Everyday History

Ahh Summer!  Ice cream cones and flip flops, backyard BBQ’s and dips in the local (or backyard!) pool, the time of year where we in the northern hemisphere retreat from the heat in whatever way we can.  For many lucky enough to live near the coast or have the time off to get there, it means beach trips!

And that's just what I did this Fourth of July weekend.  My particular journey landed me in Ocean City and Stone Harbor on the Jersey Shore.  I did most of what you typically do on a shore trip (except oddly enough actually going into the water…go figure) and had a lovely time with old and new friends.  But, perhaps because of this blog or my own sentimentality, I noticed something else on my adventures. 

I have been giving a lot of thought lately to everyday history.  After all, a running joke in the historical community is that the history of the United States (where I live) is only a few hundred years old.  This falls flat when you take the United States as a country out of the equation and examine the North American continent for the rich tapestry of civilization it is, but the point is made.  We don’t have a lot of recorded history of giant castles and ancient battlefields.  If you're anything like me, it can sometimes seem disheartening to want to know the stories of a place and be left with so little.  But, as I wandered about the Jersey shore, darting into novelty shops, walking along the sandy wood of the boardwalk, and dining on delicious food, I started to notice that history was everywhere.  

Not just the local museums (of which there were several!) or the grand old houses (several more!) but in the everyday places that people had, for generations, come to love.  

In Ocean City there was a delicious lunch at Brown’s, a breakfast and lunch nook located at 110 Boardwalk, Ocean City, NJ 08226, just off St. Charles.  While I can confirm that the chicken salad was incredible, the fries more than unusually good, and the atmosphere decidedly quirky and fun, I noticed something else while waiting for our table.  A dedication plaque hanging over the doorway put up over two decades ago to commemorate what was then the 25th anniversary of the restaurant.  This place opened in 1976!

While in the grand scheme of history that isn’t a very long time, it is astounding to think how many generations of beach goers found their way to Brown’s, loved the food, and came back.  Over and over again, bringing children, grandchildren, and perhaps even great grandchildren, to a place they knew would be delicious and friendly.  Family tradition that becomes history, and perhaps the reason for the quality of the chicken salad!  (The donuts are apparently also delightful though I sadly did not get to enjoy them this time!)

So I started paying more attention, and wouldn’t you know it?  In Stone Harbor I found a similar story at Springer’s Homemade Ice Cream, located at 9420 Third Avenue, Stone Harbor, NJ 08247, where they have been making their homemade goodies “since Prohibition”.  A century of ice cream enthusiasts have wandered through their doors to get a taste of their delicious treats and they continue to get the vote of our group! Who tried everything from their Blueberry Cheesecake, to “The Blue One” a signature of theirs which is a combination of blue cookie dough ice cream and Oreo® cookies that was a huge hit.  Clearly, there is something to be said for decades of experience and generational love.  

But it wasn’t just eateries.  Just across from Springer’s was Sturdy Savings Bank—9417 Third Avenue, Stone Harbor, NJ 08247—a building which evidently dates back to 1922 (prohibition seems to have been a good time for Third Avenue! And Stone Harbor in general as…) Near the public restrooms I found a sign for The Pumping Station, dedicated 1924.  The building stands out for its unique design (and proximity to public parking!). 

While this is hardly an exhaustive list of my adventures, or the interesting and beautiful things I found at the shore, I think it is a good example of a larger narrative.  History isn’t just found in ancient buildings, or nicely air conditioned museums.  It is out there in the world around us.  History is generations of devoted customers returning to places year after year to enjoy tasty food, making places a part of the story of their families.  It is public works that stand the test of time, or adapt to the needs of new consumers, it is everywhere around us.  How often have we walked past that dedication stone or plaque on the old building near the doctor’s office, or checked to see when our post office was built?  

I hear a lot of people saying that we are living in historical times, and I agree.  It is strange to think someday of children walking past a shopping center and ooohing and awwwing to learn that it was built in 2022. Stranger still to think of our time as being in history books and the actions of the moment being studied for posterity, yet they will be.  And while I someday hope to find my way to Cahokia, Poverty Point, and Mesa Verde, (and strongly encourage everyone to do so!) it is possible to discover a whole lot of history just outside my front door, in the everyday places all around us.   

And while you're out there looking for the special places near you, don’t overlook the new restaurants and mom and pop shops that are opening up next to the carwash.  Who knows, someday you might be taking your grandchildren there to introduce them to an “old friend”.