Postcard. Gates were opened permanently in 1980.
This sign hangs in the Historical Society museum on Pitman Ave. Blogfinger photo.
A ruling by the NJ Supreme Court in 1979 declared this and other blue laws to be unconstitutional as administered by the Camp Meeting Association. The official governance turnover to Neptune Township took place in 1980 after the US Supreme Court refused to hear the case.
As you can see, the “gates” were not actually gates. There was a chain. The police officer was an Ocean Grove policeman. Now you can even get a bus in OG on Sunday into New York City.
HARRY NILSSON:
Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger. (this post is from 2014, but history is always timely, and the comments with this post are very stimulating.) If you have any comments now, please send them by email or by using the comments button below.
In the earliest days, OG had a plank wall along Main Street that was 7 feet high. This was replaced with a fence of “cedar posts and gas pipes.” There was a heavy wooden gate until 1890 when an iron one was installed. The current gates on Main Ave. date from 1916.
An early scam by taxi drivers was to inform late arriving train passengers that they would have to stay in AP as the gates to OG were closed. This was not the case except for Saturday night and it was suspected that a hotel put the drivers up to this.
The famous no parking on Sundays rule began in August 1914 at the behest of the local police chief. An exception was made for those of physicians.
I enjoyed Ocean Grove of the early 70’s. It was like no other town. I met my Jewish boyfriend there in 1975. Brian lived in a hotel owned by Chinese family on Embury Ave. Curmudgeon is a little off there.
I have not read the decision, but I think that closure of public roads is a different kind of blue law than those governing private transactions such as selling alcohol or limiting shopping. The observations about peace and quiet in these posts may well be true and sincere, and if it were up to me there would be nothing but peace and quiet around here. But it is not the point. OG was a theocracy, and that is inconsistent with our laws as a secular, democratic republic. And I would like to remind the old-time Ocean Grovers that their peace and quiet was accompanied by racial and religious discrimination on the part of the OGCMA.
One of the inequities of Sunday closings of businesses is that the competition for Christian shops which might be owned by Buddhists, Hindus, Jews, etc. would also have to close, thus protecting the Christian businesses, but when it was someone’s sabbath on a day other than Sunday, there was no protection for them when their businesses were closed.
I lived in Arlington, Texas for a ‘spell’, right between Dallas and Ft. Worth. There were Sunday Blue Laws in effect back then. Very strange ones actually. Because of the bans, shopping malls and most stores were closed. Sale of paper products was banned, with the exception of newspapers for some reason. Styrofoam yes, paper cups, no. Alcohol, which was sold in 7-11’s believe it or not, couldn’t be sold 12 AM – 12 PM. Beer yes after noon, anything else, not on Sundays! Glass sales were banned as well. Anything made of glass from bottles to windows! Unless your beverage came in metal cans (soda) or plastic (milk) you were just out of luck. Eventually they allowed milk, disposable diapers and toilet paper before repealing most of the laws entirely in the late 80’s.
Well said, Gail
I grew up in Ocean Grove back in the 50’s——-as a matter of fact, that is my Dad’s picture on the postcard you have posted. He was a patrolman during that time and in the 60’s made Chief..
I have vivid memories of the Grove with the Blue Laws… Some rather funny, at least in my home but more than anything thing I remember how quiet and peaceful those days were……….
I remember the sense of decorum people exhibited, the manners that were displayed, the thoughtfulness and kindness of neighbors towards one another. It still exists in town today but to a much lesser extent…..
I find a lot of people down right rude. I know that can happen anywhere but back in the “earlier” days you very rarely found that.
It’s my belief that the Blue laws helped keep things in check…..Today, not so much…
Re: Blue laws were originally instituted by towns or counties to enforce religious restrictions, such as selling alcohol on Sunday. In Ocean Grove, until 1980, the CMA wrote the blue laws which included Sunday gate closures, closed beach on Sunday, and no alcohol sold in OG—- which were all enforced by OG police.
But after Neptune took over, some blue laws were left in place such as no alcohol sold in Ocean Grove (even though it was OK in Neptune otherwise) and, in a compromise, no beach until 12:30 pm (instead of all day) on Sunday.
But if a blue law is kept intact, as in Paramus, for secular reasons (only essentials such as food and gas can be sold there on Sunday) then the Supreme Court has ruled such blues laws as being Constitutional. (There is a current movement to dump the blue laws in Paramus.)
In reviewing Neptune’s ordinances, I can find none that specifically bans alcohol in Ocean Grove (except for Neptune- wide no alcohol sales from 2 am to 10 am on Sunday.)
I also could not find an ordinance regarding the Sunday morning beach ban. It looks like those two blue laws in OG are based on respect not law, although these remaining blue laws might fall under some private property rights.
Any lawyers want to comment?
Here is a link to our 2011 article about opening the gates.
http://blogfinger.net/2011/03/27/unchained-memories-opening-the-gates-in-ocean-grove/
I contacted the CMA about the noise issue and was told to contact Neptune Township. I will probably print out a copy for one neighbor who is blissfully unaware of most things in life, including how close our houses are and how thin most walls are. (Currently, the entire block is learning about how potty training is going for his 3 yo). The other neighbor, however, believes she is above the rest of us, as she’s a year round resident.
Doubtful : Good point. Perhaps Neptune would allow use of their municipal & school parking lots (which are closed on Sundays, so empty anyway). Then folks could be bused in & out of the Grove just outside the gate. One can dream can’t one ??
Ted Aanensen : Thank you for sharing your thoughtful & special memory. Guess what I mean is that for one day a year although we can’t re-create we can try to create fresh new memories for current generation of Grovers to carry forward.
@Frank S. – re: your suggestion to move all cars out once a year– I honestly don’t think there would be anywhere to park all those cars!
Sue might be right. It may not be in Neptune Township Ordinances. However it might well be in OGCMA rules & regulations which all owners, their tenants, and employees are supposed to follow. It probably is in land lease agreement with OGCMA. Not sure though just how enforceable it is. Doubt that Neptune would enforce an OGCMA rule. Not sure how OGCMA would or could.
Bob…
Asbury loved it because there was no Sunday shopping on Cookman and the meters got a real workout. Bradley had lots on the south end that had paid parking. It wasn’t that big of a deal. A lot of the Grovers would park their car and stop at any number of bars in Asbury or Bradley for a hamburger and a beer before the walk home.
Just a thought for Frank S, having had the opportunity to walk to church at the Great Auditorium as a child 65+ years ago, closing the streets off-season would not recreate the feeling of the time. The sea of silver haired ladies walking hand in hand with a young child, unafraid of speeding vehicles or bicycles, would be difficult to mirror in todays world. Skate boards, bathing suits exposed, stores open for business, would hinder the simple Peace that was there at the time.
For those that experienced it, it remains a special time from long ago. Was it better, perhaps, perhaps not, but for sure it was special. I doubt our best efforts to recreate the feeling would succeed, like grandma’s recipe for lamb stew ( or anything else), you can use the same ingredients, but it never quite taste the same.
No criticism, just my thoughts
Ted
The Township Noise Ordinance prohibits “unnecessary noise.” This includes “…any unnecessary, unreasonably loud, disturbing noise which either annoys, injures or endangers the comfort,repose, health or welfare of others.” (Ord. No. 1439-1)
Also prohibited is noise from construction. This includes “heavy equipment and power equipment.” This construction prohibition applies to work done before 8:00 am and after 7:00 pm Monday through Saturday. On Sunday, no noise from construction is permitted all day.
To read the details,go to the Neptune website, Clerk’s office, and look for the Township ordinances. Go to Chapter III (Police Regulations) and find 3-1 “Unnecessary and Disturbing Noise.”
Then you will have to report your neighbor to the police or have a conversation with him regarding the rules. The latter is preferable as a first step.
I was under the impression there was still an ordinance that prohibited exterior work on Sundays. I have a few neighbors that love to power up lawnmowers, hedge trimmers and sanding machines around 9am every Sunday. It destroys the serenity of the morning.
All the cars in OG needed to go somewhere before 11:59 PM on Saturday.
IIRC, the residents of Asbury Park, Bradley Beach, Neptune Township and their visitors looking for a place to park on Sunday weren’t awfully happy with the OG ban.
The courts were fast and decisive in dealing this terrible blow to Ocean Grove. Too bad they don’t have the same concern about enforcing the law on owners of dangerous, derelict houses. From the liberal New Jersey judges’ perspective, tradition, self-determination, and the will of the citizenry mean nothing. All they want to advance is cultural entropy.
Mackinac Island, a beautiful resort island in Michigan, never allows any cars to drive on the island — yet the judges out there didn’t feel the need to destroy their quality of life.
I’ve said it before and will say it again : I think that maybe one Sunday a year(off season) OG should have a no cars(parked or driven) day. #1 As a historical recreation. #2 So current Ocean Grovers can experience what it was like back then. #3 It would be visually quite beautiful to see Ocean Grove carless #4 It would be quite peacefull & dare I say spiritual. Just for once a year.