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Founded in 1874, Beach Haven, sometimes referred to as “The Queen City” is located on Long Beach Island south of the Manahawkin Bay Bridge close to the southern end of the 18-mile-long barrier island. The island protects the western bays from the Atlantic Ocean - the northern bay (Barnegat Bay) and the southern bay (known variously as Tuckerton Bay and Little Egg Harbor Bay)
Discovered by explorer Captain Cornelius Mey in 1614, the Dutchman called the northern inlet “Barendegat” because of the rough tides, which means “Inlet of the Breakers.” The word was Anglicized later as Barnegat Stafford Township, encompassing all of Long Beach Island in addition to a large section of the mainland west of Long Beach Island, was created by royal charter in 1750. It had been set off from Shrewsbury Township in Monmouth County. Shrewsbury Township was originally formed in 1693 and it contained a great number of acreage north and south of the Metedeconk and Manasquan Rivers, dividing Monmouth and Ocean Counties. February 15, 1850, Ocean County was the new county name given to the southern half of Monmouth County.
Few people lived on Long Beach Island from the time of Mey’s discovery to the mid-nineteenth century, but by the middle of the century there were some hotels on the island. In the second half of the century people began developing the island as a summer resort area. The year of Eagleswood Township’s establishment , 1874, is the year in which the small resort village of "Beach Haven" was established near the southern end of Long Beach Island by the members of the privately owned Tuckerton and Long Beach Building, Land, and Improvement Association.
The Tuckerton and Long Beach Building, Land, and Improvement Association established Beach Haven as a seaside resort and its history is revealed in the group’s book of minutes from 1873-1883. The group held its first meeting in the village of Tuckerton on Saturday May 31, 1873. On November 6, 1890, Beach Haven Borough was established by referendum. In 1903 and 1913, two smaller parts of Long Beach Township were added to Beach Haven Borough completing the boundaries of the contemporary municipality.
The grand resort hotels attracted many temporary summer guests, but the character of Beach Haven as a beach resort was also established by the grand summer cottages constructed for family living during the summer months. These late 19th century houses, many of which are still standing, enhance the historic character of Beach Haven. They were constructed for wealthy Philadelphian families. Today, it’s the busiest town on the island in Ocean County, and its historic district showcases many Victorian seaside homes, B&B’s, and architectural wonders from that bygone era.
Fantasy Island Amusement Park and nearby Thundering Surf Water Park provide plenty of family fun, and visitors enjoy fresh seafood at upscale ocean view restaurants, and stroll through boutiques at Bay Village and Schooner’s Wharf. The nightlife is active is the nightclubs and restaurants, and people also enjoy visiting the Long Beach Island Historical Museum, Surflight Theater, Veterans Bicentennial Park and Beach Haven’s great beaches.
Tours through the historical district are also fun as tourists discover white plaques with the words “Bicentennial, Pre-1900” inscribed on notable buildings. Beach Haven is a great place for people of all ages, and a New Jersey shore town that will delight vacationers and day-trippers alike.
Important Numbers:
Police - Fire – Medical Emergency... 911
Police - non-emergency...609-492-0505
Borough of Beach Haven, N.J.
Bay & Engleside Avenues, Beach Haven, N.J. 08008
Municipal Offices: 609-492-0111
Beach Haven Beach Patrol
300 Engleside Avenue, Beach Avenue, N.J. 08008
Beach badges are required to be worn from mid-June through Labor Day.
Beach Badge fees:
Pre-season (purchased prior to June 1)……….. $25.00
Seasonal………………………………………. $35.00
Weekly………………………………………....$20.00
Daily……………………………………………$ 5.00
Beach badges must be worn by persons ages 12 – 64 from mid-June through Labor Day.
Lifeguards are on duty from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from mid-June through Labor Day.
Children under 12 are FREE.
Purchase beach badges at:
Long Beach Township Municipal Building
Long Beach Boulevard in Brant Beach
Telephone: 609-361-1000 for more information.
Lifeguards on duty 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. mid-June through Labor Day.
The Alliance for a living Ocean sponsors three-hour tours of Long Beach Island in July and August.
The Chamber of Commerce sponsors their annual Chowderfest in the fall.
Local Attractions:
Long Beach island Historical Museum...609-492-0700
Surflight Theater...609-492-9477
Veterans Bicentennial Park
The Churches of Long Beach Island
(all telephone numbers are area code 609)
Christian Science Society
10th Street & Barnegat Avenue
Ship Bottom, NJ
(494-6166)
First United Methodist Church
New Jersey & Beach Avenues
Beach Haven Terrace
(492-8088)
Grace Calvary Church (Independent)
19th Street & Long Beach Blvd.
Ship Bottom, NJ
(494-7777)
Holy Innocents' Episcopal Church
Marine Street between Atlantic and Beach Avenues
Beach Haven, NJ
(492-7571)
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (E.L.C.A.)
5802 Long Beach Blvd.
Brant Beach, NJ
(494-6888; Pastor's number: 494-8045)
Island Baptist Church
Third Street
Beach Haven, NJ
(492-7584)
Jewish Community Center of LBI
24th Street & Long Beach Blvd.
Spray Beach, NJ
(492-4090)
Kynett United Methodist Church
Centre Street & Beach Avenue
Beach Haven, NJ
(492-0421)
New Life Assembly of God Church
203 16th Street
Ship Bottom, NJ
(361-9373)
St. Clare's Church (Roman Catholic)
Long Beach Blvd.
Loveladies, NJ
(494-8813)
St. Francis of Assisi Church (Roman Catholic)
47th Street & Long Beach Blvd.
Brant Beach, NJ
(494-8813)
Saint Peter's at the Light (Episcopal)
7th Street and Central Avenue
Barnegat Light, NJ
494-2398
St. Thomas Aquinas Church (Roman Catholic)
2nd Street & Atlantic Avenue
Beach Haven
(494-8813)
St. Thomas of Villanova Church (Roman Catholic)
13th Street & Long Beach Blvd.
Surf City, NJ
(494-8813)
Spray Beach Chapel (Non-Denominational)
Beach Avenue between 23rd & 24th Streets
Spray Beach, NJ
(492-2040)
The United Church of Surf City (Non-Denominational)
7th Street & Central Avenue
Surf City, NJ
(494-5351)
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church (E.L.C.A.)
18th Street & Central Avenue
Barnegat Light, NJ
(494-2890) Phone and Fax
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