The old Trade Winds Motel on the westside of Ocean Avenue (formerly Sea Bright Motel), 1950s.

The person at the bottom: E. Wolcott Fary served as Sea Bright Borough Clerk from 1920 until his death in June 1947 at age 83. Born In Ocean Twp., he was also a SB School board president and 61-year SB Fire Company member. APP ad, June 1936.

Sea Bright, 1960s postcard.

Sea Bright at night, Sept. 2022 (Chris Jerry Photo).

Tim McLoone’s Rum Runner restaurant seen from the Shrewsbury River, July 2022. The Ocean Avenue restaurant was originally opened by Nick Egidio in August 1968. By January 1987, Tim McLoone and partners had acquired the business for $1 million. Badly damaged during Superstorm Sandy in 2012, Tim reopened a brand new $7 million “Rum-Runner” in May 2016. MORE INFO.

US Post Office at Sea Bright, NJ 07760. The Ocean Avenue facility was wrecked by Superstorm Sandy in October 2012.

First United Methodist Church at Ocean Avenue and Church Street, 1910s. Built in 1892, it’s the only house of worship in Sea Bright.

Guy J. Wilbanks at the Grand Opening of his Gulf Service Station on Ocean Avenue, August 1954. Mayor Tom Farrell (r) cuts the ribbon when gasoline was 25 cents per gallon. The building was recently wrecked to make way for a new $130 million Rumson-Sea Bight Bridge.

Jay W. Ross Library on Ocean Avenue, 2000s. The building was donated by the late Monmouth Beach philanthropist in 1993 and recieved a large addition in 2008. Badly damaged by Superstorm Sandy in October 2012, it was later demolished. MORE INFO.

“The Boardwalk at Sea Bright, NJ” postcard, 1920s.

Mayor Charles Rooney, Jr. quote. He led the coastal town from 1989 to 1999.

Ocean Avenue looking south, 2022 (O’Brien Realty Photo).

Ocean Avenue, 1910s.

Rise & Shine — Sea Bright lifeguards up with the sun, July 2022 (Bud Truax Photo).

Ocean Avenue at River Street looking north, 1913. In 2021, parking meters earned nearly $642,000 for the borough.

Ocean Avenue at Peninsula Avenue looking south, 1913.

Sea Bright Airdrome ad, 1920 (Marc Leckstein Photo). William Hoag and F.R. Duryea opened the 800-seat theater in June 1919. Located at the intersection of Ocean Avenue and Rumson Road (where Tommy’s parking lot is today), it operated until September 1929 when the land was sold to build an auto service station.

Storm damage from “monstrous waves” along coastal Sea Bright, 1933.

Benjamin Van Brunt builder ad, 1902. This “pioneer bulkhead builder of the North Jersey coast,” according to the Long Branch Daily Record, was born in Manasquan and died in Galilee, Monmouth Beach in April 1920. His son, B. Lester Van Brunt, was Monmouth Beach borough clerk from 1917 to 1927.

North Beach residents are evacuated along Ocean Avenue amidst a destructive nor’easter storm, December 1992. Note the Fairbanks Motel sign at upper left.

SS Mohawk run aground off Normandy Beach in Sea Bright, May 1928. On route from Brooklyn to Florida the 450-seat passenger ship collided in the fog with the steamer Jefferson.

During a Holiday in Sea Bright — July 4, 2022.

Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge (l) near the old Anchorage Apartments (r), 2014.

Holiday Crowd at Donovan’s Reef, July 4, 2022.

Old Donovan’s Reef back deck before Superstorm Sandy turned it to ruins, early 2000s.

Old Donovan’s Reef front entrance, 1990s. The new place is 4,375 square feet and is elevated 18-foot high.

Old Donovan’s Reef front entrance, 1990s. Partners Robert Carducci, Robert Phillips and Ed Bowler (all Jersey City natives) acquired the business in August 1976.

Normandie Beach in Sea Bright, August 1928.

Borough bus stop on Ocean Avenue at dusk, June 2022.

Trade Winds Motel & Marina on Ocean Avenue (formerly Sea Bright Motel), 1960s. The Trade Winds Beach Club was directly across the street. Irwin Levy, Jr. was a longtime owner of both.

Gardella’s Market storefront on Ocean Avenue, 1937. Augustine Gardella started the business in 1900, according to the Long Branch Daily Record. His son John and Ernest ran the store from about 1920 to 1947. John died August 1969 and Ernest in Sept. 1966; his son Jimmy ran the store until the 1970s.

Harbor Light Beach Club pedestrian overpass sketch. Red Bank Daily Register, April 1968. The steel walking-bridge over Ocean Avenue opened for Summer 1966. Robert Osgoodby had opened the club in May 1953. He sold in 1974 — the location later became the Island View Townhouses with 68-units.

Pedestrian walkway over Ocean Avenue wrecked by wide-load truck. APP, February 1990. Condemned and removed that day, the Island View condo association owned the 23-year-old foot-bridge.

Oceanfront Bar on Ocean Avenue, 1960s. Edward and Bernadine Furman acquired the business in November 1955. Previous owners were: John G. Tobias and Caroline Szadowski. Later on Mike Love was an owner.

Sea Bright coast looking south, 2022.

Sea Bright coast looking south, 1966.

Park Garage on Ocean Avenue, 1936. Owen Christensen — “expert auto mechanic” — was the owner going back to 1925.

Seabright Lawn Tennis & Cricket Club (in Rumson), 2016. Designed by Renwick Aspinall & Russell, it opened in 1886. The Tennis Court Lane grounds include more than 30 courts — grass and clay.

Seabright Lawn Tennis & Cricket Club tournament underway, 1936.

Sea Bright’s new cell-phone tower, 2022. The borough council approved its construction in April 2014. Verizon paid for the 160-foot tower.

Sea Bright Firemen’s Fair, May 2022 (Joe Matto Photo).

Looking south: Sea Bright (l) and Rumson (r), 2022.

Sea Bright South Beach, 2022.

Superstorm Sandy damage in Sea Bright, 2012.

Water Way — the Atlantic Ocean and Shrewsbury River meet during a storm in Sea Bright, 1968.

Sea Bright Inn on Ocean Avenue, 1909.

“Jug taverns” …? Red Bank Daily Register, January 1893.

“Nauvoo Marina” on Ocean Avenue along the Shrewsbury River, 1970. Walter Mihm bought the marine business in September 1962 from Jesse Howland. Mihm sold in 1986. Now it’s Navesink Marina.

Harry Zobel’s Boat Works, 1940s. The Ocean Avenue boat sales and storage business opened in March 1931; the builder was Peter Perrine. When a September 1956 fire badly damaged the business, the onwer was Frank Sarpolis. Harry Zobel died in December 2002.

A different kind of pile -up — the state highway to Highlands and Sandy Hook is blocked with sand after Superstorm Sandy, October 2012.

First United Methodist Church at Ocean Avenue and Church Street, 1908. Sea Bright’s only house of worship was built in 1892.

First United Methodist Church, 1910. Sometimes called the “Wide Awake Church on the Corner” — all souls are welcome.

Donovan’s Reef, 2018. First opened as Manning’s Jetty in 1971, members of the Phillips, Carducci, and Bowler families (all Jersey City natives) acquired the business in August 1976. It was a blast for many summer seasons, until leveled by Superstorm Sandy in October 2012. It cost $1.2 million to rebuild and reopened fully for Summer 2017. The landmark bar has begun its ’22 season — MORE INFO.

Ocean Avenue at Low Moor, NJ postcard, early 1900s. Once famous for its massive seashore cottages and potent storms. In March 1960, US Army Corp Engineers were considering a plan to cut an inlet at Low Moor — connecting the Atlantic Ocean with the Shrewsbury River. Area boating and fishing interests backed the plan but Mayor Tom Farrell opposed it and idea died. A similar inlet plan in 1938 with park included was also rejected.

Sea Bright aerial image, 1955 (Dorn Photo).

Sea Bright downtown aerial image, 1960s.

Sea Bright Yacht Club on Ocean Avenue, 1940s. It all burned in August 1954.

Celebrity restaurateur-chef Guy Fieri outside the Sea Bright Municipal Complex on Ocean Avenue, April 2022. Guy was in the area filming an episode of his Food Network hit series, “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.” MORE INFO.

Walking the boards in Sea Bright, early 1900s postcard.

Sea Bright Bus Depot on Ocean Avenue, 2022.

Donovan’s Reef — nothing but timber after Superstorm Sandy, November 2012.

Sea Bright storm scenes. Saturday Evening Mail, January 1914.

Sea Bright storm scenes. Saturday Evening Mail, January 1914.

Sea Bright storm scenes. Saturday Evening Mail, January 1914.

Sea Bright storm scenes. Saturday Evening Mail, January 1914.

“Beach Club Row” along Ocean Avenue, July 1916.

Clean Up! — Ocean Avenue looking south after the “Great Atlantic Hurricane of ’44.”

Allied Building Products building, July 2013. Located on East Ocean Avenue beside old borough hall, it was abandoned and then demolished after Superstorm Sandy. Prior to 1987, it was the very busy Marine Lumber Company. Father and son, Milton and William Yesler, started the business in 1961 (adding a 5,000-square-foot showroom in 1967) They opened a second home supplies center in Wall Twp. in Sept. 1973.

Ocean Avenue — literally, October 2012. Looking north on Sea Bright’s main boulevard at the height of Superstorm Sandy (RedBankGreen Photo).

Locals called it “Mount Sandy,” November 2012. For weeks it was a stark reminder of Superstorm Sandy’s devastating impact on Sea Bright. It’s estimated that 100,000+ cubic yards of sand was dumped here while the borough recovered. Note the Seabright Beach Club in the background (RedBankGreen Photo).

NJ Gov. Chris Christie, Mayor Dina Long and Councilman C. Read Murphy review damage from Superstore Sandy in Sea Bright, November 2012 (RedBankGreen Photo).

Anchorage Apartments along the Shrewsbury River seen from the bridge, 2013. Developer Vincent J. Russo opened the complex in May 1973.

Anchorage Apartments by the Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge, 2014.

“Greetings from Sea Bright, NJ” mural painted by local artist, Jim Kovic, July 2014. Benjamin Moore Paints funded the retro-postcard project on a building at the corner of Ocean and Peninsula Avenues.

Ocean Avenue flooding, 1940s. Fowler’s Hardware is today Bain’s Hardware. Family patriarch, William R. Fowler, Sr., served for 15 years as SB Mayor and 15 years as SB Councilman. He died in October 1941. His son, William, Jr., acquired the Ocean Avenue building and business in October 1944 and ran it until his January 1968 death.

Hurricane Donna damage to Sinclair snack-bar at Chris’s Landing, Long Branch Daily Record, Sept. 1960

Nautilus Motel-Apartments on Ocean Avenue, 1960s. Built by Ernest Caprio, the 18-unit complex opened in June 1963. Owners of the riverfront dwelling were William Throckmorton and Joseph Scialfa. Today, the spot is the Nautilus Condominium.

Sea Bright trolley, 1905.

Harry’s Lobster House. The popular Ocean Avenue restaurant was established in 1921 by Harry Osmun (who died in September 1933). George Krauss, a borough mayor, then owned the business. The Jacoubs family took control in 1953. Anna Jacoubs retired in 1987 (her son Louis ran the business until 2016); she died in 2005. Today, the spot is Rory’s.

New Harry’s Lobster House under construction, March 1964. The eatery had been hit by a major fire in April 1963.

Fountains Condominiums sketch, May 1974. The 64-unit luxury condo complex on Ocean Avenue also offered an Olympic-size swimming pool. private beach and boat marina. Developer Mann Enterprises broke ground for the riverfront apartments in Fall 1973. Prices started at $31,500.

Sea Bright Beach Pavilion on Ocean Avenue, 2021. The $4 million municipal facility houses the Sea Bright Library & Cultural Arts Center, Borough Council meeting room, and town beach operations.

“Big One” — The massive freighter SS Christian Bergh run aground at Sea Bright, March 1949. Built in 1944, the 7,100-ton liberty ship with 37 crew members got lost in a morning fog en-route from Greece to New York. The ship got within 15 yards of Ocean Avenue and was beached there 11 hours before a high tide and tug boat moved her. Captain Hodle MacHarde, shouting to a growing number of spectators on the beach, blamed bad tides and winds for the grounding. The ship’s mission was noble — carrying grain as part of the Marshall Plan. Scrapped in 1967, the ship was named for Christian Bergh, NYC’s best and oldest ship carpenter, when he died in 1843.

S.S. Mohawk grounded off Sea Bright, May 1928. After a collision with the steamship Jefferson, 83 people were evacuated to shore near the Normandie Hotel. The Clyde Mallory Line was the owner then and J.W. McKenzie was captain. More local sea drama awaited the ship. In January 1935, only four months after the burning wreck of the Morrow Castle claimed 137 off Asbury Park, the Mohawk collided with another vessel (The Talisman) off nearby Sea Girt and was sunk losing 46 souls. The Morrow Castle and Mohwak were both Ward Liners.

Packer’s Real Estate Exchange office, 1905. Note the Rumson-SB Bridge in the foreground and the Sea Bright Railroad Station in background. Owner P. Hall Packer was the first mayor of Sea Bright under its current charter (in fact, he lived in Rumson on Packer Avenue).

“Great Sea Bright Fire” loses. Red Bank Register, June 17, 1891. The blaze destroyed the majority of the downtown district, including over 400 residences. The immense configuration was all started by “a man named Kelly” It all began in the livery stables of J.A. Buckalew on River Street.

South Beach section of Sea Bright, 2019.

A Sea Bright sand mountain after Superstorm Sandy, 2013.

Sea Bright’s 20th anniversary remembrance of 9/11 at borough municipal complex, Sept. 2021.

Giglio’s Bait & Tackle shop on East Ocean Avenue, 1960s. Founded by brothers Arthur, Armand, and Robert Giglio in 1962, the business still operates today run by Ernie and Tom Giglio, and Tom Grybowski.

Ocean Avenue looking north after a snow storm, 1960s.

Houseboats off the SB coast on the Shrewsbury River, 1920s. Twin Lights in the background.

Ichabod’s Restaurant on Ocean Avenue, 1990s.

Sea Bright Golf Club sketch. New York Sun, November 1896. In 1908, it became the Rumson Country Club.

“Greetings from Sea Bright, NJ” postcard, early 1900s.

“Greetings from Sea Bright, NJ” postcard, 1960s.

SB Fire Department GMC ladder truck, 1950s.

Nauvoo Marina on Ocean Avenue, 1970s. Opened by Jesse Howland & Sons in Summer 1959, it became part of the Walter Mihm marine business empire in September 1962. According to a 1983 APP report, the Mihm Corp was worth $40 million. He sold all the businesses in 1986. Today the spot is the Navesink Marina.

Navesink Marina along the Shrewsbury River, 2019.

Ocean Avenue and River Street, early 1900s. Bedell’s Drug Store is at left.

Sea Bright Pharmacy demolition, 2013. Ken Kalada owned the Ocean Avenue drugstore for 25 years. A 1967 Rutgers College of Pharmacy graduate, he sold the business to CVS in 2004. Superstorm Sandy wrecked the building in 2012. Ray Annacone acquired the drugstore in 1962 and ran it until the late 1970s. He bought from Richard Stryker. Matthew Robinson ran the place in the 1930s and 40s.

Ray Annacone and staff assist a customer in his well-appointed Ocean Avenue pharmacy. Red Bank Register, October 1963. A Rutgers College of Pharmacy graduate and WW II Navy vet, he died in Feb. 2002.

The Sunrise at Sea Bright condominiums on Ocean Avenue, 2012. The 24-townhouse development was built along the Shrewsbury River by Centurion Systems, Inc. of Freehold. It opened in September 1984. The 6-acre site formerly held the Dominican Villa religious retreat house.

Fowler’s Hardware & Variety Store carpenter’s apron. William R. Fowler, Jr. acquired the Ocean Avenue building and business in 1944. The borough native was “an active civic leader,” according to his January 1968 obit — a three-term borough councilman, fire chief, school board president, and SB church trustee and bank director. His father, William R. Fowler, Sr., was the SB mayor for 15 years and a SB councilman for 15 years. The father of 14 children, he died in October 1941.

Sea Bright Hardware (the old Fowler’s), 1960s. Built just after the Great Sea Bright Fire of 1891 by E.H. Knapp and Edward West who opened a grocery there. In 1920, William H. Mahoney (a Rumson mayor and a Republican) and J. Elwood Harvey (a Little Silver mayor and a Democrat) bought the building, added more inventory and called it Sea Bright’s Big Store. Louis Tocci, Sr. acquired the building and business in 1969; he died in 1992 and the family still owns the building.

Bain’s Hardware Store (the old Fowler’s) on Ocean Avenue, 2013. Frank Bain acquired the business in 1994 with the slogan: “If we don’t have it, you don’t need it.” He rebuilt after Superstorm Sandy in October 2012 and the store remains very popular today. Ely Herman had owned the store in 1982.

Sea Bright newspaper, May 1926.

Sea Bright First United Methodist Church on Ocean Avenue, built in 1889.

Ocean Avenue going north, 2019.

Ocean Avenue and River Street, looking north, 1912.

“Ocean Avenue at Mail Time, Sea Bright, NJ,” 1906.

Ocean Avenue looking south, 1911.

World War II Honor Roll for Veterans — Sea Bright residents.

Chris’ Landing on Ocean Avenue, 1963. Henry and Kay Christiansen started their marine business along the Shrewsbury River in 1941. The property included 112 boat slips, 100 rowboats, bait & tackle supplies, a snack bar and two family homes. By 1983, the property was being converted into 23 luxury townhouse condos (units started at $239,500).

Dawn rainbow in North Beach, August 2021.

Asbury Park Press, March 1955. At the time there were 12 islands and 100 acres of land at normal high tide.

Sea Bright is just a barrier beach, Summer 2021.

Another — Sea Bright is just a barrier beach, Summer 2021.

Superstorm Sandy damage to SB beach clubs, 2013.

Superstorm Sandy damage in Sea Bright, November 2013.

Superstorm Sandy damage in Sea Bright, November 2013.

Superstorm Sandy damage in Sea Bright, November 2013.

Superstorm Sandy damage in Sea Bright, November 2013.

Sea Bright Texaco Station, called Sam’s Garage (l) and Peninsula House (r), 1930s. The gas station on Ocean Avenue and Surf Street burned in 1965.

Grand Pointe in Sea Bright on Ocean Avenue, 2021. Built in 1988, the riverfront complex includes 16 luxury townhouse style condominiums and a 25-boat slip marina. Severino Homes was the developer.

Sea Bright Dunkin’ Donuts on Ocean Avenue, 2020. The store closed in Dec. 2020 after 17 years there to make way for the new Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge.

Old Sea Bright School on River Street, 2019. Opened in 1882, closed in 1978, and torn down in 2019.

Sea Bright Library & Cultural Arts Center, 2021.

SB damage after storms of January 1914.

All that remains of the Jay W. Ross Library after it was “hastily demolished” in January 2014.

Hartshorne Woods Park seen from Sea Bright, 2009. The “hilly, forested 794-acre site overlooking the Navesink River is among the highest elevations along the Atlantic Coast.”

Twin Lights seen from SB, 1930. (Erwin Reu Photo)

Sea Bright Golf Club, 1905.

Asbury Park Press, December 1900.

NJ Gov. Jim Florio (l) and SB Mayor Charles Rooney (r) inspect seawall damage in town, 1993.

Zobel’s Boat Works after fire, Sept. 1956. Frank Sarpolis was the owner at the time having bought the business from Harry Zobel in 1954. Harry started the boat sales and storage business in 1931.

Angle parking in SB business area, 1965.

Mayor Cecile Norton (r) greets U.S. Senator Henry Jackson (D-WA), 1971. Senator Jackson was seeking the Democratic presidential nomination at the time.

Beach erosion in SB, 1972.

Gertrude Ederle swims in the Shore Hill Motel pool in SB, 1965. She was the first woman to swim the English Channel in 1926. A gold medal winner at the 1924 Summer Olympics, Ederle died in 2003.

Map of SB Area, 1702.

Roads and Indian trails around SB, 1800.

Map of SB Area, 1770s.

Watson’s Guide Map of SB area, 1880.

Map of SB area (ie, Wardell’s Beach), 1860

Lawrence map of SB area, 1765.

Asbury Park Press, Summer 1902.

Map of the North Jersey Shore, 1702.

Map of the North Jersey Shore, 1769.

Cancellation notification by Central Jersey Railroad officially ending train stops in Sea Bright, December 1945.

Map of “Wardell’s Beach” (now Sea Bright), 1764.

Map of old shipwrecks near SB.

Who’s got the islands? Ocean Twp., 1973.

Asbury Park Press, 1994.

Steve’s: Breakfast & Lunch, early 2000s. Opened in 1976, the Ocean Avenue restaurant was decimated by Superstorm Sandy in October 2012. It was renovated and reopened as Alice’s Kitchen in 2013, run by Irish-born, Sea Bright-resident Alice Gaffney.

Downtown Sea Bright looking north, 1940s.

Fox Foodtown & Liquor Store, 1970s. Arthur Fox acquired the business in 1959. The 15,000 square-foot market suffered a major fire in April 1963 and was rebuilt in 1964.

The Rum Runner, 1960s. Nick Egidio opened the river-front restaurant in August 1968. Tim McLoone acquired the business in January 1987.

SB north beach area, 1970s.

Sea Bright postcard, 1960s.

Donovan’s Reef after Hurricane Sandy, November 2012. The popular beach bar hangout reopened after repairs in June 2017. Opened in 1976, Thrillst Review called Donovan’s “a sprawling mecca of summer bliss.”

Sea Bright coast after a major storm, 1903.

Olivo’s Restaurant on Ocean Avenue, 1982. Owners Joseph and Anthony Corbisiero.

Sea Bright — bridge to bridge and beyond, 2021.

Location of the Sea Bright Community Center before construction, 1930s. Note the bandstand below.

Sea Bright Fire Department, 1930s.

Sea Bright Methodist Church, early 1900s.

Colonial Deli, 1976. The business was run by Elsie Keenan.

“Tin Peddler at Sea Bright” by Louis Comfort Tiffany, 1889.

Sea Bright Observation Post, 1954. The unit was run by the Monmouth County Civil Defense Authority. Called “Operation Skywatch,” when airplane watching was considered “a vital protective link in the harbor defense of New York.” SB Councilman Neils Jacobsen was the post commander.

Swedish Hop, 1938.

Swedish Hop bar, 1943. The tavern had several owners including Stanley “Big Stosh” Pokrywka, a native of Poland.

Swedish Hop on East Ocean Avenue, 1940s. The spot had been Mellaci’s Tavern.

Fire at the Fountains at Sea Bright, 2007.

Old Anchorage Apartment building on Ocean Avenue being torn down, 2015.

Anchorage Apartment building on Ocean Avenue, 2015. It was just north of the Rumson-SB Bridge.

Ocean Avenue after snow storm, 1967.

The Mad Hatter restaurant has sat uncompleted for several years, 2021. Badly damaged after Superstorm Sandy in 2012, owners Scott and Amy Kelly still hope to open the once popular eatery.

Downtown SB looking north, 2021.

Blue Water Inn, 1970s. Mike Bivona opened the nightclub/restaurant in 1975. Previously, the spot was Millie’s and later Ichabod’s and today it is Woody’s Ocean Grille.

A very flooded Ocean Avenue, 1981.

SB along the coast, 2018 (Fran Snead Photo).

Sea Bright Democrat allies: Cecile F. Norton and John S. Forsman, review election results indicating victory. She as mayor; he as council member. And for most of the next two decades: Norton was the mayor and Forsman was the council president. APP, November 1967.

New McLoone’s Rum Runner under construction, 2015.

Sea Bright Supermarket & Liquors on Ocean Avenue, 2020. At the time of this photo, the property was up for sale at $2.5 million. It had been Fox’s Foodtown beginning in 1958 and before that Del Food Market run by Max Charnack.

Harry’s Lobster House menu, 1940s.

Packer’s Real Estate Exchange near Sea Bright Inn and Rumson-Sea Bright bridge, early 1900s.

Irwin & Nesbitt Plumbing on Ocean Avenue, early 1900s.

Looking north to NYC skyline from SB, 2020.

A deer on top of the North Beach seawall, 2020.

John W. Eyles Carriage Maker on Ocean Avenue, 1904. Eyles was a SB mayor in 1916-17.

National Grocery on Ocean Avenue, early 1900s.

Ocean Avenue postcard, 1960s. The Cy & Art store (r) seen above was owned by Cy Friedman and Art Katims. The building dates to 1888; Cy & Art started business there in 1945, acquired the building in 1949 and made several improvements over the years. In the 1970s, the shop became Arthur’s of Sea Bright.

Ocean Avenue looking north, 1970s.

Columbia Bicycles on Ocean Avenue, 1905.

SB Presbyterian Church, late 1900s. Today, it is the Chapel Beach Club.

SB Presbyterian Church, late 1900s.

SB Presbyterian Church, 1905 (Pach Brothers Photo).

Original SB First United Methodist Church, 1889. “The Fishermen’s Church.”

SB First United Methodist Church, 2020. The original church — designed by William Bigelow and built by A.P. Cubberly — was burned down in the “Great Fire of Sea Bright” in June 1891. The existing church was rebuilt in 1892.

SB town center, mid-1960s.

Steve Garelli at his Ocean Avenue breakfast and lunch shop, 2001. He opened the eatery in 1976 and retired after Superstorm Sandy wrecked the place in 2012.

Ocean Avenue looking north, early 1900s.

Ocean Avenue looking north, early 1900s.

Getting a pound boat ashore, 1906.

Woolley’s Market on Ocean Avenue, 1920s. The store was run by Raymond Woolley who was also the Monmouth County Superintendent of Streets for 20 years. The spot later became Gardella’s Super Market.

SB ladder firetruck, 1950s.

Sailing by SB, 1915.

SB Fishermen’s Market on Church Street, 1930s.

Ichabod’s Bar, 2000s.

M. Garland Plumber, 1895 (Ploughshare Press).

SB Presbyterian Church 1895 (Ploughshare Press).

SB ad in Asbury Park Press, January 1962.

SS Elberon, a Patten line steamship docked in SB, 1895

Fire at the Ocean View Hotel (later to be Millie’s Bar, Ichabod’s Bar, and today’s Woody’s Ocean Grille), August 1952. The building dates to 1929.

SB hotel on fire — then owned by Hattie and Morris Kaplan — included a bar and 22 guest rooms.

This summer afternoon fire of ’52 drew thousands of beach spectators and backed up traffic along Ocean Avenue for miles. Note the P House in the distance.

Hurricane Sandy damage along Ocean Avenue, 2012.

The Sandlass Beach Club on Ocean Avenue in SB, 1940s.

The Sandlass Beach Club on Ocean Avenue in SB, 1940s.

Ocean House hotel, 1857. The first hotel on the Jersey Shore was built in 1842.

Sea Bright Pharmacy, 1895 (Ploughshare Press).

McCue & LeCompte Livery Stables, 1895 (Ploughshare Press).

Sea Bright Methodist Church, 1895 (Ploughshare Press).

Map of New York and its Vicinity by D.H. Burr, 1834.

Oceanfront Bar sign, 1980s. Ed Furman and Mike Love were longtime owners.

Ocean Avenue looking south, early 1900s.

NYC skyline seen from SB, 2020.

Twin Lights seen from Highland Beach, 1907.

Where things were in old Sea Bright.

Play at the Seabright Lawn Tennis & Cricket Club (in Rumson), 1910. The club, which opened in July 1886, is the oldest of its kind in the country.

Seabright Lawn Tennis & Cricket Club (in Rumson), 1930s.

Soprano’s HBO-TV show scene from: “Whitecaps” 2002.

Soprano’s HBO-TV show scene from: “Whitecaps” 2002.

NYC skyline beyond SB seawall, 2010s.

“Free Bathing” in SB. APP, July 1928.

Major Spring storm damage, March 1962.

Fire damages the Charles Manor and Sea Bright Inn (parts of the old Pannaci Hotel) on Ocean Avenue, 1953.

Five SB hotels are visible in the image, 1906.

Sea Bright seawall work, 1961.

Central Jersey Bank and Trust Company on Ocean Avenue exterior and interior, 1960s. In December 1967, it merged with the Sea Bright National Bank. Eleanor Lindsay was a branch manager in the 1970s.

Tropical storm beach erosion, July 2020.

“The Beach at Seabright” by Francis Augustus Silva, 1880.

NYC skyline as seen from SB, 2020.

Hurricane Sandy damage in SB, 2012.

Hurricane Sandy damage on Ocean Avenue, 2012.

Sea Bright Public Playground dedication, July 1918. Looking at the bandstand that stood at the foot of the children’s playground. The project was funded by J. Horace Harding of Rumson. The spot now is the Sea Bright Community Center.

Pound boat fishermen in SB, early 1900s.

Old Donovan’s Reef, early 2000s.

APP, February 1950.

Walking the boards in SB, early 1900s.

SB coast, 1950s.

SB is in there somewhere.

Sea Bright views from Peninsula House, 1901.

Storm damage to the Long Branch & Seashore Railroad tracks, 1914.

SB police officer “Sparky” Adams, 1939.

Looking north from SB, 2010s.

Charles Manor fire, October 1953. Dorothy and Joe Charles ran the 43-room hotel.

McLoone’s Rum Runner comes down, 2014.

Methodist Church on Ocean Avenue, early 1900s.

Fire at The Cove marina/restaurant on Ocean Avenue, 1988 (Jack Flaherty Photo).

Irwin & Nesbitt Plumbing, Tinning and Hardware, 1900.

Storm damage in SB, 1913.

Sea Bright Methodist Church, burned in 1891.

Storm impact, 1914.

Storm impact, 1914.

Sea Bright area map, 2010s.

Seabright Beach Club & Railroad Station, early 1900s.

Greetings From Sea Bright, NJ.

“Miss Olive Packer’s House,” 1903.

Ocean Avenue in SB, early 1900s.

SB along the river, early 1900s.

Cottages along Ocean Avenue, 1930s.

River view from Sea Bright , early 1900s.

Ocean Avenue, early 1900s.

SB Lawn-Tennis & Cricket Club (in Rumson), early 1900s.

Ocean Avenue in SB, 1908.

Ocean Avenue in SB, early 1900s.

Sea Bright in its glory days, 1906.

Storm waves hit SB coast, 1914.

Harry’s Lobster House postcard, 1935.

Pound boat in SB, 1920s.

Boat ad, 1946.

Hurricane Sandy remains, 2012.

Ad for boat builder, 1913.

Ocean Avenue in SB, 1950s.

SB aerial image, 2018.

Sea Bright fixture: Frances Rooney selling hot dogs at Surf & Ocean Avenues, 2017. She started selling from her pushcart at that spot in 1977. Word is she has called it a career since Covid.

Anjelica’s Restaurant outside dinning, 2010s. Chef Ray Lena opened the Ocean Avenue restaurant in 1996. The fine dining spot is named for his daughter.

Tim McLoone and his wife watch their Rum Runner restaurant torn down, 2014.

Rum Runner restaurant, 1970s.

McLoone’s Rum Runner, 2014.

McLoone’s Rum Runner tear down, 2014.

Ocean Avenue business/apartment fire, 2014.

Storm waves pound SB coast, 1914.

Very high tide in SB, 1901.

Hurricane Sandy flooding, 2012.

SB south coast, 2019.

Ocean Avenue flooding in SB, 1933 (Getty Images).

Vagabond Hurricane remains in SB, 1903 (Getty Images).

Storm damage, early 1914.

Ocean Avenue bus stop shed, 2019.

Regan’s Dock restaurant ad, 1947. George Regan ran the Ocean Avenue business for 20 years before retiring in 1987. He died in 1993.

Flooding on Ocean Avenue by Gardella’s Super Market, 1960s. Ernest Gardella ran the business from about 1920 to 1947. He died in 1966.

Sea Bright’s US Post Office on Ocean Avenue, 1920.

SB borough council members pay tribute to retiring Sea Bright Mayor Dina Long, 2019.

Mad Hatter Pub & Pizzeria on Ocean Avenue, early 2010s.

On the beach in Sea Bright, 1908.

Ocean Avenue looking south after Hurricane Sandy, 2012.

US Post Office at Sea Bright damage after Hurricane Sandy, 2012.

Sea Bright looking northeast, 2010s.

A barrier beach — view of SB from Twin Lights, late 1800s.

EvenTide Grille on Ocean Avenue, 2019.

Asbury Park Press, August 1959.

Sea Bright storm tides, 1910s.

Sea Bright fishing beach, 1906.

North Beach in Sea Bright, 1975.

Seabright Lawn Tennis & Cricket Club (in Rumson), 2016.

Seabright Lawn Tennis & Cricket Club (in Rumson), 1920s. Established in 1876; it’s the oldest tennis club in the nation. William Shippen won the first club title in 1879.

Downtown Sea Bright. Sanborn Map, 1886.

Sea Bright aerial image looking south, 2017.

SB below Sandy Hook aerial image.

Tim McLoone overseeing construction of his new “Rum Runner” Restaurant, 2016.

Tommy’s Tavern + Tap on Ocean Avenue, 2018. Named for owner Thomas J. Bonfiglio, the tavern opened in Summer 2015. During the borough’s heyday as a resort community in the early 1900s, the location was part of the elegant Pannaci Hotel (then a hotel and restaurant, it was called “Delmonico of Sea Bright”). The structure has survived a couple of big fires and at one time or another it was a U.S. Post Office, the Oceanfront Bar, Chubby’s Pub, the Sea Bright Inn, and several apartments.

Grace Longo, Chef BaHa Toker and Leonard Longo at Longo’s Restaurant, 1973. The family opened the Italian restaurant on Ocean Avenue opened in 1945. In 1976, the business became Olivo’s run by the Corbisiero brothers.

Harry’s Lobster House owner Anna Jacoubs, 1969. The family took control of the Ocean Avenue restaurant in 1953. Anna retired in 1987 (her son Louis ran the business until 2008); she died in 2005. SB Mayor George H. Krauss owned the business before the Jacoubs.

SB clammers at work, 2009