Bluff- A steep headland, promontory, riverbank, or cliff.
The Somers Point Bluffs are a 12 foot sandy hill covered in rocks. Along with being 12 feet high, they are about 100 yards long. The Bluffs are located on the Great Egg Harbor Bay at Kennedy Park. Along with a fascinating view of the bay, this bluff is home to many sea animals like fiddler crabs, blue claw crabs, spider crabs, and little fish. Phragmites and other plants also grow in the openings on the bluff. Along with being a home for animals, plants, and a lovely site, the Somers Point Bluffs are the only coastal bluffs in New Jersey. Older residents of Somers Point recall finding arrowheads there. Researched by Grant Pfund Source: Dictionary.Reference.Com
Captain Kidd was born in Scotland and moved to the Americas after he got married. He was given a contract to be a privateer for Harry the French in 1695. In the late summer of 1698 according scattered evidence and tradition, the Barkentine that served as the flagship of Captain Kidd anchored near the Brigantine inlet. Captain Kidd and his first mate, Timothy Jones, accompanied by several of his crew came ashore in a long boat. On the bottom of this boat a heavy leather and brass-bound sea chest rested. This chest was buried within the dunes. After they buried the chest, Captain Kidd ordered his crew to go back to the boat. Everyone left except one man, his first mate. Kidd and Timothy Jones then dug up and reburied the chest at a different location. To this day the final burial spot of that chest is a mystery to everyone. The story also relates that, following the second burial, a fight ensued between mate Timothy Jones and Captain Kidd during which Timothy Jones was killed and buried beside the chest of loot. Captain Kidd then sailed away to continue with his adventures. After many adventures around the globe from the Americas to the Indian Ocean, Captain Kidd was hanged for piracy and murder in London on May 23, 1701. Local residents wonder if they might find the treasure after a bad storm erodes the sand and mud. Researched by: Courtney Wall. Source: Brigantine Beach, NJ.com
Digging clams is a popular pastime around the world. There are many ways to dig a clam. You need different tools depending on the area you are digging, such as clam tongs, clam shovels, rakes and tubes. There is no regulation on the size to keep a clam. Low tide is the best time to dig for clams because you can easily dig and or rake up the clams. There are 38 varying species of clams in North America. A live and healthy clam will have its shell tightly closed other wise do not keep the clam. Research by Nick Radico. Source: Methods of Clamming
The Jitterbug is a slang term for most forms of swing dancing. Some different types of swing dancing that have been called the Jitterbug are Hollywood Style, Lindy Hop, East Coast, West Coast, Push, Whip, Jive, Shag, New Yorker, Bop, Ceroc, Leroc, Rock and Roll, etc. All of the different types of swing were called the Jitterbug at one time or another. Today, people are trying to classify it as only Single or Double rhythm East Coast Swing, but it was classified as all other types of swing at some point. People who danced these forms of swing are also called Jitterbugs. It was created by white Lindy Hoppers in the U.S.A> during the early 1930s. Researched by Becky Taylor. Source: Streetswing
The KKK was a violent and racial organization. It stated in Pulaski, Tennessee on Christmas Eve, 1865 after the Civil War was fought. The KKK burnt churches of the black population, threatened, murdered, raped, and castrated the different races. In the 1920's there were about three million members. Nathan Bedford Forrest who was a former Confederate general was the first leader of the KKK and was called the Grand Wizard. Researched by Nick Rutkowski. Sources: Worldbook.com
Marathon Dancing
In the Great Depression, people were looking for a way of release which they could find from anywhere between the movies to marathon dancing. Marathon dancing would be when a bunch of couples would dance for however long they could. Some competitions lasted from 3 to 4 days. Dancers were not permitted to lay down to sleep. Most people would enter these contests for fame or monetary prizes. Marathon dancing was started by Alma Cummings when she danced for 27 hours without stopping beating the previous British record. She wore out six different partners while she was at it. People could enter solo or find partners when they came to the competitions. In Somers Point, marathon dancing competitions were held in the Gateway Casino located near the Ocean City-Somers Point Bridge near Goll Avenue. Visit Mr. Hyatt's interview. Research by Kristina Korievo. Exerpts from Reference.com
In the early hours of June 6th 1944, the Allied invasion had begun when paratroops from America and Britain dropped in to disrupt German communications behind the intended invasion beaches. By the time dawn came around, the sea invasion had already begun. This was done when an Allied Armada released thousands of troops at five beaches along France's Normandy coasts. The Allies had achieved a toehold that would allow them to expand their offensive.This finally lead to the Nazi defeat in the West. This day was called D-Day. Research by Kristina Koreivo. Source: Eyewitness to History For more information visit the interview by Mrs. Shaffer and Mrs. Murray
Alcohol prohibition was accomplished by means of the Eighteenth Amendment of the US Constitution. The alcohol prohibition started in 1920 and lasted until 1933. It was an attempt to reduce crime, corruption, solve social problems, reduce the tax burden created by prisons and poorhouses, and to improve health and hygiene in the USA. At first, there were fewer people drinking alcohol. Then it started to increase. Prohibition turned out to be a failure. In fact, there became more crime, and prison systems were stretched to the breaking point. Researched by Trevor Swain. Information gathered from Wikipedia and Cato.org
Rationing during World War II was tough. Only food available to everybody was rationed. People also had a certain allotment of foods… · 225 grams of Sugar · 100 grams of Bacon & Ham · 50 grams of Butter · 50 grams of Cheese · 3 pints of Milk · Every two months-450 grams of Jam · 1 Egg per week/1 pack of Dried Egg every month · Every four weeks-350 grams of Sweets · 100 grams of Margarine · 50 grams of Tea · 100 grams of Cooking Fat. Many people also grew their own fruits and vegetables. Fish were not rationed, since it was virtually unobtainable in most of the country. However, people in Somers Point were able to catch fish. Many people were unwell: -50% working class women were unwell -80% of children under five had some bone abnormality -90% had deformed/decaying teeth Therefore, rationing was very tough. Visit Mrs. Baum and Mrs Shaffer interviews. Research by Frank Minio.
The sand fort was located on Bay Avenue and New Jersey Avenue in Somers Point. A memorial to volunteers defending Somers Point during the War of 1812 was placed by the Daughters of 1812. The sand fort itself was said to have been carrying "quaker guns" This was because it was said that a canon ball was shot into the Quaker meeting house. See Folklore and Mr. Henkels interview to learn more! Research by Amy Plantarich. Source: NJ Pinelands and Downjersey website.
Mr. Henkels discovered the following at the Atlantic County Library, Mays Landing.
"A company of infantry was formed by John R. Scull who lived near Somers Point. This organization was known as the 1st Battalion, 1st Regiment, New Jersey Militia. It was organized to protect the coast. All the men were volunteers. They built a fort near Great Egg Harbor River that commanded the inlet and the harbor. It was built in the shape of a semi-circle - 50' in diameter, 6 1/2 to 10 feet high. It mounted cannon that fired 4" and 6" shot. The men were on duty 24 hours a day. Their orders were when they sighted an enemy they were to ride on horseback to the local villages and give the alarm. The fort disappeared in the early 1880's."
The creation of the Seabees was at the start of World War II. The Navy first relied on civilian contractors to build advance bases on Pacific islands starting in 1940, but after the fall of Wake Island it became important to train construction workers to also be soldiers. SEABEE ROADS TO VICTORY IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR During the Second World War, the Seabees performed now legendary deeds in both the Atlantic and Pacific Theaters of Operation. At a cost of nearly $11 billion and many casualties, they constructed over 400 advanced bases along five figurative roads to victory which all had their beginnings in the continental United States. The South Atlantic road wound through the Caribbean Sea to Africa, Sicily, and up the Italian peninsula. The North Atlantic road passed through Newfoundland to Iceland, Great Britain, France, and Germany. The North Pacific road passed through Alaska and along the Aleutian island chain. The Central Pacific road passed through the Hawaiian, Marshall, Gilbert, Mariana, and Ryukyu Islands. The South Pacific road went through the South Sea islands to Samoa, the Solomons, New Guinea, and the Philippine's. All the Pacific roads converged on Japan and the Asiatic mainland. See Mrs. Marienski's interview. Researched by Casey Marienski. Source: History.navy.mil website
A word used by South Jersey natives (locals) to describe tourists that travel to the shore in the summer. The term comes from the root words 'shoe' and 'bee' which describes the tourists' trips. In the 20's and 30's the tourists used to swarm to the shore like bees on trains that traveled to South Jersey. They also used to carry their lunches in shoe boxes, hence the term 'shoobie'. Research by Leah Seyfert. Source: Mortimer's Cafe Companion
Captain Richard Somers was the son of the founder of our town, Somers Point, NJ. John Somers built a house looking over the bay, which we now call the Somers Point Mansion. Richard Somers led the United States to their first victory in war with the help of Steven Decatur. He set off to fight in a war against the Barbary pirates (in Lybia) two hundred years ago because the pirates were taking our ships. He captured a pirate ship and found a sword, which belonged to an officer from the Philadelphia. After defeating enemies many times, he tried to enter the Tripoli Harbor disguised as an Arab trader but failed. He then tried to reenter the harbor on a ship.Sadly, the ship blow up and he and other American sailors were killed and washed up on shore. Somers never did come back home because he was buried at a local cemetery. The Captain's remains still lie somewhere in a grave not far from Tripoli in Libya. Now many locals from the Return Richard Somers Committee are trying to bring home our founding father. They are fighting to bring the remains of Captain Richard Somers, which truly belongs to the community of Somers Point, his rightful home. Source: Bringing Richard Somers Home Research by: Casey Marienski
The Somers Mansion was built around 1725 by Richard Somers. It was originally built with one large room and a huge fireplace. Also, there is a narrow, winding, enclosed stairway that leads to two rooms above the house and it continues to the spacious attic. This attic probably housed servants and workers. It is the oldest building in Atlantic County. It attracts many tourists because it contains 18th-century furnishings and furniture, detailed woodwork and textile quilts. The Somers Mansion is a very educational, cool and fun place to visit. Researched by Gia Caiazza. Sources: Atlantic County Historical Society and Atlantic County Government - Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs
Submarines (See U-Boat)
The War of 1812
The War of 1812 is one of the forgotten wars of the United States. The war lasted for over two years. It was a war that once and for all confirmed American Independence. The United States failed in every attempt to capture Canada. On the other hand, the British army was successfully stopped when it attempted to capture Baltimore and New Orleans. There were a number of American naval victories in which American vessels proved themselves superior to similarly sized British vessels. The war is best remembered because the British burned the White House in Washington, D.C. During the war, British ships entered the Great Egg Harbor Bay in Somers Point, NJ. There is a monument located at Morrow Beach and Bay Avenue to honor the local militia defending Somers Point.Visit Folklore for more about the militia. Researched by Nick DiLuzio. Excerpts from History Central
War of 1812 Monument located at Bay Avenue, Somers Point, NJ
U-Boat is the anglicization of the German word U-Boot itself an abbreviation of Unterseeboot (its literal meaning: "undersea boat"), the German word for submarine. The primary targets of the U-boat campaigns in both world wars were the merchant convoys bringing supplies from Canada and the United States to Europe. Austrian submarines of World War I were also known as "U-boats". The distinction between U-boat and submarine is common in English-language usage but unknown in German where the term U-Boot refers to any submarine. Researched by Riley McGuigan. Source Wikipedia. com Visit the Interviews page and Folklore for local stories.
The underground railroad isn't actually a railroad underground. The Underground Railroad, a vast network of people who helped fugitive slaves escape to the North and to Canada, was not run by any single organization or person. Rather, it consisted of many individuals -- many whites but predominantly black -- who knew only of the local efforts to aid fugitives and not of the overall operation. Still, it effectively moved hundreds of slaves northward each year -- according to one estimate, the South lost 100,000 slaves between 1810 and 1850. Researched by Kristen Somers. Resource: PBS
During World War II, the city served as a training site for military recruits and a recovery and rehabilitation center for wounded soldiers.Atlantic City Free Public Library Soldiers took basic training in Atlantic City. During the Depression years, the resort hotel business had fallen upon hard times, which would become a blessing for many servicemen. As General "Hap" Arnold, Chief of the Army Air Corps, struggled to house thousands of airmen, he decided to utilize the empty rooms of these hotels. Eldred World War II Museum Many Somers Point residents would volunteer their services during WWII to help entertain the wounded soldiers recuperating in nearby Atlantic City. Research by By: Nick Filauro. For more information, visit Mrs. Risley's interview.