ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS When the Historical Society began working on this tour, I began searching for a 120 year old Spring Laker to talk to. Such a person could not he found, but I was able to find a number of people who knew a good deal about Spring Lake and Third Avenue. Many had been born in Spring Lake and had spent all of their lives here. Others had spent much of their lives, or many summers in Spring Lake. Fortunately, all had good memories and had been very observant while growing up. I also found people who were interested in the history of Spring Lake, and they shared their research with the Society. If you wish to know more about Third Avenue or Spring Lake's history, these are the people to talk to: Fran Allison, Mary Benjamin, Anne Benz, Jean Cameli, Fred Casagrande, Richard J. Clayton, Thomas G. Clayton, Patricia Colrick, Gale D'Luhy, Jean Duggan, Sue Fittin, Elizabeth Erbe Freeman, Pat Giblin, Dick Height, Lynn Height, Peggy Height, Rick Height, Marion King, Joan Kennedy, Vinnie of LaSala Cleaners, Margaret MacGowan, Walter MacGowan, Jr., Margaret Maguire, Maria Marucci, Carol Megill, Dick Napolitan, Howard Parker, Barbara Bailey Ratz, Damiano Rabbeni, Andrew Raffeto, Helen Raffetto, Mary Reilly, Betty Robinson, June Rounds, Henry S. Schwier, Jerry Tricarico, Vicky Young, Kathleen Weeks, Lissa Wickham, Bill Wingard, Marie Wingard.

THE CHANGING TIMES ON THIRD AVENUE

Originally the business district for Brighton, Third Avenue had become by the early 1900's, the center of business for the flourishing resort of Spring Lake. By that time, Spring Lake consisted of the earlier resorts of Spring Lake Beach, Brighton and North Brighton, Como, and Villa Park. The small Brighton business district was established in 1881 between Jersey and Washington Avenues. Compared to the flourishing business district on First Avenue between Monmouth and Atlantic Avenues which served both Spring Lake Beach and Villa Park, the Brighton business district was quite small. In the early morning hours of September 19, 1900 all that changed. Shortly after midnight, a fire developed in the laundry of W. Pussey which adjoined Mrs. Urie's Essex House. Fanned by 30 mph winds, it spread quickly. Fire companies from North Spring Lake, Sea Girt, Belmar, Manasquan, West Grove and Asbury Park battled the fire, but a sheet of flames enveloped the Monmouth House. From the Monmouth House, the fire moved west destroying The Carlton House, Bamman's Grocery, Hills' Drugs, Schindel's Jewelry, Dr. Herbert's dentist office and Mr. Wooley's Dry Goods. It spread to the southern edge of the lake and reduced the Coast Company to ashes as well as LA. Hirschy's Meats, Johnson's Bicycles and Gant's Fish and Fruit Market. The fire then moved west across First Avenue burning what remained of the Monmouth Stables which had burned a week earlier, and then rushed south wiping out the stores between Atlantic and Salem Avenues. It then crossed Salem Avenue and destroyed the Sedgwick and Callis Ice Cream Store. Flaming embers swirled through the air falling on the roof of the Allaire Hotel starting another fire. Luckily, the Allaire fire was quickly put out. Finally the fireman and local citizens were able to stop the fire, but the losses were staggering. Many of the burned out businesses decided to join the small business district located on Third Avenue. Together, the Avenue and the businesses grew and flourished.