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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
MAYS LANDING, 17.5 m. (20 alt., 2,868 pop.), is the seat of Atlantic County. It is also the national capital of the nudists, who in 1937
designated the community as their headquarters. Along the bank of Great
Egg Harbor River, 2 miles south of the village, a 500-acre tract known as
SUNSHINE PARK has been developed by this sun-loving cult. The park
provides freedom, a reasonable degree of isolation, and plenty of mosquitoes and greenhead flies. Reporters for tabloid newspapers beat a path
to the park entrance each summer when the national convention of nudists
is held, but the cult's requirement that visitors disrobe is an obstacle to
complete coverage of nudist news. Local residents interested in the nudist
movement but as yet unwilling to affiliate make observations from row-boats in Great Egg Harbor River. Mays Landing was founded in 1760 by
George May, a Philadelphian, who exchanged local bog iron and timber
for salt, rice, and indigo from the Carolinas. A cotton mill is the only industrial plant in the town.
The ATLANTIC COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDINGS, of red brick
Colonial type of architecture, are appropriately set in a grove of old oak
trees (R).
US 40 turns L. in Mays Landing, uniting briefly with State 50 (see Tour
34), and then turns R.
LAKE LENAPE, 17.8 m. (R), one of the largest in South Jersey, has
recreational facilities and many summer homes along its shores. Fishing
for wall-eyed pike, perch, and bass is excellent.
RICHLAND, 26.3 m. (l00 alt., 500 pop.), is the central village for a
colony of small farmers and poultrymen.
Between Richland and Buena the highway passes out of the Jersey pine
belt, and cultivated fields become more extensive. Throughout southern
New Jersey wherever the original stand of pine has been cut a hardwood
growth has replaced it. This new growth is noticeable west of Richland.
BUENA, 29.4 m. (100 alt., 150 pop.), is a center for Italian vegetable
and fruit growers. In a sunny spot at the intersection of the highway is
(L) a low, rambling tavern, THE MIDWAY, once a stage-coach station.
Parts of the antique walls and floors remain. Washington is said to have
had his horse shod across the road where a modern garage now stands.
LANDISVILLE, 30.6 m. (110 alt., 135 pop.), with its predominantly
Italian population, was settled soon after the Civil War as a part of the
colonizing efforts of Charles K. Landis. The village is a vegetable-producing and canning center. Many small stores are along the highway.
DOWNSTOWN, 31.7 m. (115 alt., 135 pop.), has taken the name aplied to the whole area before 1800. The flat countryside is more thickly
settled here, with many small truck and fruit farms. Most of the produce
is sold to the canning factories whose water towers, chimneys, and buildings are seen R.
US 40 unites with State 47 (see Tour 33) at 36.9 m.
At MALAGA, 37.5 in. (90 alt., 410 pop.) (see Tour 33), US40
branches R.
IONA LAKE, 37.8 m. (R), is a popular fishing place formed by damming the Maurice River.
West of Malaga the countryside becomes slightly rolling with many
wooded groves. At short intervals are deserted gravel pits, partly overgrown.
PORCHTOWN, 39.4 m. (100 alt., 125 pop.), is a tiny crossroads
settlement on Little Ease Run. It consists of half a dozen houses clustered
around a filling station. There are probably no more porches in Porchtown
than in neighboring communities; the name was borrowed from Samuel
Porch, an early settler.
ELMER, 44.4 m. (115 alt., 1,219 pop.), has substantial homes of re-tired farmers whose families have been established in the region for years.
The borough is the shopping center and shipping point for the nearby
farm country.
Between Elmer and Pittsgrove are larger farms, where dairying is an important industry. Grain, hay, and alfalfa are grown for stock feed.
The MAYHEW House 0792), 46.1 m. (L), lies beyond a wide pasture.
Built of Colonial brick in simple square lines with a slightly sloping roof,
the three-story house has the initials E. M. S. and the date 1792 worked
into the east gable. It was built by Eliza and Selina Mayhew, great-randparents of the present owner.
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