By Paul Goldfinger, MD. Editor @Blogfinger (Re-posted from May, 2013 on BF–Part 2 to follow)
The year is 1890. Ocean Grove is 21 years old, and the Rev. Elwood Stokes has a public health concern–how to deal with sewage so as to avoid infectious diseases in the campground. He writes about the subject in his annual reports, and that year he decides that their primitive sewer pipe system, where the mess is pumped into the ocean, needs to be improved. So he extends the pipeline out about 500 feet from shore and he builds a wooden pier opposite Embury Avenue to provide protection for the pipe.
A few years later, a better sewer system is devised, and the pier becomes a fishing pier with the Fishing Club receiving a multi-year lease and taking up 97 feet at the end. The 500 foot pier is destined to become a historic landmark in a historic Jersey Shore town.
Some years after that, when the North End is developed into a major recreational compound, a second pier, attached to the North End Hotel Pavilion, is built to attract strollers, fishermen and boats. Eventually it gets wiped out in a huge hurricane in 1938. During that viscious storm, the south end of Ocean Grove winds up underwater after 5 days of heavy rain. The Embury Avenue pier is also badly damaged.
Big storms knock out the pier and boardwalk on multiple occasions over the years including 1922, 1927, 1938, 1953, and a huge nor’easter in December 1992. The latter storm causes the Delaware River to back up and 4 counties along the shore to be clobbered. There are 90 mph winds in Atlantic City.
My old friend Nick Maat, a member of the Fishing Club, from 14 Heck Avenue, witnesses the pier clubhouse being carried away by a massive wave while he stands on Ocean Avenue soaking wet and jaw agape. The Asbury Park Press interviews him, and Nick gets his 15 minutes of fame. The pier is lost except for a small piece at the end where Ralph, the dummy fisherman, sits all by himself. (If he only had a brain.)
A book is written about the pier, Ralph, and the storm of 1992 by Carol Egner of Ocean Grove. It is called The True Story of Ralph–the Ocean Grove Fisherman.
In 1994, the pier is rebuilt, financed by a $144,000.00 small business loan obtained by the Fishing Club.
In 2000, a beach replenishment project causes the fishing pier to be landlocked after the water’s edge was moved eastward by 100 feet. The pier is 338 feet at that point, and a construction project adds another 144 feet to get the pier to its original 500 feet and over the water once again. The $150,000 project is financed by Monmouth County, the State, the OGCMA, the Fishing Club, and Neptune Township.
In August, 2011, Hurricane Irene causes damage to the pier. Some emergency repairs are done, but the pier is unsafe at its far end. The CMA fixes a few damaged parts of the boardwalk. FEMA declines to pay for repairs.
Then Sandy hits on October 29, 2012 and causes considerable destruction including the demolition of most of the pier. The clubhouse is swept out to sea in addition to all but a short section of the pier still attached to the boardwalk.
Finally, now, in 2013, a 165 foot piece of the pier will be repaired by the COGMA to allow the public to walk out a short distance—-over the sand. Engineers say that it is safe.
The OGCMA promises to rebuild the “non-fishing pier ” in its entirety, but that will come in the future. Mr. William Bailey of the CMA says that the small initial section will give people hope regarding the rest of the project. However, in a detailed press release dated April 30, the CMA did not mention the pier.
The OG Fishing Club has a long lease, but its future has been put on hold for now. The old-boys club (with a few old -girls) is missing its hangout. What’s to be done? Maybe they should have their meetings at Old Navy.
One thing is clear: Both the pier and the club are woven into the fabric of Ocean Grove history, and respect must be paid.
In Part II, we will discuss the situation with officials of the fishing club and the Camp Meeting Association.
NITTY GRITTY DIRT BAND: Fishin’ in the Dark (something to look forward to)
David. You are like a birthday present. We appreciate your well informed and researched insights. There have been few Grovers who have helped us with our posts about OG history, and the most memorable was Ted Bell.
As mentioned, the “fishing pier” was erected to protect the sewer pipe from boats. Raw sewage was let out into the ocean several times during the season at low tide in the middle of the night. Eventually, NJ required a septic tank that also drained into the ocean. The Embury “flagpole” visible on the postcard was actually a hollow pipe that served as a vent for the sewer system. A small additional mast was attached to its side to hold the flag.
2020 Time to revisit OG history—the Fishing Pier
Great history of the pier and much appreciated. It is clear that the pier has been changed throughout its history and should continue to do so. If it is to be rebuilt, which I am sure we all hope it is,then my opinion is that it should be built for the needs and desires that meet today’s requirements and the vision of the foreseeable future (which may change the ‘historical footprint’) therefore not tied to what it was when it was destroyed.
I too find it unfortunate that the vast majority of residents and visitors could not enjoy walking to the end of the peer. Unless of course they wanted to pay $150.00. It is a very visible marquee site that excludes most of us and frankly to me almost seems to stick out like a sore thumb symbolizing a ‘good ole boys club’ and an exclusionary past.
Plus if the there is money to be raised to rebuild – then it should be raised only by those who will join the Club. I do like the idea above to somehow allow access to non-club members by some compromise. Just my thoughts from a full-time resident.
Marc
I think the original footprint of a historic structure must be left with its original dimensions.—Paul @Blogfinger
Maybe they could compromise, extend the pier, but build it wider along the way for the fishing club building at one side, but not at the end of the pier.
Dreamer, I agree with everything you say and the spirit in which you are saying it. Coincidentally my son, age 32, went on Tuesdays also.
A private club which pays $1.00 a year for prime real estate in exchange for a Tuesday morning of untangling kids’ lines just doesn’t balance out.
Hi Wish I have participated in teaching the childrens program. Am I to understand because YOU didn’t see any kids being taught means it never happened?
The fishing pier is a part of history, and many many towns have private fishing piers. If you want to walk beyond the gates,pay your dues.
The clubhouse also has many uses besides club meetings: it is a place to keep gear and bait and,a place to keep warm during cold weather fishing—you see fishing isn’t just a summer event.
My son, also now in his thirties, also went to the pier as a little kid on the Tuesday mornings that we were in Ocean Grove. The men of the Fishing Club…(and let’s face it…it was a Men’s Club) were very kind and I believe he would even come home with a piece of candy. It was a fun time but I then had to explain why that was the only time he could venture beyond the locked gates.
My guess is there are lots of kids out out there now that would love to fish off the end of the pier- any time,any day, And parents who would love to be able to walk out there with them. And old folks, and young lovers, and people who just want to look out and enjoy nature without the padlocks.
My son, now in his thirties, went to the pier every Tuesday at 7am to fish. The men taught the kids fishing rules and manners, types of fish and tackle. They were extremely patient with the kids. Very pleasant experience for the kids. I am sure that they had 500 kids out there. I think my son won the award for the largest fish of the season, a keeper at 1lb. Now if they had just cleaned it.
Jan:
I never saw one child being taught anything, let alone 500. Not one. And I am a keen observer-resident. I respect the Fishing Club, and the history and traditions it promotes. But why does the Fishing Club need a clubhouse and private pier that excludes all others past a point in the pier?
Is your point that the Fishing Club — by definition — means it must have exclusive access to the end of the property of the pier to maintain its history and value? Defend that. With all respect, and I mean that. Why are property rights and tradition not without any separation, given the needs of the public to free access? That is a very respectful question, and I respectfully would like and answer.
I miss the surfing beach that was to the south of the pier some years ago. It was always fun to look down, even in the dead of winter and see surfers in black riding the waves!
Wisher: It’s not hard to understand; matter of fact members pay $150.00 to join the club that also maintains the area and teaches over 500 children a year how to fish and respect the ocean.
Not hard at all to understand. Every fishing club along the state is the same.
The fishing club is great. But understanding why a few people need a private club with a locked gate in such a public place is head-scratching. The public loves the pier, and so much joy would come to many people just from the ability to walk the full length of it, without being stopped with a private property warning.
I used to walk out on the pier every night around five, all through summer, and rarely saw anyone fishing or in the clubhouse. All that space for a few people to fish a couple times a week, at most. Very hard to understand.
Love article about Fishing Pier.
Paul, Your part one article was wonderful! Thank you for bringing the the information forward.
We hope to interview the fishing club leadership.
If I understand right the fishing club is willing to rebuild at there cost and the C.M. still refuses to work with them.What’s the story?