Wildwoods Shore Resort Historic District facts for kids
The Wildwoods Shore Resort Historic District, also known as the Doo Wop Motel District, is a special area in The Wildwoods, New Jersey. It was once home to over 300 motels built in the 1950s and 1960s. This time was known as the Doo-Wop era. The term "Doo-Wop" was created in the early 1990s. It describes a unique, space-age building style. This style is also called Googie or populuxe.
The motels have a very cool and unique look. They feature bright neon signs, plastic palm trees, and amazing designs. Many motels have been torn down to build new homes. But the Wildwood Doo Wop Preservation League is working hard to save and fix the remaining historic buildings. Two motels, the Caribbean Motel in Wildwood Crest and the Chateau Bleu Motel in North Wildwood, are even listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
There is also a 1950s Doo Wop museum. It displays items from motels that were torn down, like neon signs and furniture. Some new buildings in the area also have a Doo-Wop style. These include a Wawa Food Market with neon lights and a 1950s-style Acme Supermarket.
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History of the Motels
Motels started being built in the Wildwoods in the early 1950s. The year 1958 was a big year for building in Wildwood Crest. Many famous motels opened then, like the Satellite, Caribbean, and Tangiers. New motels continued to be built into the 1970s.
The Morey Brothers
Many of these Doo-Wop motels were designed by two brothers, Lewis J. (Lou) and Wilburt C. (Will) Morey. They were born in West Wildwood in 1925 and 1927. In 1952, their company built Wildwood's first motel, the Jay's Motel. Later, they worked on motel designs more on their own.
Doo Wop Building Styles
Doo Wop motels often have U-shaped or L-shaped designs. They are usually two or three stories tall. They feature swimming pools and parking areas. You might see plastic palm trees, angled walls, or flat, overhanging roofs. Bright neon signs and railings are also common. Each motel often has a modern or fantasy theme.
These themes can be grouped into different styles:
- Modern/Blastoff: This style looks like jet-age airports from the 1950s and 1960s.
- Vroom: This style has parts of the building that stick out forward.
- Chinatown Revival: This style uses elements inspired by Chinese architecture.
- Tiki (Polynesian Pop): This style has a tropical, island feel.
- Phony Colonee: This style copies the Colonial American look with brick and lampposts.
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The Pan American in the Vroom style
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The Singapore in the Chinatown Revival style
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The Royal Hawaiian in the Tiki style
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The Saratoga in the Phony Colonee style
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The Crusader has a historical theme
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The Gondolier
Bright Neon Signs
Each Doo Wop motel usually had one or more large, flashy neon signs. These signs were meant to attract drivers passing by. The signs became a big part of the architectural style. Motels even competed to have the most unique sign! Two companies, Ace Sign Company and Allied Sign Company, made most of these signs. W. Robert Hentges was a very well-known local sign designer.
Famous Existing Motels
Caribbean Motel
The Caribbean Motel in Wildwood Crest was built in 1958. It has been beautifully restored. This motel was the first to use the large plastic palm trees that you now see at many Doo Wop motels. The motel was saved from being torn down in 2004. Its owners worked to get it placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
They hired an architect to help restore the motel. The inside was designed by Darleen Lev. Her designs were inspired by 1950s movie sets and the motel's Caribbean theme.
Chateau Bleu Motel
The Chateau Bleu Motel is in North Wildwood. It was built in 1962. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004. A fun fact about this motel is its heart-shaped swimming pool!
Oceanview Motel
The Oceanview Motel in Wildwood Crest was built in 1964. It is the largest motel ever built in The Wildwoods. In 2009, there were plans to tear it down. But the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection stopped the demolition. The Oceanview was first called the Admiral East Motel.
Other Cool Motels
Many other notable Doo Wop motels still exist today. Some of these include The Jolly Roger, The Pan American, The Crusader, The Waikiki, The Newport, and The Tangiers.
Motels That Are Gone
From 2003 to 2006, more than 50 motels were torn down. This happened to make room for new condominium buildings. Some well-known motels that were demolished include the Satellite, Kona Kai, and Rio motels.
Ebb Tide Motel
The Ebb Tide Motel was built in 1957. It was torn down in 2003. It is known as the very first Doo-Wop motel in Wildwood Crest.
Satellite Motel
The Satellite Motel was built in 1958. It was one of the most famous Doo Wop landmarks in the Wildwoods. It was torn down after the 2004 summer season. This demolition started a wave of new building in the area. The Satellite's rooftop neon sign was saved. It is now part of the Neon Garden at the Doo Wop Experience museum. There are even plans to build a new "21st Century Satellite Motel" inspired by the original!
Images for kids
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Admiral Motel
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American Safari
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Astronaut Motel
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Attache Resort
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Aztec Resort
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Beach Colony Motel
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Bel Air
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Bristol Plaza
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Cape Cod Inn
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Cara Mara
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Caribbean Motel
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Conca d’or Motel
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Crusader
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Crystal Beach Motor Inn
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Diamond Crest
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Gold Crest
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Gondolier
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Imperial 500
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Jolly Roger
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Nassau Inn
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Oceanview
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Olympic Island
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Pan American
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Park Lane
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Royal Hawaiian
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Sand Dune
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Saratoga Inn
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Sea Chest Motel
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Sea Scape Inn
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Shalimar
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Singapore
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Tangiers
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Viking
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V.I.P.
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Waikiki
