No. 118 

“THE BEAUTIFUL AND SPACIOUS CHANNEL BUNGALOW OF MR. AND MRS. DAVID RISLEY, STONE HARBOR, N. J.” – This first image was retrieved from the Stone Harbor Museum archives and features David Risley’s shingle-sided bungalow at Snug Harbor Basin overlooking the Great Channel.  As many of you know by now, David Risley was one of the “founding brothers” as well as served as both Treasurer and Secretary for the South Jersey Realty Company.  What I find interesting about this particular scene is that is depicts the Risley bungalow just after construction had been completed and was perhaps ready for occupancy.  At this point in time, probably about 1909-1910, there has been no landscaping or any plantings in evidence.  In fact, as you shall soon see, final finishing work on the bungalow has not yet occurred.

This second image with almost the same physical orientation or perspective when compared to the first image does however reveal some differences and additional work having occurred.  Here we are looking at a vintage post card showing David Risley’s bungalow.  This second photo is a view that was captured a short time later and after the time of the previous photo.  Some finishing touches have been made to the residence and perhaps they are apparent to you as you compare the two images.  For example, and most notably, both the front and rear porches have been enclosed, each with a door, double-hung sliding windows and screening.  In addition, you may have noticed that shade awnings on both the exterior and the interior have been installed.  Finally, it is now apparent that some landscaping and greenery have been placed around the perimeter of the building.  This writer is not quite sure if the little open deck over the porch on the front of the second floor is functional or just visual and ornamental.  Therefore it is not known if that particular little deck area was even easily accessible and provided sufficient room for any chairs for seating overlooking the basin and the channel.