Long Branch presidential history: Bike path, new home for Garfield Tea House in $500K plan

LONG BRANCH - Some people say James A. Garfield's ghost comes out after Labor Day and walks the streets near his cottage where he died late in the summer of 1881 from infections spurred by a bullet wound.

If that's true, then perhaps his ghost will walk down the new bike path to the new location of his tea house, which will be placed at a new park that will be built at the Elberon Public Library. The two are key parts to a $500,000 improvement plan for the city's Elberon section.

The federal funds were secured by U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, D-N.J., a city native whose younger brother is mayor, from what's called community project funding, or CPF. Each year, members of the U.S. House of Representatives may request these funds for their district to direct federal resources toward their communities.

Pallone before has used $1.25 million in CPF dollars to renovate the Church of the Seven Presidents, so-called because seven U.S. Presidents attended services there in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

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The bike path will follow the historic route along Lincoln Avenue that was used by President James A. Garfield and others to the Church of the Seven Presidents on Ocean Boulevard. In the summer of 1881, city residents built a railroad spur along that route to bring an ailing Garfield from the Elberon train station to his cottage at the beachfront.

Garfield had been shot on July 2, 1881, by a delusional office seeker as he waited to board a train at Union Station in Washington, D.C. He later developed an infection and was brought to his summer cottage in Long Branch with the hope that the cool ocean breezes would heal him . He died Sept. 19, 1881.

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The railroad ties were later purchased by actor Oliver Byron, who decided to have a tea house made out of them. Byron was a Broadway stage actor who lived in Long Branch and owned several properties in the city. The tea house was moved to the southwest corner of the Church of the Presidents.

However, the tea house will be moved to a new park of the Elberon Public Library, also being built with the funds.

"A quiet, peaceful piece of land in the city where residents come to read at the library or grab a train will be uplifted with a concentration of its historical roots, becoming more accessible with a bike path, and a larger park," said Mayor John Pallone.

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The small park will be created next to the library. The park will increase green space with additional grass and tree plantings, sitting areas with benches and wooden swings, bike racks and new ornate lighting. The funds will also be used to redesign and resurface the Elberon train station public parking lot.

The city has made arrangements with NJ Transit to create an exhibit space inside the Elberon train station with historical references and artifacts from the time when Garfield visited Long Branch.

When Jersey Shore native Dan Radel is not reporting the news, you can find him in a college classroom where he is a history professor. Reach him @danielradelapp; 732-643-4072; dradel@gannettnj.com.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Long Branch presidential history: Bike path, new home for Garfield Tea House in $500K plan