Yes, our own Sewaren was the precursor to the likes of Asbury Park, Seaside Heights and beyond. Even a full fledge ferris wheel.Back at the turn of the century the Boynton Family was a wealthy and prominent family in Woodbridge Township. Like a few other industrialists in the area, the Boyntons' made their money from the natural resources that Woodbridge provided.
The Boynton Clay And Fire Brick Company, which was located near Smith's Creek funded most of the money to build up what was once called Boynton Beach in Sewaren. Boynton Beach Park, was named after the Boynton family. People from as far as New York came to Boynton Park to spend their vacations. With the perfect beach landscape of the waterfront, people made use of the bay. Visitors could enjoy swimming, fishing, boating and other water activities. There was even a pavilion that was called Pierces’ Point (now Shell Oil Company property) which was the location for most of Boynton Beach's hotspots. The enormous pavilion provided for a large number of people to watch regattas and swim meets. Other activities included card playing parties and festive get togethers.
Mr. R.O. Acker rented hundreds of boats to water enthusiasts. Ackers Landing provided many fisherman & boaters with rowboats to use all day long. This is the same area where the Ferry Slip was located. It was a central point of The Boynton Beach Resort. Located there were also several bath houses for swimmers.
In 1928 Shell Oil Company bought most of the property where Boynton Beach was and was allowed to move into Sewaren. This was beneficial for many workers especially when The Great Depression began a few years later. With the arrival of the many industries alongside the Arthur Kill, saw the beginning of the end for Boynton Beach. Although the popularity decreased, many of the popular sites still stood to the 1940's - 1950'. Ackers Landing lasted a few more years after Boynton Beach. Another reason for the demise of the popular Boynton Beach and Ackers Landing was just plain lack of interest. As time went on, people started to go to other shore resorts south. Ownership of cars allowed visitors to travel farther away.There were two elementary schools in Sewaren. Sewaren Avenue School #12 was used by children living on the southern end of Woodbridge Avenue and the waterfront. From there, the kids would be promoted to Woodbridge Middle School. It was sold in the early 1970's to a firm that sold computers. It was abandoned in the late 1980's. In 1995, the First Baptist Church of Woodbridge purchased the facility and moved in 1997. Children living on the northern end of Sewaren and West Avenue went to Saint Anthony's grammar school, formerly located on West Avenue and Milos Way in Port Reading. From there, the kids would be promoted to Fords Middle School. Saint Anthony's Parish re-purchased the school in the 1970's. In 1996, Amerada Hess purchased the property and leveled the school building to make a parking lot for the refinery.
In 1969, Glen Cove Avenue School #28 was built on a playground between Central Ave. and Old Road. This new school accommodated students who previously attended School #12 & St. Anthony's School. In 1988 the school was renamed Mathew Jago Elementry School #28, dedicated to a former principal, Mr. Matthew Jago.
In the first half of the twentieth century, up in to the 1970's, there was several stores in Sewaren, particularly Woodbridge Avenue and West Avenue.The Superior Diner was on Woodbridge Avenue, across the street from where the Peppermint Tree Nursery School now is, a great place for ice cream. Fanny Firetag and her aunt owned and operated Firetag's Store which was located on the corners of Woodbridge & Sewaren Avenue. Firetag’s was a butcher shop that sold other food as well. Mrs. Kushner ran the Sugar Bowl, located where a dog groomer, "Bark Avenue" now is. The Sugar Bowl was a delicatessen and candy store. Across from Firetag's, next to the Superior Diner was the "Milk Machine", which was a self-serve vending machine that sold dairy products. The milk machine was a popular hangout for kids as they got off the school bus. On Old Road and the corner of Bobby Court, (the red house) was a Deli owned by Mr. Stanley Jankowski . Mr. Jankowski sold meat products, small toys, and penny candy. Carmella Giordano owned and operated Mella's Mop Shop, a hair salon where all of the local mom's went to get their hair styled and share in the local gossip. Mella's was where La Bouna Pizzaria now is.
Who could forget about Spoony's? Spoony the barber was on Woodbridge Avenue, across the street from the Post Office. Spoony was well known for his 10 minute haircuts. We all believe he held the record for giving the fastest haircuts this side of the Arthur Kill.
On the waterfront years back, kids went fishing and swimming in the bay. An old, scruffy fella named "Captain Jack" used to rent row boats to people for 50 cents an hour. His docks were on Cliff Road, next to Jan & Jerry's Marina. A&A Tree Service now owns and operates a marina and boat yard.
Makes one wonder if our WHS predecessors back then skipped school on Senior Hooky Day and hit the beaches of Sewaren?
It's spring and that means baseball, I know Kevin Short will agree with me. Welcome to our latest updates where we find ourselves revisiting lower Main Street Woodbridge, realizing also that there was more than one track at our alma mater, a trip to the shore Sewaren style and finally a classmate profile I am sure will leave you impressed...one that wore the ear piece and label pin with pride.
