By Kathy Arlt, contributing writer @Blogfinger
Swan boats didn’t ply the waters of Wesley Lake in the years between 1869 and 1888, but rowboats, gondolas and ferries were common sights. These boats weren’t on the water just for recreation: in those days, there were no foot bridges connecting Ocean Grove to Asbury Park, and the Main Avenue gate was closed to horses and carriages on Sunday. The ferry pictured below, in 1878, cost two cents a trip.
Ferry between Ocean Grove and Asbury Park
But it’s clear that the people below are off for some recreational rowing on the lake, because it doesn’t look like Asbury Park has much to offer.
19th century rowboaters