beachboy
New Member
doo-in wwc since 1960
Posts: 45
|
Post by beachboy on Feb 6, 2005 14:09:50 GMT -5
Anthony: I dated Mrs. Birtches grandaughter thoughout high school and spent alot of time at the hotel---They were very nice people and kind of took care of me since I was alone. I believe the hotel is still there. In 1979 or so, the family sold it to someone who concentrated on the restaurant aspect of the business. It was pretty successful for a few years then I think kind if fizzled. The For-get-me -not was really unique in that not all of the rooms had private baths and I'm not sure but there may have not been airconditioning. They had a lobby which was like a livingroom in a typical american home and I remember most of the guests gathering there to watch tv at night and talk about the days adventures. I think its pretty safe to say those days are over for good. What a shame. That's what makes this hotel so special. I believe the topaz in still there. When I was about 10, my brother went to an outdoor screening of a movie at the topaz. Old style projector, everyone sitting on deck chairs, a big white screen erected. (now back then, this was a huge deal, a big draw.) He came back about 10 minutes later saying they threw him out because he wasn't registered there as a guest. FUNNY!!!! Frank: The fremont was on pacific ave in club row. It had a purple sign spelling freemont on both corners. If you remember, the original stardust was a 1 story building. Inside, the walls looked like a comet or planet, all rocky and they had these lighted, colored globes sticking out of the walls everywhere which gave the place a real space theme. In retrospect, they had a real good doo-wop theme going on there beachboy: I kind of knew Bill and Josephine Birtch who owned or at least ran Hotel Forget Me Not many years ago...I recall their hotel was actually a big three story white house with a big open porch and a small garden that ran right along the front and towards the side around the porch. Anyone remember the old VOGUE MOTEL located on East Lavender Road in WC? It was really a small place a block or two from the beach - with no pool from what I recall. It later became the AVANTI MOTOR INN. I also just recalled the TOPAZ MOTEL at Seaview and Primrose Ave in WC - which I think might still be there.
|
|
|
Post by Al Alven on Feb 7, 2005 16:54:09 GMT -5
Al: You're gonna love this one: Question 2: The maiden name of the pink orchid motel on rambler rd. was THE PINK PANTHER. They had a great big sign with a picture of the Pink Panther on it. The motel had a real crazy pink paint. It was really crazy and quite radical (talk about doo wop) but I don't think it was profitable in the long run. It was sold not too long after and the new owners re-named it the pink orchid motel but kept a variation of the pink color. Do you think they kept a similar name and color to save money?? In those days, I would bet on it. Times were tough and it cost big bucks to change a motif. Oh, man… now that’s pretty wild! I just read the other thread that talked about the old Golden Nugget Motel in the Crest, and it really has me hoping that I eventually come across some photos of some of these long-gone motels. I love signs in general (an underrated art form), and can just imagine how zany and cool the Pink Panther one was. Two strange coincidences here, by the way, beachboy…<br> # 1 – I was just editing some photos I took of the Casa Bahama Motel from last year. Of course, the Pink Orchid is right across the street, and it happened to appear in a number of the photos. Just before reading your e-mail, I was taking note of the motel’s pink detailing, especially (for some reason) the parking lot stoppers. Neat place. #2 – I swear this is true… for real… My dad’s birthday was just the other day, and my brother bought him a DVD gift set that included all of Peter Sellers’ old Pink Panther movies. I’ve had that darned theme song in my head for about 72 hours now… and then I read your e-mail about the Pink Orchid formerly being known and themed as the Pink Panther Motel! Very, very weird…
|
|
beachboy
New Member
doo-in wwc since 1960
Posts: 45
|
Post by beachboy on Feb 8, 2005 19:23:46 GMT -5
Sounds pretty wild Al; I think we are all on the same wavelength(no pun intended) here.
Do you think there is a place where some of the photo's or old brochures from the old places like the Golden Nugget or the Pink Panther may exist. I have a feeling there are many such photos languishing away in drawers throughout the area. Wouldn't it be great to get our hands on some of these? Happy birthday to your dad!!
|
|
|
Post by AnthonyV on Feb 9, 2005 20:53:16 GMT -5
Take a visit to the Wildwood Historical Society. They have everything you can think of pertainingn to the history of the island - including volumes of photographs fixed on dozens of binders, old brochures, and other things pertaining to the period we are all interested in.
If anyone goes, PLEASE make some type of monetary donation. The people who work there do so out of love for the Wildwoods and need our support to continue with their ongoing efforts to preserving ALL of Wildwoods past.
|
|
beachboy
New Member
doo-in wwc since 1960
Posts: 45
|
Post by beachboy on Feb 15, 2005 18:35:36 GMT -5
Anthony:
Thanks for the info on the WW historical society. It sounds like a place I would realy enjoy. Do you have an address or do you know if they have a web site? Thanks again....BB>>>>>
|
|
|
Post by Al Alven on Feb 15, 2005 20:20:40 GMT -5
beachboy, I also heartily endorse a visit to the George F. Boyer Historical Museum on your next trip down! It is a wonderful place, filled with more information, photos and generally knowledgable (and extremely cordial) people than you can imagine. The museum's address is 3907 Pacific Ave., at Holly Beach Mall in Wildwood proper. Their isn't much to the museum's website, other than a short history of the island. However, it does list the summer and winter hours, for those interested... www.the-wildwoods.com/history/museum.html
|
|
|
Post by wildwoodscotty on Feb 16, 2005 4:27:34 GMT -5
Ok, here's some old trivia. What restaurant survived prohibition and reemerged as the Gingham Club in the 1940's ? What happened to the Regent Theater on the boardwalk ? What hotel stood next to Kellys Cafe ? ( this one i don't know )
|
|
|
Post by Al Alven on Feb 16, 2005 10:22:53 GMT -5
scotty,
I'm not sure about the first or third questions, but I am fairly certain that the Regent Theater was converted into what we know today as the Boardwalk Mall.
|
|
|
Post by AnthonyV on Feb 16, 2005 13:54:25 GMT -5
Hum...From what I recall there was an old hotel located on Atlantic and Montgomery AVenues in Wildwood called The Woodlane which was close to Kelly's.
There was also a place called The Christine close to Kelly's years ago also. I'm not sure oif it was "next door" or not.
I seem to also recall some other places: Sun-e-Smile that was also pretty close but, again, not sure if it was actually next door. I think the address was something like 4100 Atlantic or something, which was also pretty close to the Atlantic Motel & Restaurant years ago.
|
|
|
Post by FlyinGN on Feb 16, 2005 16:24:42 GMT -5
The christone was owned by a guy I know. He sold it and bought a bar in Brigintene.. It was not next to kelleys. It was on Baker street. Frank Hum...From what I recall there was an old hotel located on Atlantic and Montgomery AVenues in Wildwood called The Woodlane which was close to Kelly's. There was also a place called The Christine close to Kelly's years ago also. I'm not sure oif it was "next door" or not. I seem to also recall some other places: Sun-e-Smile that was also pretty close but, again, not sure if it was actually next door. I think the address was something like 4100 Atlantic or something, which was also pretty close to the Atlantic Motel & Restaurant years ago.
|
|
|
Post by AnthonyV on Feb 16, 2005 16:42:04 GMT -5
Frank,
Now that I think of it, the CHRISTINE HOTEL and later THE CHRISTINE MOTOR INN was located at 4300 Atlantic Avenue & Baker Avenue which would mean it's about a block north of Kelly's on the corner. I know the mailing address was always 4300 Atlantic AVe.
I know when I was a kid a fellow named "Doc" Harlan owned and ran the place with his wife Harriet.
That's one place I'm not positive about the phone number but I think it was either 522-5241 or 522-5421.
|
|
|
Post by AnthonyV on Feb 16, 2005 16:54:39 GMT -5
I also remember a place called Augustine Courts(around 1977) being over on Atlantic Avenue in Wildwood that seemed pretty close to the park that I recall is across the street from Kelly's. I don't think it was next door to Kelly's though.
|
|
|
Post by Al Alven on Feb 16, 2005 17:52:17 GMT -5
Hey Anthony, were you the inspiration for that new TV show, “NUMB3ERS,” or what? Seriously, though, you guys are virtual cornucopias of Wildwoods information. It is always a pleasure to just sit back and take in all of your knowledge when these obscure (to me, at least) trivia questions come up!
|
|
|
Post by wildwoodscotty on Feb 16, 2005 18:49:00 GMT -5
Al, yes, the Regent Theater is now the Boardwalk Mall.
|
|
|
Post by wildwoodscotty on Feb 16, 2005 18:53:18 GMT -5
Flyin, Did the owner of the Christine have a great dane ? I think the Christine was torn down last year and is now 4 condos. Corner of Atlantic and Baker ?
|
|