WILDWOOD HISTORIC MUSEUM NOTES SPRING 2016

Do the names, Artenzie Delli Paoli, George Betz, Herman and Irene Gulick, Ruth Freed, Mary Green Mancia, Doug DeWeese or Ray Tietelman ring a bell with anyone? If they do, you were probably a student at Wildwood High School over 50 years ago, and probably knew more than one of them as your high school teachers. This year we are celebrating the 100th anniversary of our Alma Mater. While we may harbor cherished memories of those years, much contention, contestation and litigation ensued before Ordinance #60 was passed on December 10, 1915, for bonds to construct the building. Remember, in the early 20th century few pupils advanced to high school, and taxpayers, in most cases, resisted attempts by educators to build a separate building for grades above the elementary school.
Over many months that stretched into years, there were threats at the School Board meeting and the Commissioners’ meeting to recall the bond ordinance AND the City Commissioners. On January 8, 1915, a group of citizens asked the City Commission NOT to pass the ordinance providing for a bond issue of $100,00 for a new school. In February, a petition was presented by 15% of the voters protesting the bond issue. The supervisor of the Holly Beach School, Mr. H. C. Chalmers wrote a letter to the Commissioners in which he stated, “The movement to secure more adequate school facilities began in 1912 and has been discussed a great deal since.” The School Board sent another letter to the Commissioners that they had directed their attorney to take necessary steps to obtain a “Writ of Mandamus” from the Supreme Court in order to effect the raising of $100,000 for a new high school. When the bond ordinance was finally voted on, Commissioner Hendee stated, “he wished it recorded on the minutes he personally opposed the ordinance but votes yes because he is forced to do so by the order from the Supreme Court” (“Mandamus” is a judicial remedy in the form of an order from a superior court, to any government subordinate court, corporation, or public authority—to do (or keep from doing) some specific act which that body is obliged under law to do (or refrain from doing)
On October 12, 1915, the bids were opened. Low bidding company for construction was the Richman Construction Company at $73,000, followed by bids for electric, heating and ventilation, and plumbing. A Mrs. Neeley and John Reese were invited to send a price for ground needed for the new school, located on Pacific Avenue between Montgomery and Baker Avenues. Mrs. Neeley had raised her price from $19,000 to $21,000 when they approached her in reference to securing same for the school site. Mr. Reese agreed to sell his plot for $15,000. In all, the total cost of the school and ground was $108,412 and construction could finally get underway. In November, 1917, the new high school was dedicated and on Friday evening, June 7, 1918, the first Commencement Exercises were held in the Wildwood High School Auditorium, graduating 16 senior students. Over the years, the City of Wildwood went on to expand the facilities in 1927 and again in 1969. As it is said, the rest is history.
We continue to receive donations of artifacts associated with our City’s history. Jacqueline Newhouse dropped off a hooded sweatshirt from the Thunderbird Motel and Restaurant that was located at 23rd and Surf Avenues in North Wildwood. From Charles Eyster, we received a sign from Groff’s Restaurant, a local popular eatery. For many years Groff’s enjoyed long lines of patrons strung out down the Boardwalk and along Magnolia Avenue. Joseph Harvey dropped off a 1960 Wildwood Catholic High School basketball state champs jacket. Nancy, Susan and Luci Staller donated a stained glass “Staller’s Hardware” store sign. Before “Home Depot” and “Lowes”, the Staller family provided a very fine hardware store on the 100 Block of East Wildwood Avenue that filled the needs of the local people.
Current museum news: Hours of operation beginning May 9 are, Monday through Saturday, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. We are closed Sundays and all holidays. Our new manager is Pam Bross and will be happy to help you get around the volumes of books housing information on almost every aspect of Wildwood history. We also have over 50,000 images on computer for your perusal broken down by properties and events over the years. We are still taking orders for pavers. If you would like to honor a person, family or business, give us a call at 609-522-0277, and we will mail you an order form. Or, you can download it from our website at WildwoodHistoricalMuseum.com. The cost is $100 for a 4 x 8 brick and $225 for an 8 x 8 brick.
Before signing off for this issue I would like to credit the late George M. Boyer, the first president of the Wildwood Historical Society, for the careful research and recording of the history of our high school. The citizens of the Wildwoods were indeed very fortunate to have someone who had the extreme interest in preserving the rich heritage of our past.
Until next time . . . . . be happy and be well!
Anne Vinci