Rio Grande Ave.

[phillyrabbit]

This is the route I took going to and from for years off the parkway. Does anyone remember the welcoming aroma that greeted you as you exited the parkway from the old fish factory? ;D

There was a line of bungalos stretched down the street and my family owned the last one on the right just before you went over the bridge where the marina was (is).

I'm trying to remember the name of the nightclub in front of the marina that was there quite a few years. I think it was either Kit Kat or Jones Boys. (50's, early 60's)

[Al Alven]

The putrid stench that greeted you upon your arrival into Wildwood via Rio Grande Ave. was like an annual right of passage for me and my family. My brother and I used to actually roll down our windows in anticipation of it!

As you’d get further along toward the bridge, the anticipation of getting into town grew and grew… and then… all of a sudden… WHAM!

That smell would hit you, seemingly out of nowhere, like a ton of bricks! It wasn’t a gradual thing at all, it would just smack your senses instantaneously. It was awesome!

It’s funny, my brother and I always used to wonder how many other folks heading into Wildwood held nostalgic feelings about that smell. My dad used to jokingly insist that it had to be only us, but we knew better.

As for the line of bungalows you mentioned, are they the ones that are now located right behind the modern visitor’s center?

My uncle used to be pretty hip on the club scene back in the 50s and 60s. I’ll ask him what was back in that area, as I’m sure he’ll remember.

[phillyrabbit]

I've been in florida for several years but I remember my last trip there with my cousin in the early ninties, there was a mobile home park directly behind the bungalos where there used to be nothing but marshes. When we were kids we used to go off the back porch and collect muscles out of the gooy marsh.

And ahhh......the misquitos in the summertime! They were as big as birds! If you forgot misquito repellant and you went out at night, you were eaten alive! ;D

[Al Alven]

West Wildwood was another mosquito haven not too long ago, before the area became so heavily developed.

Man, I remember visiting friends back there about 15 years ago… it was absolutely unbearable!

[FlyinGN]

You are correct Rabbit! It was the jones Boys! It was near Uries is now.. I LOVE that smell. It makes our heart rate hit the redline when we smell it !

Frank

[phillyrabbit]

Thanks Frank. Mickey Shawnesey (Spelling) a character actor in films for years ( worked in the captain's office with Bert Lancaster in From Here To Eternity......also with Glen Ford in A Pocketfull Of Miracles and many other films) was a regular in Wildwood many summers. He owned a piece of the nightclub...The Surf Club, which was located a street over from where the bus terminal was (is?) downtown not far from the old roller coaster.

[FlyinGN]

yes I remember Micky. His name was everywhere back when I was a kid down there in the 70's..

[Al Alven]

My grandfather owned a tavern in the Kensington section of Philly (from around 1935 – 1985) and always used to mention how Mickey Shaughnessy would stop by when he was in town.

I remember him telling me that he was an actor who appeared quite a bit in the Wildwoods, back during the resort’s “golden era.”<br>
I didn’t realize that Shaughnessy owned a piece of the Surf Club, but that makes sense. I bet a number of high-profile celebrities had stakes in real estate/various business ventures in the Wildwoods back in the day…

[AnthonyV]

Mickey was also one of the co-star's in the Elvis Presley classic 1957 film JAILHOUSE ROCK starring as Hunk Houghton!

[Al Alven]

Jailhouse Rock, Elvis Presley and Hunk Houghton are about as "Doo Wop" as it gets! ;D