Lower Township in Wildwood in Cape May County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Firefighter Charles Bonner

Photographed by Charles Berman, September 22, 2025

1. Firefighter Charles Bonner Marker

Inscription. Wildwood Fire Department
Firefighter Charles Bonner
L.O.D.D. - September 23, 1952
Bowldrome Fire (Rio Grande Avenue & Pacific Avenue) Firefighter Charles Bonner joined the Holly Beach Fire Company on February 11, 1924 and was transferred to the Municipal Fire Division on November 11, 1938. He played a major role in the activities of the fire companies, participating in the minstrel shows sponsored by the departments. He was an end man. He was also a member of the Hereford Masonic Lodge.

Firefighter Bonner had been under a doctor’s care for several weeks prior to the fire that occurred at Rio Grande and Pacific Avenues, destroying Ken’s Bowldrome and Locke’s Cigar Store. The loss was set at $80,000. The fire started with a large explosion that forced out the front of the bowling alley. Firefighter Bonner apparently suffered a stroke during the excitement and was sent home. He later went to the hospital where he died.

He was survived at the time of his death by two sons, James and Charles Jr., both of whom were in the U.S. Navy; and two daughters. Mary Anne and Corinne, both of Philadelphia. He was also survived

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by his sister.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Disasters. A significant historical date for this entry is February 11, 1924.

Location. 38° 58.953′ N, 74° 49.382′ W. Marker is in Wildwood, New Jersey, in Cape May County. It is in Lower Township. It is at the intersection of Pacific Avenue and Rio Grande Avenue when traveling north on Pacific Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4901 Pacific 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

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

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: Holly Beach Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); This Maypole (approx. 0.2 miles away); Vietnam Veterans Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Korean War Memorial (approx.

Photographed by Charles Berman, September 22, 2025

2. Firefighter Charles Bonner Marker

¼ mile away); Wildwood Crest Arch (approx. 0.4 miles away); Turtle Gut Inlet (approx. 1½ miles away); The Battle of Turtle Gut Inlet (approx. 1½ miles away); West Jersey and Seashore Railroad (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wildwood.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 30, 2025, by Charles Berman of Binghamton, New York. This page has been viewed 52 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 30, 2025, by Charles Berman of Binghamton, New York. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.