Under the management of Edwin Belcher in 1917, the prestigious Harbor Inn was owned and operated by the founding Risley brothers organization known as the South Jersey Realty Company. This hotel was a favorite and most popular retreat for prospective investors seeking to buy land and build cottages in Stone Harbor in the early days. Located on First Avenue and 83rd Street, very close to the Avalon border, this 5-story structure was a distinctive and prominent feature on the Stone Harbor skyline.
Information contained in the Stone Harbor Museum archives indicates the Harbor Inn offered “30 extra large bedrooms, ocean views, bathing facilities, commodious dining room, home-cooked meals, spacious porches, dining veranda, electric lights, large drawing room, open fireplace, writing room, telephones and all modern conveniences. Rates reasonable. Open year round”.
In addition, the Harbor Inn offered the popular American Plan for $2.50 and up including 3 meals a day for added value. Unfortunately, with strong competition from the likes of the Shelter Haven Hotel (which in 1912 became the largest single building in town and eventually provided nearly twice the capacity or accommodations with 60 rooms) on 96th Street and the basin bearing the same name, the Harbor Inn eventually fell into a state of disrepair and neglect and was soon slated to be demolished by or around 1922 or thereabouts.