Wildwood in Cape May County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Holly Beach Park
This park is home to the first school in Holly Beach in 1882 at the age of 15, Mary Van Valin, the daughter of the Mayor started a one room school for ten students. The first school was located at Taylor and Beach Avenues. This Mini House was also used for church service, social gatherings and Holly Beach Borough Hall when it was incorporated in 1885.
A severe storm washed out Holly Beach in 1889 and the Mini House was moved to the Moyers property at the northeast corner of Bennett and Holly Beach Avenues. It was moved again in 1950 to W Taylor Avenue. After living it for several years, Mr. Mowers converted it into a tool shed. He presented it to the city of Wildwood in 1975 and George Boyer had it moved to Holly Beach Park.
School District No. 31 was formed and certified a free public school. This was built at the present location of Holly Beach Park in 1886. Holly Beach School closed in 1933 and was torn down in 1936. Mr. E.Z. fox urged the city to give the ground to the Park Commission. He and Mr. Nick Silviedio built Holly Beach Park in 1939.
Holly Beach Park, a beautiful spot for everyone to enjoy, now contains the original school bell, May Pole, Fishermen's Memorial and the Mini House. There is also a fountain in the middle of the park which was built with money collected by Elizabeth and Lillian Grelis.
The school bell was saved after the school was torn down. The bell was erected on the old fire escape iron with black board for roof. Bell was vandalized and taken down. It was restored and rehung with new housing. The May Pole was also restored. The city is working on restoring the fountain. Partners In Preservation is working with city to bring back this beautiful park.
Fisherman's Memorial is to honor Cape May County fishermen who lost their lives at sea.
Erected by The
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Parks & Recreational Areas • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1882.
Location. 38° 59.076′ N, 74° 49.328′ W. Marker is in Wildwood, New Jersey, in Cape May County. It is on East Burk Avenue west of Pacific Avenue, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 138 E Burk Ave, Wildwood NJ 08260, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on New Jersey’s Jersey Shore. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: This Maypole (a few steps from this marker); Firefighter Charles Bonner (approx. 0.2 miles away); Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Credits. This page was last revised on November 3, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 3, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 438 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 3, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
