Small Houses Big History: Walking Tour Opens Doors to Homes in Stone Harbor’s Bungalow Colony
Bungalow Colony at Stone Harbor was built in 1917.
Like a vintage diamond tucked inside a sleek jewelry box, the “Stone Harbor Bungalow Colony” is one of the town’s most exquisite hidden gems.
Nestled between large modern homes and condominiums, three full streets of tiny cottages have endured, in all their diminutive glory, for more than a century. And this summer the Stone Harbor Museum’s “Small Houses, BIG History Tour” is giving the public a chance to tour a collection of these incredible homes on Bower Court, Weber Court, and Stone Court.
“These are some of the oldest original homes left on the island,” says House Tour chair Robin Stiles, who is also a Stone Harbor Museum board member and the owner of two bungalows. “Everybody is always curious about our homes. There is a tremendous amount of people who just love to walk their dogs down these streets, and they often stand out front, just admiring the homes. So, we thought a tour would be a great idea.”
This self-guided, walking tour is set for June 27 from noon to 4pm and is currently planned to have eight houses interspersed among the three courts, which are conveniently located between 108th and 111th Streets in Stone Harbor. (Tickets available at the museum and through the Stone Harbor Chamber of Commerce.)
These homes are as remarkable for their enduring charm as they are for their rich history. And like many things in Stone Harbor, their story begins with the legendary Risley brothers, who are credited as visionaries who designed and constructed most of Stone Harbor’s original infrastructure. In 1908, the Risley brothers and their South Jersey Realty Company were given the rights to run pipes and water to any building constructed on the land that would eventually become Bower, Weber, and Stone Courts.
They ultimately constructed three full streets of cottages. Known as the “Stone Harbor Bungalow Colony,” the collection of tiny homes was believed to have been built between 1908 and 1916 to house the construction and railroad workers who were helping the Risleys turn a barren landscape of sand and marsh into a bustling resort town.
In early 1917, the Risleys put the bungalow colony up for auction. Flyers distributed at the time provide a treasure trove of details about the cottages, including this description:
“…Electric lighted, sanitary sewerage and daintily furnished with a white enamel bed, two woven wire spring mattress cots and linen couch covers … complete shower bath, porcelain lavatory, vitreous china closet, window shades, wickless blue-flame oil stove, Russian iron oven, ice chest, cooking utensils and dishes. They are the ‘Ford Automobile’ of seashore real estate, practical and inexpensive. They rent for from $88 to $128 per year…”
The bungalows, built directly on sand with sand roads, didn’t last on the market long. Forty-one of them were quickly bought by the Stonemen’s Fellowship, a national religious organization headquartered in Philadelphia. The group promptly changed the name of the colony to “The Stonemen’s Fellowship Colony” and rented the bungalows to their members as vacation retreats for as little as $4 a week.
After about a dozen years of use, Stonemen’s Fellowship was disbanded, the Great Depression changed financial realities, and the bungalows were sold off to individuals and families.
And so, for nearly 100 years families and visitors have had the opportunity to enjoy the charm and history captured in these unique cottages. Once described in a brochure as “built like a yacht for space conservation and utility,” the bungalows are well-built and full of clever details.
“They were all made of tongue-and-groove board and batten,” explains Stiles. “The living-room ceilings were originally open to a loft where you could store your sailboat, your sails, or beach chairs and things. The windows went up into the walls and had weights on them. They had an ice box, two beds, and a kitchen table. In fact, some homes still even have the original table and chairs.”
And yet, these compact masterpieces were made for summer living, with no drywall, insulation, or heat.
Over the years, homeowners have modernized the bungalows, adding rooms, insulation, heat, decks, porches, and second floors in some cases.
And yet, these cottages remain in many ways untouched. They are brimming with character, humble, efficient, and fully occupying three one-way roads. They are at the heart of a close-knit community that still has summer block parties and memories that stretch back generations across Bower, Weber, and Stone Courts.
In a town full of towering modern architectural masterpieces, these bungalows remain beloved.
“These homes are really the seashore at its best,” says Stiles. “They are family oriented. They’re just charming and cozy. I love taking a walk at night and seeing people’s lights on with everybody gathered around a dining table, playing games or talking. A lot of families just hanging out together.”
And the challenge of living in a small space? Not a challenge at all says Stiles, who has owned a bungalow for more than 40 years. In fact, after many happy years of summers and vacations there with their children, Robin and her husband Bob have now retired and live full-time in their bungalow.
“This is all you need. We’ve been doing tiny house living since before tiny house living was cool,” Stiles laughs. “If you think back to your high school days and all you needed was a bathing suit, a pair of cutoffs, and a toothbrush – you could go anywhere. These homes bring back what’s important: spending time with family and friends at the beach in the summertime.”
For the house tour, Stiles aspired to showcase variety. “I tried to pick different houses,” she says. “Some have been fully renovated, and some haven’t had as much done to them. But you can see the original, basic house in all of them. I’ve asked all the homeowners on the tour to highlight things in their home that are vintage Stone Harbor, including original furniture pieces.”
There is nothing quite like Stone Harbor’s Bungalow Colony. An entire neighborhood preserved. A thriving living history. And Stiles is excited to showcase it with the Small Houses BIG History House Tour.
“This,” she says, “is the essence of Stone Harbor.”
Small Houses BIG History House Tour
Just the Facts
What:
Exclusive walking tour of a collection of homes in the “Stone Harbor Bungalow Colony.” These quaint homes were built in the early 1900s and offer a huge glimpse back into Stone Harbor’s history in a small footprint.
Refreshments & More Info: Stone Harbor Museum will be open during the tour with refreshments, displays, and local historian Graham Hueber on hand to offer more information and answer questions about the bungalow colony and its vintage homes.
Preview Chat: Graham Hueber will be offering a presentation on the homes June 17 at 7pm at the Stone Harbor Museum.
Where: Bower Court, Weber Court, and Stone Court (between 108th and 111th Streets)
When: June 27, noon to 4pm
Tickets: $40 tickets will be available at the following locations and are required for entry:
Stone Harbor Museum
9410 Second Ave.
stoneharbormuseum.org
609-368-7500
Stone Harbor Chamber of Commerce
212 96th St.
stoneharborchamber.com
609-368-6101
How: Please note this is a walking tour. Driving or parking on Bower, Weber, or Stone Court is strongly discouraged. Docents will be available at each house to answer questions and monitor traffic flow.
