The house was bought by the McCullough family around 1923. The first photo shows how it looked shortly after it was built. The 2nd photo shows it when it was occupied by the McCulloughs and their 6 children, and after the front porch had been added. They also ran the town post office out of this home. The door to the Post office was on the side of the house, facing Commonwealth. George also had offices here for the 'Strathmere Real Estate Companty' and for the 'Strathmere Building & Loan Assocociation', both of which he founded. In 1934 there was a new postmaster, and the post office moved out of this home to northern Strathmere. George & wife Catharine continued to run their businesses here until George's death in 1948. In 1951, this home was sold. The peaked roof and attic were removed and the front expanded, making it the building that is now the Strathmere Motel. Wow.
The old building was bought in the 1950's by The Panunto Family read the history of this family's time in Strathmere. (click old image for larger view)

This great old bungalow was built in 1905 by Gilbert S. Smith. It was bought by Dr. I.S. Ravdin around 1915. Today it is owned by his daughter Elizabeth Bergus.

The home was one of the five homes built by Gilbert Smith in Strathmere, the picture on the right shows it right after it was built (Smith's name is on the sign out front) Mr. Smith had flood protection in mind when he built this house. The tall foundation is all concrete. The electrical wiring in the house was originally set in extra wide chair railing, to keep it up high and safe from possible flooding. In the bedroom downstairs, the beds were hung from hooks in the ceiling, to keep sleepers safe and dry during possible flooding.

The house also has great details, including the stone covered pillars with decorative tile out front. It has a fabulous freestanding fireplace made of glazed bricks and tile trim. The front of the fireplace has a scene of deer, and the back has a circle with a Mucha-like lady in profile. Dark wood paneling and open beam ceilings are throughout the first floor. These details are original to the house from when it was built.

Below are photos of the fireplace, click images for closer views

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This was another of the 5 houses built in Strathmere in the early 1900's by Gilbert S. Smith. This house was all concrete pillars with decorative tile.It has since had additions to the front and back, along with new windows.

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The last of the 3 remaining homes from the original five built by Gilbert Smith, this house was torn down in recent years. The concrete pillars had decorative tile on the corners. The house has lots of windows, and I believe the screens csme out of the front porch.

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This house has one of my favorite front porches in Strathmere. But the porch was actually just built onto this house within the last few years.

The home was once owned by the Troemners. If you click on the small old photo on the right, you can see this house on the left end of the picture. It use to have a screen porch with stone covered pillars. The photo is of Elizabeth Bergus as a young girl, with her mother. They are standing in the street in front of their house. You can see not only this cottage, but also Carother's/Harvey's Corner, and the old country store in the background. Photo is from the late 30's to early 40's.

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The Geisser's House on Commonwealth, when they first purchased it, and in recent years.

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The Post Office in Strathmere

The post office started out in Strathmere at the old country store (shown further above) Run by George & Catharine McCullough in that buliding, it then moved with them to the house that once stood on Commonwealth & Sherman.

Then in the 1920's, Mr. & Mrs. Corson took over the post office and it was housed on Commonwealth, next to the church. The old photo on the left shows Varnell Gentle standing in front of the post office at last location, circa 1942.

Later the post office was briefly housed on Willard, on the bay side. Then it moved to it's present location, with Gogsie Wittkamp as the post master for many years.

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The Strathmere Firehouse


The Strathmere Volunteer Fire Company is the oldest fire company in Upper Township. It was founded in 1924. It has always been located at 5 South Commonwealth, but the building has, of course, undergone changes over the years. The fire company has 3 fire trucks and a First Responder vehicle. It acts as First Responders on all medical calls and assists Sea Isle Ambulance Corps. It is part of Upper Township Emergency services. The company watches over the homes in Strathmere, and it helps run the 4th of July parade. The fire hall is rarely rented because it is the meeting place for 2 organizations in Strathmere and kept available for emergency shelter.
(Information provided by Fire company secretary Elizabeth Bergus)

To make donations the the Strathmere Volunteer Fire Company:
Strathmere Volunteer Fire Company - PO Box 71, Strathmere NJ 08248