So, what’s all the excitement about? This very active scene certainly depicts an important and seemingly celebratory occasion on a sunny summer day for many happy and well-dressed spectators. This photo image was discovered at the Stone Harbor Museum archives. While we do not actually know when this photo was taken, it is quite likely that it was taken in conjunction with the Gala Week Festivities promoted and conducted by the Risley brothers during the week of July 1-5, 1911. While we do not know for sure, this fascinating photo could very well be directly related to the day when the Ocean Parkway and the drawbridge into Stone Harbor were officially dedicated and opened to the public.
While it is only conjecture on my part, I believe the building site shown here just might be only a temporary structure that was prepared and readied for the special Gala Week Festivities mentioned above. I have spent considerable time examining and looking very closely especially at the area in the background which consists of some buildings that appear to be identifiable. After my review, I believe that one of the buildings in the background is actually the newly constructed beachfront bathing pavilion built by Johnson Hughes located at the end of 96th Street on the oceanfront.
Therefore, let us consider this very busy scene depicting a celebratory and somewhat formal occasion which included a nice sit-down luncheon. It could very well be the rather large assemblage of guests are enjoying their time together following the dedication of the new roadway and bridge on July 3, 1911. It is entirely possible that numerous dignitaries including New Jersey Governor Woodrow Wilson were in attendance at this moment in time.
Enhancement of this image reveals several very interesting things including there is no overhead roof and this structure when this photo was taken is an open-air pavilion or platform with only surrounding wooden framing. On the other hand, it just might be that this very structure is in progress and no where near completion for its intended purpose. But it is hard to know for sure. As you can see there is an abundance of 46-star American Flags that are visible. (Note: New Mexico and Arizona had not yet been admitted to the Union) Furthermore, some women are holding umbrellas to avoid being in the direct sunlight. There is also an abundance of men and women wearing very fashionable hats customary of that era.
Zooming in and cropping a portion of this image we can see the area beyond this structure in the distant background are a couple of large houses that would serve to indicate we are looking northward as there were some houses just north of this location situated on the beachfront. In addition there are some motorized vehicles in the background as well. I do hope that you enjoy taking in some of the details contained in this historic Stone Harbor photograph. Sometimes when presented with photographic evidence such as this we may not fully comprehend the circumstances surrounding the event. Therefore, from time to time, we must put on our detectives apparel and retrieve our magnifying glass and investigate the details, clues and possibilities for better understanding images from the past.
In conclusion, the foregoing is open to additional details and information and if any of our viewers/readers have something more definitive to offer, please let us hear your thoughts and comments.