pianoman11686
June 28th, 2008, 12:04 PM
A Tiny City in Suburbia. That’s Red Bank, New Jersey.
Technically, it’s not even considered a city, but a “borough” – ever since it was incorporated as such in 1908. Do not let the centennial fool you, though. This area has been home to people and commerce since at least 1736, when legend has it its name was bestowed by an astute property salesman. The area immediately surrounding Red Bank has communities whose “settlement dates” range as far back as 1693, in the case of neighboring Middletown, and 1665, in the case of stately Rumson. This portion of Monmouth County – specifically, the area surrounding the Navesink River – is home to some of New Jersey’s oldest buildings and monuments. It was conveniently located only 25 miles from the Port of New York, and began to thrive when the Dutch turned it over to the English.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/29/Monmouth_County_New_Jersey_Municipalities.png
The map above shows the geography of Monmouth County, with Sandy Hook towards the upper right. It also shows the location of the various townships, along with their size. Red Bank is #26 – one of the smallest municipalities, and substantially smaller than most of its neighbors, especially those to the north, west, and southwest. #52 is Middletown, and #51, where I’ve lived for the past 8 years, is Holmdel.
Monmouth County – though long considered a “settled” area, and not of the same kind as the ubiquitous “exurban” counties where commuters and retirees have long flocked to escape urbanity – has unfortunately suffered a fate similar to most of American suburbia. From the map, you can tell the place sprawls. Houses are typically built on large lots (in some communities, the minimum size is one acre), and strip malls proliferate. Though the area has solid access to transportation through NJ Transit rail and bus, as well as additional private bus companies, cars still rule the day, and traffic is typically heavy on local roads, as well as state routes 35 and 36.
Monmouth’s population is up to 635,000 as of 2006, and is still growing. The population density is 1,304 per square mile. By most measures, Monmouth County is representative of a solidly middle-class to upper-middle-class suburban haven. The median household income is just north of $64,000, while families bring in a median of $77,000. The population is 85% White.
Here’s an indication of why Red Bank is special in this sea of suburbia. Its population density is 6,640 per square mile – 5 times the average density of the county. Its roughly 12,000 residents all live within about 1.8 square miles. As a comparison, my town’s density is 878 – a paltry 1/8 of Red Bank’s. Even though Holmdel is home to several thousand more people, those are spread out over more than 18 square miles. Middletown is not quite as bad an offender, because it doesn’t have minimum acreage laws like Holmdel. It has 67,000 residents, which would make it large enough to be a regional population center in a state like Indiana or Alabama. But its land area is over 40 square miles, yielding it a population density only slightly higher than the county average.
Holmdel and Middletown also lack this:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/73/May_21_056.jpg/800px-May_21_056.jpg
Neither contain a discernible “downtown” area – only strip malls. And while Middletown has its own train station, bus stops, and municipal center, only Red Bank has something that looks like this:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/1/1c/Red_Bank.JPG/800px-Red_Bank.JPG
And that’s because its street layout looks like this:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/3a/Census_Bureau_map_of_Red_Bank%2C_New_Jersey.gif
Oddly enough, Middletown’s population has increased some 700% in the past 75 years; Holmdel’s, as much as 1600%. Red Bank’s has remained nearly constant, fluctuating a few hundred every decade – but never more than 13,000, and never less than 10,000. Despite all that, Red Bank feels a whole lot livelier than either of its big brothers.
Let’s take a look why. (And thus begins the photo tour…)
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank029.jpg
This view is from a park on Front Street, which fronts the southern shore of the Navesink. You’re looking northwest, and if you can make out the recently-constructed office building with the gold-glass façade, that would be the last thing you see before crossing the river into town on State Route 35.
Once in town, you’re greeted by this:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank001.jpg
Every town of repute needs its grand hotel, right? This one, dating back more than 70 years, is named for a local Revolutionary War Hero.
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank004.jpg
It’s got a great lobby, and even better views of the town and harbor:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank005.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank006.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank007.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank008.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank009.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank010.jpg
Nearby, there is high-density housing:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank002.jpg
And some more:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank003.jpg
This used to be for the poorer folks, but has recently undergone a renovation and is now decidedly more upscale:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank011.jpg
Can you tell this is not the original façade?
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank012.jpg
Proceeding further south, one happens on a mini-business district developing on all four corners of a major intersection:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank015.jpg
They like their newer buildings in brick here.
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank016.jpg
Across the street, another under construction:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank017.jpg
This is what first started the little boom:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank019.jpg
An exceptionally mediocre shopping center, with extensive parking on the other side. Its vaguely Postmodern accents are reminiscent of some of the worst in strip mall design that you’ll find in the other municipalities, but thankfully, there’s not too much of that here. In fact, this may be the only strip mall in all of Red Bank.
On the last corner, an auspicious Jersey developer has recently constructed a rather inauspicious headquarters:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank014.jpg
(Like I said: they like their brick in Red Bank.)
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank013.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank018.jpg
Or is it a two-facer?
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank021.jpg
Ah, yes – there’s the developer flaunting his success in all its supermodern glory. Floor to ceiling glass offices, with expansive views of the river:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank022.jpg
Nearby, a sign of how much Red Bankers love their boats:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank023.jpg
What it looks like in wintertime:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/da/IceBoatsRedBank.jpg/800px-IceBoatsRedBank.jpg
And, just inland, what looks like it could be a scene from a Southern plantation:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank024.jpg
But these ain’t your typical mansions. In fact, they’re not mansions at all. They’re two-family condos, masquerading as houses:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank030.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank031.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank026.jpg
Tranquil, no?
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank032.jpg
A real gem. Tough to believe it’s rather new. But when you’ve got neighbors like these…
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank027.jpg
Protestant Church on Front Street, 1838.
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank025.jpg
Red Bank Public Library, 1856. Enlarged in 1876.
…you do a better job fitting in.
Now, to get to the real good stuff:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank033.jpg
Front Street approaching Broad, Red Bank’s main thoroughfare.
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank035.jpg
New condos on Front. Did I mention they like their brick here?
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank034.jpg
At last, the main event. Broad Street, in all its glory:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank037.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank036.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank038.jpg
A sidewalk scene.
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank039.jpg
Remember that strip mall? Compare the look of the above with this:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank020.jpg
No comparison. Moving right along:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank040.jpg
As you can see, buildings here vary in size and style. Most date from pre-World War II, and several date from pre-World War I.
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank041.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank042.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank043.jpg
Neighborhood watering hole:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank044.jpg
The street has a mix of eclectic shops, upscale retail, restaurants, and bars. There are also banks here, as well as a Starbucks. Most folks don’t seem to mind.
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank045.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank046.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank047.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank048.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank051.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank053.jpg
A typical side street:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank050.jpg
And another:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank054.jpg
And a not-so-typical side street:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank052.jpg
^New condos. Questionable design, but at least they’re high-density.
Wall Street has created a few outposts here:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank049.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank055.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank056.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank057.jpg
And where there are bankers, there are also jewelers:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank059.jpg
Those blue window shades look familiar, don’t they?
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank060.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank064.jpg
Oh, and don’t forget the purveyors of Italian suits and French-cuffed shirts:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank061.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank062.jpg
And, nearing the end of Broad Street’s retail and commercial core, stands another city landmark:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank058.jpg
You may have noticed the church is Catholic. That’s because Monmouth County is home to some of the most Irish communities in the country. 23% of residents are Irish, and an additional 21% are Italian.
You may also have recognized the church from somewhere. More likely than not, it’s from the movie Dogma. The final scene was filmed here (with the late George Carlin as the presiding bishop). In fact, several of Kevin James’ movies (Chasing Amy, Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back) have extensive scenes filmed in and around Red Bank.
A final shot of Broad Street, looking north from in front of the church:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank063.jpg
And as I continued down the side street, I was going to photograph several of Red Bank’s historic houses. Here’s one that’s home to architectural offices (and possibly an architect):
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank065.jpg
Unfortunately, this is where my camera died, and I haven’t had a chance since to finish the tour. For now, I will try to cover the rest with some pictures from the internet:
Monmouth Street is the other noted thoroughfare in the city. It parallels Front, and intersects the heart of Broad Street. Its most famous landmark, named after perhaps its most famous resident:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/91/Basie_theatre.jpg/800px-Basie_theatre.jpg
Count Basie Theater. Opened 1926. Currently undergoing renovations.
Next door, a pet shop that looks better than your average Petco.
http://www.redbankgreen.com/redbankgreen/images/2007/12/04/buona_sera.jpg
And further next door, a well-regarded Italian ristorante:
http://www.redbankgreen.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/10/16/fins2.gif
Towards the western edge of town, a former factory has been gutted and adapted to host artisanal shops and boutiques.
http://www.thegalleriaredbank.com/images/images-index/b-w-image.jpg
http://www.solarpowerandlightusa.com/images/galleria_red_bank.gif
On Sundays, purveyors of fresh local produce gather for the area’s largest farmers’ market.
http://www.earthenharvest.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/images/sc011d5800.178141105_std.jpg
And, across the street, the train station:
http://cache.virtualtourist.com/2516666-Red_Bank_Train_Station-Red_Bank.jpg
A poignant reminder that this is still largely a commuter town…
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank028.jpg
…but, as I’ve shown, it’s not your average commuter stop in Suburbia. In many ways, it’s a hidden treasure in Monmouth County, and in all likelihood, it’ll stay that way.
That’s all, folks. I’ll leave you with this final image of Navesink mansions on the north shore. Jon Bon Jovi lives somewhere here, as do Heather Locklear and John Valentin, formerly of the Mets. Though they’re located across the border in Middletown, they’re always looking at Red Bank. And for good reason.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1335/1241127381_4533e205d2_b.jpg
Technically, it’s not even considered a city, but a “borough” – ever since it was incorporated as such in 1908. Do not let the centennial fool you, though. This area has been home to people and commerce since at least 1736, when legend has it its name was bestowed by an astute property salesman. The area immediately surrounding Red Bank has communities whose “settlement dates” range as far back as 1693, in the case of neighboring Middletown, and 1665, in the case of stately Rumson. This portion of Monmouth County – specifically, the area surrounding the Navesink River – is home to some of New Jersey’s oldest buildings and monuments. It was conveniently located only 25 miles from the Port of New York, and began to thrive when the Dutch turned it over to the English.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/29/Monmouth_County_New_Jersey_Municipalities.png
The map above shows the geography of Monmouth County, with Sandy Hook towards the upper right. It also shows the location of the various townships, along with their size. Red Bank is #26 – one of the smallest municipalities, and substantially smaller than most of its neighbors, especially those to the north, west, and southwest. #52 is Middletown, and #51, where I’ve lived for the past 8 years, is Holmdel.
Monmouth County – though long considered a “settled” area, and not of the same kind as the ubiquitous “exurban” counties where commuters and retirees have long flocked to escape urbanity – has unfortunately suffered a fate similar to most of American suburbia. From the map, you can tell the place sprawls. Houses are typically built on large lots (in some communities, the minimum size is one acre), and strip malls proliferate. Though the area has solid access to transportation through NJ Transit rail and bus, as well as additional private bus companies, cars still rule the day, and traffic is typically heavy on local roads, as well as state routes 35 and 36.
Monmouth’s population is up to 635,000 as of 2006, and is still growing. The population density is 1,304 per square mile. By most measures, Monmouth County is representative of a solidly middle-class to upper-middle-class suburban haven. The median household income is just north of $64,000, while families bring in a median of $77,000. The population is 85% White.
Here’s an indication of why Red Bank is special in this sea of suburbia. Its population density is 6,640 per square mile – 5 times the average density of the county. Its roughly 12,000 residents all live within about 1.8 square miles. As a comparison, my town’s density is 878 – a paltry 1/8 of Red Bank’s. Even though Holmdel is home to several thousand more people, those are spread out over more than 18 square miles. Middletown is not quite as bad an offender, because it doesn’t have minimum acreage laws like Holmdel. It has 67,000 residents, which would make it large enough to be a regional population center in a state like Indiana or Alabama. But its land area is over 40 square miles, yielding it a population density only slightly higher than the county average.
Holmdel and Middletown also lack this:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/73/May_21_056.jpg/800px-May_21_056.jpg
Neither contain a discernible “downtown” area – only strip malls. And while Middletown has its own train station, bus stops, and municipal center, only Red Bank has something that looks like this:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/1/1c/Red_Bank.JPG/800px-Red_Bank.JPG
And that’s because its street layout looks like this:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/3a/Census_Bureau_map_of_Red_Bank%2C_New_Jersey.gif
Oddly enough, Middletown’s population has increased some 700% in the past 75 years; Holmdel’s, as much as 1600%. Red Bank’s has remained nearly constant, fluctuating a few hundred every decade – but never more than 13,000, and never less than 10,000. Despite all that, Red Bank feels a whole lot livelier than either of its big brothers.
Let’s take a look why. (And thus begins the photo tour…)
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank029.jpg
This view is from a park on Front Street, which fronts the southern shore of the Navesink. You’re looking northwest, and if you can make out the recently-constructed office building with the gold-glass façade, that would be the last thing you see before crossing the river into town on State Route 35.
Once in town, you’re greeted by this:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank001.jpg
Every town of repute needs its grand hotel, right? This one, dating back more than 70 years, is named for a local Revolutionary War Hero.
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank004.jpg
It’s got a great lobby, and even better views of the town and harbor:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank005.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank006.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank007.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank008.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank009.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank010.jpg
Nearby, there is high-density housing:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank002.jpg
And some more:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank003.jpg
This used to be for the poorer folks, but has recently undergone a renovation and is now decidedly more upscale:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank011.jpg
Can you tell this is not the original façade?
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank012.jpg
Proceeding further south, one happens on a mini-business district developing on all four corners of a major intersection:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank015.jpg
They like their newer buildings in brick here.
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank016.jpg
Across the street, another under construction:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank017.jpg
This is what first started the little boom:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank019.jpg
An exceptionally mediocre shopping center, with extensive parking on the other side. Its vaguely Postmodern accents are reminiscent of some of the worst in strip mall design that you’ll find in the other municipalities, but thankfully, there’s not too much of that here. In fact, this may be the only strip mall in all of Red Bank.
On the last corner, an auspicious Jersey developer has recently constructed a rather inauspicious headquarters:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank014.jpg
(Like I said: they like their brick in Red Bank.)
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank013.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank018.jpg
Or is it a two-facer?
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank021.jpg
Ah, yes – there’s the developer flaunting his success in all its supermodern glory. Floor to ceiling glass offices, with expansive views of the river:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank022.jpg
Nearby, a sign of how much Red Bankers love their boats:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank023.jpg
What it looks like in wintertime:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/da/IceBoatsRedBank.jpg/800px-IceBoatsRedBank.jpg
And, just inland, what looks like it could be a scene from a Southern plantation:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank024.jpg
But these ain’t your typical mansions. In fact, they’re not mansions at all. They’re two-family condos, masquerading as houses:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank030.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank031.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank026.jpg
Tranquil, no?
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank032.jpg
A real gem. Tough to believe it’s rather new. But when you’ve got neighbors like these…
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank027.jpg
Protestant Church on Front Street, 1838.
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank025.jpg
Red Bank Public Library, 1856. Enlarged in 1876.
…you do a better job fitting in.
Now, to get to the real good stuff:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank033.jpg
Front Street approaching Broad, Red Bank’s main thoroughfare.
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank035.jpg
New condos on Front. Did I mention they like their brick here?
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank034.jpg
At last, the main event. Broad Street, in all its glory:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank037.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank036.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank038.jpg
A sidewalk scene.
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank039.jpg
Remember that strip mall? Compare the look of the above with this:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank020.jpg
No comparison. Moving right along:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank040.jpg
As you can see, buildings here vary in size and style. Most date from pre-World War II, and several date from pre-World War I.
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank041.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank042.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank043.jpg
Neighborhood watering hole:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank044.jpg
The street has a mix of eclectic shops, upscale retail, restaurants, and bars. There are also banks here, as well as a Starbucks. Most folks don’t seem to mind.
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank045.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank046.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank047.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank048.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank051.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank053.jpg
A typical side street:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank050.jpg
And another:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank054.jpg
And a not-so-typical side street:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank052.jpg
^New condos. Questionable design, but at least they’re high-density.
Wall Street has created a few outposts here:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank049.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank055.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank056.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank057.jpg
And where there are bankers, there are also jewelers:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank059.jpg
Those blue window shades look familiar, don’t they?
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank060.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank064.jpg
Oh, and don’t forget the purveyors of Italian suits and French-cuffed shirts:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank061.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank062.jpg
And, nearing the end of Broad Street’s retail and commercial core, stands another city landmark:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank058.jpg
You may have noticed the church is Catholic. That’s because Monmouth County is home to some of the most Irish communities in the country. 23% of residents are Irish, and an additional 21% are Italian.
You may also have recognized the church from somewhere. More likely than not, it’s from the movie Dogma. The final scene was filmed here (with the late George Carlin as the presiding bishop). In fact, several of Kevin James’ movies (Chasing Amy, Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back) have extensive scenes filmed in and around Red Bank.
A final shot of Broad Street, looking north from in front of the church:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank063.jpg
And as I continued down the side street, I was going to photograph several of Red Bank’s historic houses. Here’s one that’s home to architectural offices (and possibly an architect):
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank065.jpg
Unfortunately, this is where my camera died, and I haven’t had a chance since to finish the tour. For now, I will try to cover the rest with some pictures from the internet:
Monmouth Street is the other noted thoroughfare in the city. It parallels Front, and intersects the heart of Broad Street. Its most famous landmark, named after perhaps its most famous resident:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/91/Basie_theatre.jpg/800px-Basie_theatre.jpg
Count Basie Theater. Opened 1926. Currently undergoing renovations.
Next door, a pet shop that looks better than your average Petco.
http://www.redbankgreen.com/redbankgreen/images/2007/12/04/buona_sera.jpg
And further next door, a well-regarded Italian ristorante:
http://www.redbankgreen.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/10/16/fins2.gif
Towards the western edge of town, a former factory has been gutted and adapted to host artisanal shops and boutiques.
http://www.thegalleriaredbank.com/images/images-index/b-w-image.jpg
http://www.solarpowerandlightusa.com/images/galleria_red_bank.gif
On Sundays, purveyors of fresh local produce gather for the area’s largest farmers’ market.
http://www.earthenharvest.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/images/sc011d5800.178141105_std.jpg
And, across the street, the train station:
http://cache.virtualtourist.com/2516666-Red_Bank_Train_Station-Red_Bank.jpg
A poignant reminder that this is still largely a commuter town…
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r260/pianoman11686/RedBank028.jpg
…but, as I’ve shown, it’s not your average commuter stop in Suburbia. In many ways, it’s a hidden treasure in Monmouth County, and in all likelihood, it’ll stay that way.
That’s all, folks. I’ll leave you with this final image of Navesink mansions on the north shore. Jon Bon Jovi lives somewhere here, as do Heather Locklear and John Valentin, formerly of the Mets. Though they’re located across the border in Middletown, they’re always looking at Red Bank. And for good reason.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1335/1241127381_4533e205d2_b.jpg