By Steffen Klenk
Many know Smithville for its old fashioned charm, colonial architecture, unique shops and restaurants. Situated in the heart of Galloway Township, this small community has been in existence since the Revolutionary War, where the nearby town of Port Republic was used as a base for privateers. But for many years, the area remained rural, until one couple changed it all.
In 1952, Fred and Ethel Noyes, a local couple, purchased a building and seven acres of land once belonging to James & Issac Smith in 1819. The building, known as the Smithville Inn, was used as an early stop along the stagecoach route. By the 1870s, the inn had grown in size and popularity, until it was abandoned in the early 1900s.
More than fifty years later, the building was eventually restored and turned into an antique shop before evolving into a 42-seat restaurant. Years later, several historic homes were brought back to life in the Town of Historic Smithville. With the help of the Noyes family, and a lot of hard work, the town was revitalized with dozens of shops and restaurants.
Fred Noyes, a Philadelphia native, was born in 1905. The son of a textile designer, Fred spent his young life chasing his love of art and painting. He attended the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, but didn’t want to adapt to the abstract style that dominated the art world at that time. Instead, he was invited to refine his talents at the Barnes Foundation. Fred served in the Army during World War II, where he nearly lost his leg while touring in France. He later returned home with the Purple Medal of Honor and, a short time later, met his future wife, Ethel.
Ethel Lingelback was raised locally on an old farm, and took pride in her Native American heritage. She learned about the regional folklore from her father, and began her first collection of primitive American folk art at a young age. The Noyes’ family lived in Absecon and opened up their antique shop, but this was only their first venture. In 1952, Fred and Ethel purchased seven acres of land, including the stagecoach stop, for a total of $3,500.
During the 1960s, the site around Smithville Inn was expanded, with old buildings rehabilitated and converted into stores and attractions. The aptly named Smithville Towne Center was extended nearly thirty years later to include a miniature golf course, paddleboards, a steam train and carousel, under the leadership of the Smithville Development Company.
Today, Historic Smithville and the Village Greene boast over 50 specialty shops, including several prominent restaurants. The area is also home to many popular events, including the annual Mayfest block party, which attracts thousands of people and features dozens of craft vendors, and their annual Holiday Light Show. The festive display, which runs Thanksgiving through New Years Day, attracts the young and young at heart with over 50,000 Christmas lights floating on Lake Meone.
To learn more about Historic Smithville and the Village Greene, visit www.historicsmithville.com.
Steffen Klenk is a multimedia journalist. He resides in Ocean City and enjoys capturing the eclectic moments of shore life.
