In the last decade Wildwood and Wildwood Crest have become literally world famous for their abundant Doo Wop architecture. But what exactly is Doo Wop architecture?

Doo Wop is a term coined by MAC (the Mid-Atlantic Center For The Arts) in the early 1990s to describe the unique, space-age architectural style that was common in the 1950s and 1960s that incorporated modern, sweeping angles, bright colors, starbursts, boomerang shapes, plastic palm trees, and angular wall and roof styles. (It was named after a music style popular at that time, sung by groups like The Turbans and The Ink Spots.) Other parts of the country refer to the Doo Wop style as “Googie” or “Populuxe” architecture. The first motel to reflect this style in Wildwood Crest was the Ebb Tide Motel at 5711 Atlantic Avenue, built in 1957. Many of the Doo Wop motels (including the Ebb Tide) were built by Will and Lou Morey, who specialized in such designs.

The different categories of Doo Wop architecture include:

1) Modern/Blast Off: Glass walled, angular roof style that brings to mind the jet-age airports of the 1950s and 1960s. (Satellite and Admiral Motels)

2) Vroom: Architectural movement expressed in angular, forward-thrusting and pointed building elements. (Ebb Tide, Pan American and Bel Air Motels; Surfside Restaurant)

3) Tiki/Polynesian: Reflects the fascination with the South Pacific, incorporating plastic palm trees and tiki heads in abundance. (Tahiti, Waikiki, Kona Kai and Casa Bahama Motels)

4) Chinatown Revival: Reflects interest in exotic foreign travel, particularly the orient. (Singapore Motel)

5) Phony Colonee: A patriotic style that reflects Colonial American brick and lamppost elements. (Saratoga and Carriage Stop Motels)