October 23, 1914: The Opening of the First Bridge to Seaside
Getting to Seaside was not always a simple drive down Route 37
Prior to October 23, 1914, there were only two ways to reach Seaside from the mainland: by boat or by rail.
However, on this date, the privately owned bridge made Seaside much more accessible – for a fee.
In its early years, the bridge charged tolls. To walk across was a nickel; to drive your Model T across would set you back a quarter.
A few years after its building, the bridge was acquired by the state and no longer cost money to cross.
In 1950, the original wooden bridge was replaced by the concrete Mathis Bridge. A second bridge, the Tunney Bridge, was built right next to the Mathis Bridge in 1972; both bridges were made one-way due to increasing traffic.
The pilings of the original bridge can be seen to the south of the Mathis bridge.
ikidunot
2:05 pm on Tuesday, October 23, 2012
It would have been nice to see an old photo of the wooden bridge. Since this story is supposed to be about the old wooden bridge. Someone probably should have gone to the library and acquired one for this story. There are at least a few over there.
Steve Domanski
2:05 pm on Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Was Seaside Heights popular before any of the bridges?Where could I find the history of this area.aka:Seaside heights/Seaside Park etc?
Carolina Shores
8:13 am on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
If you have a County Library Card, go to the Lavallette branch. They have a great book on the history of SSH. It's called The First Fifty. Very interesting reading.
Thomas A. Mathis
2:05 pm on Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Before the Tunney bridge was built the Mathis bridge had three lanes and a light system to tell the driver which lane was open. Usually one lane Eastbound and one lane Westbound with the one in the middle not in use. But in the Summer on Fridays it would be two lanes Eastbound and eventually get changed to two lanes Westbound to accomodate people heading home after the weekend.
It was a little tight back in those days.....
Ken
2:05 pm on Tuesday, October 23, 2012
The old pilings are on the north side, just saying.
Hector Logan
3:32 pm on Tuesday, October 23, 2012
who needs your facts? It's a shame people will read the story and tell others it's the south side. Most people who are from the area know it's the north.
Bob Hockenfrocken
11:59 pm on Tuesday, October 23, 2012
then the Patch should report accurately
Sara Stewart
2:05 pm on Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Thanks for this interesting article. I moved here a little too late to experience the old wooden bridge, but some of my high school classmates at Central Regional H.S. remembered it. Would be cool to see a picture if someone could dig one up.
I think I've also read of a railroad bridge that was a little further down the bay. Does anybody remember this?
Thomas A. Mathis
9:23 pm on Tuesday, October 23, 2012
I think the railroad bridge ran from Ocean Gate to Seaside Park. But I never saw it.
George Rosendale
9:38 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
I remember as a very young little boy my mother calling me to the window to watch the train go over the bay. It was probably the most exciting thing in my life back then.
Lois Crincoli
2:53 am on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
The Mathis Bridge was not built in 1950 it was somewhere in the 60's bc. i was born in 53 and remember going over it many yrs as we vacationed in Seaside till i was about 10. Reside in Toms River since 1965
Tina
4:20 pm on Tuesday, October 23, 2012
just posted a pic of the old bridge, its pending.
Tina
4:19 pm on Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Found 2 more, is pending...here are some more interesting facts:
Toll Rates
•one horse carriage and wagons 15 ¢ + 5 ¢ per passenger
•two horse carriage and a driver 75 ¢
•automobiles 25 ¢
•pedestrians 5 ¢
•bicycle riders 5 ¢
•motorcycles 15 ¢
•livestock 10 ¢ per head
•one person and a hand cart 15 ¢
•children under 5 – Free!
Sara Stewart
11:34 pm on Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Thank you Tina. Those are great old photos & postcards.
That bridge was pretty close to the water! Must have been interesting driving over it in bad weather.
Jay Glasgow
10:19 pm on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Go to the SSP Boro hall to see these facts with a photo.
SAVEOURBAY
4:45 pm on Tuesday, October 23, 2012
The comments has more facts than the article! Thanks everyone.
Carolina Shores
8:18 am on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
If you have a County Library Card, go to the Lavallette branch. They have a great book on the history of SSH. It's called The First Fifty. Very interesting reading.
lovetheshore
11:00 am on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
You can also go to the Ocean County Historical Society in Toms River. They have tons of information there. There is a great museum attached to it also. There is a lot of history regarding Thomas Mathis and Tunney you can read about too.
Marianne
3:23 pm on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
My parents met in Seaside right after WWII, Mom would tell us horror stories about that old wooden bridge, it scared her silly. She was afraid to drive over bridges and I think that fear started because of that old wooden bridge. However, if that bridge was not there - they never would have met. The basis of a love story.
Robert George Mitchell
4:23 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Born in 1943 and living in Toms River, we occasionally drove to Seaside over the old wooden bridge. It was noisy, rickity-rackity, and scary as a young boy. And my cousin would tell me the boards would break and we'd fall into the bay!
Denise
5:54 pm on Sunday, October 28, 2012
My Dad is 86 and he told me he remembers the wooden bridge. The water would lap onto it as they drove across. Imagine that!!