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Post by jabberjaw070596 on Jul 12, 2005 13:35:17 GMT -5
Was wondering if anyone has any information on the Packard Motel on 26th Street located approximately 1/2 block from the boardwalk? Their website is empty and their phone is disconnected.  |
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Post by Doowopper on Jul 12, 2005 14:04:14 GMT -5
Sorry to disapoint you but the Packard is no more. Say hello to more bland condos.
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Post by jabberjaw070596 on Jul 12, 2005 14:26:14 GMT -5
Can you tell me when it was demolished? |
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Post by Doowopper on Jul 12, 2005 16:40:01 GMT -5
I think this past winter, but I'm not sure, i'm not even positive it was demolished, but im like 99% sure. Someone else here will know for sure though. I haven't been to WW in a year but will be back at the end of this month!
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Post by MMM on Jul 12, 2005 18:13:44 GMT -5
We have a member here from Michigan that drives to the Wildwoods. This person went from Michigan to the Wildwoods for a special trip last fall just to say goodbye to The Packard, and was able to get a few things from it before it was destroyed. Sorry...
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Post by FlyinGN on Jul 12, 2005 20:59:32 GMT -5
yea its long gone:(
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Post by wildwoodjms on Jul 13, 2005 6:14:56 GMT -5
Yes, the Packard is gone and there is only an empty dirt lot remaining. We took a picture of me sitting in front of the dirt pile, my head in my hands and the condo sign. Boy, I miss that hotel. The lot sure seems bigger now that it is empty.
My parents ran into some other people on the boardwalk when we were just there who used to stay there and were so bummed it was gone. They had also been staying there forever.
Funny, as my husband and I stood looking at the dirt pile, we still could see the room we always rented, the office and pool.
We did go visit the former owners while we were in wildwood to say hi. My screen saver on my computer is myself, my dad and one of my sons in front of "our" rooms at the Packard.
My green chairs are in my yard for the summer and the brown lounge chair is on my patio. It is my piece of the Packard, my memories of my grandparents who loved wildwood and are now gone, my memories of all the great stories that used to be passed about wildwood trips gone by, and now a great conversation piece in my yard! Going to Jersey in October was one of the nuttiest things I have done to get chairs, but it was worth it and I will never regret it. It is my piece of wildwood history.
Wildwoodjms
Jackie
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Post by FlyinGN on Jul 13, 2005 7:17:03 GMT -5
that touched my heart jackie, Thats how we felt about the captains table restaurant.. Its so very sad to lose somthing like that.. Its only a building but the memories.. They are priceless. Don't ya wish you could go back in time ans relive it knowing it will someday not be there??
Frank
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Post by Al Alven on Jul 13, 2005 14:13:31 GMT -5
Jackie's trip from Michigan to the Wildwoods last fall remains one of the most sincere, heartfelt and flatout incredible stories and examples of the passion and dedication many of us have toward the island.
The Packard... was like an old friend.
It's so sad to see the empty lot where it once stood, where it helped produce so many memories for so many generations of visitors.
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Post by wildwoodjms on Jul 14, 2005 5:53:06 GMT -5
Frank and Al,
Thanks for the nice comments. My posts to this website are heartfelt. Wildwood is something I believe in.
Funny Frank you said that. As we planned our trip last year, we truly felt that something was going to change. My husband and I both felt it. We tried so hard to get as many people in our family to go with us and see "our" motel. But that fell through. As we pulled out of the lot to head home, I could not stop the tears. You know that one day the owners would sell and things would change, but my hope is that the motel would remain standing. Until you have experienced the majic of Wildwood, you would not understand the connection to a motel.
What would I have done knowing it was going to be my last stay different. Probably nothing. My dad and I would have coffee outside our rooms and watch the city "wake up" and talk about what we won or did not win the night before. Maybe layout by the pool a little bit more. The nights of memories and stories shared (like I found out that we were going to have our first child, or when my son was hit by the tram car, or just memories of my grandparents and breakfast at pierre's and dinner at groff's) as we ate pizza on the balcony and watched the people come and go to the boardwalk. I think Al will agree, 24th to 26th is a high traffic area and there are lots of things to watch.
During my stays in the packard or where ever we stay I try so hard to "soak it in". The sights, the sounds, the smells. I find myself talking to more people as I wait for the kids either in the waterparks or on rides.
For anyone that is an old movie buff. There is a movie with Gene Kelly called Brigadoon. It is about a Scottish town that comes to life every 100 years. Well, Wildwood is my Brigadoon. When we are coming across the bridge and see the Ferris Wheel, I know the city for myself is alive and well with more memories for my family to cherish.
Jackie
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Post by FlyinGN on Jul 14, 2005 6:57:32 GMT -5
beautiful jackie.. Just beautiful words:)
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Post by wildwoodjms on Jul 15, 2005 5:56:31 GMT -5
I forgot to add one thing. I just happen to have stumbled on this website by accident last fall. Just for the heck of it, i started going through the demo list and found the Packard on it. After the first initial shock, I started calling the owner of the motel to confirm, my husband to see if he wanted to do the trip, and my parents to see if they wanted to come along.
The owner of the motel was still going to be there when we could plan our trip. He moved all the articles that we wanted into one of the locked rooms for safe keeping. He also gave us a parking tag, our key to the room we always stayed and also the room number off the door to the room. Along with the furniture that we went for. The owners are extremely nice people that have run a top notch motel for years. I cannot say enough good things about them.
So, I would like to thank the Doo Wop Preservation League and all of you who post here. Without you guys, I never would have known and would not have my piece of Wildwood History.
now, if I only could have fit one of the plastic palm trees in my mini van, I would have been the talk of my neighborhood back here in Michigan!!
Jackie
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Post by FlyinGN on Jul 15, 2005 5:59:24 GMT -5
heh heh. Was it true that the packard hotel has something to do with the Packard car company when I was built in the 50's?? Something like the Furnature was made by packard or the like. I remember reading something about this years ago..
Frank
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