Cape May County, New Jersey

1883 Original Terminus Anglesea Railroad A World Class Ecosystem All Shapes, Sizes and Materials All Shapes, Sizes and Materials American Bison American Bison Conservation Atlantic City Railroad - Cape May Division Bald Eagle Barred Owl Bats on the Move Boardwalk Boardwalk Bongo Repatriation Project Camelids Cape May County Airport Cape May County Fishermans Memorial Cape May during World War II Cape May Lighthouse Cape May Revolutionary Patriot Memorial City of Cape May Cold Spring Grange Hall Common Marmoset Construction of Fire Control Tower No. 23 County Seat De Brazza's Monkey Dedicated to Lt. Richard Wickes Dennis Creek Landing Edgar Arthur Draper Edwin Joseph Hill, CMH Eldora Nature Preserve Elk (Wapiti) Ens. Andrew P. Hamilton Ens. Harry V. Groome, Jr. Ens. Leonard R. Volpi Exploring the Pines Fire Control Tower No. 23 Flipper and Friends Fragile Flyers George Henry White Henry Washington Sawyer Hereford Inlet Lighthouse Hereford Inlet Lightouse Historic Cape May County Court House Historic Cold Spring Village History of Coastal Defenses Hotel Anglesea In Memory In the Still of the Night Landscape Lighthouse Keepers' Homes & Gardens Lt. Richard Wickes Mara's Journey Memorial Field Ocean City Tabernacle Ocean City War Memorial Oil House Ostrich Our Lady Star of the Sea Church Palm Oil Crisis Pitch Pine Preserving an Icon Pumping Station Rebecca and Sarah Stillwell Red Mulberry Red Panda Conservation Ridges, Rivers and Coastlines Ring-Tailed Lemur Ring-Tailed Lemur Conservation Roll of Honor S. S. Cape May S.S. Atlantus Salt Marshes Save the Golden Lion Tamarin Shorebirds Galore Sindia Snow Leopard Conservation Southern Arrowwood Southern Red Oak St. Peter’s by the Sea Swarms of Dragonflies Sweetbay Magnolia The abrupt end of Fort Miles The Battle of Turtle Gut Inlet The Bunker Story The Cape May Meeting of the Joint Commission on Unity Memorial The Construction of Fort Miles The Glorious Ocean Drive...... The Ocean City Historic District The Ocean City Historic District The Space Shuttle Tree The Top of the Fire Tower This is the Home of the Whitesboro Grammar School Tulip Poplar U.S. Life Saving Station No.35 (Tatham Life Saving Station) U.S.S. Arizona Memorial Veterans Memorial Veterans Memorial Veterans Memorial Veterans Plaza Vietnam Veterans Memorial Welcome to the Nature Trail at Bradner's Run Welcome to the Nature Trail at Bradner's Trail West Jersey and Seashore Railroad What is it? Why are there fewer bees?
Cape May County, located in the southernmost part of New Jersey, has a rich history dating back thousands of years. The area was inhabited by the Native American Lenape tribe until the arrival of European settlers. The first European explorer to reach the area was Henry Hudson in 1609, followed by English explorer Captain Cornelius Jacobsen Mey, after whom Cape May is named. Dutch and Swedish settlers established small settlements in the area in the 17th century, but it was the English who eventually gained control of the region.

In the 18th century, Cape May County grew as a center for maritime activities, with a bustling shipbuilding industry and a thriving trade network. The county's strategic location made it a crucial hub for trade between the colonies and the Caribbean, fostering economic growth and attracting new settlers. During the American Revolution, the county played a role in various military actions, including a naval skirmish in the Delaware Bay.

By the mid-19th century, Cape May County had developed into a popular vacation destination. Its pristine beaches and healthy sea air attracted wealthy tourists from urban areas, leading to the construction of grand Victorian-style homes and hotels. Cape May City became a fashionable resort town, known as the "Queen of the Seaside Resorts." The opening of the Camden and Atlantic Railroad in 1854 further bolstered tourism, making the area easily accessible to visitors.

In the 20th century, Cape May County continued to thrive as a tourist destination, while also becoming an important military site. During World War II, the United States Navy established a naval base in the county, which later became a training center for Coast Guard recruits. Today, Cape May County remains a popular tourist spot, with its beautiful beaches, charming Victorian architecture, and rich historical heritage attracting visitors from near and far.
Brief timeline of the history of Cape May County, New Jersey:

  • 1692 - Cape May County founded as one of New Jersey's original counties.
  • 1702 - West Jersey and East Jersey merged into one royal colony, and Cape May County became part of New Jersey.
  • 1765 - Cape May County officially established and named after Cornelius Jacobsen Mey, a Dutch explorer.
  • 1776 - Cape May County played a role in the American Revolutionary War as British troops occupied the region.
  • 1804 - Cape May Court House became the county's seat of government.
  • 1851 - Cape May City incorporated as a borough.
  • 1857 - Ocean City formed as a Christian seaside resort.
  • 1869 - Avalon and Sea Isle City incorporated as boroughs.
  • 1997 - Cape May County designated as a National Historic Landmark due to its well-preserved Victorian architecture.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Cape May County, New Jersey.