “best financial writers,” according to the Long Branch Daily Record, he was “personally acquainted with every bank president” from Maine to California. He published the “Financier,” a newspaper covering Wall Street brokers, until his death in February 1907.

The “Bungalows of Glass,” rentals built by Ewing in 1904, were enclosed by glass allowing occupants to raise the frames and “live in open air” — a first at the beach. Newspaper ads and stories even told of a “glass enclosed swimming pool.”

The last owner, Hugo J. Hanft of New York, bought it all for $30,000 in May 1912. Later called the Miramar Inn (Bill Heitzman, the first borough mayor in 1906, did the repairs), it was mostly wrecked during several winter storms and a fire during 1913-14. All cottage remnants were moved away in 1915.

“Bungalows of Glass” — The Green Inn on Ocean Avenue in Galilee, 1908.

Green Inn for sale. Long Branch Daily Record, May 1912.

Green Inn promo ad. The Financier, 1905.

Green Inn on Ocean Avenue, 1905.

Green Inn on Ocean Avenue in Galilee, 1908.

Galilee train station, 1903. It endured a major fire in 1917, discontinued its railroad agent in 1929 and was abandoned in 1942. The building at left is perhaps the Green Inn?

Nell Grace Hotel

Nell Grace Hotel on Ocean Avenue, 1930s. Nell Grace Benequit bought the house in 1938 and made it into a seashore inn. Located in Galilee, it burned in March 1941.

“The Nell Grace,” 1930s. The 30-room “seashore hotel with a touch of home” offered a private lifeguard-protected beach, large sun deck/boardwalk, southern cuisine dinning, ballroom dancing, fishing, and daily sails to Sandy Hook.

“The Nell Grace” remains, 1941. It burned during a 1941 St. Patrick’s Day storm.

A.P. Poral house on Ocean Avenue, early 1900s. (later Nell Grace Hotel). The house was built in 1890 for $200,000. William Jameson, president of Arbuckle Brothers Company (a large coffee company), owned the house from 1910 to 1930.

A.P. Poral house on Ocean Avenue, early 1900s. (later Nell Grace Hotel). In 1939, borough police arrested Mrs. Grace 8 times for operating a hotel here in violation of town zoning rules.

Nell Grace hotel ad, 1930s.

“The Hedges”Inn

“The Hedges” at Riverdale Avenue and Valentine Street, 1920s. The “once famous rooming house” endured a couple of fires and was finally torn down in November 1949. The three-story house could accommodate 20 guests. It had previously served as the Precious Blood Church rectory.

Riverdale Hotel

Riverdale Hotel on Fresh Pond Road, 1917. Charles K. Jones ran the place which was prosperous in its day.

“Riverdale Hotel” by Gail Gannon.