Free Showing Of The Historic "Pinewald Movie" Coming Up On Friday Night

by Patricia A. Miller

Benjamin Sangor had a grand vision for the Pinewald section of Bayville back in the 1920s.

His focus was extolling the recreational and health benefits of living in the pristine Pinelands and Barnegat Bay. He began selling lots. Lots and lots of lots.

The centerpiece was the Royal Pines Hotel, today known as Crystal Lake Healthcare and Rehabilitation. Sangor even dredged and filled in Crystal Lake in Pinewald, which still exists today.

But the Great Depression, Sangor’s own greed and many fires over the years erased what could have been.

Residents who want to see what long-ago Bayville looked like and Sangor’s efforts to lure buyers to Pinewald and Bayville can travel back to that time at a May 15 presentation of ”The Pinewald Movie,” at the VCC building at the Berkeley Little League complex on Moorage Avenue.

“The Pinewald Movie is incredible,” Mark Lynch, who is helping to organize the event. ”It was a black and white movie made in 1929 by the Sangor Corporation to promote land sales in the Pinewald area of Bayville. It’s only 28 minutes long, but to see all the trees, no houses, barren roads...an early gentle quiet time.”

Local historian Jerry Beers will narrate the film, which begins at 6:30 p.m. The Berkeley Little League will be selling hot dogs, pretzels, soda and coffee and refreshments for a small fee. The Berkeley Township Historical Society will provide free cake, brownies and cookies.

Local historian Al Stokley will also give a Powerpoint presentation of a “Route 9 History Tour “ from his recent Images of America book ”Berkeley Township.”

“An incredible history double feature of this area,” said Berkeley Little League President Robert J. Everett Jr. ”To see old Model T’s driving up a dirt road Route 9 is worth it alone.”

To read an earlier Patch article that details Pinewald history, click here: http://patch.com/new-jersey/berkeley-nj/the-depression-and-corruption-killed-grandiose-plans-e0af838e52

Fires later wiped out the Pinewald Villa and the pavilion on the bay. The railroad station was torn down in the 1976. Central Regional High School and Middle School, along with Veteran’s Park, are located on part of the old golf course. The municipal course, Cedar Creek, built by Berkeley Township, is located near the old one.

Photo credit: Images of America: Berkeley Township.