St. Leonard's Association President Bill Sill unveils a replica of a bronze plaque identifying the area as part of the St. Leonard's Tract.
By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
VENTNOR The St. Leonard's Association celebrated its 100th anniversary Saturday, Aug. 14 with the dedication of a flagpole and pennant on the grounds of the beachfront Suffolk Avenue recreation complex.
St. Leonard's Association President Bill Sill presided over the short dedication ceremony under blazing summer sun and a cool ocean breeze. Association members and the Ventnor City Board of Commissioners attended the ceremony along with former Atlantic City Mayor Don Guardian and candidate for Atlantic County Clerk Joe Geralo.
As the American flag and St. Leonard's pennant was raised on the newly constructed flagpole, Sill said the pennant would give the community an additional way to identify the St. Leonard's Tract. A bronze plaque detailing the history of the tract was not delivered in time for the ceremony, but a replica was available for unveiling.
Association member Ann Corrigan said the organization donated the flagpole, flag and pennant, and the city's Public Works Department installed them.
Our association now has over 200 members, up from about 80 just a year ago, she said.
Dawn Sena, who lives across Atlantic Avenue, said she loves living in the tract, which spans the ocean to the bay from Cambridge to Surrey Avenue.
The energy of the new homeowners moving into the neighborhood is incredible, she said. I call it my little seaside gem.
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Sill said the organization, which was started about 20 years after large mansion styled homes started to be constructed in the tract, has stood the test of time, survived the 1918 flu pandemic, two world wars, the age of technology, and now, the coronavirus pandemic.
Mayor Beth Holtzman said a relative of past generations, Emmanuel Katz, was the developer who constructed many of the expansive beach homes on large lots surrounded with beautiful gardens.
Some of the famous who were entertained in seaside mansions include Charles Lindburgh, Lyndon Johnson, Hubert Humphrey, John Wanamaker, Pearl Mesta and Francis Scott Key.
The tract was subdivided before there were zoning regulations, and the original residents created the tract with uniform deed restrictions that ensure the unique character of the neighborhood is maintained for future generations to enjoy. Members of the group attend Planning Board meetings to provide input on renovations and new construction to ensure the tract's historic nature is maintained.
Sill said in addition to preserving the integrity of the neighborhood, the organization promotes goodwill in the community.
Two years ago, the organization had black and white street signs made identifying the streets within the St. Leonard's Tract. The group also painted a mural on one of the buildings in the recreational complex identifying it as part of the tract.
Commissioner Tim Kriebel presented the organization with a proclamation approved at Thursday's Board of Commissioners meeting naming Aug. 14 as St. Leonard's Tract Day.
For 100 years, the association has been true to its mission, the proclamation reads. The St. Leonard's Tract dates back to 1896 when the St. Leonard's Land Company created it. It featured large uniform lots that have been preserved to this day.
The association planned to end the day with a social gathering of residents held at a neighboring home.
Sill said the organization has some additional plans in the works for next year.
We will continue to be actively involved not only in the St. Leonard's Tract, but in the whole of Ventnor as well.
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