The Cedar Tree: Where the Ocean City Dream Was Planted

If a single tree could speak, this one would tell the story of a city’s birth. It would speak of salty sea breezes, the hushed prayers of visionaries, and the transformation of a wild barrier island into a sanctuary for generations of families. Though it is no longer rooted in the shifting sands of the North End, the “Founders’ Tree” remains Ocean City, New Jersey’s silent, sturdy soul. It is a living, preserved artifact that reminds us that every great endeavor begins with a single, rooted intention.

The 1879 Meeting: A Sanctuary Under the Branches

The story of Ocean City does not begin with a construction crew or a real estate advertisement; it begins with a spiritual calling. On September 10, 1879, the air on Peck’s Beach was heavy with the scent of brine and cedar. Four Methodist ministers—Ezra B. Lake, James Lake, S. Wesley Lake, and William Burrell—rowed across the Great Egg Harbor Bay to the uninhabited island. They weren’t seeking a typical business venture; they were seeking a place to establish a Christian seaside resort, a “camp meeting” ground where faith and family could flourish away from the mainland’s vices.

As the legend goes, the four men sought shelter and a place of assembly beneath the wide, sprawling branches of a massive Atlantic White Cedar near what is now 6th Street and Asbury Avenue. Beneath its canopy, they knelt in prayer and formally organized the Ocean City Association. Using the tree as both a literal and a metaphorical landmark, they began to envision the grid of streets that would eventually become the town. To these men, the cedar wasn’t just a piece of flora; it was a divine umbrella, a sign that they had found the right ground to plant their dream.

A Symbol of Resilience

For over a century, as the city grew from a few wooden cottages into a world-famous resort, the Cedar Tree stood its ground. It became a silent witness to the island’s evolution. It survived the Great Fire of 1927, which destroyed much of the Boardwalk. It endured the Great Atlantic Hurricane of 1944 and the Ash Wednesday Storm of 1962. While the Atlantic Ocean repeatedly tried to reclaim the island, the Founders’ Tree remained anchored.

Local residents formed a deep emotional bond with the tree. It served as the backdrop for countless photographs, a landmark for school tours, and a tangible touchstone of the town’s history. Over the decades, the “Founders’ Tree” became a symbol of the town’s resilience. It embodied the idea that while the tides may change and the boardwalk may be rebuilt, the community’s core values, the “roots” planted by the Lake brothers, remained unshakable.

The Move to the Museum: Preserving the Heartwood

Time, however, ultimately claimed what the storms could not. By the late 20th century, the ancient cedar began to succumb to age and the stresses of an urbanizing environment. Despite efforts by local arborists to save it, the tree ultimately died. But the people of Ocean City refused to let the story end there.

Recognizing the tree as the city’s most significant physical link to its founding, a massive community effort was launched to preserve it. The tree was carefully dismantled, and its trunk and major cross-sections were treated for preservation. Today, the core of that legendary cedar is the centerpiece of the Ocean City Historical Museum (located within the Community Center on 17th Street). Visitors can approach the massive trunk and see the growth rings, each representing a year of the city’s history. It is a powerful experience to stand before the very wood that sheltered the men who named the streets we walk today.

The Legacy: Roots That Run Deep

The legacy of the Cedar Tree extends far beyond its physical wood. It has become the primary symbol of the town’s “family-first” mission. In Ocean City, you will see the cedar image or references to “The Founders” in logos, on commemorative plaques, and in the names of local businesses. It serves as a constant reminder of the city’s unique “dry” status and its commitment to being a wholesome retreat.

When we talk about the “roots” of Ocean City, we aren’t just referring to genealogy or history books; we are talking about a distinct spirit of community and purpose. The Cedar Tree reminds us that Ocean City was built with a plan and a prayer. Every time a child plays on the beach or a family gathers for a concert at the Music Pier, they are enjoying the shade of a dream planted beneath a cedar tree in 1879. The tree may no longer be in the ground, but its branches still cover the island.