There’s no place like home — except maybe the beach. There’s a two-fer in Monmouth Beach. During my deep-dive research into local history, I’ve found few things to elicit more nostalgia than when folks talk about their favorite beach club.

The Spread — Labor Day weekend, 2021 (Frank Snead Photo).

The Monmouth Beach Bathing Pavilion (MBBP) — the borough’s public beach club — has operated for more than a century of summers — while becoimng central to the town’s identity and appeal. Ever since my first job there as a beach boy in Summer 1974, I’ve been drawn to its imagery and history.

Multiple generations of families have enjoyed the sun and fun at the MBBP — making for a century of great memories. Thankfully, a century later, the spot still thrives. There’s a sense of pride and belonging at the MBBP. Family traditions, long-term friends, and specific life moments tied to the club linger for residents.

MBBP #1 (1921-1962)
The land — today’s MBBP — had been owned by the famous actor, Oliver Byron. The massive surfside cottage he built there burned to the ground in May 1903. This famous Gilded Age theater performer — who spent “48 consecutive summers” in Long Branch – also built or owned eight large seashore cottages in North Long Branch and Monmouth Beach (which he offered up for summer season rentals). For more on Byron go — HERE.

In 1909, there was a private effort to develop the land (the “Monmouth Casino & Swimming Pool”). A decade later several wealthy cottage owners sued to stop construction on the pavilion saying the land was restricted. A NJ Chancery Court ruled for the town. The borough council acquired property in 1918 and passed an ordinance authorizing the building of the “Pavilion” on the eastside of Ocean Avenue about 100 feet south of Valentine Street in April 1921.

The town paid NLB builder John Chasey (the lone bidder and a borough native) $6,800; he completed construction in 36 days. One-story high, 75-foot x 35-foot in dimension; it was painted green with white trim. When first opened for Summer 1921, the MBBP had 60 bathhouses — and a waiting list of 25 for “next summer.” There was a small snackbar (candy, soda, ice cream and cigarettes were top sellers).

MBBP #1, 1950s.

A major advocate, Mayor A.O. Johnson said that with the new pavilion “Monmouth Beach had returned to its own.” Later on his son, Mayor Sidney Johnson, would also help the pavilion grow. “Built as an experiment” according to the June 1924 Long Branch Daily Record, it was “very successful from the start.” And at the time, Monmouth Beach was really a quiet seashore community — town population was barely 400 and the annual borough budget was under $50,000.

The borough school held an annual “Frankfurter Roast” for students at the MBBP during the 1920s. And Pavilion Sunday band concerts started in June 1923.

An ongoing challenge facing Pavilion beachgoers has been the limited parking. To address the ongoing demand through the years, the borough purchased property south of the pavilion on Ocean Avenue. In 1960, it paid $15,000 (for the Florence Sellner lot) and by 1964 had paid another $12,500 (for the John Simkovich lot). The town also established a large beach parking area off Seaview Avenue. Despite the best efforts of borough officials, parking is still an issue today. For Summer 2025 a season parking pass is $70 (with no guarantee of parking).

MB Bathing Pavilion Images — HERE

MBBP #2 (1962-1996)
The original pavilion, as well as several nearby large Ocean Avenue houses, were wrecked during the epic March 1962 nor’easter — called the “Ash Wednesday Storm.” The APP — the local paper of record — reported that “piles of rubble are all that remain” of the original MBBP. Considered among the 10 worst storms in the USA for the 20^th century (with 70+ mph winds), total damages in the borough alone cleared $750,000 (nearly $8 million today).

By this time the town had changed – population nearly quadrupling to 1,500 and annual municipal expenses climbing to $225,000 – a more modern beach facility was desirable. The borough appropriated $25,000 to build the new MBBP including large deck, snack bar, bathrooms, offices, and 100 lockers. With a heavy push from Mayor Sidney Johnson, the job was finished in 3 months — just in time for the Summer 1962 season. And for the first time in borough history the town had to purchase and truck in sand, the mayor said.

MBBP #2, late-1970s.

Al Benoist did the new MBBP design and Bill Hansen supervised the construction.  A MB School (1932) and LBHS graduate, Al lived on Valentine Street until his death at age 94 in 2012. An Ivy League-trained architect (Columbia), he also designed the borough’s first aid squad building, library, and fire company addition. As well as the Hamiltonian apartments (today’s Wharfside) and Monmouth Commons. Born in Brooklyn, Bill moved to the shore in 1922 and serviced in the US Navy during WW II (as a Chief Carpenter’s Mate). An honest, hard-working and serious craftsman, Hansen Brothers Builders did local construction for over 60 years. Bill was town building inspector (replacing Edward Ingels at $400/salary) from 1953 to 1973. He also was a MBFC chief and its president. He died in March 1994 at 79.

MBBP #3 (1996 – present)
In November 2007, borough voters overwhelmingly rejected a $2.8 million referendum to make major repairs and upgrades to the crumbling facility. With opposition on the commission and reported to be “a sore subject in town” by the Asbury Park Press, some 67% of voters said no. Even so, a massive renovation and expansion project was undertaken in the ensuing years.

MBBP #3, 2020s.

“Superstorm Sandy” in October 2012 — scientists called it a “260-year storm,” according to the 2016 Journal of Geophysical Research. NJ damages alone exceeded $30 billion with nearly 350,000 homes in the state damaged along with 40 deaths. The storm’s impact was crippling — parts of MB • LB • SB did not have power restored for over 10 days. After a major clean-up, the borough made $1.5+ million in repairs and changes to the Pavilion (most covered by insurance). All completed in time for the 2013 summer season.

In 2019, under federal government orders, the stone seawall along the entire MBBP property was connected. The cost to fill the 700-foot gap was $30 million; all paid for by FEMA and the state DEP. The general contractor for the work was J. Fletcher Creamer & Son, Inc. New access ramps for foot and auto traffic were included in the project.

Leading the Way
A man who deserves lasting credit for laying the true MBBP foundation — where joy and order prevail — was William Heath. I called him “Mr. Heath” to his death. He was the pavilion’s longest-serving manager — holding the top job for 23 summers starting in Summer 1961. I’m a better person for having known him.

One of my most-meaningful mentors — both personally and professionally — under his firm but fair tutelage I became a real person. Working 10 MBBP summer seasons for him, all through high school and college, I found him to be a real, cool mix. A straight-shooter who also understood human frailties.

Bill Heath, 1970s

His wisdom and guidance helped me — and many other young people — to believe in ourselves. His role was to set rules and mold character and his method was to maintain high standards while also being a person of good humor. I’ve learned that many of his former employees went on to have successful careers and happy lives and Mr. Heath once confided in me that this was among his most satisfying legacies.

Not everyone’s cup of tea — he was blunt and principled. For him you had to hard work, follow rules and maintain order. He required punctual and clean-cut employees too. I recall mostly his uncanny ability to remember names and faces (and sometimes, beach bag numbers).

He loved Monmouth Beach and was a longtime borough first aid squad volunteer, serving as captain and president. A cultured man as well, he traveled the world, drank fine wine, played bridge and even maintained and operated several antique cars. He started the MBBP Art Show in 1969. Born in a one-square-mile community (Hoboken, NJ in 1912), he died in a one-square-mile community (Monmouth Beach, NJ in 2005). He also had strong family connections: His wife, Margaret, was the town’s longest serving librarian. She died in 2011.

“In every curving beach, in every grain of sand there is the story of the earth.”
—Rachel Carson

Other MBBP managers:
There’s some mystery regarding the first MBBP manager. It was a “Mr. Piper,” former manager of The Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida, according to a May 1921 Long Branch Daily Record story. But nothing on him at all after that.

It was then the town began leasing out pavilion operations to private parties (lease-managers included Sidney West, Alfred Ennis, Richard West, and George Joline). The borough took full control in 1929; Carl Mihm was the first manager (at $45/week); an avid ice-boater and brother of Mayor Henry Mihm, he died in 1984. Eva West was the diminutive but determined MBBP manager for 20 years before her death in November 1961. Members say she was a real “no nonsense” boss.

The McConville brothers — Jim (town mayor from 1997-2005) and Pat (town police chief from 1995-2002) — were also managers. Dr. Bill George managed the pavilion in the 1990s and Amanda Stump led the MBBP staff for over a decade starting in 1995. For the past several years, Jim Cook has managed the MBBP. A former borough fire chief and grandson of Clarence Cook (a past borough commissioner and clerk), Jim previously managed a beach club in Sea Bright.

MBBP $
The first official borough beach badge system didn’t begin until Summer 1932. The new ordinance stated that badges must “be worn by those to whom they are issued. Thus codifying the rule on “no transfer-ability” — one still enforced 93 years later. A borough ordinance in 1937 had decreed “offenders were liable to fine or imprisonment.”

The first MBBP season beach badge cost $1. It wasn’t until Summer 1950 when badges climbed to $2 per season. A seasonal beach badge for residents first hit $50 in Summer 1987.

MBBP badges, 2019.

For the 2025 MBBP summer season, adult residents (age 12-64) pay $185 for a season pass (beach & pool access). Borough seniors and children pay $75. For nonresidents, a season pass is $460 for adults ($105 for beach only) and $210 for children. The daily fee to $13.

Under town management in 1929, the MBBP turned its first profit ($315). The MBBP first cleared $500,000 in gross revenues in 2004 and first topped $1million in 2011. According to borough officials, 2024 unaudited gross revenues for the MBBP were $1.8 million. From this amount, all beach expenses are covered including maintenance, salaries, equipment, DPW, police and all other related costs. Basically, the MBBP operates only on revenue generated from fees collected and the borough gains no surplus revenue from its operation.

MBBP Lifeguards
In 1928, the borough council approved the first official MBBP lifeguard, Henry White, along with a rescue boat. And White was certified, too — passing an American Red Cross senior life-saving test in August 1929. Rare in the day. The town has been blessed in the good lifeguard department ever since. There’s been lots of quality commitment to savings lives.

For the first half-century of MBBP existence, the model of a lifeguard was quite different. Those guards we mostly married, middle-age men who were already established school teachers, coaches or administrators. My early memories of lifeguards are more than respectful; they awed me a boy. Tough and serious people — in top condition, often tan as leather — they brought discipline, authority, and community presence to the job.

Later on working at the MBBP through my teens and early 20s, I benefited again. Leaning from their experience and enjoying their good humor. I even made some good friends. Members owe much to that generation of MBBP guards. It wasn’t until the 1970s when any average Jersey Shore lifeguard made more than $100/week. I salute them all and respect the tremendous hard work and dedication necessary to succeed at the shore — for about only 3 months.

This goes for all MBBP staff through the decades. They know a “day at the beach” isn’t always pleasant. Battling every element and personality imaginable, they kept things going for decades of summers — working long, hot hours for low pay. This should not be forgotten.

MBBP pool, July 2022.

MBBP Pool
The municipal swimming pool is the original — now over age 60. Opened in June 1964, the pool was built to “promote municipal growth” and honor the late President John F. Kennedy and his national physical fitness program.

The 25-meter (half Olympic-size) outdoor pool cost $42,000 to build; the original held salt water. The children’s pool was also constructed for that summer. The new pool did juice MBBP revenues that first summer — doubling to $52,000+. Still nine-foot at the deep end; three-feet at the low end, after decades of cleanings, repairs and upgrades the first pool endures.

Where’s the Beach?
During 1970s and 1980s seasons — depending on the tide — there was almost no beach at the pavilion. Summer days brought a mad dash to see who would arrive first to claim a seat on the “postage stamp” beach.

That all changed in 1994 when the nation’s biggest ever sand replenishment project began in Monmouth Beach. As part of a billion-dollar project, 7.5 million+ tons of sand were pumped ashore — the town’s beach were spectacularly restored. The US Army Corps of Engineers and Weeks Marine of Cranford Twp. managed the $19.6 million project.

The moment came thanks to the tenacious lobbying efforts of Mayor Louis Sodano, who for years championed the beach fill project. Long active in town public service, Lou served three years as a commissioner (1978-81) and 16 years as mayor (1981-97). He called the sand project his finest achievement. “We never gave up,” Lou explained. “We couldn’t. Some pavilion summers there was no beach — we had to truck in sand.”

High Tide — MBBP and little sand, 1978.

It was a tough sell, though. As late as 1962, according to a Long Branch Daily Record Report, little if any government money (federal, state or local) had ever been spent on shore protection and there were no plans to either.

After his election as mayor in 1981 and working with shore area Congressman James Howard, Lou testified many times in Trenton for the funding. One time even climbing on a table to loudly make his point. It worked. In August 1994, the mayor officially hosted Governor Christie Whitman and scores of federal, state, and local dignitaries to celebrate an enormous new beach at the MBBP. That was a gorgeous and joyful summer day. I was there with my new young son.

Current Mayor David Stickle recently lauded Sodano for the sand agreement — calling it “the best thing that ever happened to Monmouth Beach,” he said. “No mayor in the whole country got the deal that Mayor Sodano did.” (I doubt that Long Branch has this kind of sand deal; Sea Bright certainly doesn’t).

Over the past 30 years the federal government has largely kept its commitment to the borough and returns every 5 to 6 years to replenish the town’s beaches. The most recent sand replenishing in March 2024 cost borough taxpayers about $1.5 million. Money well spent.

Summer Sand Galore — MBBP beach, Memorial Day weekend 2024 (Maureen Somers Photo).

Why No Sand
“New Jersey beaches get no material from shorelines north and south of the state. It follows that state ocean beaches as an entity have no source of supply of beach-building material. In the face of surveys since 1839 indicating a net loss of beach, it must be concluded that the ocean does not supply as much material as it receives, and consequently does not qualify as a source of supply.”

—History of the New Jersey Coastline by Clarence F. Wicker, PE; 1950 (He was a tidal power expert for the US Army Corps of Engineers).

MBBP Notes:

• “Nun’s Beach” was just south of the MBBP. An order of nuns, the Filippini Sisters, owned a nearby seashore house from 1944 to 1978.

• In 1950, additional lockers were built at the pavilion making 100. More lockers were added above the facility in 1996 and still more were built for the summer of 2004.

• The first MB First Aid Squad “Turkey Shoot” at the MBBP was held in November 1959; and ran until the 1970s.

• The club’s first bulkhead was completed in 1923 and first protective stone seawall in 1924 (for $110,000). In 1931, Thomas Procter built the steel-core jetty at the pavilion (for $9,000). In 1977, a 920-foot long, 20-foot high seawall (for $666,666) was built from south of the pavilion to the Long Branch border.

Pre-MBBP — Properties along Ocean Avenue, Wolverton Atlas, 1889. The MBBP land had been owned by actor, Oliver Byron. In May 1903, his large surf-side cottage there burned to the ground.

Pour it On — Sand replenishment at MB-LB border, 1995 (Jack Flaherty Photo).

In the Neighborhood — MBBP aerial image, Summer 2022 (Dave Booth Photo).

Perfect Beach Day — MBBP, Summer 2019.

Calm After? — MBBP parking lot post-Superstorm Sandy, November 2012.