Olivia Fisher 
There is nothing more local for The Local Girl to share than a guide to some of the oldest spots at the Jersey Shore. Communities throughout Atlantic, Cape May, Monmouth, and Ocean Counties are home to colonial-era homes that witnessed the American Revolution and Victorian homes born of the seaside resort craze. We are lucky to live and vacation in such a history-filled area, and today, we are going to explore some of the Jersey Shore’s oldest and most noteworthy historical spots. Read on for a guide to some of the oldest spots at the Jersey Shore.
Allen House | 400 Sycamore Avenue, Shrewsbury
Robert Stillwell built the Allen House in Shrewsbury around 1710. In 1754, the property was sold to Josiah Halstead, who transformed it into the Blue Ball Tavern. By 1773, Stephen Tallman owned the spot. During the American Revolution in 1779, Loyalists raided the tavern while Patriot troops were quartered here. In total, three Patriot soldiers were killed and nine captured in an event known as the Allen House Massacre. Robert Stillwell had purchased the land from the Allen family, who regained ownership of it in 1775. Over the next 150 years, the home passed through many different owners, including various members of the Allen family. Today, Allen House is one of the several properties owned and operated as a historic house by the Monmouth County Historical Association. The spot is currently closed for renovations and is reopening in 2027.
Andrews-Bartlett Homestead | 120 West Main Street, Tuckerton
The Andrews-Bartlett Homestead, located in Tuckerton, is likely the oldest remaining home in Ocean County. The original section of the house was built around 1699 by Mordecai Andrews, a Quaker. In 1702, he donated the land where the Little Egg Harbor Friends Meeting House and graveyard sit. Nathan Bartlett bought the house in 1824 and enlarged the entire structure, encompassing the original portion in the center and surrounding it. Partial funding for the restoration of the building was in place as of 2017. Some repairs were made in 2019. The home is not open to the public.
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Chalfonte Hotel | 301 Howard Street, Cape May
The Chalfonte Hotel is the oldest hotel in Cape May. Between 1875 and 1876, Henry Sawyer, a Civil War veteran, built the spot. In 2008, the hotel did not have AC or Wi-Fi, but both have since been added. The hotel offers a variety of suites and cottage rentals. Click here to make a reservation.
Christ Church Shrewsbury | 380 Sycamore Avenue, Shrewsbury
Built in 1769, Christ Church Shrewsbury was founded as an Episcopal congregation in 1702. In 1738, the community received its official charter from King George II, which is on display today. During the American Revolution, the church served as a barracks for Patriot soldiers. During their time here, the soldiers shot at the pulpit, orb, and crown inside the church, which stood as a symbol of the British crown and rule. Today, the church still possesses some of these damaged artifacts.
Day’s Ice Cream | 48 Pitman Avenue, Ocean Grove
Day’s Ice Cream is the oldest continuously operating business in Ocean Grove and one of the oldest at the Jersey Shore. Day’s opened in August 1876. The owners, brothers William F. and Pennington Day, also owned ice cream shops in Asbury Park, Morristown, and Newark. The ice cream spot has numerous flavors, waffles, and a spacious seating area. The spot is currently closed and will reopen in May for the 2026 season.
Eden Woolley House Museum | 703 Deal Road, Oakhurst
The Eden Woolley House was built around 1747. The house was occupied by the Woolley Family until 1926. Eden Woolley, for whom the house is named, lived here from 1835 until 1892. Guests are welcome on Sundays between 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM, as well as on Thursdays from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM during the months of March through October.
Holmes-Hendrickson House | 62 Long Street Road, Holmdel
William Holmes, the youngest son of Jonathan Holmes and Teuntje Hendrickson, purchased the land from his parents in 1752 and two years later built a home. His cousin, Garret Hendrickson, bought the property in 1756 and ran a farm here. In 1929, Bell Telephone Laboratories acquired the farm to establish a communications test site and eventually used it for storage. In 1959, Bell Labs began planning for the construction of a large new office building, which would replace the colonial-era home. The Monmouth County Historical Association acquired the home and relocated it to preserve it. In 1965, after restoration, it was opened to the public. The Holmes-Hendrickson House will open to the public on April 25th for the 2026 season. Visitors can stop by on Sundays and Saturdays from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM until October 18th.
Marlpit Hall | 127 Kings Highway, Middletown
In 1686, James Grover Jr. likely erected the kitchen section of Marlpit Hall. The house was enlarged in 1762. In 1771, Edward Taylor took possession of the house, and it remained amongst his descendants until 1930. In 1935, Marlpit Hall was purchased by Mrs. J. Amory Haskell, a collector of early American decorative arts. She restored the home and, in 1936, presented it fully furnished to the Monmouth County Historical Association. Today, visitors can explore the historic site on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
Parker Homestead | 235 Rumson Road, Little Silver
In 1665, brothers Peter and Joseph Parker of Rhode Island purchased the land on which the Parker Homestead sits. The current structure was likely built around 1721 based on the dendrochronology of the home’s wood. In 1995, Julia Parker gifted the home to the Little Silver. Julia was the eighth generation of the Parker family to live in the home. Visit the website here or check Parker Homestead’s Instagram to learn about events and when to visit.
Red Bank Station | 175 Monmouth Street, Red Bank
Red Bank Station was built by the Central Railroad of New Jersey in 1875. Notable visitors included Presidents Ulysses S. Grant, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and even King George VI of the United Kingdom. It is likely the oldest extant train station at the Jersey Shore. Today, the station serves passengers travelling on the North Jersey Coast Line.
Sandy Hook Lighthouse | Fort Hancock, Highlands
The Sandy Hook Lighthouse was designed and built in 1764 by Isaac Conro. In 1889, it became the first lighthouse in the country to be lit by incandescent lamps. The U.S. Postal Service issued a 25-cent stamp featuring the Sandy Hook Lighthouse in 1990. It is the oldest working lighthouse in the country and today, is located in the Gateway National Recreation Area, a part of the National Park Service. The park is open daily from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and the lighthouse is typically accessible during that time. Click here to learn more about visiting the Sandy Hook Lighthouse.
Somers Mansion | Somers Road + Somers Point Circle, Somers Point
Built between 1720 and 1726 by Richard Somers, Somers Mansion is Atlantic County’s oldest building. Richard Somers was the first member of the Somers family to be born in New Jersey. He operated the first ferry across Great Egg Harbor Bay. In the 19th century, the home was converted from its original Colonial look to a Victorian style. In the early 1940s, the Works Progress Administration restored the site to its original look. Visitors can stop by on Sundays and Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
Tuckerton Library | 380 Bay Avenue, Tuckerton
The Tuckerton Library dates back to the mid 1800s when Louisa Willet Pharo and Eliza Pharo established the Reading Society and Book Lending service in the Quaker Meeting House. In 1875, the first Tuckerton Library Association was organized and built a facility. The original structure was moved to new locations in 1900 and again in 1971. It became a part of the Ocean County Library system in 1972. The library is open Monday, 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM Tuesday through Friday, and from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM on Saturdays.
See More: A Guide to the Oldest Historic Sites in Hudson County, New Jersey
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