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Originally published in 1939
Some of this information may no longer be current and in that case is presented for historical interest only.
Edited by GET NJ, COPYRIGHT 2003
LAKEWOOD, 38.2 miles (80 alt., 5,000 pop.), once a small settlement
built around an iron works, is today dependent on a winter resort business
promoted by the dry, temperate climate of the pine district. John D.
Rockefeller Sr. had an estate here and there were other costly houses
along the shores of Lake Carasaljo. US 9, running through the center of
town, is lined almost solidly with frame and stucco hotels, some of
them reflecting in unkempt lawns the business lost in recent years when
many wealthy patrons began to take their winter vacations in the South.
Establishment of a smelter in 1812, to utilize bog-iron deposits, gave
town the name of Washington Furnace. Later the community became
known as Bergen Works and next as Bricksburg, in honor of James W.
the ironmaster. Two New York Stock Exchange brokers bought
19,000 acres of pine woods in 1879 and built the Laurel House, which
entertained Rudyard Kipling, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Mark Twain, Wil-
liam Faversham, Emma Calve, and other celebrities. It was torn down
several years ago.
Around LAKE CARASALJO, with its borders of pines, cedars, and
laurels, elaborate cottages and grounds were built by the Astors, Vander-
Goulds, Rockefellers, Tilfords, Kipps, Rhinelanders, and other so-
cially prominent New Yorkers of the 90's. The name of the lake is a
combination of Carrie, Sally, and Josephine, daughters of Brick.
GEORGIAN COURT COLLEGE (visited only by permission) occupies a
200-acre campus on the northern side of the lake. Originally a Catholic
institution for girls in Plainfield, its collegiate division was moved in 1923
George J. Gould estate in Lakewood. The buildings are surrounded
by sunken gardens, formal Italian gardens, Japanese gardens, and a golf
course. Fountains and statuary are lavishly disposed about the grounds.
The stables of the estate were so elegantly appointed that it was a simple
matter to convert them into women's dormitories.
The NEWMAN SCHOOL FOR Boys (open daily 9-5), a Catholic institution, occupies two former estates on the lake. The lawn before LOCKE
HALL, the central structure, slopes down to a pool surrounded by hundreds
of daffodils and narcissi that make a brilliant spring display.
Lakewood is at the junction (L) with State 35 (see Tour 22).
At 38.6 miles is the junction (R) with an unnumbered road (see Tour
26).
At the southern end of Lakewood the SITE OF THE OLD BERGEN IRON
WORKS (L) is recognizable from the highway.
Between Lakewood and Toms River the highway runs through pine
country, though much of the growth is stunted. In the swampy ground
by the road are cranberry bogs. Bracken and other common ferns thrive
in ditches and beneath trees. The ground is uniformly flat and sandy.
drained by sluggish little streams and creeks.
At 40.9 miles (R) is a relic of a vanished community, the remodeled inn
known as SEVEN STARS TAVERN. The original tavern of that name, a
stagecoach station on the Barnegat Bay-Freehold route, received its name
after a guest, lying on his couch, was able to count seven stars through a
hole in the roof; though the proprietor probably repaired the roof after
further complaints, the nickname stuck.
At 47.5 miles is the junction with State 37 (see Tour 30).
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