The Kate McCreary Cottage

c. 1925

1005 Beach Avenue, Cape May New Jersey

Property Records:

Library of Congress record NJ0951

National Registry of Historic Places NRIS # 70000383

Survey #HABSNJ-510

Kate Howell McCreary was a widow when she purchased vacant lot(s) from the estate of Franklin Platt on Sept 27,

1923. Kate’s family is rich in the history of Cape May. Her late husband was George D. McCreary, son of John B.

McCreary, who was the first owner of the Abbey (SW corner of Gurney and Columbia Ave). Kate’s son, George D.

McCreary Jr. owned the home next door to the Abbey at 606 Columbia. In 1923 Kate purchased 2 lots, 1005 and

1007 Beach Avenue for $8,000.00. Her home at 1005 Beach Ave was built over the next couple years, was

completed in 1925, and first appeared on the tax records in 1926.

This home stayed in the McCreary family until 1943, when Kate died, and her executor sold the property for

$22,000.00. In 1962 there was the infamous Ash Wednesday Storm that damaged many homes along Beach Ave.

The Kate McCreary Cottage had severe damage to the basement front wall. It was at this point that the Beach Ave

seawall was built. For years, the Kate McCreary Cottage was nicknamed the “Mae West” because of its 2

protruding porches. Mae West, the actress, has no ties to this home. Over the years, it changed hands several

times and was turned into 4-unit apartments.

In 2002 Frank and Georgette purchased this home. They owned it for 20 years then just before they died, deeded

it to their children Jonathan and Lisa Koehler. At this point, we began the extensive renovation process to bring

the home back to her former glory. After over a year of meetings with the City of Cape May Zoning and the Cape

May Historic Preservation Committee, the 8-month renovation was complete in August 2024.

Because of the historic significance to the McCreary name in Cape May, we fittingly named her the Kate McCreary

Cottage. While restoring this home, we found a few fun details, the servants once lived on the 3 rd floor and there

was a buzzer downstairs that would ring them when needed. We also found a hidden staircase (old servant stairs)

hidden behind the wall. (Partially remaining behind the basement stair doors where the water heater is currently

located). We also found a used pack of Lucky Strike cigarettes and matchbooks. We kept the original doors,

doorknobs, and as many original windows as we could. The heart pine wood floors that were covered with carpet

and layers of Linoleum flooring were painstakingly restored. We hope you enjoy your stay and can appreciate

Kate’s beauty and history. Our hope is that many new family memories will be made in this home and cherished

for years.

So, if you like pina colada’s and getting caught in the rain, Kate’s the love that you’ve looked for,

come to Cape May and Escape!