February Presentation and Meeting: Jersey Shore Railroading and Tourism

Railroads, Tourism, and Commuters at the Jersey Shore

Speaker: Bill Elwell

Nestled halfway between two of America’s most important cities, the Jersey Shore seems perfectly positioned to be a vacation destination. What was once desolate beachfront did not become a vacationing mecca overnight. Railroads were the defining factor in creating and shaping the development of the Shore as a center for everything from day trips to whole summer vacations. As the winds of technology changed, the passenger-centric Jersey Shore railroads were able to turn into the breeze and refocus to commuters, redefining themselves and the Jersey Shore as a whole. This work explores railroads and their effects on Jersey Shore, especially vacationing and commuting, focusing through the lens of railroad-publications like timetables and advertisements.

Bill Elwell is an adjunct professor of history at Monmouth University and a lifelong Jersey Shore resident. Much of that life has been spent exploring all different aspects of railroads, especially local ones, through history, modeling, and railfanning. Additionally, Bill is on the Board of the Ocean County Historical Society, a member of the Anthracite Roads Historical Society and West Jersey Chapter NRHS, formerly worked in historical outreach for Monmouth County, and is proud to help share our common story.

Free admission with refreshments following the meeting. MHS meeting afterwards.