Haunting images of the Jersey Shore's disappearing retro motels

Wildwood, New Jersey, holds a special place in photographer Mark Havens' heart. His family has a long-standing tradition of visiting the resort town during the hot summers.

The Wildwood area is best known for its retro motels, as well as its easy access to an enormous beach.

Built in the 1950s, the motels were hugely popular throughout the following two decades. In the town's heyday, as many as 200 motels lined the roads.

"Because I grew up with these motels as the backdrop of my summer for as long as I could remember, they seemed as immovable as mountains to me," Havens told Business Insider.

It turns out they weren't so permanent after all.

While there are still dozens of motels left today, many have been demolished because they weren't making enough money throughout the year. Others have been turned into condos or more modern hotels.

Havens knew he had to do something to preserve Wildwood's mid-century motels. Racing against the clock and the always-swinging demolition ball, Havens set out to document them while they were still standing.