Living in Historic Somers Point, Atlantic County's Oldest Town

Most shore towns took shape around a boardwalk or a rail line. Somers Point took shape around the bay, and it got started well before its neighbors did. It's the oldest European settlement in Atlantic County.

Here, history isn't tucked away in a museum. You pass it on Shore Road on the way to work, and you see it from Bay Avenue when you stop to watch the sunset.

The Birthplace of Atlantic County

In 1693, an English Quaker named John Somers purchased land along the shore of Great Egg Harbor Bay. The settlement was known as Somerset Plantation, and the name Somers Point became official in 1750.

The town was incorporated as a borough in 1886 and became a city in 1902.

Somers Point was a working bay community long before summer homes filled the barrier islands. Today it's a year-round town right next door to Ocean City.

Somers Mansion: Atlantic County's Oldest Home

Somers Mansion stands at 1000 Shore Road, near the Somers Point Circle. John's son, Richard Somers, built it between 1720 and 1726, and it's the oldest house still standing in Atlantic County.

New Jersey acquired the home in 1941 as a State Historic Site, and it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. Inside, you'll find a collection of historic textiles, quilts and samplers.

The family name carries naval history too. Master Commandant Richard Somers, born in 1778, died in 1804 while commanding the USS Intrepid off Tripoli during the First Barbary War. The Navy has named several ships USS Somers in his honor.

Historic Stops Along Shore Road

• Atlantic County Historical Society (907 Shore Road): Publishes a yearly journal and quarterly newsletters, and runs the Risley Homestead.
• Somers Point Historical Society (745 Shore Road): Keeps local history alive through its publications and programs. Its museum is open during summer hours.
• Patriot Park (Bethel Road and Veterans Way): Created in 2002 to honor those who served in the military.
• Submarine Veterans Memorial (502 Bethel Road): Displays a World War II-era torpedo and honors 52 lost submarines and more than 3,500 submariners who never came home.

Bay Avenue: The Original Waterfront

Bay Avenue follows the edge of Great Egg Harbor Bay and has been the town's social waterfront for a long time, lined with restaurants and bars looking out over the water.

Since Ocean City is a dry town, Bay Avenue is the go-to spot just across the causeway for dinner and a drink.

• Kennedy Park: A 6.18-acre waterfront park on Bay Avenue, renamed in 1963.
• The municipal bay beach: Located on Bay Avenue between Higbee and New Jersey Avenues. In summer, it hosts free Friday night Concerts on the Beach, a local tradition that's been going for years.
• Bayfest: A spring street festival on historic Bay Avenue with crafters, food vendors, live music and activities for kids. It celebrates Earth Day and the town's maritime heritage.

The Route 52 causeway was rebuilt and finished in 2012. From town, the Somers Point Bike Path follows the old trolley line north through Linwood and Northfield.

How a Historic Town Shapes Your Home Search

• Age and condition. Ask about the roof, the systems and the foundation, and plan on a thorough inspection.
• Renovations and permits. Request permits and records for any updates. That protects you now and makes resale easier later.
• Flood zones. Homes close to the bay and creeks may fall in mapped flood zones. Zones are set property by property, so check the specific address and ask for an elevation certificate before you make an offer.
• Living near Bay Avenue. You get walkable sunsets, restaurants and concerts, but also more activity on event nights. Visit once on a summer Friday and again on a quiet Tuesday.

Selling a Home in Somers Point

Tell the town's story. Plenty of buyers from North Jersey and the Philadelphia Main Line think of Somers Point as just the place they drive through on the way to Ocean City.

Point out how easy it is to walk to Bay Avenue, the bay beach or Kennedy Park. If your home has original details or documented history, share them. A home with a well-told story stands out.

The Takeaway

Somers Point is where Atlantic County began, and it still shows. You've got a mansion that's roughly 300 years old, the Bay Avenue waterfront, and a year-round community right next to Ocean City.

If you want shore living with real roots and character, it's worth a close look.

Daniel Rallo works with buyers and sellers in Somers Point, Linwood, Northfield, Ocean City and across the South Jersey Shore, helping them find the home and the street that fit the way they want to live. Call 609.338.7364 or visit www.DanielRallo.com to get started.