History of Asbury Park, New Jersey, USA

1880 - Scared Almost to Death.
At Asbury Park, N. J., a new $4,000 steam engine recently purchased was ordered out for trail. Engineer Bartine Greene, trying one of the steam-cocks, found there was but little water in it, and hurriedly turned on the pump-tank, but it would not admit water into the boiler. Thoroughly frightened, he forsook the engine, returned, and made frantic efforts to turn the pump. The boiler seemed at white hear, and now thoroughly convinced that an explosion must take place, he fled. After running forty yards he fell down in a swoon, and from 6:30 at night until 10 the next morning was unconscious. When out of the swoon his first words were: "Pull the valve." His condition is precarious. The engine is almost a total wreck.
The Stevens Point Journal
Stevens Point, Wisconsin
July 31, 1880

1894 - HOTEL INMATES EVICTED BY FIRE. DESTRUCTION OF THE GUERNSEY AT ASBURY PARK, WITH A LOSS OF $20,000.
Asbury Park, N.J., Sept. 4. - Fire at about 1 A.M. this morning destroyed the big Hotel Guernsey, at Grand and Seventh Avenues, owned and managed by MESSRS. LUNGER and STEINMETZ of Philadelphia. The building, which was a substantial four-story structure, was totally burned in an hour from the time the fire started. The loss on the house will reach $20,000, on which there was a small insurance. There was only $1,500 insurance on the furniture, which was valued at $6,000.

At the time of the fire there were over sixty persons in the hotel, forty-six of whom were guests. All escaped to the street in safety, but wearing only their night clothes. Everything they possessed was burned up, including trunks, wardrobes, jewelry, diamonds, and money, to the value of several thousand dollars.

The evicted lodgers found temporary shelter in the neighboring hotels and cottages. The sufferers are mainly residents of New York and Philadelphia. Nobody was seriously injured, although there were... Read MORE...

1895 - Asbury Park
Asbury Park, a post-borough and noted summer resort of Monmouth co, N.J., on the Atlantic Ocean, and on the New York & Long Branch Railroad, 6 miles S. of Long Branch, 36 miles from New York, and about 80 miles by rail from Philadelphia. It is adjacent to Ocean Grove, from which it is separated by Wesley Lake. It contains 8 churches, 3 banks, a ladies' school, a graded school, and several newspaper offices, both daily (in the summer) and weekly. Resident population about 5000.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott

1911 - FAMOUS HOTEL DESTROYED TODAY.
Asbury Park, Jan. 26. - The famous West End Hotel was partly destroyed by fire today with a loss of fifty thousand dollars.

Several other famous hostelries were threatened at the time, but finally the blaze was gotten under control.
Olean Times
New York
January 26, 1911

1916
Asbury Park, a banking city and noted summer-re sort of Monmouth co., N.J., on the Atlantic Ocean and on the Central of New Jersey and the Pennsylvania Rs., 6 miles S. of Long Branch and about 80 miles from Philadelphia. It is adjacent to Ocean Grove, from which it is separated by Wesley Lake. Resident population in 1900, 4148.
Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher

1930 - THREE KILLED IN FIREWORKS BLAST. FOUR BUILDINGS WRECKED IN EXPLOSION NEAR ASBURY PARK, N.J.
Asbury Park, N.J. July 7 - Fireworks stored in four buildings in Neptune Township exploded, killing three persons and injuring five.
Sheets of flames spread out and set fire to an adjoining woods in the sparsely settled section. All four of the buildings were wrecked. The structures comprised the fireworks factory of FRANK CIMINO.

The dead are:
DOLORES RENNA, 2 months old.
MINNIE CIMINO, 9, daughter of the proprietor.
CONSIGLIO CIMINO, 72, father of FRANK.
FRANK CIMINO, JR., 11 months old, who was believed to be sleeping in one of the buildings, is missing, and the firemen fear he may have been killed.

The explosion ripped off the roof of the buildings, showering fire and blazing fireworks. MRS. NANCY RENNA, 24, was standing near the structure, with DOLORES in her arms. The blast hurled the baby to the ground. MINNIE CIMINO picked up the child just as the second blast occurred in a building beside them. Flames rolled out, scorching MINNIE and DOLORES black and hurling their ... Read MORE...

1944 - HURRICANE HITS NEW YORK AND NEW ENGLAND COASTS. HIGH WINDS LASH JERSEY, LONG ISLAND.
...The Homestead restaurant on the Ocean Grove, N. J. boardwalk near Asbury Park, was washed into the sea. The restaurant had a capacity of 300 persons, but was believed to have been unoccupied when it was destroyed.

A pier was reported washed out at Asbury Park, but details were unavailable...
The Troy Record
Troy, New York
September 15, 1944

1970 - July 4 - 100 injured in race rioting in Asbury Park NJ

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Here's a list of some of the best places to go and things to do in Asbury Park:
Asbury Park Boardwalk:

Start your visit with a stroll along the iconic Asbury Park Boardwalk. Enjoy the ocean breeze, explore unique shops, and grab a snack from one of the many vendors.

Asbury Park Beach:

Relax on the sandy shores of Asbury Park Beach. Whether you're into sunbathing, swimming, or beach volleyball, this is the perfect place to unwind.

The Stone Pony:

A legendary music venue, The Stone Pony has hosted performances by iconic artists like Bruce Springsteen. Check their schedule for live music events and get ready to experience the soulful sounds of Asbury Park.

Silverball Museum Arcade:

For a nostalgic trip, head to the Silverball Museum Arcade. Play vintage pinball machines and classic arcade games, and relive the golden age of gaming.

Asbury Park Convention Hall:

This historic venue hosts a variety of events, from concerts to roller derby. Check the schedule to see if there's anything happening during your visit.

Asbury Park Brewery:

If ... Read MORE...