Strathmere Homes - page 5 - Oceanside

Here are photos of some of the older homes in Strathmere. If you own any of the homes pictured, or if you can provide some history on any home, please email me with the info. If you have any older photos of your home, please send them in to be included.
There are alot of houses in Strathmere, so of course not all are currently shown here. If you'd like your home added please email me.


The May Family has a long history in Strathmere too. This house was built by John R. May on Willard in 1948.
From Tom May - "The lot was bought in 1947 or 1948 for about $500. Our father borrowed about $5,000 from his life insurance to spend on materials. Most of the labor on the house was his, with significant help coming from his brother George L. May. George contributed not only labor, but considerable expertise in construction since by trade he was a boat builder. (Note, at one time on another, the brothers, Al, George, and John collaborated to build several houses in Philadelphia and Strathmere.) During the second year of construction he did hire a professional carpenter, a fellow named Trout. The only power tool I remember was a circular saw. Unlike today when the sheathing would be plywood, the sheathing on this house was eight-inch wide tongue and groove planks nailed in on the diagonal for strength. Today, plywood sheathing would take a few days to install. The sheathing on this house took months. The foundation is poured rein forced concrete. In a storm, this will be the last house standing. The original plan for the house had only one floor. Part way through the construction our parents decided to add the dormers and make two separate apartments. They rented out the first floor for about $1,000 a season. This paid for the taxes, which even then were relatively high."



First photo - On the lawn are George Paul May, Mary Emma May Tyrrell, John Thomas May, and their grandmother, Mary Emma Shriver Carson




Second photo - siblings John R., Carrie, Ruth, and William May. Sitting behind the car adjusting her hearing aid is Mary Emma Shriver Carson. In the background on the left is Wittkamp's corner store and gas station getting a fill-up from a tanker.(now La Fontana) From George May "Later it was Mrs. Bulotta's store. Before she would give me the dime change for my soda, she would hold my hand and recite "Georgy Porgy" to me. The white house in the background was Adolph Erickson's house. That house was moved from Whale Beach and (as I recall my mother telling the story) Mrs. Erickson (who was an invalid), sat in the front room to ride along with the house while it moved to its new location."




This photo shows all 3 of the Strathmere houses, built by John R. May. The first house on the left is a back view of the house shown above on Willard Road. The two other houses are on Williams Road. The white house was built about 1960, the red in 1968. The Williams Road houses have been totally remodeled and don't look anything like they do in this photo, probably taken in the early 1970s.



This old bungalow on Whittier remains with the front of the original building still standing, and a large addition in the back. (we can see the palm tree on the roof from our house)


This house was built by George Erbe. It stood happily on the beachfront at Vincent (first photo) until the hurricane of 1944 which left it teetering on it's piles, as you can see in the 2nd photo, which was taken right after the hurricane. Notice the house next to it collapsed, and the house behind it too. The top 2 floors were taken off of the house and moved to a new foundation on Webster. The destinctive roof and side windows are still very recognizable in the 3rd photo, which was taken in 2002.
The Erbe family inherited the 'beachfront property' where the house originally stood. But they were unable to rebuild on the property, which is now under water due to beach erosion. But they kept the property and continued to pay the taxes which were only a few dollars a year. Grandson George Erbe, who is now 94, gave the deed to the property to the township a few years ago.


These photos were sent to us by Lucille DeAngelis Ettore. The family owned this house on Vincent street in the 1960's. Doris DeAngelis is seen in the first photo. The 2nd photo shows a truck and plow that were called in to clear out the 2 feet of sand left in the yard after the storm of 1962.The last photo shows Lucille with friend Patricia Bradley. Behind them is the house next door to theirs, more info on that house below.






This Vincent house still stands with just a few additions to the sides and porch.






This house on Webster once stood on the other side of the street, before the hurricane of 1944. It was the 2nd house from the ocean, next to the house once known as the 'C.B. Winters House' The photo with the car was taken about 1932. The other was right after the hurricane, storm debris can be seen in front of the house.

The house was then moved to it's current location across the street. Below is a photo of it from 1954. The 2nd photo was taken in 1991, around the time that the present owners bought it. The last photo shows the home right after it was raised.(click old images for larger views)



This is the old 1 room schoolhouse on Vincent. The old photo was from the Wittkamp family, who missed the top of the roof in the photo. The destinctive roof remains with the round window on the upper-front of roof.





Two nice old houses, tucked in among some modern houses. The one on the right is standing beachfront. I remember driving down the end of this street and seeing this house on the day that we first went through our house, in 1982. I think this house was yellow back then. This is another old house that I worry about builders buying for the property only, and tearing down the homes.







This Commonwealth home once housed the post office in Strathmere, around the 1940's. The old picture shows Varnell Gentle in front of the post office housed here in 1942.


 









This Webster bungalow was know as the 'Lippencott Cottage'

(click images for larger views - see the doggie on the porch?)



The Strathmere United Methodist Church

In 1916, a group of citizens met in the home of John L. Smith (Schmidt) on Vincent Rd, to organize a church. The First Methodist Episcopal Church of Strathmere was incorporated on June 1, 1922. On June 22nd, 1922, Mr. W.A.P. Thompson & wife Maude gave the church land to build on for the cost of $1.00. In November 1923 another piece of property was sold to the church by the Thompsons for the cost of $310.00.
The cornerstone of the building was set in September 1922. Back then the Board of Trustees included - W.A.P. Thompson - president; Carrie Wittkamp - treasurer; H.A. Wittkamp, George W. Morey & H.A. Lippincott - secretary
Following WWII, Chief Petty Officer, US Coast Guard, Louis P. Carmona & his wife Katherine, looked after the church.After Mr. Carmona's death in 1986, Katherine continued to care for the church. Presently a Board of Trustees manages the church.
In the beginning, church services were held year round. But they are currently held from Memorial Day to the end of September, with special services for Thanksgiving, Christmas & Easter.
(Information taken from the back of church program)


This house stands beachfront on the end of Sherman. It recently underwent remodeling in the past year. The left photo is from 2001, taken by Alex Halderman. The other photo shows the house after the work was finished.









Mildred's Restaraunt

established 1952









'The Shack' is the town grocery store










Strathmere has some of the nicest old fashion seaside homes & bungalows























Strathmere Home page






Vintage photos provided by Mrs. Bergus and the Heffelfingers (from Bettie Doyle Diamond) Photos also from the Clifford Family.

Photos were taken 6/16 & 9/8/02. If your house is pictured on this website, and you'd rather it not be included here, please email me, and I will remove the photo.

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