Picture of the Day – Harlan’s History: The Stone Harbor Beach Patrol Lifeguards

Picture of the Day – Harlan’s History: The Stone Harbor Beach Patrol Lifeguards

The Stone Harbor Beach Patrol: Lifeguards

A vintage color postcard showing two Stone Harbor lifeboats in the shallows of the ocean, each manned by lifeguards in black tank tops and white shorts. The men are holding their oars upright. The postcard is captioned “Life Guards on the Beach, Stone Harbor, N.J.” and features a blue sky with stylized clouds and pink sunset tones.

 

“Everybody seems to like looking at photos of Stone Harbor’s lifeguards.” That is something I’ve certainly learned over the years writing about our town and especially about the Beach Patrol. And it is no surprise. There are plenty of reasons for their popularity. Lifeguards are highly visible on the beach, they carry real authority and training, and most of all, they provide a vital service to the community. That they are often young, fit, and friendly doesn’t hurt either.

The first image in this collection is a classic picture postcard view of Stone Harbor lifeguards standing at the water’s edge, holding their oars aloft in readiness. These lifeguards were more than just swimmers. They had to be strong, skilled rowers, and well-trained in lifesaving techniques for a wide range of rescue situations. Mastering the heavy wooden lifeboats was an essential part of their job. The men and women of the Stone Harbor Beach Patrol have long taken pride in their ability to meet these demanding expectations.

Beginnings

According to the 2014 book Stone Harbor: One Hundred Years of the Seashore at Its Best, the story began in 1912. At that time, there was only one lifeguard on duty in what was then a brand-new beach resort. His name was Cleon Krause. He was just 16 years old, and he worked entirely for tips.

As Stone Harbor grew, so did its lifeguard program. The borough soon adopted lifesaving protocols through the American Red Cross. Formal training and certification became standard. Today, the Stone Harbor Beach Patrol includes around 60 men and women who watch over our beaches during the summer season, keeping thousands of beachgoers safe.

In the Archives

A group of seventeen young men wearing SHBP tank tops and swim shorts pose on the sand for a formal photo. Some are kneeling in front, while others stand in rows behind them. The group appears to represent a mid-century lifeguard team in Stone Harbor.The next five photographs in this post come from the Stone Harbor Museum’s archive. The first group photo is believed to be from the 1950s. It shows a line of lifeguards posing together, likely at the start of a busy summer season.

Twelve lifeguards pose in front of the same S.H.B.P. Emergency Hospital building seen in other photos. The group is dressed in sleeveless tank tops marked SHBP. Judging by the vintage car partially visible behind the building and the slightly different styling of the structure, this photo likely predates the 1938 version.

A group of twelve lifeguards pose in front of the S.H.B.P. Emergency Hospital building on the beach, wearing matching dark pullovers with white shorts. Two lifeguards sit on the railings above the group. A sign reads “Stone Harbor Beach Patrol in 1938” in the upper left of the photo.

Two more photographs show lifeguards assembled in front of the S.H.B.P. Emergency Hospital on 96th Street beach. Both images feature 12 guards. In one of the photos, the presence of an older-model car suggests a date in the late 1920s or early 1930s. Two lifeguards wear jerseys labeled “Captain” and “Doctor,” hinting at the growing professionalism of the patrol.

The second photo is labeled “Stone Harbor Beach Patrol in 1938” in the upper-left corner. This helps us establish a timeline. Since both images feature the same building with only minor exterior changes, it’s likely they were taken just a few years apart. And given that both groups had the same number of guards, it seems there was not yet a need to expand the size of the patrol. Of the two photos, the one labeled 1938 is probably the more recent.

Familiar Names

Four Stone Harbor Beach Patrol lifeguards stand arm-in-arm in front of the boardwalk, all wearing sleeveless SHBP tank tops and white belts. The man on the left is labeled “Captain.” The image has a warm, vintage tint and appears to be from the 1930s or 1940s.

A sepia-toned beach photo showing two young men seated on an elevated wooden lifeguard stand under a large striped umbrella. Below them, another lifeguard sits in the sand holding a megaphone. A canvas tent is visible in the distance, and the beach stretches out behind them under a clear sky.

The final two photos in this series are undated, but they continue to offer valuable glimpses into the history of the Beach Patrol. In one, the captain stands alongside three lifeguards in front of the boardwalk at 99th Street beach. In the other, three lifeguards pose on their elevated stand, shaded by large umbrellas, ready for duty on a hot summer day.

These iconic white wooden lifeguard stands are still in use today, a lasting part of the beachscape. The only personal detail available about these final images is that two of the lifeguards are identified as “Walt and Ed Lang.” Those names may ring a bell for longtime Stone Harbor families.

Do You Recognize Anyone?

If you recognize any of the lifeguards in these photographs, please let us know in the comments. Your memories help us bring the history of Stone Harbor to life. Thanks for reading and sharing another glimpse into our town’s past.