Images
from "Spring Lake, Revisited"
(actual book size
12 1/4" x 12 1/4")
"Back In The Day," circa 1935
This is the scene at the South Pavilion looking northwest, with The Monmouth and Essex and Sussex Hotels in the background. It is a look at the beach of Spring Lake in its heyday, and the scene at the South Pavilion hasn't changed much over the years. This is one of two pavilions where people met and mingled during the hot summer months. As they toted their flashy and colored umbrellas, they probably talked about what was happening that night or the night before. The Monmouth Hotel is directly overshadowing the Pavilion and concession stands, which are the only commercial establishments on the boardwalk to this day. The New Essex and Sussex is beside it, its flag advertising the resort to the public.
"Let's Take A Walk," circa 1935
This gazebo (which can seen throughout this book) was erected at the tip of Essex Avenue, between The Monmouth and Essex and Sussex Hotels. It was another way for summer guests to be pampered by as many views of the ocean and beach as possible. It is the ghost of a bygone era. Notice there are actual windows in this “summer house.” Look at the details of the shingled sides and raised roof with its decorative, crown-like peak. This was Spring Lake's heyday—the formal dress during walks, the ubiquitous boardwalk benches and rocking chairs, the manicured grasses cut to provide unobstructed views for the guests sitting on the porches of the grand hotels. In 1900, this was the exact location of bathhouses and a photo gallery. The bathhouses were comprised of some nine structures. The gazebos that are on the beach today are located at the ends of only two streets, Newark and Washington Avenues. Also notice to the left in this picture, with its pointed pole on its roof, what would come to be known as the “Beach House” restaurant and bar.
"Delightful Distractions For Guests Of The New The Monmouth," circa 1930
This golf course was located on the corner of Ocean and Atlantic Avenues across from The New Monmouth Hotel. It was the size of three lots and neighbor to The Sandpiper Hotel. Many people who look at this image believe that the property was part of The Monmouth Hotel. If you look closely at the background, you will notice parked cars. This means that Atlantic Avenue was actually directly behind the course. Although it is not known who owned this land at the time of this photograph, it is known that when the author's grandparents, William and Rosemary Schreck, purchased The Sandpiper, the sale included these three properties.
"The Grand Stairway Inside The Monmouth Hotel," postmarked June 25, 1917
This is an interior view of The Monmouth Hotel. It shows that no extravagance was spared for its patrons. There were only a few furniture pieces in the lobby by the stairway so as to accent its meticulous craftsmanship and ornate moldings and banisters. The high columns in the main hallway echoed the outer entrance's columns, offering continuity when entering the building. This picture indicates how The Monmouth was intended to be larger than life, a building to be revered.
"The New Bridge," postmarked May 6, 1922
This is an early scene of the western footbridge near Divine Park and the Municipal Building. The predecessor of this bridge (circa 1878) was located even closer to the Municipal Building and was made of cedar wood. The bridges connected West Lake Avenue near Fourth Avenue to the western edge of Divine Park which is bordered by Passaic Avenue. The bridge was elevated in its earliest days because it needed to be high enough for the horse and plow that harvested ice to pass under.
"St. Catharine's Roman Catholic Church," circa 1910
This view is from West Lake Avenue, heading towards the Municipal Building and the two footbridges that extend over the lake. The image of St. Catharine's Roman Catholic Church, with its cathedral-type dome, is synonymous with Spring Lake's landscape. The church is located between Essex and Sussex Avenues, and faces the lake. In this picture, the trees in front of the church are older than in subsequent images. Prior to St. Catharine's construction, a Mr. Mott owned this plot of land. It was purchased by Martin Maloney, and he began construction in 1901. A newspaper article in 1902 called Martin Maloney one of Spring Lake's most prominent investors. From the late 1880s until his death in 1929, he was very active in purchasing properties for Catholic religious orders. He constructed many chapels, including those in Rock Hill and Florence, South Carolina and Rome, Georgia. He also provided money to build St. Martin's Chapel at the Seminary of St. Charles in Overbrook, Pennsylvania. During this time, anti-clerical religious legislation was very prominent in France. Catholic churches were being confiscated, and Martin Maloney used his money to purchase their deeds, thereby preventing them from being taken. For his works, Martin Maloney was named a Papal Marquis by Pope Leo Xlll and a Papal Chamberlain by Pope Pius X.
"The Maloney Estate With Woman Relaxing," postmarked August 7, 1919
This view takes us through the arch seen in the previous images and presents us with a beautiful scene of the circular pond and garden directly behind the mansion. A tour of these grounds must have been an experience to remember—you would have been led and lost at the same time! Notice the unknown woman in white sitting on the porch, either a guest or the lady of the house. The windows are open on the second floor to exhaust the heat from this hot summer day in 1919.