St. Leonard’s Tract, one of the Jersey Shore’s most historic neighborhoods, will celebrate its 100th anniversary with a grand celebration event on Saturday, July 30, from 7-10pm at St. James Memorial Hall in Ventnor City, NJ. Members of the St. Leonard’s Association, several local dignitaries, organizers, and media will merge for the most elegant block party. Media is invited to cover this fun-filled day, which will feature hors d’oeuvres and desserts by Nobil Catering, wine and beer by Circle Liquors, music by Lefty’s 1200 Club Band, and a photo station.
One hundred years never looked so good! With over 100 homes still thriving after 100 years, St. Leonard’s Tract is nestled between the beach and bay from Surrey to Cambridge avenues on Absecon Island in Ventnor City, NJ. Many of the homes are original, with interesting stories of their past residents and visitors, including U.S. Presidents Bill Clinton and Lyndon Johnson, V.P. Hubert Humphrey, Charles Lindbergh, legendary songwriter Irving Berlin, Frank “Hap” Farley, Paul “Skinny” D’Amato (who often entertained Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., and other members of the famed “Rat Pack” at his home), Anna Palmer (great-granddaughter of “The Star-Spangled Banner” lyricist Francis Scott Key) and others.
St. Leonard’s Association is one of the oldest continuously operating homeowners’ associations in the United States and promotes the unique history of the St. Leonard’s Tract neighborhood. Members of St. Leonard’s Association are proud of the area’s unique charm and colorful history, as well as the strong sense of community pride among its residents. Most of the homes are large residences or mansions that feature unique, original architecture and are surrounded by glorious gardens. Residents cherish St. Leonard’s Tract’s tree-lined streets, small-town feel, and the unrivaled camaraderie among its residents. The late Vivian Smith – the architect of Ventnor City Hall, Ocean City Hall, Ocean City Music Pier, and The Flanders Hotel – designed many of the neighborhood’s seashore homes. The neighborhood’s streets were named after English dukes.
“Many homes in the Tract have stayed in the families for generations and new homes are often designed blend into our neighborhood’s existing architecture,” says St. Leonard’s Association President Bill Sill. “It’s a very peaceful, serene and friendly neighborhood. Our Association provides a platform for our members to interact as well as to undertake civic initiatives.”
St. Leonard’s Association 100th Anniversary Celebration Co-Chair Tina LoBiondo adds, “Our beloved St. Leonard’s Tract has a real sense of community. We look after one another’s property and are excited to celebrate this remarkable centennial anniversary.”
The grand, stately homes in St. Leonard’s Tract were built prior to the establishment of zoning regulations, and the residents created uniform deed restrictions to ensure the unique character of the neighborhood would be preserved. All the homes are single-family residences – duplexes are prohibited – and many are multi-generational, some dating back to 1905 or earlier. Many of the homes were built in the 1920s by Atlantic City entrepreneur Emmanuel Katz, known during Prohibition as the “Jersey Rum Rummer.” Most of the lots are 50’ x 125’ and cannot be subdivided.
The St. Leonard’s Association was established in 1921 to enforce these deed restrictions, preserve the historic neighborhood, and better the community. The deed restrictions have ensured that the St. Leonard’s Tract has remained a non-commercial, single-family neighborhood with large lots for over a century. In August 2021, a public ceremony was held to unveil a flagpole with the American Flag, a St. Leonard’s Tract pennant, and a bronze plaque to recognize the neighborhood’s significant history at the Jersey Shore and one of the oldest continuously operating homeowners associations in the United States.
Ventnor City has been all the buzz lately, being coined “bougie” with its trendy visitors, up-and-coming restaurants, and unique stores. New residents are migrating from Philadelphia, North Jersey, and New York to live in this beautiful neighborhood as their primary residence or secondary “seashore” home.
The St. Leonard’s Tract neighborhood includes the residences of several prominent doctors, lawyers, and entrepreneurs from the tri-state area. Current notable residents include President Donald Trump’s former Senior Counselor Kelly Anne Conway, Former Congressman Frank LoBiondo and wife Tina LoBiondo,
Masterpiece Advertising CEO Phyllis Lacca and the Lacca family, and New Jersey Department of Community Affairs Senior Advisor Chris Brown.
Along with St. Leonard’s Tract residents, local dignitaries attending the July 30 celebration event include Ventnor City Mayor Beth Holtzman, Ventnor City Commissioner and CRDA Planning and Development Director Lance Landgraf, Ventnor City Commissioner Tim Kriebel, former U.S. Representative Frank LoBiondo, and New Jersey Department of Community Affairs Senior Advisor Chris Brown.
Co-chair Dawn Sena said, “We are excited to have our existing neighbors and new neighbors salute this milestone together at such a fun-filled day.”
