by Carol Zambell I am going to give you a little history since I don't know what is common knowledge and known by the members since all of the original members are gone. What I remember is Rutherford Lane was owned by a lawyer named Mrs. Rutherford and it was managed by Mr. and Mrs. Martin as a camp site. This is probably why we are so fortunate during these bad storms. This land was probably high and dry compared to the surrounding areas and more than likely chosen as a camp site for this reason. At one time it was Rutherford Lane and the street next to us, which has gone through a few name changes Meldrom's, Bright Water, etc., and then open land until Lavallette. This was before my time but a cousin of mine remembers as she spent a great deal of time here as a child. That is why the houses are so close together. These were built before the laws required larger pieces of property. We are very fortunate, we have prime real estate. The association approached Mrs. Rutherford and asked if she would sell the land to them which she did and then the association purchased the parking lot not long after that which was sometime in the 70's. This is probably already known since it was not all that long ago but I thought I would add it. I don't know if there are records from the beginning but I'm sure there is plenty of information that could be gathered. My grandfather started coming down sometime in the 40's or maybe earlier and built a house at 20 West. I've attached a picture of him sitting on the property. He put a door off his bedroom so he could go fishing or crabbing and would not disturb the rest of the family when he left in the early morning. Only recently this door was removed. My mother and father built across the street at 21 W which I now own with my sister. The wood from 21 W was actually an old school house that was taken down in Elizabeth and the lumber sold during WW II, because lumber was hard to buy, and purchased for building the shore house by my father and mother. In the 70's my husband and I purchased 22 W which was sold to my son, Tony and was torn down and the new house was built by him and his wife, Nicole. With their two sons included, it has been five generations of our family who have enjoyed wonderful Summers on Rutherford Lane at the Jersey shore. Of course, you don't need to add all this information but I'd thought I would share it for the record. It would be interesting to read of other families who have been here for years or are new and have some stories to share. If we could find the records from when the street started it would make an interesting page on your website. I've heard people refer to our street with negative remarks but we have history here to be proud of. -- Carol Zambell PS I also included a picture of 21 W just being built in 1945 with the stickers still on the new windows with my mother and father standing in front. I believe she was the last original member when she passed away in 2006. To avoid confusion my grandfather's last name was changed from Marrone to Maran back in the 50's.
