Monmouth Beach Gallery …
Presented here are distinctive Monmouth Beach images from various times, places and sources. I claim no ownership of these photos — I just track them down and post them. Sources provided will be credited (and please check back for regular updates):

High Holiday — “Santa Claus & Eight Reindeer” fly at the Brina house on Club Circle, 2017. The popular borough family celebrated the Christmas season with the festive home decoration for more than 50 years. The house no longer stands.

Back Up Plan — The Brina family Christmas decoration endures — floating at the Red Bank Marina on West Front Street, December 2024 (Dick Keller Photo). Thanks to the noble son, Ernie Brina.

Dawn Due — Early morning fishing at Monmouth Beach, November 2024 (Chesiree Caridi-Palladino Photo).

Great Adventurer — Robert Shippee (l) and George Johnson in Peru, Long Branch Daily Record, 1931. That year borough resident Shippee was part of an eight-month pioneering aerial photography expedition to Peru (he was just 20 years old). Shippee and US Navy Lt. George “Tuck” Johnson took thousands of photos in South America and filmed a movie (The Wings Over the Andes) during the journey. Their work continues to be an important resource for Peruvian students and scholars. Shippee, a pilot and Harvard-trained geologist, even survived a plane crash in the Andes. After WW II, he was a passenger sales manager for United Air Lines for a decade. The Red Bank native died in February 1989.

“Town House Luxury” — Hamiltonian of Monmouth Beach apartments on Park Avenue, Long Branch Daily Record, March 1965. Albert Benoist was architect on the unique “Y-shaped” design — affording all 192 units with water-views.

Hamiltonian of Monmouth Beach apartments, Long Branch Daily Record, March 1965. It was the borough’s misguided attempt at providing affordable housing; monthly rent for a 5-room apartment was $135. By 1973, CBA Associates owned the apartment complex, now called Channel Beach Apartments (it had been the River & Surf Club Apartments). As the 1980s arrived it had become a sometimes racy and rough spot. The complex racked up 800+ building violations, endured delinquent renters and mass vacancies, and was nearly condemned by the borough’s code officer. Plus there were at least three incidents of gunfire there with one awful murder-suicide in October 1978 that made front-page news. New owners JG Associates converted the property to “condo” in July 1982.

At Atlantic & Shrewsbury — Wharfside Manor Condominiums, 2023 (O’Brien Realty Photo). First developed by Gerald Baroff and Charles Elin — as the “the only apartments in NJ with private marina, ocean beach, cabana club and individual terraces,” according to the April 1965 Long Branch Daily Record. By 1983, it was known as “Wharfside at Monmouth Beach,” with prices starting at $57,500.

Wharfside Manor Condos along the Shrewsbury River, June 2020. The Shorelands point is in the background to the west.

The Wharfside Manor Condo complex on Wharfside Drive, 2017. It began as the Hamiltonian of Monmouth Beach apartments in 1965.

Presidential Protector — Borough native Walter “Buddy” Burns (r) with President George H.W. Bush in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC, 1992. A 1974 MB School graduate, “Buddy” was a Special Agent for the US Secret Service for over 25 years — MORE INFO.

Final Flight — The last seaplane to dock off the Monmouth Beach marina, Red Bank Daily Record, August 1981. A one-way trip took about 15 minutes and cost $150.

By the Sea — The Monmouth Beach Sandpipers, the borough’s senior citizen group, has a 50-year record of good works and comradery. About 20% of town residents are in their golden years, according to US Census data. Frank J. Sheeran, a Jersey City transplant and proud defender of town elders, started the organization in 1972. His son, John, was also president. Today, John’s wife, Paulette, runs the organization. The group meets the third Thursday of the month at 1 pm in borough hall on Beach Road (Jack Flaherty Photo, 2021).

Death Debate — Alfred J. Talley was a longtime borough resident on Ocean Avenue (acquiring the Walter Spalding estate in 1933) and also president of the snobbish Monmouth Beach Association in the 1930 and 1940s. The capital punishment debate between he and the famed Chicago defense attorney Clarence Darrow took place in the Manhattan Opera House in October 1924. Talley was a New York judge and lawyer “of great ability.” MORE INFO.

Monmouth Beach is visible in this Monmouth Park postcard, 1962. The Oceanport racetrack opened in June 1946 and still operates — MORE INFO.

Wells Fargo Bank at Beach Road and Borden Street, 2020. The borough’s first and only bank opened in 1968.

Looking west from the MB Clubhouse Hotel roof, 1910s. The school and church are visible in the background.

Welcome Home! — Louis Ferrugiaro is honored in Monmouth Beach for his military service during the Vietnam War, July 1971. A US Army private, Lou was badly injured but would return home to a hero’s welcome — honored with a large parade and celebration. The borough native went on to serve 25 years as the borough’s public works superintendent before retiring in 2004. Lou was also did public service as a borough policeman, fireman and first aid member.

Supreme Surf — along the Monmouth Beach coast, Fall 2022 (Jack Flaherty Photo).

Brian Boru O’Brien — a Monmouth Beach native and accomplished Broadway stage performer — seen with fellow cast members of the Broadway hit, “Chicago the Musical,” 2021. Brian made his theatrical debut in “Steel Pier” in 1997 and followed with work in: “Spamlalot,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Annie Get Your Gun,” and “Promises, Promises.” A talented dancer-singer, Brian acted in the Tony-winning Chicago for 10 years before moving on in 2023. It’s all been a “dream come true” for the Seton Hall University graduate who never took a dance class. MORE INFO.

Good & Hot — James Caverly owner of Booskerdoo Coffee Roastery & Bakery at his Monmouth Beach store, 2017. The popular spot opened in the town’s mini-mall in 2011 offering “really really delicious things from really really nice people.” Growing in popularity and prestige, Booskerdoo now has seven locations — MORE INFO.

Willie Horner’s shack off Patten Avenue, 1980s. A WW II US Army vet and 15-year borough public works employee, died in 1986.

A car flipped its lid in front of the MB Cultural Center on Ocean Avenue, June 2022. There were no injuries.

For Sale — Mayor Sidney Johnson (c) opens the new Hickey Real Estate Agency building at 37 Beach Road, December 1976. At right are owners Frank and Helen Hickey, left is Charles Beusing, borough planning board chairman. The Hickeys operated their realty firm from 1970 to 1988. Helen was the first women president of the Monmouth County Board of Realtors in 1985. She died in July 1992 and Frank passed away in August 1993; they raised six children in town. The couple’s view of the real estate trade: “It’s not a business of days and weeks, but of years.”

Joan Parent, Realtors ad, Asbury Park Press, 1984. The firm’s snappy slogan — “We cover the waterfront” — proved most effective during a town real estate sales boom through the 1990s.

The new Joan Parent building on Beach Road on it Grand Opening, September 1981. Anthony Covias designed the building. Beginning with just herself and a part-time secretary, the Parent real estate firm grew to 35 employees. The business merged with VRI Realtors in 2000.

Siblings from the Farrell family of Monmouth Beach at Fenway Park in Boston, 2010s. Their brother John Farrell managed the Red Sox to a World Series title in 2013.

Image from Long Branch Daily Record, May 1965. Hennessey was from Monmouth Beach and Hayden was from Elberon.

Karyn Jarmer, the Executive Chef/Owner of My Kitchen Witch Cafe on Beach Road, 2021. Serving “home-cooked, healthy comfort food” since 2005. MORE INFO.

A lone palm atop the Ocean Avenue seawall in MB, June 2021. The first MB-SB seawall was built in 1931 and parking was banned in 1954.

Patten Avenue newly repaved, 2021 (Jack Flaherty Photo). The borough’s first official street signs were hung in August 1917.

Judge Patrick J. McGann, Jr. and his wife Bernadette after being sworn in as a judge of the Monmouth County Court. Long Branch Daily Record, January 1968. The couple raised their six children in Monmouth Beach. A Fordham Law School grad and NJ State Assemblyman, Judge McGann died in April 2012.

“Steamboat: Sea Bird” by Gail Gannon. Steamboat travel in and around the Shrewsbury and Navesink Rivers dates to 1825. By its end in 1930, 64 different steamers had worked the two rivers.

“Sea Bird” steamer in live action, 1887. Built in 1866 at Hunter’s Point NY, she was part of the Merchants Steamboat Company line operating until 1926. The wooden, side-wheeler was 187 feet long. The boat business was run by the Throckmorton family of Red Bank. The Sea Bird was docked off Wharf Avenue.

The 2013 World Series Champion Boston Red Sox team at the White House with President Barack Obama. (Borough native and Manager John Farrell is in front, second from right). Boston was 97–65 that season and beat the St. Louis Cardinals 4-2 games in the Fall Classic. And John was the Boston pitching coach when they won the title in 2007.

Sunset along the waters in MB, 2020 (Jack Flaherty Photo)

First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt with Major General George Van Deusen (r) at Fort Monmouth, 1943. The US Army general was the fort’s commanding officer (from 1942-1945) and later a MB resident.

Eddie Lecarreaux of the US Army Corps of Engineers Marine Division inspects a seawall pipe for the first-ever sand replenishment project in MB, November 1962.

Pat McConville rides his bike on flooded Riverdale Avenue, 1967. He would served as borough police chief from 1995 to 2002.

Dr. Patti Barham Campbell, 1990. A borough native, Patty is a devoted artist — both practitioner and teacher.

Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno and family after voting in Monmouth Beach in the 2017 NJ governor’s race on November 7.