Bay Front Historic District

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        The Bay Front District was established in 1989, and is listed on both the National and State Register of Historic Places. The District is a large, cohesive collection of cottages from the period of 1890-1935, a time when seaside cottages (and time to use them) became available to a larger number of Americans who could not previously afford them. Contributing Structure bronze plaques identify many of these homes and businesses. (Note: Not all homeowners wanted to display the plaque.) The District runs from Goll to Decatur Avenue and from the properties behind Shore Road to the Greate Egg Harbor Bay.
       From 1860 to 1890, Somers Point was a shipbuilding center. Schooners, sloops and barges were both built and docked here. Marinas and docks are plentiful along Bay Avenue. There are many seaside cottages extending west off Bay Avenue, where summer residents would enjoy fishing, boating and leisure activities.
       Somers Point has always been known for its taverns. In the early days, very strict laws governed them. The Anchorage Tavern, built around 1873, was originally a hotel and it was a dance hall at one time. It became a tavern by the 1940s. Inns and taverns were used then by traveling ministers and by townspeople for town meetings, elections, mail and passenger delivery, as well as entertainment.