ASBURY PARK

city, Monmouth county, eastern New Jersey, U.S. The city lies along the Atlantic Ocean coast in the midst of a string of seaside communities. It was founded in 1871 by James A. Bradley, a New York manufacturer, who named it for the Reverend Francis Asbury, founder of Methodism in the United States. A spectacular ship disaster (September 1934) killed 122 persons when the Morro Castle caught fire at sea and was grounded offshore. Asbury Park's Convention Hall, 4,000-seat Auditorium, boardwalk, swimming pavilions, and fishing facilities have spurred the popularity of it and neighbouring communities as sites for resorts and conventions. Sunset, Deal, and Wesley lakes are within Asbury's boundaries. The city's light manufactures include electronic equipment, household items, beverages, and textiles. Inc. borough, 1874; city, 1897. Pop. (1990) 16,799; (1996 est.) 17,125.