The "Historic Life Saving Station" Story

Tatham's Life Saving Station

It was an ordinary day.  Standing with my camera at the corner of 117th Street and Second Avenue in Stone Harbor, New Jersey taking a photo of the oldest building in Stone Harbor.  The building was at one time the Tatham's Life Saving Station that dates back to the late 1800's.  

The square tower and double-bay
garage of the life-saving station.

It was in 1789 that the U.S. Lighthouse Service was established to maintain America's lighthouses and sea markers, warning ships of nearby dangers.  By 1831, the Lighthouse Service began to provide rescue craft where some of the most hazardous conditions prevailed.  In 1848 a new lifesaving organization was started and taken over in 1871 by Sumner Kimball.  Three years later members were held to Mr. Kimball's strict rules and regulations.  A network of coastal stations were organized along the eastern coast of the United States.  Each station had a six-man crew.  It was in 1871 that the Tatham Lifesaving Station was begun in a small building in Stone Harbor.  Then in 1895 architect George R. Tolman designed and built the Duluth style station along what at the time was the waterfront in Stone Harbor.  The building was fitted with a square tower and added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 8, 2008.  

Old photo showing the metal tracks from the garage
leading into the sand in front of it.  

It is the oldest building in Stone Harbor and was known as Life Saving Station #36.  Later it was known as Coast Guard Station #132 and now serves as American Legion Post 331 as well as a museum honoring the history of the Life Saving Service, the Coast Guard and our military.  Closeby to it, at 215 117th Street and built in 1902, stands what is known as "The Minnow" which served as the Life Saving Station keeper's home.  

The nearby "keeper's house" known as "The Minnow".

Both the Life Saving Station and keeper's house carry plaques listing them as Vintage Houses in Stone Harbor.  It was back in the mid to late 1800s that fishing and whaling vessels made their home in and near Stone Harbor.  Actually, the first life saving station was on 80th Street around 1849, but was eventually re-located to the 117th Street location because of its proximity to the Hereford Inlet.  

One of the early  boats from the Life Saving Station.

During WWII Tatham's Life Saving Station was used by Coast Guardsmen who patrolled what is known as the 7-Mile Beach to help prevent enemy attacks.  After WWII ended, the station became deserted until it was acquired by the American Legion Post and turned into a meeting location and museum.  I found one photograph of the place when it was the Life Saving Station and had metal rails leading to the water in front of it which were used to pull the life-saving boats from the garage into the water.  I assume that most cities and towns in the United States have tales to be told about how they began and my story today gives you a glimpse as to how Stone Harbor began years ago.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The metal plaques telling of the history of the building.