The Township of Ocean is a suburban community in east central Monmouth County. Today its 11.1 square miles encompasses the geographic sections of Wayside, Wanamassa, Colonial Terrace, West Allenhurst, West Deal, Deal, Oakhurst, Shadow Lawn Manor, and Elberon Park. Our community is often referred to as Ocean Township . However, the distinction between Township of Ocean and Ocean Township must be made to avoid confusing the municipality of Ocean Township in Ocean County. Throughout the chamber's website, any references to Ocean Township mean the Township of Ocean, our community's official name.

Early Ocean Township History

Today's Ocean Township

Originally used as summer camping areas by the Lenni Lenape indians during the Woodland Period 700-1650 A.D., Henry Hudson claimed this area for the Dutch in 1609, when he sailed his ship into Sandy Hook Bay and had his men go ashore to make the claim. In 1664 the Dutch lost control of the area to the English, who settled the area through 1849, the year in which the Township of Ocean was incorporated. The Township grew substantially in following years and, at one time, included all real estate from Sea Bright south to Shark River and west to encompass Eatontown and Long Branch. Through 1957, when Loch Arbor became an independent municipality, the Township of Ocean shrank to its present size. The towns of Asbury Park, Ocean Grove, Bradley Beach, Avon, Neptune, Sea Bright, Allenhurst, Deal, Monmouth Beach, and Interlaken became independent municipalities. After the Revolutionary War, the growth of New York as a business and manufacturing city created a demand for goods to supply the needs of people and industry. This demand was satisfied by entrepeneurs exploiting central New Jersey's natural resources of bog iron and charcoal.

Since the late 1970s, the Township's populaton has grown so much that there remains little or no open space on which to build new homes or apartments. Ocean Township remains a "bedroom community" situated within easy access to major public and private transportation within Monmouth County as well as to Manhattan. A desireable area in which to live because of its relatively short commuting distance to New York City, Ocean Township continues to draw families from the different boros of New York City. To this day, it remains one of the most sought after shore communities in Eastern Monmouth County in which to settle your family or establish a business. Our brand new library is an outstanding testament to what can be achieved through thoughtful and focused planning. Please visit the library complex, which is located on Deal Road, just east of Highway 35 at the juncture of Deal Road and Logan Road. Stop by and visit this unique structure and its collection of reading material.