The Motel District is a neighborhood in Wildwood Crest that is in between Atlantic Avenue and the beaches on the ocean, from the boundary with Wildwood to the borth all the way down the coast until the southern end of development. The Motel District was formally formed in 1954 after approval was given to allow motels in the area, so that the district could help keep the tax rate in the borough from increasing more and more for residents.
The Doo Wop architecture of the Wildwoods are remnants of the glory days of the island. The Wildwoods exploded in popularity was post-war families left the many cities of Eastern Pennsylvania, Downstate New York, Northern New Jersey, and other places in the Mid-Atlantic, and travelled to the Jersey Shore for long weekends. It was on the island that the first national telecast of "American Bandstand" was done, on August 5, 1957, from the Starlight Ballroom on the Wildwood Boardwalk. It was also on the island where the "Twist" by Chubby Checker was performed for the first time in 1960, at the Rainbow Club in Wildwood, as spread across the country through the Summer.
In addition to having unique architectural styles, the Doo Wop motels of Wildwood Crest and the other Wildwoods maintained an ambience that is synonymous with the era. Many of these motels have kidney-shaped pools and fake palm trees, which were the style in the late 1950's and early 1960's. The fake palm trees were first introduced to the area by the owners of the Caribbean Motel. At first the butt of many jokes, the fake palm trees caught on with several other motels, and now they have become part of the Wildwoods' Doo Wop culture. The fake palm tree, Palmus plasticus wildwoodii, is affectionately known as the official tree of the Wildwoods.
In it's heyday, there are over 100 motels in the district east of Atlantic Avenue and along Ocean Avenue. The number of motels is now around 50, as increasing land values have enticed motel owners to sell their proerties and then developers put up condos in their places. The Doo Wop Preservation League has helped to prevent the demolition of more motels, and the Motel District now is listed in the National Register of Historic Places to allow for the preservation and upkeep of motels still standing.
Looking at the Atlantic Ocean from the sand dunes.
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