This project is dedicated to the memory of John J. Olivieri (1956-1999) who understood that a history of a
community contributes to its personality. The information and drawings in this book are from John Olivieri's
Historic Architectural Planning Study prepared for the City of Wildwood in 1995. The island's architecture
includes a large range of styles that showcase the diversity of its residents, shifts in tastes, advances in building
materials and technological and development patterns.
John was a 1974 graduate of Wildwood Catholic High School and went on to graduate from Temple University in
1979 with degrees in architecture and engineering. He started his company designing beach houses on a drafting
board in his garage and grew it into a business with offices in Cherry Hill and Collingswood with areas of expertise
in shore and vacation homes, country estates, historic restorations and individually designed custom homes. The
firm designed more than 350 houses in Stone Harbor, Avalon, and other shore towns. His projects included the
restoration of two Cape May Landmark Victorian houses, Southern Mansion and Angel of the Sea. Mr. Olivieri
received numerous awards, including recognition from the National Trust for Historic Preservation for his work on
Angel of the Sea, completed in 1990. He also lectured at the University of Pennsylvania and Yale University, and
other community groups on guidelines for designating historic districts.
His love and understanding of the Wildwoods, his creativity and his sense of humor is greatly missed.