Wildwood Crest Centennial Celebration

L-R, Dave & Theresa Williams, Joyce Gould, Judy Carr, Dottie Zollo, and Pat Johnson	The newly published book that everyone will want to have!

The residents of Wildwood Crest are preparing to celebrate their town's 100th anniversary this year. Wildwood Crest was incorporated on April 6, 1910. The centennial celebrations will continue through out the summer with a variety of scheduled events geared for all ages.

The Baker brothers, merchants from Vineland, established the Wildwood Beach Improvement Company in 1895 and founded the town of Wildwood. The brothers, realizing the potential for a summer resort, continued expansion southward. Philip Baker became the first mayor of Wildwood Crest in 1910. The beautiful beaches and untouched sand dunes were quickly becoming the summer vacation destination that the Baker brothers had envisioned.

The first house in Wildwood Crest was built in 1906 with the first four streets being named for flowers representing the beauty of the island at that time. Construction on one new house a day for two months represented the enthusiasm for the new community. A large, thirty foot high, illuminated arch welcomed visitors at Cresse and Pacific Avenues. A replica now stands at the entrance to the bike path.

"The First Hundred Years."a beautiful coffee table book, will be available for sale in early June. The book is a pictorial walk back through time, featuring the many hundred year old homes, the railroad, the history of Turtle Gut and much, much more. It also, includes photos of the Crest Memorial Graduates dating back to the first class and many more photos of people of Wildwood Crest.

Joyce Gould said, "My idea was always to feature the people." Dottie Zollo and Judy Carr were interested in the "then and now" of the borough. "We created a circle of life history of Wildwood Crest which will rekindle your memories of days gone by."

The underlying message of the book is "Let's maintain the beauty of the old, as we move forward with the new." The three ladies with the help of David Williams, Pat Johnson, and the publisher, Jack Wright of Exit Zero in Cape May, have created a truly wonderful book that will be enjoyed by all.

J. Byrne Insurance, Crest Savings Bank, and Van Note-Harvey Associates have generously sponsored the book. It will be available for sale at Wildwood Crest Historical Society and Wildwood Crest Borough Hall in early June.

The Centennial Committee is planning an Olde Tyme Family Fun Festival scheduled for May 16, 1:00 to 4:00 to be held at the Crest Pier. It is the official kick-off event for the centennial celebration. Games, pony rides, a photo booth, music by the Cape Shore Sweet Adelines, and more surprises are planned. Also, for real family fun, join the Family Retro-Dress Contest. Choose a decade (20's, 30's, 40's, 50's.) and strut your stuff at the festival.

Sweatshirts, long and short sleeve tee-shirts, and golf shirts will be available for sale at various centennial events.

Mark you calendars, come out and join your friends and neighbors to honor and celebrate Wildwood Crest's Centennial Year.

Crest Savings Helps Wildwood Crest Celebrate 100 years

The publishing of a high quality book can be rather pricey which is where Crest Savings Bank stepped in. The bank's donation will cover a considerable part of this project. "Wildwood Crest is where Crest Savings Bank was founded over 90 years ago", stated Jay M. Ford, Crest Savings Bank President and CEO, "we feel it is our duty to give back to the community that saw us through our very first years".

In the picture from left: Jodie DiEduardo, Crest Savings Bank's Senior VP and Branch Administrator, Wildwood Crest Historical Society Centennial Committee Co-Chairwoman Joyce Gould, and Jay M. Ford, Crest Savings Bank President and CEO.