The Arlington House Hotel in Ocean Grove, NJ. From the Woolman and Rose Atlas of the New Jersey Coast. 1878. Click to enlarge.
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor Blogfinger.net
This hotel was formerly known as the Pitman House. It was the largest hotel in Ocean Grove as it sat on an entire block. The address is not given, but perhaps it is Pitman Avenue. It had an open view of the ocean and a beautiful park to the west.
This engraving depicts the hotel in 1877 after it had been enlarged due to increased demand. Gas and water had been introduced. The gardens in the neighborhood provided the house daily with fresh fruits and vegetables, and the farms excellent milk, chickens, fresh eggs and butter.
The proprietor, Mr. Charles E Howland, was determined to provide his guests with “a bounteous table of the best food, well cooked, and invitingly served.”
The write-up in the Atlas mentions the “bathing” in Ocean Grove as being “excellent due to the absence of undertow.” They also mention the absence of mosquitoes eliminating fear of malaria.
Nonstop trains to OG “run from New York and Philadelphia, and boats arrive by way of Sandy Hook. Tickets sold and baggage checked to all points from the office of the hotel.”
This scan was obtained from a hand-colored engraving from the Woolman and Rose Atlas of the New Jersey Coast dated 1878.
The news clip below from the 1910 Ocean Grove Times was sent by Grover Carol Livingstone. It gives the address for the Arlington as “Auditorium Square.” You can see the Arlington ad better if you click on the image below:
FROM PAL JOEY: Jerry Orbach. Score by Rodgers and Hart.
I was told by an old timer 30 years ago that the Arlington House was located where the Arlington Court apartments are now located. He remembered the old hotel. To add credence, the newspaper advertisement shows the location as Auditorium Square. Dr. Carol is correct..
I thought it was east of Auditorium Park where the Arlington Apartments now stand. That would mean the building across the street to the south is Days.
What a beautiful scene! Perhaps to restore the aura of Victorian days, we should trade in our cars for horses. At least, it will solve one Ocean Grove problem.