Cape May NJ History

The rich history of Cape May is full of accomplishments and devastating failures. The Kechemeche Indians originally inhabited Cape May. In 1609 the land was purchased and soon the town was known for its whaling and fishing industry. Around the 1760's Cape May became known for its wonderful resort qualities. Philadelphia residents visited the area on a regular basis. In the 1830's there were around 6 boarding houses and Cape May started to attract the upper class of the Atlantic seaboard. In the middle of the 19th century Cape May took on the awesome task of creating the world's largest hotel. The Mt Vernon Hotel was originally slated to accommodate over three thousand guests. Unfortunately, there was a fire in 1856, which led to the hotel's demise. Soon after, Cape May began its Cottage Era. Many families building their vacation homes in Cape May marked the Cottage Era. Quickly Cape May became known as one of the largest resort areas in the nation. Once again fire struck in 1818 and ruined over 30 acres of the city. During Word War 1 the Navy established a base. The base was then given to the Coast Guard in the late 1940's. The Coast Guard used the base to a established a training center. In the middle 20th century Cape May started to stress the historical background of the area. One example was when they changed the streetlights from electric to gas. In 1963 Cape May received a 3 million-dollar grant to be used specifically for preservation of the city. This began a new era for Cape May. Soon people started restoring the old Victorian homes to pristine condition. A trolley began to give historical tours of Cape May. Visit Cape May and you will not be disappointed. From the rich history, beautiful scenery and captivating architecture you'll love every minute.