Bradley Beach History
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The area now known as Bradley Beach can be traced back to 1679 when it is said that Captain William Kidd anchored his vessel off Duck Creek, now known as Sylvan Lake. The area was rich with pine trees and sand dunes providing a natural haven for waterfowl. It was also reported that an Indian tribe existed in the approximate area of LaReine Avenue. Captain Kidd was said to have stayed in this area for some time, and legend has it that he buried his treasure between two large pine trees in the area of today's Brinley Avenue. Captain Kidd never returned to claim his fortune, and the legend lives on today on its location or whether the treasure never existed at all.
In 1871, William B. Bradner, with James A, Bradley as an investor, purchased fifty-four acres of land north of Avon-by-the-Sea, and south of Ocean Grove. At the time the land was part of Ocean Township, this area later became part of Neptune Township, and was know as of Ocean Park. However, the post office informed Bradner that the community would have to change its name due to its similarity to Ocean Port. William Bradner did not want to suggest his own name, so it was suggested to name the community after James Bradley – “Bradley Beach.”
Still a community located within Neptune Township, local citizens appealed to the New Jersey State Legislature for a referendum to separate Bradley Beach from Neptune Township.
In the 1920’s, Bradley Beach had become a very popular resort town with many beach facilities. Bradley Beach attracted thousands of tourists from Northern, NJ, New York and Pennsylvania. The construction of the Garden State Parkway in the 1950's contributed to the influx of those seeking a year-round home with the appeal of living by the ocean within an easy commute to their workplace. Today, there is a year-round population of 5,000 that increases to approximately 30,000 during the summer months.
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Bradley Beach, New Jersey
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