Shortly after Sea Isle City was established in the late 1800s, people quickly began traveling to the new resort.
To accommodate the throngs of guests who wanted to visit Sea Isle, new railroad lines were soon put down, summer cottages were constructed, and hotels sprang-up along the shoreline. However, it wasn’t until July of 1919 when the Sea Isle City Beach Patrol (SICBP) was formed – one century ago this summer.
With the SICBP’s 100th anniversary in mind, Sea Isle City Mayor Leonard Desiderio has directed his staff to form a committee to plan events and activities during the summer of 2019 that will commemorate the Sea Isle City Beach Patrol’s centennial.
The seven-person committee, consisting of Sea Isle City Police Chief / Director of Public Safety Thomas McQuillen, Director of Community Services / Public Information Officer Katherine Custer, Sea Isle Beach Patrol Chief Renny Steele, past Beach Patrol Captains Thomas McCann and Mike McHale, past Beach Patrol Lieutenant / Beach Patrol Alumni Association President John McCann and Tourism representative Diane Merson, convened for the first time last month with other members of the community who are looking forward to celebrating the SICBP’s special anniversary. Another meeting was held this past Tuesday.
“The committee that is organizing events in honor of the Beach Patrol’s 100th anniversary consists of retired and current lifeguards as well as several other City employees, and I am certain their efforts will result in a great celebration,” said Mayor Desiderio.
Desiderio continued, “We are very grateful to each of the lifeguards who have served in the past and who continue to serve this community. This year’s 100th anniversary celebrations will honor them all.”
Sea Isle officials are planning a series of special events to mark the 100th year of the beach patrol. (Courtesy of Sea Isle City)
The mayor said 2019 will be the “summer of lifeguards” in Sea Isle.
“I hope everyone will take the time to say ‘thank you’ if you see one of our guards this year, because they are now, and always have been, devoted to protecting beachgoers,” he added.
McQuillen said that the first meeting went well, and the committee members presented great ideas on ways to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Beach Patrol.
“I look forward to working together with the committee members to plan the best ways to recognize all of the achievements of the Sea Isle City Beach Patrol,” he said. “As we finalize the plans, we will continue to update everyone on the many ways we will honor this historic milestone.”
More details will be forthcoming on the celebration.
For more information about events taking place in Sea Isle City, go to www.VISITSICNJ.com To contact the SICBP 100th Anniversary Committee, phone 609-263-8687, ext. 103.
