The city of Wildwood proper constitutes the center of the island communities collectively known asThe Wildwoods, which is used as a collective term to describe four communities on the island with the name Wildwood attached to them:North Wildwood,West Wildwood, Wildwood, andWildwood Crest. Also part of The Wildwoods areDiamond Beach and a portion ofLower Township on the island.[3][25] The city, and the surrounding communities that share the name, derives its name from the wild flowers found in the area.[26] Wildwood is part of theSouth Jersey region of the state.
Wildwood was originally incorporated as aborough by an act of theNew Jersey Legislature on May 1, 1895, from portions ofMiddle Township, based on the results of a referendum held the previous day. On January 1, 1912, Wildwood was incorporated as a city, replacing both Wildwood borough andHolly Beach City.[27]
The Wildwoods began developing as a resort in the last decade of the 19th century. A building boom began in the 1950s, due partially to the construction and completion of theGarden State Parkway in 1955.[28][29]
"Rock Around the Clock", often credited as thefirst rock and roll record, was first performed on Memorial Day weekend in 1954 at the HofBrau Hotel in Wildwood byBill Haley & His Comets. The song's status as one of the first rock and roll hits has given rise to the city's claim as "the birthplace of rock and roll".[30][31]Chubby Checker introduced his version of "The Twist" at the Rainbow Club in Wildwood.[32] On occasion,American Bandstand broadcast from the Wildwood's Starlight Ballroom. Murals in the community honor Checker, Bill Haley; andBobby Rydell. Rydell's major hit, "Wildwood Days" in 1963, is about Wildwood.[33]
Wildwood is home to over 200 motels, built during theDoo-Wop era of the 1950s and 1960s,[34] in an area recognized by the state of New Jersey, known as theWildwoods Shore Resort Historic District.[35] The term "doo-wop" was coined byCape May's Mid-Atlantic Center For The Arts in the early 1990s to describe the unique, space-age architectural style, which is also referred to as theGoogie orpopuluxe style.[36]
The motels are unique in appearance, withVegas-like neon signs andfantastic architecture.[37] New construction in the area has seen the demolition of several motels to make room for larger condominiums. The Wildwood Doo Wop Preservation League has taken action to help save and restore these historic buildings. TheCaribbean Motel in Wildwood Crest, and theChateau Bleu Motel in North Wildwood are both listed on theNational Register of Historic Places.[38]
A 1950s Doo Wop museum includes property from demolished motels such as neon signs and furniture.[39] Neo-Doo Wop buildings in the area feature a neon litWawa and a 1950s styledAcme Supermarket.[40]
According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the city had a total area of 1.65 square miles (4.28 km2), including 1.54 square miles (3.99 km2) of land and 0.11 square miles (0.29 km2) of water (6.79%).[1][2]
Of the 2,251 households, 22.5% had children under the age of 18; 29.5% were married couples living together; 15.8% had a female householder with no husband present and 49.1% were non-families. Of all households, 40.7% were made up of individuals and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 3.03.[19]
20.5% of the population were under the age of 18, 10.4% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 27.3% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.0 years. For every 100 females, the population had 105.6 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 104.8 males.[19]
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010American Community Survey showed that (in 2010inflation-adjusted dollars)median household income was $32,783 (with a margin of error of +/− $9,471) and the median family income was $45,125 (+/− $24,251). Males had a median income of $24,416 (+/− $1,945) versus $26,043 (+/− $7,007) for females. Theper capita income for the borough was $25,118 (+/− $3,877). About 16.2% of families and 23.0% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 25.4% of those under age 18 and 8.7% of those age 65 or over.[51]
As of the2000 census,[15] there were 5,436 people, 2,333 households, and 1,273 families residing in the city. The population density was 4,212.6 inhabitants per square mile (1,626.5/km2). There were 6,488 housing units at an average density of 5,027.9 per square mile (1,941.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 70.55%White, 16.65%African American, 0.39%Native American, 0.48%Asian, 0.15%Pacific Islander, 8.85% fromother races, and 2.94% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 17.62% of the population.[21][50]
Among Wildwood's Hispanic community in 2000, 69.7% were fromPuerto Rico, while an additional 17.0% were fromMexico.[52]
There were 2,333 households, out of which 25.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 31.2% weremarried couples living together, 17.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.4% were non-families. 38.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 3.06.[21][50]
In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.7% under the age of 18, 10.5% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.2 males.[21][50]
The median income for a household in the city was $23,981, and the median income for a family was $28,288. Males had a median income of $30,787 versus $23,320 for females. Theper capita income for the city was $13,682. About 20.2% of families and 26.4% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 39.7% of those under age 18 and 21.9% of those age 65 or over.[21][50]
An iconic sign lights up a liquor store in Wildwood, which has more than 60 active liquor licenses
Portions of the city—together with areas inNorth Wildwood,West Wildwood andWildwood Crest—are part of a jointUrban Enterprise Zone (UEZ), one of 32 zones covering 37 municipalities statewide. The four municipalities inThe Wildwoods were selected in 2002 as one of a group of three zones added to participate in the program as part of a joint zone.[53] In addition to other benefits to encourage employment and investment within the Zone, shoppers can take advantage of a reduced 3.3125%sales tax rate (half of the6+5⁄8% rate charged statewide) at eligible merchants.[54] Established in September 2002, the city's Urban Enterprise Zone status expires in December 2023.[55] The joint UEZ is overseen by the Enterprise Zone Development Corporation of the Wildwoods Board, which includes representatives from all four municipalities.[56]
Wildwood has an unusually large number of liquor licenses for its population.State law normally provides for one consumption license (i.e., for a bar, restaurant) for every 3,000 residents, and one distribution license (i.e., for a liquor store) for every 7,500 residents.[57] Because of a state law allowing a municipality tograndfather in liquor licenses that existed before 1948,[58] Wildwood has a permanent population of 5,300, but has 61 active liquor licenses.[59]
North facing view of WildwoodThe Quebec Motel, one of several hotels in Wildwood named to attractFrench Canadian tourists fromQuebecThe iconic Wildwoods beach ball signs in 2023
Wildwood is a resort city that is very popular with vacationers and tourists mostly fromNew Jersey,Delaware,Maryland,Pennsylvania,New York, and even nearby parts ofCanada (particularlyOntario andQuebec) during the summer months. The year-round population of Wildwood of over 5,300 grows to as many as 250,000 or more during the peak tourist season during the summer.[60] Its most notable features are its beach and 1.8 miles (2.9 km)boardwalk, home to theMorey's Piers amusement complex and Raging Waters and Ocean Oasiswaterparks owned by Morey's Piers. The boardwalk features a trolley called the "Tramcar", which runs from end to end. In June 2006, itsDoo-Wop-style motels were placed on theNational Trust for Historic Preservation's annual Eleven Most Endangered List,[61] described as "irreplaceable icons of popular culture."[62][63] In June, thousands of recently graduated high school seniors come to Wildwood forSenior Week. During Senior Week, the graduates stay in hotels and rent beach houses in Wildwood where they party and participate in underage drinking.[64][65]
Wildwood was ranked the best beach in New Jersey in the 2008 "Top 10 Beaches Contest" sponsored by the New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium.[66] Wildwood is one of five municipalities in the state that offer free public access to oceanfront beaches monitored by lifeguards, joiningAtlantic City,North Wildwood,Wildwood Crest andUpper Township'sStrathmere section.[67][68][69]
Wildwood is home to the New Jersey Firefighter's Convention, held annually every September since the 1970s. Known for its parade featuring fire company apparatus from across the state, it moved from Atlantic City due in part to rising crime and the disallowing of the parade on city streets. Wildwood is also home to an annual co-ed beachUltimate Frisbee tournament drawing teams from all over the country that attracted 430 teams and over 5,000 players to its 19th annual event in 2011.[70]
French Canadian tourists from Quebec visit Wildwood during the summer. There are motels in the Wildwoods named to attract tourists from Quebec, includingChateau Bleu, Fleur de Lis, Le Voyageur, Royal Canadian, and Quebec. Several hotels in Wildwood have signs in both English and French. The French Canadian tourists primarily vacation in Wildwood in July when Canada takes a two-week construction holiday.[71]
TheWildwood Boardwalk features several amusement parks, water parks, an aquarium, and shops, most notably three piers collectively known asMorey's Piers. Due to the distance of the ocean from the boardwalk, the beach is home to many sporting events, concerts, andmonster truck rallies in view of the boardwalk. Wildwood is the tenth most popular boardwalk in theUnited States. A stage is set off to the side of the boardwalk near Mariner's Landing Pier where several performances are held throughout the summer.[citation needed]
In 2008–2009, a section of theboardwalk was rebuilt usingipe tropical hardwood, even though the town had made a commitment to use domesticblack locust as a more environmentally friendly option. The black locust wood shipped by the supplier was deemed unacceptable and the commissioners decided to use ipe wood to ensure that the project could be completed in time for the upcoming season.[72]
Boardwalk Chapel is a summertime Christian Gospel outreach on the boardwalk, sandwiched between a pizzeria and a gift shop. Visitors to the boardwalk are invited to attend any of its 77 consecutive evening services held during June, July and August.[73]
Beach racing, featuring motorcycles and hot rods, takes place every year.[74][75]
Since 1922, Wildwood has hosted theNational Marbles Tournament at Ringer Stadium each June, with winners from local tournaments competing in 1,200 games over the four days of the tournament.[76][77]
Wildwoods convention hall also hosts a high school wrestling tournament, in which teams and individual wrestlers register to wrestle in a 3-day tournament. The tournament is the "ACWA (Atlantic Coast Wrestling Association) War at the Shore", usually taking place sometime in mid to late April. Also at Wildwood Convention hall is the ACWA National Duals for kids in grades K-6, wrestling as members of either their private club teams or elite teams, with this tournament usually taking place in late January or early February.[79][80]
Wildwood is governed by a three-member commission under theWalsh ActCommission form of municipal government. The city is one of 30 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form of government.[81] The governing body is comprised of three commissioners, who are electedat-large on anonpartisan basis to serve concurrent four-year terms of office, with the vote taking place as part of the November general election. At a reorganization conducted after each election, the commission selects one of its members to serve as mayor and gives each commissioner an assigned department to oversee and manage.[5][82] As part of the May 2009 election, voters approved a ballot question that shifted elections from May to November. The first election under the new cycle was held in November 2013, with prospective savings of $25,000 each election cited as the primary justification for the change.[83]
In June 2022, Mayor Peter Byron and Commissioner Steven Mikulski, together with former Mayor Ernest Troiano, were all charged with unlawful taking and tampering with public records in a case in which it was alleged that they improperly declared that they worked full-time for the city so that they could collect health insurance from the city under the State Health Benefit Plan worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.[87]
The Wildwood Housing Authority overseespublic housing in the city of Wildwood, providing affordable housing to low and moderate income families, senior citizens, and disabled people. The agency is governed by a seven-member board of commissioners, with six appointed by the Mayor and one appointed by theNew Jersey Department of Community Affairs. The housing authority owns two housing developments with a total of 170 units between them.[88] Sandman Tower offers 100 one-bedroom apartments while Commissioners Court offers 70 apartments.[89][90]
Since the City of Wildwood has been incorporated on January 1, 1912, there have been threerecall elections all of which were successful. The first was in 1938 when the State's first female Mayor Doris W. Bradway and Commissioner Frederick W. Murray were voted out of office.[24] The second successful recall was in December 1984 when Mayor Earl B. Ostrander was recalled.[91] The third successful recall was in December 2009 when Mayor Ernest Troiano Jr. and Commissioner William N. Davenport were recalled.[92]
Cape May County is governed by a five-personBoard of County Commissioners whose members are electedat-large on a partisan basis to three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either one or two seats coming up for election each year; At an annual reorganization held each January, the commissioners select one member to serve as director and another to serve as vice-director.[99] As of 2025[update], Cape May County's Commissioners are Director Leonard C. Desiderio (R,Sea Isle City, 2027),[100] Robert Barr (R,Ocean City; 2025),[101] Will Morey (R,Wildwood Crest; 2026),[102] Melanie Collette (R.Middle Township; 2026),[103] andVice-Director Andrew Bulakowski (R,Lower Township; 2025).[104][99][105]
The county's constitutional officers are Clerk Rita Marie Rothberg (R, 2025, Ocean City),[106][107] Sheriff Robert Nolan (R, 2026, Lower Township)[108][109] and Surrogate E. Marie Hayes (R, 2028, Ocean City).[110][111][112][105]
As of March 2011, there were a total of 2,791 registered voters in Wildwood City, of which 611 (21.9%) were registered asDemocrats, 732 (26.2%) were registered asRepublicans and 1,448 (51.9%) were registered asUnaffiliated. There were no voters registered to other parties.[113]
United States Gubernatorial election results for Wildwood[114]
In the2012 presidential election, DemocratBarack Obama received 61.3% of the vote (991 cast), ahead of RepublicanMitt Romney with 38.2% (617 votes), and other candidates with 0.6% (9 votes), among the 1,635 ballots cast by the city's 2,979 registered voters (18 ballots werespoiled), for a turnout of 54.9%.[115][116] In the2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 54.4% of the vote (964 cast), ahead of RepublicanJohn McCain, who received 44.2% (783 votes), with 1,772 ballots cast among the city's 2,583 registered voters, for a turnout of 68.6%.[117] In the2004 presidential election, DemocratJohn Kerry received 52.6% of the vote (949 ballots cast), outpolling RepublicanGeorge W. Bush, who received around 45.8% (825 votes), with 1,803 ballots cast among the city's 3,161 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 57.0.[118]
In the2013 gubernatorial election, RepublicanChris Christie received 66.1% of the vote (622 cast), ahead of DemocratBarbara Buono with 32.6% (307 votes), and other candidates with 1.3% (12 votes), among the 976 ballots cast by the city's 2,828 registered voters (35 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 34.5%.[125][126] In the2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 50.8% of the vote (540 ballots cast), ahead of both DemocratJon Corzine with 41.7% (444 votes) and IndependentChris Daggett with 4.5% (48 votes), with 1,064 ballots cast among the city's 2,908 registered voters, yielding a 36.6% turnout.[127]
United States Senate election results for Wildwood1[128]
Students are also eligible to attendCape May County Technical High School in the Cape May Court House area, which serves students from the entire county in its comprehensive and vocational programs, which are offered without charge to students who are county residents.[139][140] Special needs students may be referred toCape May County Special Services School District in the Cape May Court House area.
There is one Catholic school on the island,Wildwood Catholic Academy (PreK–12) inNorth Wildwood, which operates under the auspices of theRoman Catholic Diocese of Camden. There was previously a Catholic elementary school in Wildwood, St. Ann's School, which operated until 2010, when it merged into Cape Trinity Regional School (PreK–8) in North Wildwood.[141] Upon its creation Cape Trinity Catholic Regional School operated separately from Wildwood Catholic High School but shared a common building.[142] In April 2020, the Diocese of Camden announced that both of its Wildwood schools would permanently close at the end of the 2020–21 school year.[143][144] However, both schools avoided closure after agreeing to merge to create Wildwood Catholic Academy.[145] Additionally As of 2020[update] Bishop McHugh Regional School inDennis Township takes students from Wildwood.[146]
The city had a total of 32.38 miles (52.11 km) of roadways, of which 29.93 miles (48.17 km) were maintained by the municipality, 2.37 miles (3.81 km) by Cape May County and 0.08 miles (0.13 km) by theNew Jersey Department of Transportation.[147]
Parking in the beach and downtown areas of Wildwood is regulated by on-streetparking meters and paid parking lots. Parking meters in Wildwood are in effect from May 15 to October 31. Wildwood has 24 paid parking lots in the beach area that are privately owned and charge varying rates based on demand. Among these lots is a 719-space lot operated by theWildwoods Convention Center. There is also a public parking lot along Schellenger Avenue in the downtown area.[150][151] In 2018, Wildwood began offering paid parking on the beach for vehicles with four-wheel drive at Baker Avenue, with space for 1,000 vehicles.[152]
The Great American Trolley Company operated trolley service in Wildwood during the summer months. There were two trolley routes that provided service to the boardwalk at Schellenger Avenue in Wildwood during the evening hours, with one route serving Wildwood and Wildwood Crest daily and the other route serving North Wildwood on Fridays and Saturdays.[155] Another trolley route ran from North Wildwood and Wildwood to shopping centers in Rio Grande, operating Mondays through Fridays.[156] The Great American Trolley Company also ran trolley service to the Irish Fall Festival in North Wildwood, with a route connecting Wildwood Crest and Wildwood to the festival site during the weekend of the festival.[157]
TheTramcar is atrackless train service running along the entire length of the Wildwoods boardwalk from Cresse Avenue in Wildwood to 16th Avenue in North Wildwood during the summer season.[158]
WMGM-TV virtual channel 40 (UHF channel 36) is aJustice Network affiliated TV station and is the first and only TV station licensed to Wildwood. Their offices and studios are located inLinwood in neighboringAtlantic County.[159]
WCMC (AM) is a radio station licensed to Wildwood and broadcasts on 1230 AM with anOldies format which it simulcasts from sister stationWMID.
WZXL is a radio station licensed to Wildwood and broadcasts on 100.7 FM with aClassic rock format.
According to theKöppen climate classification system, Wildwood has ahumid subtropical climate (Cfa) with hot, moderately humid summers, cool winters and year-around precipitation. Cfa climates are characterized by all months having an average mean temperature above 32.0 °F (0.0 °C), at least four months with an average mean temperature at or above 50.0 °F (10.0 °C), at least one month with an average mean temperature at or above 71.6 °F (22.0 °C) and no significant precipitation difference between seasons. During the summer months in Wildwood, a cooling afternoonsea breeze is present on most days, but episodes of extreme heat and humidity can occur withheat index values at or above 95.0 °F (35.0 °C). TheAtlantic hurricane season lasts from June 1 to November 30, which can bring storms, most typically between August and late October. In 2012,Hurricane Sandy destroyed much of the Wildwood Boardwalk, which has since been restored.[160]During the winter months, episodes of extreme cold and wind can occur withwind chill values below 0.0 °F (−17.8 °C). Theplant hardiness zone at Wildwood Beach is 7b with an average annual extreme minimum air temperature of 6.7 °F (−14.1 °C).[161] The average seasonal (November–April) snowfall total is 12 to 18 inches (30 to 46 cm), and the average snowiest month is February which corresponds with the annual peak innor'easter activity.
Climate data for Wildwood Beach, NJ (1981–2010 Averages)
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Notre Dame de la Mer Catholic Parish, of theRoman Catholic Diocese of Camden has its primary worship site in Wildwood. Previously it was a standalone church, St. Ann's Church. In 2008 the diocese announced that it would merge into Assumption Church ofWildwood Crest,[165] and the merger occurred in 2010.[166]
The song "Everything's Wild in Wildwood" byThe Treniers was inspired by summers in the early 1950s during which they played residencies at a night club in the town.[170]
1967: The psychedilic rock bandNazz releases "Wildwood Blues", a song about Wildwood scene.[171]
In the 1987 movieWall Street, when Charlie Sheen's character tells Daryl Hannah's character she could have bought a beach house for four hundred thousand dollars (the value of a painting they were looking at) she sardonically replies, "Sure you could, in Wildwood, New Jersey".[173]
2005:WWE Raw came to the Wildwood Convention Center late summer of 2005.WWE SmackDown came to the Wildwood Convention Center late summer of 2006. WWE Raw broke an attendance record at the Wildwood convention center on August 10, 2007.[174]
ACKY song entitled "The Boardwalk Body" was written about a body found under the boardwalk on one of lead singerDeron Miller's childhood trips to Wildwood.[175]
^abcCommissioners Office, City of Wildwood. Accessed January 31, 2024. "The Wildwoods are composed of five separate municipalities consisting of Wildwood, North Wildwood, West Wildwood, Wildwood Crest and Diamond Beach which is governed by Lower Township."
^Kocieniewski, David."And the Sand Won't Burn Your Feet",The New York Times, April 22, 2007. Accessed September 4, 2011. "About 20 miles north in Wildwood, where the streets on a March weekend were so deserted that the traffic lights were operating in blink mode, the seasonal desolation is a kind of spectacle unto itself. While the town often swells to 250,000 people on summer weekends, in springtime it offers a case study in depopulation for photographers, painters and travelers who crave solitude."
^Ogden, Karen; and Bubser, Diana."The Jersey Shore"[dead link],Courier-Post, June 15, 2010. Accessed July 2, 2012. "The Wildwoods consists of North Wildwood, Wildwood City, West Wildwood and Wildwood Crest and the area is known for its 2 1/2-mile-long boardwalk."
^Lange, Linda viaScripps Howard News Service."Wildwoods preserve family fun of the 1950s",Reading Eagle, October 5, 2008. Accessed July 2, 2012. "This barrier beach south of Atlantic City was once an enclave for wealthy Victorian holiday-makers who stayed in traditional hotels. It evolved into a haven for everyone in the postwar years, particularly after the southern portion of the Garden State Parkway opened in 1955."
^Strauss, Robert."Cradle of Rock? Two Towns Stake Their Claims",The New York Times, July 10, 2007. Accessed July 10, 2007. "It was Saturday night during Memorial Day weekend in 1954, and more than 500 people were jammed into the HofBrau Hotel here to hear his band, the Comets, kick off the summer. 'We had just recorded this song in April,' he said, 'and that night we introduced it to the crowd. I guess that was the first real night of rock 'n' roll.' The song was 'Rock Around the Clock,' by Bill Haley and His Comets, considered by many to be the first rock-'n'-roll hit, and the first song with the word 'rock' in the title to hit the top of the Billboard charts."
^Fancher, Emily."Doo Wop" architecture lures tourists back to seaside townArchived July 2, 2007, at theWayback Machine, Columbia News Service, June 10, 2002. Accessed June 17, 2007. "Just about everything in Wildwood, N.J. has been touched by 'Doo Wop'. The term describes the distinctively kitschy flair of the town's 200 motels, which were built in the 1950s and '60s. Reflecting the popular cultural themes of the era, the motels have Hawaiian and Polynesian designs, Space Age accents or rock 'n' roll details."
^Urban Enterprise Zone Tax Questions and Answers,New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, May 2009. Accessed October 28, 2019. "The legislation was amended again in 2002 to include 3 more zones. They include Bayonne City, Roselle Borough, and a joint zone consisting of North Wildwood City, Wildwood City, Wildwood Crest Borough, and West Wildwood Borough."
^Urban Enterprise Zone Program, City of Wildwood. Accessed November 19, 2019. "The Enterprise Zone Development Corporation of the Wildwoods Board is comprised of business owners, elected officials and employees representing the City of Wildwood, City of North Wildwood, the Borough of West Wildwood, and the Borough of Wildwood Crest."
^"ABC Frequently Asked Questions.",New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Accessed November 11, 2013. "Question #13: How many liquor stores and restaurants are allowed in each municipality?... A municipality may issue one consumption license for every 3,000 of its population. As to distribution licenses, which allow the sale of alcohol for off-premises consumption, a municipality may issue one license for every 7,500 of its population."
^"About Wildwood". City of Wildwood. Accessed February 4, 2014. "During the off season Wildwood has a population over 5,400 according to the 2000 census, but the number of people visiting increases that number to approximately 250,000 or more during peak vacation time."
^Urgo, Jacqueline L."Triumph for South Jersey",The Philadelphia Inquirer, May 23, 2008. Accessed October 29, 2015. "Neighboring Wildwood Crest came in second, followed by Ocean City, North Wildwood, Cape May, Asbury Park in Monmouth County, Avalon, Point Pleasant Beach in northern Ocean County, Beach Haven in southern Ocean County and Stone Harbor."
^Spoto, MaryAnn."Surfers fighting to save dwindling free beaches", NJ Advance Media forNJ.com, May 20, 2015. Accessed October 30, 2015. "New Jersey has five free guarded ocean beaches – Atlantic City, Wildwood, North Wildwood, Wildwood Crest and the Strathmere section of Upper Township."
^The Beach, New Jersey Wildwoods. Accessed August 25, 2015. "The Wildwoods' free beaches offer plenty of room for a variety of summertime activities — everything from surfing to boogie-boarding to body surfing to tossing a Frisbee to reading in the shade."
^Suit, Lauren."Wildwood Ultimate returns for 19th beach tournament",Shore News Today, July 28, 2011. Accessed September 4, 2011. "Adlis said they started with 12 teams the first year, last year the count reached 400, this year they expect about 430 teams with approximately 5,000 participants from throughout the country and a few international teams."
^Moreno, Jose F.; Williams, Tyger."Beat the tide: Hot rods and motorcycles take over Wildwood for the Race of Gentlemen",The Philadelphia Inquirer, October 6, 2019. Accessed March 13, 2020. "More than 100 drivers brought their best to Wildwood, N.J., this weekend for the annual Race of Gentlemen. They gathered with their machines of choice — hot rods or motorcycles — to race on the beach, a tradition organized by vintage car and motorcycle enthusiast group, The Oilers Club, since 2012."
^About, National Marbles Tournament. Accessed August 12, 2025. "The National Marbles Tournament was first held in 1922. The 'mibsters' (marble shooters) compete for national honors, college scholarships and numerous prizes and awards. The mibsters will play more than a 1,200 games over the four-day tournament. Champions selected from local tournaments held in cities and counties around the United States represent thousands of competitors and will converge on Wildwood for a week of serious marble competition and fun on amusement rides and boardwalk attractions."
^"A look at the USBL",The Record, May 29, 1985. Accessed December 22, 2020. "Wildwood Aces (Wildwood Convention Hall) Pete Monska's club received a big boost this week when it signed Villanova's Gary McLain, the point guard who made the national champion Wildcats go."
^Suit, Lauren."Updated: Wildwood voters pick Troiano, Byron and Leonetti for Commission",Shore News Today, May 10, 2011. Accessed November 11, 2013. "Voters also decided that the municipal election in Wildwood should be moved to the general election day in November 739 to 416. A yes vote supported moving the next municipal election to November 2015."
^Rickman, Rick."Wildwood, NJ mayor, former mayor charged with state health benefits fraud, records tampering",NJ101.5, June 26, 2022. Accessed July 8, 2022. "Mayor Peter Byron, former Mayor Ernest Troiano, and current City Commissioner Steven Mikulski are each charged with unlawful taking and tampering with public records. Acting Attorney General Matthew Platkin announced the charges late Friday. Byron, 67, a Democrat, and Troiano, 71, a Republican, were first elected as city commissioners in 2011. Prosecutors said that the same year, they voted to pass a resolution declaring themselves as full-time employees working at least 35 hours each week."
^About Us, Wildwood Housing Authority. Accessed January 20, 2018.
^Sandman Tower, Wildwood Housing Authority. Accessed January 20, 2018. "Sandman Tower has 100 one bedroom apartments."
^viaAssociated Press."Wildwood Mayor Recalled",The New York Times, December 12, 1984. Accessed May 17, 2011. "Residents of this resort in Cape May County voted tonight to recall Mayor Earl B. Ostrander and replace him with City Council President Victor DiSylvester."
^Gilfillian, Trudi."Wildwood votes out mayor, commissioner in recall election",The Press of Atlantic City, December 9, 2009. Accessed May 17, 2011. "City voters ousted Mayor Ernie Troiano Jr. and Commissioner Bill Davenport from City Commission in Tuesday's tax rate-driven recall election, selecting two newcomers to city government to replace them."
^abBoard of County Commissioners, Cape May County, New Jersey. Accessed April 28, 2022. "Cape May County Government is governed by a Board of County Commissioners. These individuals are elected at large by the citizens of Cape May County and hold spaced 3-year terms." Note that as of date accessed, Desiderio is listed with an incorrect term-end year of 2020.
^Frequently Asked Questions,Cape May County Technical High School. Accessed October 27, 2019. "All residents of Cape May County are eligible to attend Cape May County Technical High School.... The Cape May County Technical High School is a public school so there is no cost to residents of Cape May County."
^Gilfillian, Trudi."Cape Trinity Catholic School opens in Wildwood Catholic building",The Press of Atlantic City, September 8, 2010. Accessed May 18, 2011. "Wildwood Catholic High School, which once occupied the entire building, will make use of parts of the second and all of the third floor, while Cape Trinity students will use the first and parts of the second floor. Both schools will share a first-floor cafeteria, but not at the same time.... The school hosts students who previously attended St. Ann's in Wildwood and Star of the Sea in Cape May, which includes students who once attended St. Raymond's in Lower Township."
^"Five Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Camden to close at end of school year",Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden, April 17, 2020. Accessed February 22, 2022. "The Diocese of Camden announced today that five schools in the diocese will close, effective the end of the current school term on June 30, 2020. The three elementary schools and two high schools are: Good Shepherd Regional Elementary School in Collingswood; Saint Joseph Regional Elementary School in Hammonton; Cape Trinity Catholic Elementary School in Wildwood; Saint Joseph High School in Hammonton; Wildwood Catholic High School in Wildwood:
^Yates, Riley."5 N.J. Catholic schools to close, including South Jersey football powerhouse", NJ Advance Media forNJ.com, April 17, 2020. Accessed February 22, 2022. "The schools also include Wildwood Catholic High School and Cape Trinity Catholic Elementary School, both in Wildwood; Good Shepherd Regional Elementary School in Collingswood; and Saint Joseph Regional Elementary School in Hammonton."
^Franklin, Chris."2 Jersey Shore Catholic schools slated to close have been saved", NJ Advance Media forNJ.com, June 4, 2020. Accessed February 22, 2022. "The Diocese of Camden approved a proposal to combine the Wildwood Catholic High School and Cape Trinity Catholic school to the newly formed, K-12 Wildwood Catholic Academy"
^Staff."Cocktails and Drinking Games for Smartphones and Mobile Devices", p. 149. MobileReference, 2007.ISBN9781605011042. "The Lime Rickey is also known as a Gin Rickey. Rumored to be named for Colonel Rickey, an English officer once based in Washington, D.C., it is more popularly cited as originally being from the seaside resort community of Wildwood, New Jersey."
^Callahan, Michael."Pulse: 60-Second Critic: Music Video: Jason Aldean, 'Laughed Until We Cried'",Philadelphia, December 2007. Accessed July 23, 2013. "Aldean, the latest crooner trying to claim the mantle of Kenny Chesney Lite, strolls the Cape May beach and Wildwood Boardwalk with suitable pathos in this video, as he warbles your boilerplate 'Weren't things great back when' country tune from his latest CD, Relentless."
^Schaad Jr., Jacob."In another time: Three actors, three different takes on Wildwood life",Shore News Today, January 4, 2011. Accessed November 11, 2013. " According to his biography, Willis first worked at a clothing store at the corner of Pacific and Garfield Avenues in Wildwood during the summer and then as a bartender one night a week at the popular Red Garter nightclub in North Wildwood. After a few weeks he headed for New York City where, so the story goes, he was spotted by a movie person and signed to a contract."
^Suit, Lauren ."Senna sees 'Randyland' the shot in the arm that Pacific Avenue needs",Shore News Today. August 3, 2011. Accessed October 18, 2012. "Senna wrote two autobiographies and is nearing completion on a documentary film about himself has also enjoyed his 30 minutes of fame when word of his collection drew producers from the A&E hit reality showHoarders."
^Argos, Greg."Wildwood Acts As Home To New Major Motion Picture".KYW-TV, April 13, 2016. Accessed May 3, 2016. "The movie, called Wetlands, will star Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Heather Graham and Christopher McDonald. Location manager Alex Starke says Wildwood is not just the perfect place for filming."
^Joseph R. ApplegateArchived February 5, 2016, at theWayback Machine, Blacks at MIT History Project. Accessed February 8, 2016. "Born in 1925, Professor Applegate grew up in Wildwood, NJ, where his parents ran a small boarding house frequented by black entertainers such as Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong."
^Saxon, Wolfgang."Joy Hancock Dies; Last WAVES Chief",The New York Times, August 25, 1986. Accessed October 28, 2019. "Born in Wildwood, N.J., Miss Bright briefly belonged to the Naval Reserve in New Jersey and then stayed on as a civilian employee at the Lakehurst Naval Air Station."
^Raven, Benjamin."Wildwood's Wes Hills nearly brought to tears upon learning of start after long journey to NFL",The Press of Atlantic City, December 16, 2019. Accessed February 5, 2020. "Wildwood High School graduate Wes Hills, left, of the Detroit Lions, battles for yards in the fourth quarter against Andrew Adams of Tampa Bay on Sunday. Hills scored two TDs in his NFL debut.... The Wildwood native and former Press High School Male Athlete of the Fall started in Detroit’s 38-17 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday at Ford Field."
^Schaad Jr., Jacob."In Another Time: A story of terror and murder started with a Wildwood birth",Shore News Today, November 9, 2013. Accessed November 11, 2013. "Ernest Ingenito was born in Wildwood on May 27, 1924.... His parents frequently traveled between Wildwood and Philadelphia and by the time he was 13 they had separated.... Subsequent crimes sent him to reformatories until he was paroled and sent back to his mother in Wildwood."
^Manual of the Legislature of New Jersey, 1968, p. 353. Accessed September 28, 2025. "Robert E. Kay (Rep., Wildwood) - Mr. Kay was born in Wildwood on August 3, 1916, and received his education at the Wildwood High School, from which he graduated in 1933; Duke University, 1937, and the South Jersey Law School."
^"Oldest Black Music Group Gets New Leader",Jet, September 25, 1980. Accessed February 6, 2024. "Mrs. Betty Jackson King of Wildwood, N. J., has become president of the oldest Black music organization in the country, the National Assn. of Negro Musicians Inc."
^Edge, Wally."Former Miss New Jersey now leads Harry Reid by 13 points in Nevada Senate race",Politicker NJ, March 5, 2010. Accessed November 11, 2013. "Miss New Jersey 1974, Suzanne Plummer Lowden, leads U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid by 13 points, 51%-38%, according to a Rasmussen Reports poll released today. Lowden grew up in Wildwood, was Miss Cape May County, and was the second runner up for Miss America."
^Pena, Daniel."Former WCW Wrestler Joey Maggs Passes Away", ProWrestling.com, October 16, 2006. Accessed February 1, 2011. "Maggs made his wrestling debut in 1987 at the age of 18. He was from Wildwood, New Jersey."
^Janson, Donald."A Resort Seeks End To Turmoil",The New York Times, December 25, 1984. Accessed November 18, 2017. "The recall campaign also focused attention on a long-running feud between Mr. Ostrander and Assemblyman Guy F. Muziani, who had been Mayor of Wildwood for 11 years - when the voters elected commissioners and the commissioners selected one from their ranks to be Mayor - until the new form of government was implemented.
^Johnston, Laurie."Phelps Phelps, 84 Ambassador And Albany Legislator",The New York Times, June 12, 1981. Accessed March 31, 2025. "Phelps Phelps, a former New York State Senator and Assemblyman who later served as Governor of American Samoa and Ambassador to the Dominican Republic, died Wednesday in Wildwood, N.J., at the age of 84. A lawyer and had lived in Wildwood for six years and nine years before that in Jersey City."
^Kaplan, Peter W."Mickey Shaughnessy Dead; Comedian and Movie Actor",The New York Times, January 26, 1985. Accessed December 15, 2012. "Mickey Shaughnessy, a barrel-chested, pug-faced comedian who appeared in 41 movies, includingFrom Here to Eternity, died of heart failure Tuesday in Cape May Courthouse, N.J. He was 64 years old and lived in Wildwood, N.J."
United States
New Jersey
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