Goodbye ‘30s

Germany invaded Poland, starting full-scale war in Europe. The World’s Fair came to NY and it showcased the World of Tomorrow. Cities with superhighways with no stoplights, neatly laid out suburbia, tech innovations like TV and Wonder Bread were on display for an audience looking to get past the dreary decade of the 30s. The future for America was bright and most people were happy to stay out of war.

People escaped to the movies. Color spectacles, Gone with the Wind and The Wizard of OZ were released. There was a hit short film called Set-em up, about bowling. Ned Day and trick shot artist Andy Varipapa were featured and bowling was the cool sport.

American Bowling Congress team. 10 pin was the new recreational activity

At the time, ninepin was more popular, and men missed work for games, and some towns put in bans of ninepin. Starting in the 1940s, tenpin would be more popular. As Sea Girt, it seemed all the men bowled. There was a Shore Fireman’s league and a Sea Girt Business League. The bowling alley in the basement of the Sea Girt firehouse is still in operation.

Charles Stewart took over the Stockton cottage on Washington and opened the Lady Gay Inn.

Imagine, bread you did not have to make at home, and it kept for a week

State Assemblyman J. Stanley Herbert introduced a bill to make the Guard Camp part of Sea Girt. Governor Harry Moore signed it from the Little White House. The Camp had been part of the resort property since the Stockton Estate, but was left as part of Wall Township when the Borough of Sea Girt was formed in 1917. For the residents, the Guard Camp was a source of pride and patriotism.

The Lighthouse Service was taken over by the Coast Guard as a consolidation of resources by the President. The technology was outdated and modern ships used a radio tower beacon to guide ships. This along with an electric beacon would eventually make tending the light obsolete. Ted Lewis was the last man assigned to the light.