Nostalgia, History and Memories
This corner of the website is here for you to learn about and remember some of Seaside's past. Those of us that are lucky enough to have spent time with our family in and around Seaside, either as a child or as a parent, have fond memories of a Seaside Heights that has partially been left behind. In many ways the beach and boardwalk are still the same. Yet buildings have come and gone, rides have been taken away and replaced with others, and some stores have changed names or their line of business numerous times over the years.
These history and memories pages will grow as we learn more and get more input from others. If you have a story, picture or even a short anecdote you would like to share please let us know. You can find out how to submit content here.
A newer section of the site that can really use your input is the "What was the..." page. A lot of people have memories about Seaside Heights but cannot remember a detail - a name, a building or whatever - and they would like to have a detail filled in. If you have something like that, you can submit something like you find here or just leave a comment on that page.
Seaside Heights 1960's Promotional Film
Let's start with a film from 1960 that was rediscovered in 2008. I should mention it is almost 17 minutes long. You may want to go get a cup of coffee before you start watching the film.
The town of Seaside Heights released this statement about the film:
"This promotional film of Seaside Heights from 1960 was discovered by Peter J. Smith, Director of the Seaside Heights Office of Public Relations in May 2008, and was converted to modern video format by Joe Verderosa of Greenrose Media and is now posted on youtube.com to be enjoyed worldwide.
Peter had seen this film once before in his life as a child, when it was shown by Mr. Hugh J. Boyd, Principal of the namesake school in Seaside Heights. Working for Seaside Heights as an adult, and feeling the film reel must be somewhere, Peter spent five years looking for it inside the Borough Hall. Several other films were found from the past over the years, but none had been “it”.
One day, Peter had to reach high on a shelf to retrieve a box of 8 radios. However, the box only had 7 radios inside. This made him grab a stepladder and look for the missing eighth radio. The radio was found in the far back of the highest shelf, on top of a reel of film, which turned out to be the long-lost Sun and Fun promo footage in pristine condition. We like to think that the spirit of 12-term Seaside Heights Mayor J. Stanley Tunney, who appears in this film, and is believed to occasionally make a paranormal visit to the Borough Hall, led us to this valuable piece of history.”
Seaside Heights 1970's Promotional Film
The response to posting this film on YouTube resulted in so many views, the town decided to release a second vintage Seaside Heights tourism film.
Here is the second film to be released. Check out those styling fashions!
Please feel free to leave a comment below.
Nice movies
It is really interesting to watch both of these films. It brought back a lot of childhood memories I have of Seaside. My family used to go there for a week every summer when I was growing up.
Reply
Where did you stay for that week each Summer.My parents were managers of an apartment complex on Sampson Avenue. Summers were so great during that time.
film
Donkey splat Peter. You know you didn't find that film in Boro hall. Just say it was in "grandpa's attic" and get it over with.
Carousel in Carousel House
Is the Carousel in the Carousel House at the south side of the boardwalk still there? It was still running there about 5 years ago when I was there. There is never anything written about it. I always thought it was more beautiful than the one in the Casino. I loved it as a child and still loved it when I grew up and took my children and grandchildren there. If it's still there, do you know anything about it? Who built it, when and how did it get to Seaside Heights. Thanks for any information you can give me.
The "Other" Seaside Heights Carousel
The story of the carousel you are asking about is told here...
http://www.discoverseasideheights.com/history/boardwalk-history
I have heard there were three carousel in Seaside Heights at one point in the past. That third one is something I would like to hear more about!
carousels
On our vacations, we preferred the Casino carousel as in the late 40s and 50s they had rings which added to the fun of riding. Now although it is beautiful to see, people miss out on the true fun of the Carousel
Memories of Seaside Heights
In the 30's and 40's my family of Washingtonians whould travel by train to Seaside to spend our annual monthly vacation. We rented cottages on Franklin Avenue and Webster Avenue. Steamer trunks were sent by Railway Express and awaited our arrival. As a child the train ride from Camden to Seaside was a tremendous thrill! I became hooked as a rail enthusiast from that experience. Every day I would go to the station to see the daily train arrive and return in the late afternoon to see the train depart even at the expense of lost beach time. I can recall the iceman making his daily rounds and lugging a huge block of ice on his shoulder and placing it in our ice box. What a thrill it was to go up to the boardwalk in the evening and ride the carousel. The boardwalk aromas are with me yet today. A bakery wagon also made daily rounds and a purchase of a Duncan's pastry was a specail treat. The coming of the war resulted in curtains being strung along the boardwalk to block out the lights of the town. A recent return after over sixty years saw dramatic change but the cottage on Webster Avenue still beckons.
Memories
I so remember the blackout curtains on the boardwalk, especially the gift stand in front of the Chatterbox bar that sold luminous flowers and statues etc. Mom bought me a gardenia which I held up to the light and wore in the darkened theater, so cool, I thought. Seaside Heights will always be my favorite vacation place.
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