When a baby was born in a Sea Isle City residence earlier this year, it was heralded as a rare event, as the last birth in Sea Isle happened more than 40 years ago. Yet at one point in time, it was nearly a routine occurrence.

Believe it or not, there was a time when there were more than 15 service stations from Strathmere to Stone Harbor. Not gas-only facilities, but full-service stations. Today, only one remains.