Gone but not Forgotten
The page is the launching ground for an idea..... Together we can build an interesting and valuable archive about Seaside's past. Places that were a part of Seaside Heights in the recent past are still part of the collective memories of many people. Let's try and get some of these things recorded and saved.
I have started this list with a few things that may or may not be interesting to you. The real value of this project will come as it grows - as a result of your contributions! This part of the website will grow as we learn more and get more input from you. 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.
We can add more history pages (Boardwalk, different decades, different places off of the boardwalk, etc.) as more information and topics get added. I would love to hear from you with information, whether complete or not.
As you can see from these initial entries you just need an idea or a few sentences about a topic to give it a start. Once started, it will be easier for others to contribute with additional information. For instance someone may remember a past event or place but not be able to place a date related to this. Another person might know when and let us all know. Personal accounts, pictures, questions - send em in! Do realize editorial discretion is necessary in organizing and presenting information on the site. Please do not be upset if something you contribute does not show get posted to the website.
Bat-em-Out
The parking lot at the north end of the boardwalk, along Hiering Ave, used to be the home of Bat-em-Out. Their were batting cages just off the part of this block that fronts along Boulevard/Route 35, where the CVS is today. The balls were hit towards the beach. The property went all the way to the back of the current parking lot. There was also a store right next to the batting cages. I can't quite remember what they sold. Wicker furniture? I have also been told that this store was once a restaurant called "Flo's." Anyone have any more information about any of this?
The parking lot off of Hiering Ave. This was an overgrown field where balls were hit from the batting cages of Bat-em-Out. Not exactly the field of dreams!
My brother worked at Bat-em-Out one summer. Essentially his job was to collect balls all day and bring them back to the batting cages area. One day he got nailed right in the face! Broke his glasses clean in two right across the bridge of his nose. I seem to remember his eyes were blackened a bit by the incident, though not as bad as when someone gets their nose broken. I think to he had to tape his glasses together until he got new ones. The horror of horrors for any kid that ever had to wear glasses, I think. But he did not complain.
I think the only regret my other brother's and I had about this accident was that we did not get to see it happen. While my brother that was hit by the ball did not share in our amusement, we thought it was a very funny thing to have happened to him.
Barnegat Cold Storage Building
The old large building was torn down to build Rainbow Rapids in 1977. That water park was later renamed Smuggler's Quay. It was demolished in 2006 and replaced with condos. I haven't yet found out anything definitive about the original building, other than I remember stopping there with my grandfather when I was very young. Please write me if you have any information or photos of the original structure.
Perkin's Pancake House
Before becoming an every changing series of differently named clubs, there was a Perkins Restaurant at the corner of Boulevard and Hamilton(?). I do not know the details of the years it was there, as I was quite young when it changed into a nightclub. I do know that a few of my family members worked in this place too.
The fact there was a Perkins there is not that interesting, I know. What I think could be interesting is to try to draw up a history of the building. I would guess this structure has been a number of businesses over the years. Does anyone have any memories of this building and what it was at different times?
Skillo games
30 yrs. ago my mother and I were hooked on Skillo (bingo-like game)
in palors on the Boardwalk. Do these places still exist?
Skillo games
My grandmother and her 2 sisters often went to skillo games.
At one time, 1970s, I think there were probably 10 skillo place son the boardwalk. I remember Freds, Sand, Surf, Luckys, Sonny&Rickys, and 3 Jacks on the funtown end. Perhaps one now remains.
My grandmother would play 20 cards per game. Amazing!
Miniature golf courses
At one time, there were 4 miniature golf courses on the boardwalk.
There was a rooftop one by Franklin Ave, freds off the boardwalk, a skytop at Casino and the best one at Funtown called Golfland. This is where the big arcade and Sawmill are now.
Thanks for the memories
I remember the batting cages at Bat em out. There was a little restuarant there, I had forgotten about that. My Mom owned a ceramic studio is Ortley Beach around 1980 and I used to go there in the summer. What great times. Rainbow Rapids was great but there was another water park called Splash Down which I liked even more. I remember going to skillo with my grandmother. How cold and quiet it was in there! And the sound of the people going through all those little cardboard squares. There was also a game they would play called Fasination and I know that was there until at least 1988 because that was my senior year at Toms River High School East and we would go and I remember playing that at least once. It was similar to bingo except you would roll little rubber balls down a lane. I was fortunate enough to work one summer at the boardwalk - 1986. So much fun. I remember Union Jack's wheel getting most of money trying to win cassette tapes. Thanks for the posts!
Thanks for the memories
Fascination replaced skilo at Lucky's.
There was also a game called Pokerino at one of the funtown arcades where you had to roll 5 balls and try to make different poker hands.
I think pokerino was around until the early 70s when the funtown section of stands underwent a rebuild. Te machines then seemed to disappear.
I worked at Flo's Pizza and
I worked at Flo's Pizza and Bat Em Out when I was 13..1987.. I had to get working papers, and later in life realized working a 13 year old until 1am is not really legal! When I wasn't bussing tables, I was filling the pitching machines, with people coming down from the boardwalk under the influence.. Hit the ball boy was often heard.. Good times.. 3.35/hr.
Rainbow Rapids memories
I remember going to the Rainbow Rapids water slides in the late 1970s. I loved that place. I'd love it if someone would post photos of it, since I don't have any. I went there with my friend when I grew up in northeastern New Jersey (& once on an outing with my girl scout troop). I am now 44 and live in another state far away (& go to water parks with my six year old daughter), but Rainbow Rapids was my first one and I still have fond memories of it. I think I remember that it had 4(?) different slides, each with different names -- I probably have the names of the slides in my diary from that time period (if I can find it).
{I realize you were probably only looking for memories of Seaside Heights from BEFORE the late 1970s, but I was born in 1967 & can't provide those myself}.
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