By Kathy Arlt, contributing writer @Blogfinger
Here, in all its glory, is the Osborn House, most likely after William Jimeson moved the building to its location at the corner of Pitman and Central Avenues.
Imagine running a hotel this size, with a restaurant that served three meals a day AND a general store. It’s no wonder that William Jimeson was “prostrated from over-work” halfway through the 1875 summer season. So perhaps Mr. Jimeson had a change of heart before the 1876 season began and didn’t re-open the Osborn House—or perhaps it had developed such a loyal clientele during its first year of operation that it didn’t need to advertise—because the Ocean Grove Record doesn’t show a listing for the hotel again until 1882.
Notice the subtle name change from Osborn to Osborne? This wasn’t an attempt to artificially age the name, like changing “old” to “olde” or “shop” to “shoppe.” The 1875 Osborn House was named for William Osborn, one of the founders of Ocean Grove; the 1882 Osborne House was named for John A. Osborne, who may have owned it at some point between 1875 and 1882. (John Osborne, it’s worth noting, provided the money for the Great Auditorium’s cornerstone.)
Over the years, the hotel’s owners and proprietors changed many times. In 1883, for example, Charles Hornor was out, and the new proprietor was J.H. Goodwin. Yet it remained a hotel well into the 20th century.
But 20th century guests began demanding 20th century accommodations, like en suite bathrooms, closets and air conditioning. So the Osborne House went the way of so many other grand hotels in Ocean Grove, and the corner of Pitman and Central is now the site of the Allenhurst apartments.
I am related and I believe so were both Osborn(e)s . Names changed with the writers and education level, as well as the times.
If there is still an Osborne house Ocean Grove in 2019 please tell me about that one?
Wow, this was great. Clarification from your previous article. I always assumed the Osborne house was named after Wm Osborn, never noticed the “e”. It is great that the Historical Society has all the early issues of the Ocean Grove Times on computer. Thank you for taking the time to research all the details.
I’ve wondered that myself, Anonymous, because the window positions look the same. I’m guessing, though, that since the hotel extended from Pitman to Olin and the Allenhurst doesn’t, the hotel was torn down. I could be wrong however, so if anyone out there knows for sure, please chime in.
Kathy,
Are the existing Allenhurst apartment buildings built on top of the former Osborn House structure or was the Osborn House torn down? Just curious 🙂