By Mike Willmann

 
  There are a lot of interesting “facts” about South Jersey that many people who live and work in our region don’t know. Some are marginal. Some are remarkable. But most are really pretty interesting.

For example, did you know that:
  ~ According to a study conducted by Monmouth University, 60% of NJ residents will take a trip “down to the shore” this summer, staying for an average of 17 days?
  ~ From 1849 to 1852 Harriet Tubman spent summers working in Cape May hotels, earning money to underwrite her antislavery activites?
  ~ When first established, Egg Harbor was named a “harbor” because of proposed plans for a canal (which was never built) that would connect Gloucester and the Mullica River?
  ~ This past May A.J. Beechler, age 8, of Glassboro won the Kids Golf European Championship in Scotland?
  ~ The only current operating drive-in movie theater in the state is in Vineland?
  ~ President Abraham Lincoln and General Ulysses S. Grant are said to have arm wrestled at a bar of the Blue Anchor Inn, which was located in Burlington City?
  ~ According to an old law, cabbage cannot be sold in New Jersey on Sundays?
  ~ Although he only lived in Haddon Township for three years, a young Steven Spielberg is said to have seen one of his first movies at the Westmont Theater?
  ~ A portion of Newfield was designated “Bachelortown?” In 1866 nearly all of the residents on its one short road, St. George’s Ave., were bachelors. At one time eight people lived in six houses and all were named William.
  ~ In 1935, the Atlantic City police arrested 42 men on the beach in a “crack down” of men wearing topless bathing suits?
 

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SNJ Facts are compiled by Haddonfield marketing executive Michael Willmann, assisted by Leia Damboise. You can reach Mike at WMSH Marketing Communications at 856-616-2886 or at michaelwillmann@wmsh.com.