Remembering South Cape May: The Jersey Shore Town that Vanished into the Sea

Lost Series

by Joseph G. Burcher, Robert Kenselaar (Primary Contributor)

Few would imagine that the land currently occupied by the Nature Conservancy's Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge, or "the Meadows," was once the picturesque Jersey Shore town of South Cape May.
By the early twentieth century, a striking hotel and homes designed by renowned Victorian-era architects dotted the landscape. Residents and visitors alike spotted rumrunners racing across the beachfront during Prohibition and endured World War II with German submarines lurking just offshore. But by 1954, barely a trace of the town remained except for about twenty of the original houses, which were moved a mile away. Join one of the town's last residents, Joseph Burcher, as he chronicles life in South Cape May before the angry Atlantic swallowed this serene town.

Genres: Nonfiction

128 pages, Paperback

First published July 30, 2010

About the author

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Reviews

[Lili Di Gesu · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author, Joseph Burcher, is an excellent storyteller. I felt like I experienced pre-WWII summers on the Cape vicariously through him. This book is very well researched and Joe has an expansive knowledge of local history which is supplemented by lots of photographs and maps. I also developed a fondness for Joe’s family and the others who shared his South Cape May community with him. The only aspect of the book I found lacking is that there was little information about the storm that decimated the community. There was quite a bit of anticipation built up in the chapters preceding the storm, but only a page or so is dedicated to the storm itself, and the author was actually away on navy deployment when it happened.

I really enjoyed this book especially because it made me feel nostalgic for days gone by in an era long before my birth. This book serves as a reminder to me of just how extraordinary simplicities like summers at the shore can be, and that Mother Nature gives and takes as she pleases. Overall, this book is a quick and enjoyable read and perfect for anyone who enjoys history and has a fondness for Cape May and the Jersey Shore.

[Nick Vantangoli · Rating 4 out of 5]

To be honest, this book was interesting, but for a short book, there was far too much filler. It plays out as part history of the area and part memoir. More detail on the storms would have been wonderful.

[Jennifer Wadman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well balanced between memoir and research, this sl volume provides a helpful overview of the brief history of the speculative development of South Cape May and insights into history of Cape May City and Point.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love anything about Cape May 💗

[Karen Brophy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting to learn more of the history of South Cape May.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good history of the area south of Cape May.

[Don · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick and easy little historical book I picked up from a local book shop in Cape May

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well-researched and well-written story of a little shore town that was only there for a few decades and never fully became what it was planned to be before storms and erosion finally wiped it out. Half details from the historical record, half memories from perhaps the last remaining resident, a good storyteller.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

not as compelling as I expected. the second half is just the author talking about growing up there and building his house.