The Anchorage - Somers Point, NJ
N 39° 18.642 W 074° 35.679
18S E 534946 N 4351334
A very vintage-looking arrow shaped neon points down to a local eatery and NRHP contributing structure.
Waymark Code: WM9GCR
Location: New Jersey, United States
Date Posted: 08/17/2010
Views: 5
The neon is high up in the air, on the roof. It looks rather old. Unfortunately, I was unable to see it lit as it was too early in the day but felt due to its uniqueness and throw-back quality, it was deserving of a waymark. The waymark features a large block arrow highlighted on its perimeter by white neon and inside the arrow is the word BAR, written from top to bottom also highlighted by red neon. No doubt this does or at one time did blink.
From my previous waymark about this site.
This is a very famous local tavern with a long history dating back to the 19th century. The Anchorage Tavern is the oldest, continuously operated business establishment in Somers Point. Built (circa) 1874, it was originally called the Trenton Hotel. The hotel made its profits off of seasonal visitors (much like today), mainly bird gunners who took on the hunting of birds as a sport. There isn't much of that happening today. There is an historic marker out front. It reads:
THE ANCHORAGE
___ ... ___
BASS HARBOR
___ ... ___
Dating from the late 1800's,
this empire-style building
was one of the many tavern-
hotels in the historic district.
Tourists came for fishing
parties, sea bathing, hearty
food, healthful sea air, and
a bay view from the veranda.
Marker by Harbour Cove and the City Of
Somers Point.
The marker is one of a series of markers located on Bay Avenue as you enter Somers Point. These signs are placed by the local historic district. The center of town is three tenths of a mile away. The district is historically significant for its architecture, including craftsman-style bungalows and stick-Eastlake-style Victorian homes, according to the National Registry of Historic Places. The buildings in question were built from 1875 to the prewar era, according to the registry.
I found an article on the internet with a picture of the contributing structure marker being screwed into the the siding of this structure. The caption under the picture read: Eduardo Sanchez screwed the plaque in place at the Anchorage Tavern Restaurant in Somers Point, one of 75 plaques that have been placed on homes and businesses in the area so far indicating that the buildings are ‘Contributing Structures’ to the character of the Bay Front Historic District. At least 25 more will be placed. SOURCE