In May 1888, Robert Louis Stevenson spent about a month in Brielle, New Jersey along the Manasquan River. On the river, just north of Point Pleasant, NJ, is a small wooded island, then commonly known as "Osborn Island". One day Stevenson visited the island and was so impressed he whimsically re-christened it "Treasure Island" and carved his initials into a bulkhead. This took place five years after he had completed the novel, Treasure Island. To this day, many still refer to the island as such.
The Manasquan River is a 26.5-mile-long waterway in central New Jersey. It flows from central Monmouth County, beginning in Freehold Township, to the Atlantic Ocean, where it empties between the communities of Manasquan and Point Pleasant via the Manasquan Inlet. It widens greatly as it nears the ocean, making it ideal for boating, and is a very popular recreational area of the Jersey Shore. The Manasquan River and Inlet is the northernmost terminus of the Intracoastal Waterway.
The river marks the traditional boundary between North Jersey and South Jersey; it separates Monmouth and Ocean County and marks the border between rich, fertile soil to the north and the sandier soil of the "Pine Barrens" to the south.
Situated in the middle of the river east of the New Jersey Route 70 highway bridge and adjacent to the former Point Pleasant Hospital site and Point Pleasant Canal entrance is a sizable island only accessible by boat that is a popular spot for picnics and recreation. The island includes a sandy beach area and is mainly covered with trees. The water surrounding the island is deep enough to accommodate boat traffic, and boaters normally beach their boats on the sand while they enjoy a day of relaxation on the island. It is now officially named Nienstedt Island, honoring the family who donated it to the borough.
"Treasure Island" is frequented by river traffic as a place to rest weary arms (after a long paddle), or just a nice place to relax and have a drink. The island itself offers multiple trails crisscrossing the woods, beach areas that allow anyone to come ashore, and a nice relaxing atmosphere.
Homes in the Point Pleasant, Karl Hess, Keller Williams Realty, Ocean County
Comments (5)Subscribe to CommentsComment