Historical Markers and War Memorials in Cape May, New Jersey
Cape May is the county seat for Cape May County
Cape May is in Cape May County
Cape May County(169) ► ADJACENT TO CAPE MAY COUNTY Atlantic County(280) ► Cumberland County(85) ► Kent County, Delaware(264) ► Sussex County, Delaware(495) ►
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This building erected by the Cape Island Presbyterian Church dedicated July 17, 1853. The congregation of the First Presbyterian Church moved to its present site at Decatur and Hughes Streets May 21, 1899.
The Episcopal Church of the Advent . . . — — Map (db m209337) HM
This area once contained the greatest number of African American owned businesses. In the 1920s, African Americans were 30% of Cape May's total population. Call to hear more about the business district. — — Map (db m209338) HM
This neighborhood was the social and educational hub for the African American community, which included segregated public schools and AME, Methodist, and Baptist churches. Call to hear about this street. — — Map (db m206395) HM
Born in Philadelphia May 12, 1886. Graduated Central High School 1906. Same year entered University of Pennsylvania in pre-medical studies. Accepted in Medical School of this University in 1908. Received degree of Doctor of Medicine in . . . — — Map (db m46316) HM
Born Philadelphia, October 4, 1895, enlisted U.S. Navy 1912, served World War I U.S.S. Melville; later on U.S.S. Saratoga, Yorktown, Reina, Mercedes, New Mexico and Pennsylvania. Instructor in seamanship U.S. Naval Academy 1922-24. . . . — — Map (db m230320) HM
Born in Allentown, Pennsylvania May 16, 1830. Moved to Cape May (then Cape Island) in 1848 as carpenter and builder. In 1861 one of first enlisted from Cape May and assigned as 2nd Lt. of Special Guard at the capitol in Washington. Commissioned 2nd . . . — — Map (db m10812) HM
In memory of Lt. Richard Wickes who died June 29, 1776 in an engagement near Cape May Lt. Wickes was one of the first naval casualties of the American Revolution Dedicated June 26, 1976 by Harry Snyder . . . — — Map (db m46259) HM
This flag and flag pole
installation
is dedicated to the memory of
Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. Swain
Founders
Swain's Hardware Store
1896 — — Map (db m209343) HM
This building is the last of five hotels that were owned by African Americans. Due to the practice of segregation, hotels operated specifically for African Americans. Call to hear more about this hotel and segregation. — — Map (db m209345) HM
On this street lived African Americans who were key figures in Cape May. Hattie Major lived in this house and operated a laundry business. Call to hear about her neighbors. — — Map (db m209332) HM
Here once stood the Opera House, the cultural center for the African American community. During World War II it served as The Jackson Street USO Club for blacks. Call to hear about the events in this building. — — Map (db m209341) HM
Opra Huff operated her bakery out of this building. It is one of the few buildings that was not demolished during urban renewal in the 1960s. Call to hear more about this time period. — — Map (db m209335) HM
Our Lady Star of the Sea
Church - 1911
has been placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior
(Old St. Mary) — — Map (db m191036) HM
This attractive mall is dedicated to and named for the man whose vision, commitment, determination and extraordinary civic pride were to an immeasurable degree responsible for its completion in 1971.
The Washington Street Mall, a priceless . . . — — Map (db m206387) HM
Ships Bell from S. S. Cape May Built 1943 Retired 1969 Length 4179 Beam 60 Draft 276 Crew 49 Presented to the city by U. S. Maritime Administration in 1974 Served in European war zone in World War II Later served . . . — — Map (db m15600) HM
Stephen Smith (1795-1873), a freed slave, was an abolitionist, industrialist, and philanthropist who played a key role in the Underground Railroad. Call to hear more about Rev. Smith and how his home was saved. — — Map (db m206397) HM
In commemoration of
the Cape May Meeting of the Joint Commission on Unity of the Northern and Southern Branches of Methodism in America held August 17-23, 1876 in which were taken the first significant steps toward the reunion of
The . . . — — Map (db m191082) HM
The Cherry House was built in 1849 by Lemuel Leaming, member of the pioneer Leaming family, noted for its development of Cape May County. In the late 1850s it was the home of James Mecray first burgess of Cape Island which in 1875 officially . . . — — Map (db m206389) HM
The Franklin Street School is a contributing building in the Cape May National Register Historic District for its significance to local African American history.
Designed by Edwards and Green of Philadelphia and Camden in the Colonial . . . — — Map (db m206393) HM
On April 4, 1997, the Space Shuttle Columbia was launched from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida. The 4 day mission orbited the earth 63 times, traveling a total of 1.5 million miles.
Astronaut Gregory Linteris, a New Jersey native, took . . . — — Map (db m191081) HM
Built as a summer home in 1846 by Stephen Smith (1797?-1873) of Philadelphia. Afro-American businessman, philanthopist, clergyman, and abolitionist, Smith founded Cape May's A.M.E. Church. — — Map (db m206396) HM
Primary seacoast lights were located to warn mariners of their proximity to land, the presence of navigational dangers, and to help set their course. By 1852, however, lighthouses and lightships often looked so much alike that it was difficult to . . . — — Map (db m114571) HM
This eternal flame honors not only the veterans of World War II of the Cape May area but also the area veterans who have nobly carried forth the torch of defending our nation. — — Map (db m209358) WM
Formerly Naval Air Station Wildwood during World War II, the airport served as a base for dive bomber squadrons. Thirty-six airmen perished while training at this site from 1943 - 1945. — — Map (db m191062) HM
From 1940 to 1945, Cape May was bustling with military activity. The Army, Navy and Coast Guard all had bases in the area. Throughout the war years, Cape May continued to operate as a coastal resort and promote itself to visitors. Tourism, however, . . . — — Map (db m34614) HM
White Construction of New York was the contractor for this fire control tower. They used a sliding form or slip form, allowing for a continuous pour of concrete. In June of 1942, about fourteen piles were driven into the ground. Two wooden . . . — — Map (db m34978) HM
Near this site May 23, 1945, Ens. Groome perished in the bay while on a Corsair training flight from Naval Air Station Wildwood. — — Map (db m34611) HM
This tower was built to house a sophisticated system for aiming the guns of Fort Miles. From Fire Control Towers along the coast, soldiers would determine the exact location of an enemy ship using the geometric principle of triangulation. Each of . . . — — Map (db m34616) HM
September winds from the north and northwest gently push millions of migrating monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) to the Atlantic coast. Many are funneled southward through the Cape May peninsula. Thus begins the 2000-mile journey to . . . — — Map (db m43982) HM
Historic Cold Spring Village is an outdoor living history museum that interprets farmwomens domestic life in the mid-19th century as part of its activities and exhibits. While men struggled to raise crops and care for animals on the small . . . — — Map (db m92378) HM
During the late 18th century, the first coastal defenses built in the United States were earthen forts constructed on high points near important harbors. Soon thereafter, star-shaped stone forts were built in the years leading up to the War of 1812. . . . — — Map (db m34612) HM
In memory
of those who made the
supreme sacrifice
World War II
William M. Costell Harvey Franck Lewis Garrison Douglass Ginder Charles Goodacre Vernon B. Foster Maurice C. Halbruner Edward N. Hunter John B. Kaighn, . . . — — Map (db m191080) WM
The original landscape of this site was typical of the Cape May peninsula hollies and red cedars interspersed with beach plums and native grasses. When the Army constructed these cylindrical towers, the original landscape was disturbed. The Army . . . — — Map (db m34980) HM
From the time the current lighthouse was built in 1859 to the time it was electrified around 1933, four keepers, their assistants, and their families lived and worked on this landscape by the sea.
The keepers and their periods of service . . . — — Map (db m114569) HM
Primary seacoast lights were located to warn mariners of their proximity to land, areas of danger, and to help set the course. Sandy Hook and Navesink Twin Lights marked the entrance to New York Harbor. Cape May and Cape Henlopen Lighthouses . . . — — Map (db m206412) HM
This boat represents an integral part of U.S. Lifesaving Service and U.S. Coast Guard history. It is a 26-foot lifesaving boat, "Monomoy" Class, circa 1800s-1930s. This class of rescue boat originated in New England and was regularly used in Cape . . . — — Map (db m206415) HM
This structure was built in 1893 to house the kerosene used to power the light. Until 1893, the Lighthouses oil was stored in the vestibule house at the entrance to the tower. Moving it to a separate building reduced the risk of fire in the . . . — — Map (db m114573) HM
This structure was built in 1893 to house the kerosene used to power the light.
Lighthouses were generally powered by Sperm Whale oil until its price rose dramatically in the 1850s. In the mid-1870s, kerosene, which was less expensive than . . . — — Map (db m206416) HM
Pitch Pine (Pinus rigida) is the dominant tree of the New Jersey Pine Barrens and was a major source of pitch and timber used in ship building. It was also used for railroad ties due to its high resin content which preserves it from decay. Pitch . . . — — Map (db m191072) HM
Red Mulberry (Morus rubra): Native Americans used the fruits fresh for beverages, breads, cakes, dumplings and preserves. Dried fruits are mixed with animal fat for pemmican (a paste of dried and pounded meat mixed with melted fat and other . . . — — Map (db m191076) HM
Remains of experimental concrete ship. One of twelve built during World War 1. Proven impractical after several Trans-Atlantic trips because of weight. In 1926, the Atlantus was purchased by Colonel Jesse Rosenfeld to be used as a ferry dock in . . . — — Map (db m34608) HM
Southern Arrowwood (Viburnum dentatum) is abundant in Cape May County woodlands. Native Americans used the long, sinuous stems as a natural toothbrush and the wood for its straight arrow shafts. Attracts Eastern Bluebird, Northern Flicker, Gray . . . — — Map (db m191074) HM
This large Southern Red Oak tree is known for its turkey foot shaped leaves. The woodlands of Bradner's Run host a variety of oaks. Oak trees offer a wide variety of natural and cultural resource benefits. The acorns are an important food source to . . . — — Map (db m191070) HM
Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana), also known as Swamp Magnolia, was a plant prized by early settlers and sent back to Europe as early as 1688. Its mild lemony-scented flowers bloom continuously from spring through summer. Magnolia seeds ripen . . . — — Map (db m191073) HM
The Army started dismantling Fort Miles before it was even finished not in the face of enemy invasion but because advances in warfare made it instantly obsolete. In fact, as early as 1943, construction of the entire nationwide Harbor Defense . . . — — Map (db m34976) HM
Construction of the Cape May Lighthouse is being supported in part by a National Maritime Heritage grant administered by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior.
This lighthouse was built in 1859 by the Army Corps of Engineers, . . . — — Map (db m206417) HM
As war clouds gathered in the late 1930s, the Army started building massive fortifications at the entrance to the Delaware River and Bay. Called Fort Miles, the main batteries and headquarters were at Cape Henlopen, Delaware, near the main . . . — — Map (db m39716) HM
What Happened in South Cape May?
From the mid-1800s to the 1940s, South Cape may was a quaint vacation town complete with hotels, bathhouses, a railroad and a popular beach.
Over time, storms took a heavy toll on the town and the . . . — — Map (db m209365) HM
At the top of the Fire Tower are the slits for the observation level and the rooftop platform. As it was being designed, there was debate about whether the Cape May tower should have one, two or three observation levels. In March 23, 1942, it was . . . — — Map (db m34979) HM
This large double trunk Tulip Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) produces tulip shaped flowers that are large, brilliant, and numerous. Their color is greenish yellow with dashes of red and orange. The flower's red base guides bees to the flower's . . . — — Map (db m191067) HM
For some 180 years, a lighthouse beacon has stood here at the southern tip of New Jersey, guarding the entrance to Delaware Bay. The present tower was constructed in 1859. Standing 157½ feet tall, it is the third lighthouse on this site, . . . — — Map (db m114572) HM
For almost two centuries, a lighthouse beacon has stood here at the southern tip of New Jersey, guarding the entrance to the Delaware Bay. The present tower was constructed in 1859. Standing 157½ feet tall, it is the third lighthouse on this . . . — — Map (db m206413) HM
Bradner's Run is a freshwater stream which runs along the southern edge of Historic Cold Spring Village. It travels under the Garden State Parkway and then meets the salt marsh of the intracoastal waterway. It is named for John Bradner, first . . . — — Map (db m191078) HM
Bradner's Run is a freshwater stream which runs along the southern edge of Historic Cold Spring Village. It travels under the Garden State Parkway and then meets the salt marsh of the intracoastal waterway. It is named for John Bradner, first . . . — — Map (db m191071) HM
