The seashore resort City of North Wildwood, New Jersey was formed as the Borough of Anglesea in 1885. Situated at the north end of an island known as Five Mile Beach in Cape May County, Anglesea was known by generations of native Americans as a prime fishing and hunting spot. Permanent settlement of the area began in the last quarter of the 19th century. This book will discuss the growth of the neighborhoods around the Hereford Inlet Lighthouse (the first permanent structure built on Five Mile Beach), growth of private industry and the expansion of public infrastructure, all critical to the development of the community. Readers will also receive, for the first time, an explanation of the events leading up to the changing of the name of the Borough from Anglesea to North Wildwood in the spring of 1906. Lists are provided, in the form of appendices, of the leading characters and landmarks of the community's early days. The formation of the Anglesea Railroad and Five Mile Beach Improvement Company by businessman Frederick Swope, steady-handed guidance of the local government by Mayors such as William Tompkins and Edward Shivers, and foresighted growth by developers such as Henry Ottens and Peter Verga are all explained in this book in a easy-to-follow narrative of the 21-year history of the Borough of Anglesea. Turning an area of wind-swept sand dunes and dense forest into a successful seashore resort was the vision of the original developers of the community, and the result of their determination is a thriving and vibrant city famous for its white-sand beaches and exciting boardwalk.
About the Author: W. Scott Jett is a lifelong resident of North Wildwood, NJ and has spent much of his time studying its history. In addition to beginning his planned North Wildwood History Series with the book "Borough of Anglesea 1885-1906" Scott has worked at the Hereford Inlet Lighthouse and has served on the Board of Directors of the Wildwood Historical Society. As North Wildwood City Historian, he is the Chairman of the City's Historical Commission in addition to his main duties as City Clerk. Scott and his wife Juanita, active members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, have five children and five grandchildren.