In 1940, this property became home to a retired Merchant Mariner, Captain George Henry, a well traveled man who chose Belmar because of its working-waterfront roots and steady sea winds. Henry was fascinated by the nearby wreck of the SS Malta, a real iron steamship that ran aground off Belmar in 1885, its remains still visible at low tide near what is now 8th Avenue. He believed the property had the perfect balance; close enough to the ocean to feel its pull, yet far enough inland to sleep soundly. Neighbors recalled him walking the streets at dusk, timing the tides by instinct, insisting Belmar had âthe calm of a safe harbor.â
Legend says Henry chose this particular house because on foggy nights you could hear the distant surf and smell the salt air drifting up from the beach. A reminder of the Malta and Belmarâs maritime past. He claimed the home had âgood bones,â solid enough to ride out coastal storms, and a warmth that made it easy to settle in after years at sea. Whether or not the captain truly kept watch over the wreck, the story adds to the magic: staying here feels like stepping into a place where shore history, quiet streets and ocean air meet. A home that invites you to slow down, listen to the waves and feel connected to something timeless just beyond the horizon.