No. 119

“ONE OF THE EARLIEST AND GRANDEST HOMES BUILT IN THE EARLY YEARS AT STONE HARBOR, N. J. – This first image is a vintage post card that portrays founder Reese P. Risley’s oceanfront property known as “Hydrangea”.  Reese Risley was the Vice President of the South Jersey Realty Company that was essentially responsible for establishing and promoting the resort community known as Stone Harbor, N. J.  The primary reason I have selected this particular image to share with you is it presents the “Hydrangea” from an unlikely perspective or view showing the side and rear portion of the cottage that was not generally or typically depicted as we have seen on most post cards over the years.  In addition, this image also clearly illustrates just how few homes had been built south of First Avenue and 85th Street when this residence had been constructed in the year 1909.  In fact, it is my opinion that this somewhat elevated photographic view was actually taken from one of the upper floors of the well-known Harbor Inn (previously known as Abbotsford Inn and built in 1892) situated just next door and to the north.

This second image, also a very early post card, is one of the earliest known views of “Hydrangea” and tends to represent the more commonly photographed front or First Avenue portion of the residence.  It is apparent that the time this photo was snapped was when work around the immediate area was still ongoing as evidenced by the sewer pipes that have been lined up and were being prepared to be placed in hand-shoveled trenches, connected and placed underground.  It should also be noted that several buildings appear in the background and only 2 of them have we been able to be identify at this time.  The large 5-story structure immediately to the right of “Hydrangea” as I mentioned earlier was known as the Harbor Inn.  It is from this building I maintain the photo shown at the outset of this account was actually taken.  Next and looking to the left of and behind “Hydrangea” is one of the very oldest buildings in Stone Harbor called Rummel’s Store and Post Office.  The structure to the left of Rummel’s has yet to be identified.

This final post card image depicts the standard or rather traditional view of “Hydrangea” that clearly exhibits aesthetic attractiveness and strong curb appeal as the current real estate market expression goes.  This post card was mailed and postmarked at Stone Harbor on AUG. 24, 1912 and contains a caption on the picture side that states: “The beach front villa, ‘Hydrangea,’ belonging to Vice President and Mrs. R. P. Risley, Stone Harbor”.  The house number is officially 8421 and was situated at the corner of First Avenue and 85th Street. 

At the time this photograph was taken, the Risley residence looks like it is finally completed and shows considerable landscaping with flowers in full bloom and a nicely manicured lawn.  Some finishing touches have been made including the placement of an awning over the front steps and some porch furniture including a bench.  In fact, in the left front portion of this scene next to the pole with electric wires and a street light the Risley’s have placed a very tall flag pole.  And like the previous image, the popular Harbor Inn is partially visible and situated just to the right of the impressive Risley residence. 

It might also be noted that some years later the borough adopted the shrub called hydrangea as the town’s official symbol.  Interestingly, the hydrangea supposedly represents gratitude, grace and beauty.  It also radiates abundance because of the lavish number of flowers and the generous round shape.  Unrivaled in the shrub world for their beautiful flowers, these elegant perennial plants are easy to cultivate, tolerate almost any type of soil, and produce abundant blooms in colors such as blue, pink, white, lavender and rose during the Summer and Fall months.  As some of you gardeners may know the best location is one that receives full sun in the morning and afternoon shade and that’s exactly the manner in which the hydrangea bushes have been ideally planted around the perimeter of the Risley cottage.

In the 1990s and early 2000s the owners of this long-standing historic building used it for the purpose of a Bed-and-Breakfast until it was demolished sometime by or around 2010.