From the Blogfinger archives. Date unknown.
Paul,
After reading your blog and the story in the Asbury Park Press, I found a story in The NY Times archives that there was a time when folks had a desire to go beyond the “tent city” moniker .
The attached shows the winds of change were blowing strong in 1911 when OGCMA seemingly changed its focus and decided to compete with Asbury Park for tourism with both municipalities lighting up Wesley Lake and joining in a July 4 program at what was known then as the Auditorium.
Best Regards
George (Beecroft) of Ocean Grove
JACK ALBIN AND THE HOTEL PENNSYLVANIA BAND c. 1910
ENRICO CARUSO WITH CAST OF “Samson and Delilah” (see the first comment below) Camille St-Saens wrote this opera music, and then, after he actually read the story, he pulled all his own hair out.
David. Thank you for that insight. I was so busy trying to figure that 1911 article that I missed the obvious comparison to today. As for that current North End project, we don’t know all the details, and now the plans may have to be changed re: Sandy.
—Paul
It seems that the stalled North End Project is history repeating itself. My guess is the CMA was hardly losing the grip on their mission, but instead looking to expand it through greater resources. I believe that trying to stay on solid financial footing is wise. While I don’t agree with all aspects of the new plans I certainly respect the need to adapt to the times.
Thanks for some historic perspective!
If you read this article closely, you have to conclude that this reporter must be making some of this up. He says that Ocean Grove had a moment in time (1911) when it was losing its religious moorings while aspiring to be secular Asbury Park. He actually indicated that OG was failing as a religious retreat.
But history does not bear out this narrative. Even though there were some games, movies and a hotel at the north end, and even though there were some shops at the south end, and lights along the Lake, there is no evidence that the CMA was losing its grip on its religious mission. And if it were, certainly that movement didn’t work out because in 2014, the CMA remains focused in its goals.
If any of you historians out there want to help review this NY Times article, please do so. Surely somebody from the Historical Society of Ocean Grove might want to clear this up. It’s an important piece of history if true.
Rich: Thanks for the historical fantasy dialogue, but there is no evidence of a mosquito problem at Wesley Lake, much less a man-made mosquito problem and/or a health problem. You probably know that mosquitoes hatch larvae in standing water, and lakes are not usually known as places where mosquitoes breed, although it can certainly happen if there are some stagnant areas around the periphery or amongst dense vegetation. Mosquitoes prefer small areas of still water such as the lid of a garbage pail or a child’s toy laying around. Everyone needs to check their properties for hidden areas of stagnant water.
How bout’ this from a young lad to Mr. Stokes standing on the walk bridge overlooking Wesley Lake……………….. :
Lad: Hey Mr. Stokes! Is it true, are those folks in the 21st Century trying to grow their own mosquitoes?
Stokes: Sure looks like it son. Seems like we went to all that trouble for naught. What do you say we go over to that new ice cream parlor over on Pitman and get us a couple sundaes and let the Almighty deal with them folks in the future.
Lad: Good idea Mr. Stokes!
Can you imagine what the town fathers would think of the lake now?
According to Ted Bell in his book Images of America: Ocean Grove, he says, “Taliesen Morgan was able to bring to the Great Auditorium the newest and best musical talents of the 1910-1920 period. Performing at Ocean Grove was considered by many a necessary step to national recognition.While Enrico Caruso (below c. 1910) did not need such a step, his performance filled the Great Auditorium.”
Photo from Ted Bell’s book Images of America—-Ocean Grove.
http://blogfinger.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/img445.jpg?w=473