Photo: 1881 Fishing Pier in Ocean Grove. Submitted by Rich Amole, BF staff.
By Rich Amole— Blogfinger historian and reporter
The photo above shows the original pier built off Embury ave. in 1881.
Back then the sewer line went out to the shoreline and the pier was built to protect it. Next thing you know someone wants to fish out on it so a charge of 5 cents is collected. Strippers were far and few between and it turned out to be a bad year for fishing as they made only $650 in the July to September season. Of course those folks just wishing to take a stroll down the pier had a nice unobstructed view of the Atlantic and there is something to be said about this simple pleasure.
Editor’s note: Rich, you can be darned sure that “strippers were far and few between” in the 1881 religious community of Ocean Grove. But stripers are another story—— a fine kettle of fish. —-PG
ps. What’s going on?—just today we had “pubic pier” sent to BF and corrected by our man in Havana I.M. Radar.
PHIL OCHS:
The “club” would invite children one day a week, to teach them how to fish. The program was so successful that participants were often shoulder to shoulder. Our friends child got hooked in the lip by a neighboring young fisherman. Off to the E/R to have the hook snipped! The mentors were very helpful and supportive. Paul, you asked for the “most unusual” and I made the assumption that this was an infrequent occurrence.
Spelling has become a lost art form. ( And if one did use the computer “spell check” valid responses would acknowledge “pubic” and “stripper.”)
….and that’s why you’re the editor……………..I’m pretty sure the folks of the Victorian Era in the Grove knew the difference between a Stripper and a Striper. Do you think strippers went fishing for stripers back then?
Anyway a bit of unintentional humor by this reporter, and it’s exactly what was needed.
Now on to something other than a bunch of wooden planks that form a structure for people to walk, trot, exercise, meditate, snack, picture takin’ & people, bird and dolphin watchin’ etc. etc. etc.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Win a prize and comment here regarding the most unusual thing that you have ever seen on the Ocean Grove Fishing Pier. Paul@Blogfinger