Because Sea Isle City has such a wonderful and interesting history, the Sea Isle City Historical Society will occasionally provide Sea Isle City’s E-Newsletter with brief “Walks Down Memory Lane,” which will give readers a quick look at Sea Isle’s past. The is recent piece that they shared.
SEA ISLE CITY HISTORY FOUNDED 1882
Sea Isle’s history is rich and colorful – and has always been tied to the sea. Our island was originally covered with a lush growth of cedar, holly and many other trees and a variety of grasses as well as marsh lands. Sea Isle was formed as a barrier island about 20,000 year ago. Records began in the 1600s when the Lenni Lenape Native Americans used the island for their “Happy Hunting Grounds.” Whalers, fishermen, hunters and most likely pirates occupied the island. Joseph Ludlam purchased the island in 1692 and named it Ludlam Island. Ludlam came from Yorkshire, England, and settled on the mainland in the Clermont section of Cape May County, where he started his farm and cattle fields. When Joseph Ludlam considered purchasing the island, his insight was to keep his cattle on it, no fences were needed, and he brought sheep over on the island by boats and the cattle had to swim. The island had plenty of ground covering to feed the animals and the trees protected them in the winter as well as the summer. Many of Ludlam’s descendants still live in the Cape May County area.
Sea Isle’s heritage is treasured by many and is well worth discovering. The Sea Isle Historical Society and Museum would like to share just a few of the many stories we have at the Museum here in the City’s E-Newsletter. Visiting our Museum at 48th Street and Central Avenue (on the first floor of the Sea Isle City Library) and enjoying the Exhibits, Family Albums and Artifacts in person are priceless. We are open year-round, handicap accessible and child friendly. Our volunteer staff is always available to walk you through 130+ years of Sea Isle History. Access our website at www.seaislemuseum.com for more information and the Museums hours. Please call with any questions 609-263-2992.
Shown below are images of Lenni Lenape natives and fisherman from the Shallow Water Fishing Company, one of many fisheries that operated in Sea Isle City over the years…
Can You Provide Photos?
The Historical Society is always in search of vintage photographs of Sea Isle City – and they are currently in need of photos that depict our town’s Carousel and Boardwalk prior to the Storm of 1962. If you have photos you wish to donate, please phone 609-263-2992 or stop-by the Historical Museum, located on the first floor of the Sea Isle City Library at 4800 Central Avenue.
Remember: If your photos are family heirlooms that you wish to keep, you can share them with the Historical Museum by scanning and emailing them to sicmuseum@outlook.com.
