Embraced by Sylvan Lake on the north, Shark River on the south, and the Atlantic Ocean on the east, Avon-by-the-Sea has always been synonymous with sandy beaches, great surfing, swimming, fishing, and panoramic views of its waters. Founded in the late nineteenth century by a tobacco industrialist, Avon-by-the-Sea became a resort by the early twentieth century. By restricting expansion early, the founders made sure that their "virtual utopia" would forever remain a small seaside community. Avon-by-the-Sea is the ideal pictorial history for this model community. With over two hundred images, primarily gathered from dozens of local residents, very little of the town's rich past escapes attention. This lively history includes a full chapter on the Avon Inn, the best-known and certainly best-loved guesthouse in the town's history. Throughout this intriguing reminiscence, Avon-by-the-Sea recaptures life on the waterfront, including the boardwalk, the Pavilion, and of course the beach.