Town History

 

The Borough of Neptune City was incorporated on October 4, 1881. The boundaries included all of what is now Avon-by-the-Sea, the southern portion of Bradley Beach and the present land area known as "Neptune City." On March 23, 1900 a bill approved in the State Legislature created the Borough of Avon-by-the-Sea. Seven years later, on January 28, 1907, the eastern portion of Neptune City was annexed to the Borough of Bradley Beach.

 

 
TOWN HISTORY: A PICTORIAL VIEW
 
First Boro Hall

First Boro Hall - Northwest corner of Evergreen Avenue and Railroad Avenue (Memorial Drive), built in 1902. Picture also shows: new 1906 Waterous gasoline fire engine and hose cart. People shown are: In front of hose wagon: James Estell; leaning on front: S.C. "Seal" Applegate; back step: Charles Kittell; seated front of pumper: Silas Estell and his dog "Bob"; back step: John Rogers and (to his left): George Gibson. Standing in front of pumper: Timothy Kittell and his son Leon Kittell. Standing on side of pumper: unidentified fireman.


 

New Municipal Complex

New Municipal Complex, officially opened July 14, 1973. The new building included a library, firehouse, public works garage, police headquarters, courtroom, council chambers, municipal clerk's office, inspectors' offices and several conference rooms.


 

United Fire Co. #1

United Fire Co. #1. 1928 Sanford and 1937 Chevrolet. Standing by trucks: Fireman Jack Cramer.


 

New 4-Bay Firehouse

New 4-Bay Firehouse erected in 1973, located on Laurel Avenue next to the Firemen's Memorial Home.


 

1939: Neptune City First Aid Squad and Ambulance

1939: Neptune City First Aid Squad and Ambulance. Their first ambulance was a used Studebaker purchased from the Bradley Beach First Aid and Ambulance Corps. Left to right, kneeling: Alexander Smeaton, Kenneth Smith, Joseph Baldonza, John Bodine, Jr., John M. Gibson, Sr., George Howlet. Standing: Harold Lippincott, John M. Gibson, Jr., Paul Kramer, Forrest G. Cottrell, Frank Dugan Sr.; Seated in ambulance is George Mansfield, Sr.


 

1952 Police Reserves and Police Department

1952 Police Reserves and Police Department. Left to right: Councilman Thomas Bennett, Chairman of Police; Joseph Freeman; Percy Robinson; Herman Lankanaur; John Costa; Holmes A. Adams; Robert Smith; Patrolman Edward Eckert; Paul Schweighardt; Bernard Brugger; Anthony Bruno; Ensley Leming; Arthur Rhoades; Sgt. Edward Schumacher; Ptl. Darwin D. Glover; Clarence Stetter; Chris Snyder; Police Chief Forrest G. Cottrell.


 

The Oldest Home in Neptune City

The Oldest Home in Neptune City: 94 Neptune Avenue, built approximately 1775.


 

1919: Bijou Villa on Shark River

1919: Bijou Villa on Shark River

1920: Bird house on Bijou Villa property

1920: Bird house on Bijou Villa property. The bird house was an exact replica of the main house.


 

Hotel Van-Dyke

Hotel Van-Dyke - The hotel Van-Dyke (formerly the Hotel Newport), situated on the shore of Shark River on the property that is now Windsor Terrace. The hotel consisted of the main hotel and several smaller buildings and had accommodations for 200guests, with 585 feet of boardwalk on the river side of the hotel. Open June through October each year, before being destroyed by fire a few years after the turn of the century.

 

 

A detailed history of the Borough can be found in the book "The Borough of Neptune City a Centennial History" written by Richard F. Cottrell. It is available in the Library.

 

NEPTUNE CITY TODAY
Population 2000 Census 5,218
Estimated 2005 Census 5,242
Population by Age
    Preschool

5.8%

    Working Age

60.5%

    School Age 17.3%
    Seniors 16.4%
Housing Units 2,298
Persons Per Household 2.3
Per Capita Income (1999)

$22,191

Median Household Income (1999) $43,451
Area .90 Sq. Mile

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