Sea Breeze, New Jersey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sea Breeze, New Jersey
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 Sea Breeze, New Jersey
Location in Cumberland County, New Jersey
Sea Breeze, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Sea Breeze, New Jersey
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  New Jersey |
| County | Cumberland |
| Township | Fairfield |
| Elevation | 3 ft (1 m) |
| ZIP Code |
08302
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| GNIS feature ID | 0880444 |
Sea Breeze is a small community in New Jersey. It is located in Fairfield Township, which is part of Cumberland County. This special place sits right on the edge of the Delaware Bay.
Contents
Sea Breeze: A Look Back in Time
Early Days and Steamboats
Imagine traveling by steamboat! In 1887, steamboats started bringing people from Philadelphia to Sea Breeze. Two smart businessmen fixed up an old Civil War boat. They named it the John A. Warner. This boat then offered fun summer trips to Sea Breeze's amusement pier.
Grand Hotels and Fun Times
Later in 1887, a big hotel called The Warner House opened in Sea Breeze. It had 40 rooms and offered lots of activities for visitors. People could go swimming and enjoy many fun games. The hotel also hosted yearly clambakes and exciting boat races. Sadly, The Warner House burned down in 1890.
In the early 1900s, Jesse Smith built a second hotel. It was called The Seabreeze Hotel. During this time, a man named Harry Griffith rented out rowboats on the bay. This new hotel also faced a sad end. It was destroyed by a fire in the 1940s.
The Sea Breeze Tavern
After a time when certain drinks were not allowed, Harry Griffith opened the Sea Breeze tavern. It started small, in a nearby barge. Later, it grew to have three rooms. By the 1940s, Harry's daughter, Mae, added food to the tavern's menu. Harry Griffith passed away in the 1960s. His family continued to run the tavern until 1985. That year, a big storm called Hurricane Gloria destroyed it.
Life in Sea Breeze Today
Sea Breeze is now home to a small group of homes. Many of these are used only during certain seasons. Not many people live there all year round. There is just one road in Sea Breeze, called Beach Avenue. It is not paved. You won't find any marinas or big stores here. However, Sea Breeze is still a great spot for people who love to fish in saltwater. It's also a wonderful place for watching birds.
Changes and New Beginnings
In November 2008, some homeowners in Sea Breeze faced a challenge. A wall built to protect the land from waves had been badly damaged. This put their homes at risk. Six of the 19 homeowners asked the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to buy their properties.
By May 2010, news reports shared that all the remaining homeowners had agreed to sell their properties to the state. This was a big change for the community. In August 2010, two of the homes burned down. Another home was lost to fire in July 2011. In early 2012, the state and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) carefully took down the remaining houses.
