DID YOU KNOW....

The Great Depression wasn't all bad....
An undeveloped section of NJ barrier island 9 miles long comprised of scrub and berry covered coastal sand dunes, tidal marshes and wetlands, was purchased in 1926 by the millionaire, Henry Phipps, a partner of the steel magnate Andrew Carnegie. Phipps' plan was to develop an exclusive seaside resort with private homes for the mega rich. Three were built before the stock market crash of 1929. The Great Depression and Phipp's death ended the project.

In 1953 the land was acquired by the State of New Jersey from the Phipps family. New Jersey leadership at the time had the foresight to establish Island Beach State Park, the most visited park in NJ, +1 million people use the park each year. Phipp's original "beach house," located in Island Beach's Northern Natural Area is now the Governor's "Mansion." Learn more at www.islandbeachnj.org