Ocean Gate Museum
PO Box 895
800 Asbury Avenue
Cape May & Asbury Aves.
Ocean Gate, NJ 08740
(732) 269-8040
Official Website

In 1881, Ocean Gate was known as "Good Luck Point." The Pennsylvania Railroad cut a single track across a 600-acre farm and meadowlands owned by Captain Caleb Grant. Excursion trains passed through Good Luck Point on their way to beach resorts at Seaside Park and Bay Head. As early as 1909 passengers began disembarking here to build their summer cottages. Soon a church and school were built, telephone lines installed, a post office and businesses established, and by 1918 Ocean Gate was born.

The Ocean Gate Historical Society bought the railroad station in 1990 and moved it several blocks to its present location. The two-room 1909 Railroad Station has been restored as closely as possible to its original appearance. The waiting room and ticket office are the focus of the station and featuring a number of exhibits that recall Ocean Gate's early days and some of railroading's history.

Visitors can see the original ticket counter, old station lamps, railroad memorabilia, charts and maps, and a variety of tools used by local tradesman at the turn of the century. Three showcases highlight local memorabilia.

The exhibit includes the Pennsylvania Railroad's two-man fire-fighting hand pumper used by local firemen, as well as trunks used by Philadelphians who brought their entire wardrobes to their country homes.

Tours are Self-Guided, and educational Guided Tours are available for Groups of all ages. Groups should contain between 10 and 20 people.


Hours: Around late May - September, Saturdays 10am - 12noon. Call to confirm. Other hours and off-season for groups by appointment. Call (732) 269-5710.
Admission: Donation.
Group Reservations: About 3 weeks in advance.
Lunch: Local restaurants.
Handicapped Access: Mostly accessible. Call with your needs.
Directions: Directions: I-76 East to Rt. 70 East to Lakehurst, NJ. West on Rt. 37 to Tom's River. Turn right onto Rt. 9 South. About a mile out of Toms River take a jughandle left turn onto Ocean Gate Dr. Turn right onto Cape May Ave. Museum is by water tower. 60 - 90 minutes from Philadelphia.

Copyright © 1996-2014 by Patrick Tadeushuk. All Rights Reserved.