Ludlam Island
Joseph Ludlam bought a strip of the land in 1692 and named it Ludlam's Island. He stocked it with sheep and cattle brought from the mainland. Ludlam Beach would later become Sea Island City, then Sea Isle City.
Charles K. Landis
Ludlam Island was uninhabited for nearly 200 years, with visitors from the mainland using it for fishing, hunting and water recreation. Charles K. Landis purchased the island in 1880. Impressed by the canals and waterways in Venice, Italy, he decided to create a similar spot, digging canals and placing imported European statues around the town.
Sea Island City
Landis' creation became the second resort in Cape May County. In 1882, Sea Island City officially became a Cape May County burrough, and construction began on hospitals, schools, homes and hotels.
Progress
Sea Isle City began to grow, especially with connections with the new roadway and railroad. With the exception of a couple of rough patches in the 1920s and 1930s, the community has grown and flourished.
Modern Resort
Sea Isle City provides a northeast shore vacation with a twist. In addition to all the water recreation and beaches, it also has a European ambiance and a lively nightlife with good restaurants and clubs.
