Barnegat's Historic Cox House Now In County's Hands

BARNEGAT, NJ - Barnegat's historic Cox House is now part of the Ocean County Parks and Recreation Department, according to a report in The Sandpaper.

The original portion of the landmark home was built around 1825 by Capt. Billy and Marietta Cox at the corner of Route 9 North and Bay Avenue. It was the first house in Barnegat to have electricity and running water, according to barnegat.net.

The house has been used by the Barnegat Historical Society, the Barnegat Garden Club and even Barnegat's own Santa Claus during the holiday season.

Barnegat officials passed an ordinance in 2017 conveying ownership of the house to Ocean County. The property was deeded to Barnegat back in 1985 by Mary Ann Cox so it could be used for historical and recreational purposes, according to the ordinance.

Ocean County has more resources to help maintain the home, Township Administrator Martin Lisella said.

Ocean County Administrator Carl W. Block said the county has not made any specific plans for the building's future. Engineers and architects will inspect the house to see if more repairs are needed, according to the report.

“But we will certainly do whatever we can to make sure it retains its historic character,” he said.
Block said that soon, engineers and architects will inspect the house to determine if additional repairs are needed.

“Eventually, we will reach out to the local groups who used the Cox House,” he said. “I don’t know what activities will take place in the future, but they would be of interest to the whole county, not just Barnegat.”

Deputy Freeholder Director John C. Bartlett Jr., who is parks and recreation chairman, said the
the county Cultural and Heritage Commission will perform an inventory of the home.

“The Cox House is going to need a lot of tender loving care,” he told The Sandpaper. “I don’t doubt that a lot of work is going to have to be done before it reopens. But I know that we’re going to do the house justice.”

Photo:Barnegat Pride Facebook page