Brant Beach

Brant Beach — LBI's Middle Section Through the Decades

Brant Beach grew steadily from a handful of cottages in 1920 to a substantial summer community by 1962. The 1920 aerial shows the early development — modest bungalows on the ocean block, natural dunes, and undeveloped lots. By 1933, the grid of streets had largely filled in. The 1944 Great Atlantic Hurricane, which struck in September during the tourist season, caused significant dune erosion visible in that year's aerial. By 1962, Brant Beach was densely developed. The Ash Wednesday Storm drove surge across the island; the 1962 aerial captures the aftermath — beach narrowing and storm debris along the oceanfront, a vivid contrast to the natural dune system visible in 1920.