Jersey "Institutions" of Yesteryear...Ahhhh (Newark, Jersey City: amusement park, condos)
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Well, since Tahiti started her Jersey'isms thread, I have been stuck in a time warp, visiting places I haven't been to in years, and finding that some are GONE-
When I was a kid, growing up in Fort Lee, we had Hiram's AND Callahan's, right across the street from each other. I had a family of 7, and we all liked different things, and we'd argue over which 'burger and dog joint we'd go to! When we ordered from Callahan's it was the ONLY time my mother let me drink Yoo Hoo- FROM A BOTTLE no less....Nobody worried that I'd kill myself on the bottle- we didn't have "juice boxes" back then...
The Carvel in Fort Lee was also another favorite place of mine, and I'd always ask the 'dipper' if they had any broken flying saucer cookies, and she would give me a handful of broken cookies....SCORE!
And Michele's Bakery in Fort Lee. Remember when you were a kid, and every time you went into the Bakery with your mom they'd give you one of those little cookies, the ones with the sprinkles on them......
And finally, my favorite Jersey Institution was "Jahn's Ice Cream Parlor" on Route 4. Every dance recital, or Choir recital, or 6th grade graduation...we went to Jahn's and we'd order "The Kitchen Sink" which was like 15 scoops of ice cream and EVERY topping they had!
What are your favorite Jersey Institutions of Yesteryear? What place do you drive by and smile to yourself????
I believe the Bergen Mall was the first to become an indoor mall. I used to like walking across the bridge to E. J. Korvettes.
Van Saun Park was another favorite, with it's kiddie zoo. I used to work at the zoo many days ago, and I watched the train go round and round.
The only hotdogs in the world came from Callahans.
Palisade's Amusement Park was a thrill. They had an overhead tram, typical amusement park games (3 ball throw for a quarter), a swim pool with waves, a roller coaster, and some animals as well.
Paramus Pool was the best thing in the world, second only to Darlington County Park. I enjoyed fishing, which is why Darlington was rated number one for me.
A drive in the family car to cruise along the Palisades, finally entering a boat basin and a walk along the shoreline along Alpine or Fort Lee. Seeing a chipmunk and driving slowly up to it, so as not to disturb it was very cool. There wasn't grafitti at the time, and some of the older abandoned buildings still stood. In any of the last three places (Paramus Pool, Darlington, or Alpine Boat Basin), going to the concession stand was the best part of the day.
There was a Dunk and Dip located in Fort Lee where I hung out with a Buddy named Tony. We would enjoy a donut and a religious philosophical discussion there quite often.
Stokes State Forest became my favorite in later life, as I worked there in 1976 in the YCC. We helped with timber stand improvement, latrines, a bridge in Tillman's Ravine, and a 40 foot look out tower on the mountain next to the monument.
For me, those were the institutions I recall best.
Whitty's in Rahway/Colonia. 2nd greatest hot dogs on earth. 2nd only to Johnny's Hot Dogs in Buttzville.
Asbury Park Convention hall and the Palace Amusment Park.
Buxton's in Rahway/Colonia. Eat 16 scoops of ice cream in one sitting and the next 16 scoop wooden bucket was on the house.
Montgomery Wards, Two Guys, Korvettes, Jamesway and Rickles. What dumps !!
Longbranch Pier. Didnt that blow away in a storm? Or was it a fire?
Palisades Park in Fort Lee as well as Bertrands Island in Hopatcong. Uncle Milties Amusment Park in Cliffwood Beach area?
Mr S Thickest Shakes on earth (the rotating S sign). I think it was just on the NJ side of the Polasky Skyway? It was a long time ago. Maybe Newark area???
Berry's Cookie Factory in Elizabeth? You used to go into the store there to buy short weight packages for pennies.
Newark Evening News.
Chester Flea Market and the Chester Bakery. The
Crazy Eddie.
The old disintegrating Victory Bridge in Perth Amboy. How did that thing survive?
The old nut factory in Rahway on Rahway Av about a quarter mile from Rt1. My Dad called it the nut factory and we thought he meant nutty people when we were kids. They made nuts and bolts. And what about the noisy metal bridge there too. That little creek under it had some of the worlds largest petroleum reserves in the world.
The old Jersey City Stadium where the old Jersey Giants played. Then in the later years when the Stadium was abandoned and in ruins for so many years we crabbed for the biggest Blue Claw Crabs at the old docks behind the Stadium.
Expressions Unlimited gormet cheese and foods in Warren or Martinsville?
Edison Lanes in Edison. Somehow they managed to tear it down and build a Pathmark with a strip mall and condos. It's getting hard to remember a speck of dirt not developed in Edison.
How about the Route 1 Flea Market? You could smell the roasted nuts as soon as you walked to the door. All the vendors yelling $1, $1, $1!
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