The Wildwoods-by-the-Sea
by Grace Zambardi
That humidity drenched Nostalgia is in our veins. Jalousie Windows. Honey Suckle and Jasmine laced white picket and chain linked fences. Lawns falling into the horizon. Apple Trees. Sweet Williams, Roses and Geraniums. Bombastic, Endless Summer Hydrangeas. Those Porches! Wonderful, whimsical, front porches. O’ the stories they must hold. These and so much more were as unique as the homes they once surrounded.
1109 Surf Ave., North Wildwood, NJ – Demolished Oct. 4, 2003
The quintessential Wildwoods. Where Beach Bungalows, Fishing Cottages, A-frames, Four-squares, and rambling Ranchers abounded. Grand- estate homes with huge column lined verandas. Brady Bunch Split levels. Doo-Wop Hotels and Motels, their starry lights and groovy signage shimmering down Ocean Avenue. We loved them all. Even with all their lumps and bumps and outdated yet precious sensibiities. Window air conditioners, small bathrooms, kids bedrooms crammed with bunk beds, and laughter, and of course that musty ‘ opening up the house for the summer smell’. All gems that stood the test of time…. until.
The tides of change are as constant as the moonrise. Bathing dresses, bikinis. Horse drawn carriages, automobiles. Five and Dimes, Big Box stores. Roof antennae, Wi-fi and AI. Bits and pieces of the islands Americana, especially the old homes, are disappearing like a delicate species of butterfly. “ Oh no! Condos, and more Condos”, cries the chorus of discontent.
Now & Then on the NE corner of 7th & Surf
McMansions with no character. Motels gone for high priced single families. Those older folks and family members who can’t or don’t want to keep the ‘old places’ are doing what they have every right to do in a free economy, and so do the new developers. Things have been changing up and down the Jersey shore for decades. Some thought it would never happen in the Wildwoods, but it’s here. Change and modernity and progress and all they bring with it. But never fear, not all is lost. The higher the wave of transformation, the more the true fundamentals remain.
And the beat goes on. Our beautiful beaches. The one and only boardwalk. The spectacular seawall. The Hereford Lighthouse and gardens. Posh Sunset lake and the emerald Grassy Sound marshes. Holly Beach Park. Fishing marinas. New and old traditions. The Baby Parade. Festivals and events. The Marbles tournament. Kite and Country and Spanish Festivals. Free music concerts. Notre Dame De La Mer Parish with its two magnificent churches. The Beth Judah Temple since 1913. Holly Beach Park at Christmas time. Bike paths.
Yes the pain of all this change ,for some of us, is real. It hurts like a ripped Band-aid. But, to quote Spencer Tracy’s character in Guess Who’s coming to Dinner?, …”I can tell you the memories are still there. Clear, intact, indestructible, and they will be there if I live to be one hundred and ten.”