Manahawkin in Stafford Township in Ocean County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
National Hotel C. 1830
Stafford Township Historic Site
Once one of several inns on Main Shore Road (Route 9), the National Hotel evolved from a rooming house into a hotel for stagecoach and wagon travelers, and subsequently, Tuckerton Railroad passengers. The hotel's peak coincided with the railroad era in the 1870s.
A red barn behind the building once served for entertainment. While under the ownership of the Taubel family who bought the hotel in 1887, the building saw several renovations including growth from a three to a four-story structure, and the incorporation of dining rooms in what had previously been porches. The Frederickson family also ran the National Hotel for some time until about 1929.
After WW II, the National hotel was jokingly called the "Frontier Playhouse" due to Saturday evening rowdiness in the bar that frequently led to the front window being broken.
A major fire in 1970 brought the history of the National Hotel to an end. The building was demolished to make room for the Carroll's Restaurant parking lot.
Erected 2006 by Stafford Township Historic Preservation Commission, Mayor Carl W. Block and the Stafford Township Council; installed as part of the Troop 65 Eagle Scout Project by Jerry S. Gambino.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment
this page online
Location. 39° 41.766′ N, 74° 15.52′ W. Marker is in Stafford Township, New Jersey, in Ocean County. It is in Manahawkin. Marker is on North Main Street (U.S. 9) just north of Stafford Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 31 N Main St, Manahawkin NJ 08050, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Hall Store (1885) (here, next to this marker); Reuben Randolph Manahawkin Tavern, C 1750-1905 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Flag Retirement Memorial (about 600 feet away); Veterans Memorial (about 600 feet away); Roger "Doc" Cramer 1905-1990 (about 700 feet away); C.H. Cranmer / Hazelton House C. 1898 (about 700 feet away); Randolph Homestead (C. 1750) (about 700 feet away); Old Stone Store 1750-1838-1979 (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Stafford Township.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 2, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 130 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 2, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
