Asbury Park, New Jersey
Coordinates: 40°13′8″N 74°00′44.6″W / 40.21889°N 74.012389°W / 40.21889; -74.012389Asbury Park is a city in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States, on the Jersey Shore and part of the New York City Metropolitan Area. As of the 2000 United States Census, the city population was 16,930. Asbury Park was originally incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 26, 1874, from portions of Ocean Township. The borough was reincorporated on February 28, 1893. Asbury Park was incorporated as a city, its current type of government, as of March 25, 1897.The city is known for its musical history and unique nature. It was ranked the sixth best beach in New Jersey in the 2008 Top 10 Beaches Contest sponsored by the New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium.
Early years
A seaside community, Asbury Park is located on New Jersey's central coast. Developed in 1871 as a residential resort by New York brush manufacturer James A. Bradley, the city was named for Francis Asbury, the first American bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States.Bradley was active in the development of much of the city's infrastructure, and despite his preference for gas light, he allowed the Atlantic Coast Electric Company (precursor to today's Jersey Central Power & Light Co.) to offer electric service. Along the waterfront Bradley installed a boardwalk, an orchestra pavilion, public changing rooms and a pier at the south end of the boardwalk. Such success attracted other businessmen. In 1888 Ernest Schnitzler built the Palace Merry-Go-Round on the southwest corner of Lake Avenue and Kingsley Street, the cornerstone of what would become the Palace Amusements complex; other attractions followed. During these early decades in Asbury Park, a number of grand hotels were built, including the Plaza Hotel.Uriah White, an Asbury Park pioneer, installed the first artesian well water system. More than 600,000 people a year vacationed in Asbury during the summer season in the early years, riding the New York and Long Branch Railroad from New York City and from Philadelphia to enjoy the mile-and-a-quarter stretch of oceanfront Asbury.The country by the sea destination experienced several key periods of popularity. The first notable era was the 1890s, marked by a housing growth, examples of which can still be found today in a full range of Victorian architecture. Coinciding with the nationwide trend in retail shopping, Asbury Park's downtown flourished during this period and well into the next century.
1920s and modern development
The 1920s saw a dramatic change in the boardwalk with the construction of the Paramount Theatre and Convention Hall complex, the Casino Arena and Carousel House, and two handsome red-brick pavilions. Noted Beaux Arts architect Warren Whitney of New York was the designer. He had also been hired to design the imposing Berkeley-Carteret Hotel positioned diagonally across from the theater and hall. At the same time, Asbury Park launched a first-class education and athletic program with the construction of a state-of-the-art high school overlooking Deal Lake.Neither the Great Depression nor World War II was kind to Asbury Park. On September 8, 1934, the wreck of the cruise ship SS Morro Castle, which caught on fire and burned, beached itself near the city just yards away from the Asbury Park Convention Hall. In 1943, the New York Yankees held their Spring Training in Asbury Park. This was because rail transport had to be conserved during the war, and Major League Baseball's Spring Training was limited to an area east of the Mississippi River and north of the Ohio River.In the decades that followed the war, surrounding farm communities gave way to tracts of suburban houses, encouraging the city's middle-class blacks as well as whites to move into newer houses with spacious yards. With the opening of the Garden State Parkway, Asbury Park saw the travel market change as fewer vacationers took trains to the seashore. After the Monmouth Mall opened 10 miles away in Eatontown in 1960, Asbury Park's downtown became less of an attraction to shoppers. Office parks built outside the city resulted in the relocation of lawyers, accountants, doctors, dentists, and other professionals. The opening of Six Flags Great Adventure, a combination theme park and drive-through safari located on a lake in Jackson Township - and close to a New Jersey Turnpike exit - proved to be stiff competition for a mile-long stretch of aging boardwalk amusements. Although it was placed on the National Registers of Historic Places, in 1988 Palace Amusements was closed, and was demolished in 2004 despite attempts to save it. The complex had featured the famous face of Tillie, a symbol of the Jersey Shore. In 1990, the famous carousel at the Casino Pier was sold to Family Kingdom Amusement Park in Myrtle Beach, SC, where it continues to operate. The city's changing fortunes, together with municipal mismanagement, led to civic unrest. On July 4, 1970 riots resulted in the destruction of aging buildings along Springwood Avenue, one of three main east-west corridors into Asbury Park and the central shopping and entertainment district for those living in the city's southwest quadrant. In 2007 many of those city blocks have yet to be redeveloped.
21st century
From 2002 onward, the rest of Asbury Park has been in the midst of a cultural, political, and economic revival, led by a burgeoning industry of local and national artists. Its dilapidated downtown district is undergoing revitalization while most of the nearly empty blocks that overlook the beach and boardwalk are slated for massive reconstruction. In 2005, the Casino's walkway reopened, as did many of the boardwalk pavilions.The year 2007 proved to be an important one, full of milestones for the redevelopment of Asbury Park. The eastern portion of the Casino building was demolished. There are plans to rebuild this portion to look much like the original; however, the interior will be dramatically different and may include a public market (as opposed to previously being an arena and skating rink). There has also been more of a resurgence of the downtown as well as the boardwalk, with the grand reopening of the historic Steinbach department store building, as well as the rehabilitation of Convention Hall and the Fifth Avenue Pavilion (previously home to one of the last remaining Howard Johnson restaurants). The year 2007 has also seen the purchase of the historic Berkeley-Carteret Hotel, which is to be restored to four-star resort status; the first residents moving into the newly constructed condominiums known as North Beach, the rehabilitation of Ocean Avenue, and the opening of name brand businesses such as AAMCO Transmissions on Asbury Ave. Asbury Park looks to regain its reputation as the cultural and amusement capital of the Jersey Shore.
Local government
The City of Asbury Park is governed under the 1923 Municipal Manager Law form of New Jersey municipal government. The government consists of a five-member City Council, with all positions elected at large in nonpartisan elections, to serve four-year terms of office on a concurrent basis. After each election, the council selects a mayor and deputy mayor from among its members.The Asbury Park City Council consists of Mayor Ed Johnson, Deputy Mayor John Loffredo, Kevin Sanders, James Bruno, and Susan Henderson.
Federal, state, and county representation
Asbury Park is in the 6th Congressional district. New Jersey's Sixth Congressional District is represented by Frank Pallone (D, Long Branch). New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Bob Menendez (D, Hoboken).Asbury Park is in the 11th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature, which is represented in the New Jersey Senate by Sean T. Kean (R, Wall Township) and in the New Jersey General Assembly by Mary Pat Angelini (R, Ocean Township) and Dave Rible (R, Wall Township).Monmouth County is governed by a five-member Board of Chosen Freeholders. As of 2010[update], Monmouth County's Freeholders are Freeholder Director Lillian G. Burry (R, Colts Neck), Freeholder Deputy Director Robert D. Clifton (R, Matawan), John D'Amico, Jr. (D, Oceanport), Amy A. Mallet (D, Fair Haven) and John P. Curley (R, Middletown).
Music and culture
Asbury Park is considered a destination for musicians, particularly a subgenre of rock and roll known as the Jersey Shore sound, which is infused with R&B. It is home to The Stone Pony, founded in 1974, a starting point for many performers. The Asbury Lanes, the Saint , and the Wonder Bar are smaller venues that continue the tradition of offering original, live music to the jersey shore. Asbury Park Convention Hall holds larger events.In 1973 Bruce Springsteen released his debut album Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J.. On his follow-up album, The Wild, the Innocent and the E Street Shuffle, one of the songs is entitled '4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)'. Several books chronicle the early years of Springsteen's career in Asbury Park. Daniel Wolff's 4 July Asbury Park examines the social, political and cultural history of the city with a special emphasis on the part that music played in the city's development, culminating in Springsteen. Beyond the Palace by Gary Wien is a comprehensive look at the local music scene that Springsteen emerged from, and includes many photographs of musicians and clubs. Against the backdrop of the fading resort, Alex Austin's novel The Red Album of Asbury Park tracks a young rock musician pursuing his dream in the late 60s/early 70s, with Springsteen as a potent but as yet unknown rival.In 2004, Asbury Park based musician Colie Brice (formerly of Phantom's Opera, Gemini, Brian Saint and the Sinners, Geena and Dragster, Luna Muse, the New Age Blues Experience, and currently with Captain James and the Pain) launched an Asbury Park-based label called AERIA Records, which was distributed by Universal Music Group. Over the past several years AERIA has released albums by local artists such as Brian Amsterdam, St. Christopher, Agency, Juggling Suns, Colie Brice, Rick Barry, Brian Saint and the Sinners, James 'JPAT' Dalton, The Hesh Inc., Boston indie rock pioneer Joe Harvard, Neptune native Metamorphosis Greg Wilkens, Last Perfect Thing, and Lost In Society featuring Richie Sambora's (BON JOVI) God Son Zack Moyle on guitar and vocals. On July 4, 2009 AERIA Records released an iPhone application featuring free mp3s, videos, photos, and event information pertaining to its catalog featuring original music by local artists.In 2005, the New Jersey Music Hall of Fame was founded in Asbury Park. There are plans to build a museum somewhere in the city as part of the redevelopment.
Nightlife
Asbury Park's nightlife includes The Stone Pony, a bar frequented by Bruce Springsteen as well as Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes. On Main Street is The Saint (formerly the Clover Club), a small club that showcases local acts as well as established performers. Across town, on Fourth Avenue, is Asbury Lanes, a functioning vintage bowling alley and bar with live performances ranging from musical acts, burlesque, hot rod, and art shows. Nearby is the Baronet, a vintage movie theater which dates back to Buster Keaton.(The Baronet's roof recently caved in and the building was demolished) A number of new restaurants, lounges and bars have opened up city wide: Tim Mcloone's Supper Club, which features live entertainment, Langosta Lounge, The Annex, Stella Marina, the Watermark Lounge, Chico's House of Jazz, the Bond Street Bar, and Johnny Mac's House of Spirits.Popular with numerous Asbury Park residents and visitors is the monthly First Saturday event. On the first Saturday of every month, Asbury Park's downtown art galleries, home design studios, restaurants, antique shops, and clothing boutiques remain open throughout the evening, serving hors d’œuvres and offering entertainment, to showcase the city's residential and commercial resurgence.
Urban Enterprise Zone
Portions of Asbury Park are part of an Urban Enterprise Zone . In addition to other benefits to encourage employment within the Zone, shoppers can take advantage of a reduced 3½% sales tax rate (versus the 7% rate charged statewide).
Hotels
There were at one time many hotels along the beachfront. Many were demolished after years of sitting vacant, although the Sixth Avenue House Bed & Breakfast Hotel (formerly Berea Manor) was recently restored after being abandoned in the 1970s. Hotels like the Berkeley and Oceanic Inn have operated concurrently for decades, while the Empress Hotel and Hotel Tides were recently restored and reopened.Currently open:Berkeley Hotel (formerly the Berkeley-Carteret Oceanfront Hotel)
Sixth Avenue House Bed & Breakfast Hotel
The Empress Hotel
Oceanic Inn
Hotel Tides
Demolished:The Metropolitan Hotel 2009
Education
Asbury Park's public schools are operated by Asbury Park Public Schools. The district is one of 31 Abbott Districts statewide. Schools in the district (with 2005-06 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics are Barack Obama Elementary School (formerly Bangs Avenue Elementary School (523 students), Bradley Elementary School (401) and Thurgood Marshall Elementary School (518) for grades K-5; Asbury Park Middle School (601) and Asbury Park Alternative Middle School for grades 6-8; and Asbury Park High School (620) for grades 9-12.In February 2007, the offices of the Asbury Park Board of Education were raided by investigators from the State Attorney General's office, prompted by allegations of corruption and misuse of funds.Students may also attend Academy Charter High School, located in Lake Como, which serves residents of Allenhurst, Asbury Park, Avon-by-the-Sea, Belmar, Bradley Beach, Deal, Interlaken and Lake Como, and accepts students on a lottery basis.
Geography
Asbury Park is located at 40°13′21″N 74°00′44″W / 40.222399°N 74.012098°W / 40.222399; -74.012098 (40.222399, -74.012098).According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.6 square miles (4.1 km2), of which 1.3 square miles (3.7 km2) of it is land and 0.3 square miles (0.4 km2) of it (10.62%) is water.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 16,930 people, 6,754 households, and 3,586 families residing in the city. The population density was 14,290.0/mi2 (5,629.4/km2) making it Monmouth County's most densely populated municipality. There were 7,744 housing units at an average density of 2,090.9/km2 (5,416.7/mi2). The racial makeup of the city was 15.77% White, 67.11% Black, 0.32% Native American, 0.70% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 6.49% from other races, and 5.53% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 18.58% of the population.There were 6,754 households out of which 31.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 20.2% were married couples living together, 26.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.9% were non-families. 39.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.36.In the city the population was spread out with 30.1% under the age of 18, 10.6% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 18.3% from 45 to 64, and 11.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 88.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.2 males.The median income for a household in the city was $23,081, and the median income for a family was $26,370. Males had a median income of $27,081 versus $24,666 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,516. About 29.3% of families and 40.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 46.5% of those under age 18 and 37.1% of those age 65 or ver.
Crime
Asbury Park has been afflicted with a high crime rate for several years. Drug and gang violence have been a persistent problem within the city, and by 2004 Asbury Park was ranked as one of the most dangerous cities in New Jersey. In recent years, however, Asbury Park has seen a dramatic decrease in crime due to proactive policing as well as gang task force operations at the county and state levels. 'The streets have become remarkably quiet, something former Monmouth County Prosecutor Luis Valentin attributes to aggressive policing.'
Notable residents
Notable current and former residents of Asbury Park include:Bud Abbott(1895–1974), straight man for comedy teamAbbott and Costello, born in Asbury Park.
Stewart H. Appleby(1890–1964), representedNew Jersey's 3rd congressional districtfrom 1925–1927.
T. Frank Appleby(1864–1924), representedNew Jersey's 3rd congressional districtin theUnited States House of Representativesfrom 1921 to 1923, and was mayor of Asbury Park from 1908 to 1912.
Nicole Atkins(born 1978), singer-songwriter onColumbia Records.
Rick Barry(born 1975), singer-songwriter onAERIA Records, NEAR Records.
Frederick Bayer(1921–2007),emerituscuratorof theSmithsonian Institution'sNational Museum of Natural Historyandmarine biologist.
Scott 'Bam Bam' Bigelow(1961–2007), professional wrestler.
Marie Castello(1915–2008), longtime boardwalkfortunetellerknown asMadam Marie.
Edna Woolman Chase(1877–1957) editor in chief ofVoguemagazine from 1914–1952.
Stephen Crane(1871–1900), author of 'The Red Badge of Courage'.
Danny DeVito(born 1944), actor, born in nearbyNeptune, NJ, grew up in Asbury Park.
Leon Hess, (1914–1999) oil magnate and founder of theHess Corporation, began his business in the city.
Lou Liberatore, (born 1959), actor, has a second home in Asbury Park.
Robert Melee(born 1966), artist.
Arthur Pryor(1870–1942), bandleader.
David Sancious(born 1953), early member of theE Street Band.
Thomas S. Smith(1917–2002), former mayor of Asbury Park who served in theNew Jersey General Assembly.
Margaret Widdemer(1884–1976)Pulitzer Prize-winning poet
Wendy Williams(born 1964),Talk Show HostandNew York TimesbestsellingAuthor, born in Asbury Park.
Arthur Augustus Zimmerman(1869–1936), the first world cycling champion, grew up here and owned a hotel after retiring from racing.
