Construction was problematic as the first three attempts were halted by storm damage and destruction. In order to extend the tracks into Avalon, a railroad bridge was needed to cross Townsends Inlet. A railroad already ran from Philadelphia to Ludlam’s Island to the north. In order to bring visitors to the island, a railway service was needed. The island itself was referred to as the “Jewel of the Jersey Coast” by the company trying to promote it to wealthy visitors. The developers intended the island to be an exclusive, upscale resort, which is evident in the naming of the channels built along the west side of the island after Ivy League schools. The name was derived from a mythical, magical island where it is said that King Arthur went to recover after battle. It is believed that “Avalon” was given its name by a brother-in-law of the company’s president.

In 1887 the island was purchased by a real estate company with the intention of creating a seaside resort. The island was sold by the Leamings, passed through several different owners and, at one point, was renamed to “Seven Mile Island”. The Leaming family owned the island for approximately 100 years, during which time it was used as a cattle range and a source of timber. In 1722, the 2725-acre island was purchased for the equivalent of $380 by Aaron Leaming who thereafter named it Leaming’s Island. The island upon which Avalon is located was once a juniper forest occupied by the Leni-Lenape Indians. From the days of railroads in Avalon, to storms of Avalon, much has happened to shape the development of the “jewel of the Jersey coast”.

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