A Walking Tour of Belmar, NJ Merry Brennan

You are at stop #2 on the Belmar Treasure Trail: the Belmar Historical Society Museum and History Room. It is located in the Union Fire House Annex, which was the site of Belmar’s first police department and jail in the early 1900’s. Opened in April 2015, the Museum features displays, memorabilia, photos, oral histories and news databases that bring to life Belmar’s fascinating past. There is even a history to the opening of the Museum. After much hard work and organization, the museum was scheduled to open in November 2012. But just five days before, Belmar was pummeled by Super Storm Sandy, bringing flood waters into the fire house and new museum. In the midst of dealing with their own homes, BHS volunteers made sure as many items as possible were transferred to sites around the country for repair and safe keeping. Thanks to their efforts, the museum is packed with materials and information that will intrigue history buffs or anyone who appreciates Belmar.

You are at our historic Union Firehouse, stop #3 on the Belmar Treasure Trail. The Union Firehouse celebrated its 100thbirthday in April 2011. It is one of three firehouses whose members work together to protect Belmar. Until 1889, the Ocean Beach Association – this is what Belmar was originally named – owned a small hook and ladder wagon used by men in the community who volunteered to keep water barrels and buckets by their back doors or woodsheds. But then in 1888, a New Year’s Eve fire left an entire block of what today is Main Street in smoldering ruins. Dozens of worried property owners circulated a petition to purchase a steam fire engine, and in June of 1889, a yellow fire engine came to town. A horse named “Major” was half of the team that pulled the bright new pumper until retiring in 1892, when he was replaced by the first motor-powered fire engine. Over the next decade Belmar’s other two volunteer fire companies, the Volunteer Hook and Ladder on 11th Avenue, and the Goodwill Hose Company on 7th Avenue, were incorporated. All three firehouses have interesting historical memorabilia, and welcome passers-by to stop in when volunteers are on duty.

This is the First Presbyterian Church of Belmar, stop #4 on the Belmar Treasure Trail. The congregation was founded on March 20, 1877. It’s interesting that before construction of Belmar’s diverse churches, many people in the community worshipped in the same place – and that was a former pavilion from the Centennial Expo in Philadelphia, more commonly known as the World’s Fair. In the summer of 1880, when Belmar was known as Ocean Beach, the pavilion was brought from Philly to Belmar. As a side note, several of our beautiful homes throughout town were originally structures from that same 1876 World’s Fair. These huge buildings were transferred by waterway to Belmar, where they were then “rolled” on giant telephone-pole-like logs to their destinations. Anyway, the pavilion relevant to the churches was set up at the corner of 7th Avenue and A Street and called an Undenominational Summer Tabernacle. Later that summer, the First Presbyterian Church of Ocean Beach was incorporated and the small congregation started to plan for a church of their own. The Ocean Beach Association donated two lots at the current location of 9th Avenue and E Street. The current church building was built and dedicated in 1959. Prior to the construction of an Office Wing addition on the E Street side of the building in the early 1980's, there was a multi-purpose meeting space and gymnasium facility. During the summer in the early 1960's a young High School aged talent, Bruce Springsteen, and his band practiced in that church space. The congregation has an appreciation for music! On March 20, 2022, the congregation celebrated its 145th Anniversary.

You are at St. Rose Roman Catholic Church, stop #5 on the Belmar Treasure Trail. The church was initially organized in 1888 as a mission. The cornerstone for the original church was laid two years later and the present church was erected in 1906. A large expansion in 1926 brought the Gothic Revival style church you see today. For the rest of the century and into this one, the slate steeple, visible for miles, was used as a navigational guide for ships. In fact, if you stand on the Belmar boardwalk at 5th Avenue, which is one of the stops on our Treasure Trail Ocean Area Route, you’ll see the St. Rose steeple gracing the horizon.

You are at stop # 6, the Belmar Borough Hall. We’re stopping here to tell you about a few important displays inside the lobby and we hope you’ll take a few minutes to enjoy them if the building is open. The first honors the brave and gallant men who served aboard the U.S.S. Juneau, a light cruiser that took part in 17 major battles and earned five battle stars during World War II. It was torpedoed and sunk by a Japanese submarine on November 13, 1942, killing all but 10 of the 700 men aboard. Those who made the ultimate sacrifice included four young men from Belmar, whose photos hang in our memorial. Another display commemorates the legacy of first females to serve as lifeguards in Belmar among an all-male squad in the 1940’s. Highlighting the display is a portrait of the late Jeanne Bonk Baldino, one of three women to officially guard our beaches to keep swimmers safe. The stunning painting was done by well-known Belmar artist Suzanne Anan. And don’t miss her portrait of Howard Roland, who stood watch over the Belmar beachfront for nearly sixty years, at one time having the distinction of being the world’s oldest active lifeguard. Our stop #44, the Howard Roland Pavilion, is named for this Belmar icon. Finally, enjoy the revolving display by the Belmar Historical Society, which always features some interesting and fun facts.

This is stop #7 on the Belmar Treasure Trail, the home of the Belmar Arts Council. Established in 2004, the BAC, as it’s known, brings people together to discover, create, learn and celebrate the arts. Wander around and enjoy the Art Garden, which combines artworks from local artists with seasonal landscaping and flowers. A circular labyrinth path takes viewers to each of the artworks. On the adjacent wall you’ll see “Greetings From Belmar,” one of many murals that are part of the BAC Mural Project. Around the other side of the building is another mural, “What Lies Beneath.” Both murals were completed by volunteer artists. If it is open, take a look inside the building, a former marine repair business that now is a thriving arts center, with revolving art shows, fabulous performances, creative workshops and special events.