Asbury Park Former Sections - Part 1
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Township of Ocean Historical Museum!
FORMER SECTIONS OF THE TOWNSHIP OF OCEAN
Asbury Park was originally incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 26, 1874, from portions of Ocean Township. The borough was reincorporated on February 28, 1893. Asbury Park was incorporated as a city, its current type of government, as of March 25, 1897.
At one time, the entrance to Asbury Park, and most towns, was the railroad depot. Asbury Park originally had two railroad stops. The Asbury Park Station and the North Asbury Station. In addition, the Asbury Park Station has been rebuilt four times, with minor renovations over time to each of those buildings.
At one time, the entrance to Asbury Park, and most towns, was the railroad depot. Asbury Park originally had two railroad stops. The North Asbury Station was built in the 1890s and served the residential section of town, while Asbury Park Station served "downtown." Service was terminated to North Asbury in the late 1960s. The Station Building is still standing and is the Visiting Nurses Association.
Before Convention Hall, this was the site of the 5th Avenue Pavilion. Constructed in 1905, the wooden structure stood on the beach until destroyed by fire in 1928. The Convention Hall was built from 1928 to 1930. It opened its doors for the 1930 season and today is still the most recognized structure in the City.
Probably the most iconic structure in the City of Asbury Park today is Convention Hall. The large oceanfront structure houses an arcade allowing the Boardwalk to pass through, a theater, and the auditorium. However, Convention Hall did not open until 1930.
One of the few original features of the original layout of the City of Asbury Park is Sunset Lake Park. One of the original lakes that opened to the Atlantic Ocean, the Sunset Lake area was designated to be a park by Mayor Bradley when the City was first being laid out. Despite storms, age and neglect over the years, Sunset Lake and its Park remain a beautiful centerpiece to the City.
