THOMPSON'S BEACH

NAME: Thompson's Beach COUNTY: Cumberland ROADS: 2WD GRID: 6 CLIMATE: Some snow in winter, not always cold. Summers can be hot and humid. BEST TIME TO VISIT: Any time, but watch out for bugs in summer.

COMMENTS: Former resort town located on the edge of the Delaware Bay in Maurice River Township (rhymes with Morris). From State 47 take Glade Road, then get on the Thompson's Beach road which ends at a small parking area. From there you need to walk aproximately a mile to get to the townsite. You need boots, and you need to go at low tide. The walk out there allows great views of the salt marshes. Blue Herons are often seen. REMAINS: One fireplace/chimney, large amounts of broken bricks, block and other masonry.

I don't know when the town was started but in its heyday there were around 200 buildings.The town was vacated after the township decided to no longer maintain the only road out there. The last residents were ordered to leave by March of 1998. This included 2 year-round families, and some summer residents. After that the remaining 14 buildings were torn down and removed. The area is now part of a huge wetlands restoration site. Submitted by: Barry Caselli

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