The Colonnade Inn (Sea Isle City)
The Colonnade Inn is one of the oldest historical buildings in Sea Isle City, New Jersey. It stands as the last Old Style Victorian building in Sea Isle City, and serves as the sole testimony to the city's rich architectural past.
History
When it was built in 1883 as a summer hotel, the Colonnade Inn was referred to as "The Colonnade Hotel." The Hotel was one of many that served the summer visitors from the metropolitan center of Philadelphia who were seeking a way to cool down from the summer heat (this of course was before air conditioners!).
The Colonnade Inn is the last surviving hotel from the pre-1900s era. It is a Victorian architectural masterpiece that has not only survived many coastal storms but also the wrecking ball of progress.
The Colonnade was purchased and remodeled to apartments in 1940 by the Dorsam family. The Dorsam's ran the Colonnade until 1990 when it was purchased by Dr. Carolyn Crawford and run as a bed and breakfast. In 2004, The Colonnade Inn was fully restored with the interest of preserving its original architectural features as well as its place in history.