Visitors
Nostalgia & Memories
(Archive
#1 - July 2001 to May 2002)
- 07/27/01
- I was excited when I came across your website. My
parents and some of my family grew up in "the flats" or "little italy" area.
I was curious though if someone has written any books or publications about
growing up in Wilmington during that era. Any information you could provide
me would be appreciated. Thanks :)
- (If anyone could help out, please do to: teddy-bears@erols.com, thanks,
HAR).
- 01/17/02
- As a kid in the 40's and 50's it was great to stumble
upon your site. I remember high school football games (Archmere
played Sallies) in Wilmington Ball Park. There was a drive-in diner opposite
the ball park,
don't remember the name.
I remember ice skating on a pond that was located between the Gov Prinz Highway
and the RR tracks near Claymont.
I remember classic Delaware Park Race Track, where I worked one summer in
the 50's.
I remember Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus with midway and main
tent on the Wilmington Ballpark grounds.
Cleveland, Ohio
- 02/28/02
- Remember?
The fountain at Hearns grocery store where you could buy a coke for ten cents
and two cents more for vanilla
Teasing the monkeys in the Monkey House at the zoo on the way home
Then passing Warner School, reading the name on the front and giggling at
Emilia's middle name
Boat races down the Brandywine
Fishing in the Brandywine
Fish in the Brandywine
The name of the tributary that supplied water to the water department?---The
Race
American Subs for sixty five cents Not Hoagies---SUBS
Vanilla milkshakes at theThe Hollywood Diner
PS DuPont vs Wilmington High football games on Thanksgiving Day.
- 03/18/02
The red "Arden Bus", the only way to get from the northern suburbs
to Wilmington, never on schedule, frequently broke down. Specifically, the
record department at the Dry - sloping and uneven wood floors and low ceilings.
- 03/21/02
My Mom would go nuts shopping on "Dollar Day" in downtown Wilmington
for the year's best bargains.
- 03/22/02
Hi,
I was born in August of 1952, one of my favorite memories is as I got old
enough to travel with my older brothers to Wilmington Dry Goods on Saturday
mornings after having received our 25 cents weekly allowance to spend it
at the 4 cents counter.
We would spend our time going thru everything on the counter trying to figure
out what we really wanted to buy. If I close my eyes and wander back to that
time I can see and feel under my feet the old and well worn wooden floors.
And how slippery they were when you came in out of the rain.
I lived in the 300 block of East 4th street till the ripe old age of 12,
then we moved to the area of Pennsyvania Ave. and Clayton Street where my
mom still lives.
- 03/27/02
- Found this web site by accident which is usually the most fun. So
I started a list in my head last week. Although most of lived in New Castle,
we got around more because Wilmington did not come to us.
Until my first year I lived on East 22nd street which was near Prices
Run pool. I remember a candy store my Grandfather took me to when
we returned
for vists. Hearns super market and Bordens ice cream were a few blocks
away. Going with my father to semi-pro games at 18th & Van Buren,
people passing the hat and the echo of the ball and bat. Blue Bombers
games at Sallies.
Years later walking over the Augustine cut off bridge. Walking along
the Brandywine River when school let out early. The monkies at
the zoo. Bus transfers at 4th and Market and all the kids waiting. Playing
pool at Center City Billiards. Buying something for the 1st time at
Mullins Clothes. Buying a $ 5.00 ring . What was the name of
the short newspaper guy who walked all-over town, some people said he actually
was a numbers carrier. And the black fellow who always wore a Milwaukee
Braves hat. The 2-pack of free cigarettes. Bill's clothing store and
hi-boy shirts. Mansure and Prettyman in the Dupont Bldg., my grandfather
was the head tailor. Market street parades, even marched in one with the
Boy Scouts behind the Blue Rock Drum and Bugle Core. Govatos hamburger
platter. Sledding at Tower Hill. Parents taking us to the Art
Museum for culture. Canby Pool. Playing CYO baseball at the 3rd street
bridge area in South Wilmington. Wire ball, teather ball, wiffle ball
, building forts, marbles, tarzan ropes, 5 cent pinball, hopscotch, and pitching
pennies. Soft pretzels (had to be in the laundry basket as Ray said),
Vanilla 400's, Yo-Ho's, the Funny Bunny Man and Jack & Jill. Sally
Star, Little Rascals, Three Stooges, Berti the Bunyip, and Shirley Temple. Jim
Bunning's perfect game. Christmas tree bonfires and donkey baseball. Driving
around the neigborhoods after a little league victory. Mary Rolo's
picnics. John Kennedy coming to New Castle Airport. Al Sporting
goods. Nick Diamond's father driving us to the 10 am Saturday movies. Last
year I showed my kids how to burn dry cat-tails at the beach. I told
them that it keeps the bugs away. I don't if it'a myth, but who cares
it was fun.
Regards,
John
- 04/03/02
I READ YOUR WEB SITE AND THOUGHT OF A COUPLE MORE THINGS I REMEMBER ABOUT
GROWING UP BACK THEN.
KIDDIE TOWN WAS A SMALL AMUSEMENT PARK ON DuPont HIGHWAY IN THE FIFTIES THAT
WAS NEXT TO THE ELLIS DRIVE IN. KIDDDIE TOWN HAD ONE RIDE I REMEMBER CALLED
THE LITTLE DIPPER A SMALL ROLLER COASTER. SHOPPERS FAIR WAS ALSO ON DuPont
HIGHWAY IT WAS A DEPARTMENT STORE. THE MOBILE BOOK LIBRARY THAT USE TO COME
ON SAME DAY OF THE WEEK TO CHECK OUT BOOKS. THE DDT TRUCKS THAT USE TO COME
AROUND THE COMMUNITIES IN THE SUMMER IN THE FIFTIES AND SPRAY BECAUSE OF
THE MOSQUITOS.
THE US NAVAL SHIPS THAT USE TO COME TO MARINE TERMINAL ON THE FOURTH OF JULY
TO CELEBRATE "OPERATION FIRECRACKER".
THE PUBLIC RESTROOMS THAT WAS ON FIFTH STREET BETWEEN MARKET AND KING STREETS
THAT WERE BELOW STREET LEVEL.
THE PARADES UP MARKET STREET
SODA MACHINES IN THE MOVIE THEATERS THAT USE TO USE CUPS WITH YOU CHOICE
OF CARBONATED OR NON CARBONATED SODAS.
THE WILSON LINE FERRIES THAT USE TO GO TO RIVERVIEW PARK IN NEW JERSEY. ROCKFORD
TOWER WHEN YOU COULD WALK TO THE TOP AND SEE THE CITY.
- 04/07/02
remember........"gassers pharmacy and soda fountain" on washington
street; calling for a taxi by the jingle..."call olympia 84321" ;
C43 sandwich at lundy's delicatessen on miller road; "teddy and the
continentals" band; "the yard" where lots of salesianum guys
hung out; "matson run" news stand hang out; tau epsilon chi (TEX)(high
school)sorority ; the Stardust Ball ; the B & G drive-in restaurant on
governor printz blvd ; Jans steak shop on governor printz blvd.; number 50
elementary school; P.S.DUPONT HIGH SCHOOL(when it was a junior and senior
high school) ; Katz's childrens shop on Washington ST.
- 04/07/02
Remember these? Mitch Thomas.Dj--sponsered by Cooper Man Cooper 212 Market
ST.Bunch night @the Kerry drive in. Harlem Globetrotters -and Joey Chitwood
@wilm ball park. Dandee Rest--and JAN's Steak's on Governor Printz. The
Heartfund Show at Scottish Rites .James E Straites@foot of madison street.
Hopping cars in the snow. Budwiser horses on market street-. Oscar Meyer
Mobile on market st(i think it was a Food Fair. Horse saddles at SEARS
@40th and market I DO!
- 04/07/02
Great website - makes me feel good all over!
New entries: Bond bread Co.; (on the way to the Merchandise Mart) the infamous "Post
House" Restaurant; the 39th street Wilm transit bus "turn around";
at Matson Run Matson Run candy store - a famous hang-out for student from
P.S. dupont & everywhere; the 60's curfew that was enforced at 7pm during
the racial riots - why wasn't that mentioned?! the "East" side
and the "West" side - how we blended so well in the public schools
in the 60's; Hearn's market - an establishment before supermarkets.
Warner Jr High, before it's conversion; Penny Hill quarry; the start of I-95
in the mid-60's; Father's coming home on Washington street from work instead
Washington Street "extented" - a new beginning; Delaware Hospital
- where most of us were born; Wilm Skating Rink - a place to meet; "Gino's" hamburgers
on Concord Pike; Hearing foghorns from the Del River from your house.
Building of the "twin spans" of the Del bridges in the 60's; Holiday
Lanes bowling on Phila Pike; home delivery of Bond bread products & Sealtest
milk products; Chunkie candy; Colonial Chevrolet.
Riding out through Beaver Dam on "joy rides" as teenagers; Sear
Roebuck on 40th Street, selling .64 cent records
from the top ten; Racial riots at P.S. duPont; Arby's "black & white" shakes
on Concord Pike.
- 04/08/02
Hearns Restaurant; The Fish Market on King Street with the sawdust on the
floors
(Cannot remember the name, but there was an Oyster House on Shipley Street
between 8th and 9th or 9th and 10th. Again I believe there was sawdust on
the floor.)
- The Wilmington Fish Market was on
King Street between 8th & 9th. Also, The Oyster House on Shipley
Street may have been McConnells - not sure.
- 04/08/02
I remember fondly, though dimly: The Harlan Frolic(the annual fair for Harlan
Elementary School); Miss Devore teaching gym at Harlan in the 50s; Miss
Nickel, the world's best 4th grade teacher; Coach Patch at P.S.; Gasser's
store (on mkt not far from Harlan); THe Little Store(also known as "Matson
Run Store" I think --- a must stop for baseball cards and a vanilla
coke on the way home from Harlan); the nickel coke machine at the Gulf
station near the Little Store(on Washington st); riding bikes on the
Washington St extension when it was being constructed; the Bringhurst
estate when it was still a private residence and we would hike through
the woods from Rockwood Rd to stare at it; doctors who made housecalls;
the zoo and "monkey hill"; "Indian Head Rock" (near
Matson Run); my brother playing "little league" in the hulk
of the old minor league baseball park near Gov Printz Blvd.
- 04/08/02
Remember the Oberly Brick Company where Gaylord's was built up on Lea Blvd?;
How about Lundy's Deli in the same shopping center? Remember Penn Fruit
behind Sears on Phila. Pike?; The Push Mobile Derby at the top of Lea
Blvd?; Fishing for sunfish at the pond at Talley Hill? Football games
on Thanksgiving Day between PS duPont and Wilmington High School, and
you actually bought tickets at the ticket stand on Monroe St? But some
of us knew how to get in free? Remember looking for Sputnick in the early
morning sky?
- 4/09/02
- Do you remember
the United Cigar stores at 4th and 10th and Market Streets.
Do you remember taking the foil from chewing gum wrappers and cigarette packs
to the grocery store in exchange for money during the war.
How about getting pennies back in a pack of cigarettes when you bought them
from a vending machine
Did you know that there was a toll booth at the corner of Concord Avenue
and Broom St.
- 4/09/02
- remember:
"You Can`t beat our MILK, but you can WHIP our cream" Fraim`s Dairy....
Clarence Fraim
Cobblestone streets. Now covered with amesite/macadam surface.
15 cent haircuts (1925)
Savoy Theatre 600 Block Market Street, Aaron Knopf, Projectionist
Streetcars on tracks. Fares began at three cents each way. Later 5 cents.
Later 10 cents
P & S Hospital at 8th and Adams Street (Physician`s and Surgeon`s Hospital).
Building remains today as an apartment building. Emergency door was located
on 8th street side.
Sidewalks were made of brick from a local brickyard (OBERLY). Much clay in
the ground, used for brickmaking.
COZY CORNER (Delaware Ave & Washington St). Popular place for great milkshakes
and cheese-peanut butter sandwiches. A quick inexpensive lunch and meeting
place for many. High Rise Hotel now on this location. (Willard Hall) Middle
School. Removed from West side of Adams Street at 8th st. for I-95 freeway.
A beautiful Stone, Clock Tower Post Office Building once was located on corner
of 9th & Shipley. Replaced by the existing parking facility, with retail
stores on 9th Street side. There was much debate about retaining the beautiful
building as a historical site, which in my opinion should have been done.
I had suggested making underground parking on the Rodney Square Block, elevating
the park to the Market street level, with the drive-in and exits on King
Street.
This was never considered. It may still be a good idea for downtown Wilmington.
I was very young at the time, possibly 13 years of age. (1930)
The YMCA was located in what is now the duPont Building, 10th & Orange
Street corner.
Looking forward,
L. S., Class of February 1934 Wilmington High (Delaware Avenue) replaced
by CHASE Office Building
- 04/09/02
1. Trolley fair for 8 cents
2. The old Glass Bar in Wildwood, Atlantic & Spicer Ave. where over 50%
of the customers were from Wilmington, draft beer, 15 cents
3. Going to Wildwood and Buck-Shoot-Em Rd
4. Coffee was 10 cents, double dip of ice cream was 15 cents, Babe Ruth's
2 cents
5. High School and P. S. Du Pont Thanksgiving Day Game at the old Wilmington
Ball Park on 30th and Governor Printz Blvd.
6. Sloppy John's on 4th and Market, hotdog and the works, rootbeer for $25
cents
7. Sneaking in and "crashing weddings" at Mo Jo's, St. Thomas's,
Knights of Columbus Hall, others too
8. Father Tucker blessing hotdogs on Friday so we could eat them and they
could SELL them at St. Anthony's Carnival
9. When the main beer was Piel's, Papst, Diamond State, Kruger, Schmidts,
Ballantine, Eslinger,
10. Best sportswriters were: Al Cartwright, (by far), Izzy Katzman, Herm
Reitzes, (broadcaster)
11. Caddying for $1.25 at the old Wilmington Country Club, (now Porky Oliver's
Golf course)
12. Photo of "The Old Red Barn", WHS, entrance on Delaware Ave.,
1950
13. Setting up pins at Parkway Bowling Alley
14. Going to Xmas Eve mass with everyone, (almost) bombed!
15. Watching the old Blue Rocks, U of Del., High School, Conrad Alumni, play
at the old Wilmington Ball Park at 30th and Governor Printz Blvd. and sneaking
in when the National Anthem was being played and the Police officers' were
saluting, and wouldn't run after us until it was over, (too late)
16. Jake the blind broom man and Sam the paper man in town
17. Yrs. ago when someone asked you where you went to high school and you
said "High School", everyone would know, not now, WHS of course.
- 04/10/02
being in the first graduating class of Mt Pleasant High
getting a bus to go home. and then walking a mile thru the woods to my house.
it was great
- 04/12/02
- People lining up for fresh fish from this little
shop can recall the crowd on Fridays !! There was a "fish" lady who was always
there behind the trays of butterfish, porgies, sea trout, croakers, black
sea bass (the filet mignon of fish) flounder, blues and whatever other
fish were running in the Delaware River and Bay. She would cry out " Fresh
fish, fresh fish, who wants some fresh fish ? " I recall men from
our neighborhood (Flats) going down to Augustine Beach (Saturdays or Sundays)
and coming back with a boatload of fish ( in the early afternoon) that
they cleaned on the pavements of their back yards assembly line fashion
for people who would come up the alley to get some fresh fish cleaned and
wrapped in newspaper (ready to have for dinner) . It was truly a
sharing community despite everything else that went on....
- 04/12/02
- Remember going up the little alley to buy "tomato pie slices" for
a nickel at DiFonso's on Union St. ? They are STILL there with their fresh
bread, rolls and TOMATO PIE ! but the coal fired ovens are gone <g>. Because
of so many bakeries on the west side of Wilmington we would wake up every
morning to the aroma of freshly cooking bread ! There was also Zappaterini's
on Lincoln St between 4th and 5th sts.
- 04/12/02
- Enjoyed your website very much!!
Didn't see "The Ice Cream Box" on Gov. Printz Blvd where we used
to dance all night to the nickolodeon. (In the early 40's)
- 04/12/02
- How many of you remember many a late night or early morning getting
breakfast at the Sherwood Diner on 4th Street between Lincoln and Union
? It was the meeting place after Greenhill closed up..
- 04/13/02
- Since I was born
and raised in Wilmington I can remember alot of what you allready stated. I
lived on the corner of West 27th St facing Christ Our King School, actually
that is where I learned how to the drive in the school yard.
We use to go to Achensback on the corner of 26th Street, we would go there
for Root Beern floast, vanilla coke, and penny candy. Acutally went
with a guy from Forty Acres, High light of our day for fun was riding down
202 with the convertible roof down around 8pm, going to charcoal Pit for
ice Cream floats and Kitchen sink.
- 04/13/02
Phoning the drug store to ask if they "had Prince Albert in the can"?
When they answered yes, we'd say "Well then, please let him out!" On
Halloween, besides using the clothes line poles to push the trolley wires
off, we'd put notches in the edges of an empty wooden thread spool, put a
nail through the middle, tie a long string around it and sneak up to a lighted
window. Putting the spool against the window while holding the nail and pulling
the string created a ratcheting noise and brought the householders out. The
thrill was in getting away.....
The big day when I was old enough to roller skate around the block by myself.
Taking a dish over to get ice cream at Ashenbachs (made in their basement)
was a special treat on some Sundays. If I could talk my parents into it,
on hot summer nights I would get an orange popsicle at Patsys (across from
#30, Evan G. Shortledge on the Boulevard) to split with a friend. And remember
the oriental yo-yo expert who came by (at recess?) doing "walk the doggie" and "loop
the loop" to entice us into getting a yo-yo at Patsys...it wasn't as
easy as it looked.
Following the ice truck to get a sliver on hot summer days.
Playing innumerable ball games against the wall "A my name is Alice",
jumping rope, and playing "King of the Castle" as long as we could
stay out.
Wilmingtonian in CT
- 04/14/02
- I really enjoyed your web page on Wilmington Nostalgia. Having
lived in Wilmington all my childhood life I remembered so much and it brought
back so many great memories.
A few things that meant a lot to me were Steinle's Bakery on 7th & King
Sts., and on South Union St. Also Pantano's Deli on South Union.
I also have memories (although vague now) of going to the Grady & Hurst
Dance Show at a local television station, I think either channel 7 or 12,
in the late 50's. We used to dress up and wait to get picked to dance on
air.
I was from the old neighborhood of Union Park Gardens on South Bancroft Parkway
and remember the old stink trees and playing in the leaves, and also hiding
in the big bushes and making forts out of them and playing hide and seek.
Going up to Hoy's 5 & 10 and the Saturday matinees at the Park Theater
on Union Street, and in the summer going to Canby Pool, playing all day and
night in the neighborhood until the street lights came on. In my early teens,
I remember going to Bayard Junior High School Recreation on Tues & Thurs
evenings.
Thanks again for bringing back some wonderful memories and am looking forward
to your updates.
- 04/14/02
- What a wonderful site ! ... Brought back hundreds of fond memories
! ...
- 04/14/02
- My memories are from the 60's so I don't know if
they apply or not to a 40's 50's era. Famous stores from my area near Concord and
Broom would be "Lanks" which Old Man and Old Lady Lank worked
as well as their son Jerry, Gaylords at Miller Road. The A&P
at Miller road had such illustruous star appearances as the Sunday Morning
favorite Birdie the Bunyup et al, as well as Sally Star. Miller Roads other
famous resident was owner of a McDonalds predecessor, "The Steer Inn" -
Dick Clark. Favorite visitor had to Be Oscar Meyer and the Oscar
Myer weiner mobile that would make an annual pilgrimage to Hearn Bros.
supermarket.
Thanks,
Rob
- 04/14/02
When Ringling Bros.Barnum and Bailey trains came in to third and church street
siding and paraded animals and all of their equiptment to 30 th gov printz
at the ball park to set up their tents .
How many remember pensey field or oyster boats docking at 3 rd church st
park swimming in the bath house at kirkwood park?
- 04/15/02
- P.S.duPont H.S. Thanksgiving Football game; Sellers
Estate - River Road near Lore Avenue; Dixie Cup tops of movie
stars
Double Bubble Gum with jokes; YM&YWHA - 5th and French St.
Wed. night and Sunday afternoon; YWCA - 10th and King Street;
Submarines not Hoagies; Brown Votech H.S. Mkt. Street near bridge; Wax
Furniture on Governor Printz Blvd; Metal milk boxes at door step
for milk deliveries; Mint Julep candy 1cent; Car
gasoline 16-17 cents a gal.; Matsun Run News and candy store; Post
Office at 11th and Mkt St.; Woolworth's 5 and 10 cent store
with fountain for soda; Candy Bars 5 cents; Merry-go
Round Trucks in neighborhood; Riverside Hospital behind Edgemoor
School; Kynlyn and Clifton Park Apartments; Post House
Restaurant on Phil. Pike(Mkt.St.) across from Sears; Penny Hill
Houswe on Phila. Pike; Sears on Mkt. Street; Kenard
and Finebergs on downtown Mkt. Street; DeLaWare Motel/Hotel on
DuPont Highway(where Wilm. College is); Central Beauty Salon
on 6th St. off Mkt. across from Gamiels Deli; Joy Trimming on
9th St.; 10 inch TV with magnifying glass in front; 45
record player and records in cases for traveling; Band stand
on channel 12 with Bob Horn and Lee Stewart; Bowling Ally on
Gov. Printz; Roller Rink on Gov. Printz; DanDee
Drive-in Restaurant; B&G drive in restaurant; Howard
Johnson's in Edgemoor on Gov. Printz; EdgeMoor First Suburbs
of Wilmington; Gamiel's Deli downtown; S&S
Deli on 2nd St. and 26th and Tatnall; Wilmington Rug Cleaner
White Truck; Keil's Store; Holiday Inn on Marsh Rd.; Van
Scivers on Gov. Printz; Horn and Hardardts Restaurant in Merchandise
Mart on corner; F/Scott Fitzgerald's House of Gov. Printz; Naaman's
House on Phila. Pike; Silvers 5 & 10; Claymont
Steel; Chester Ferry to N.J.; Ben's childrens Shoes
on King ST.; Parking your car with windows open and keys in ignition; Trading
Cards; Girl Scout Country Center in Hockessin; Grove
Point Girl Scout Camp in Earlville, Md.; H.S. Sorority and Faternity
Formal Dances in the Hotel duPont Ballroom with big bands; Sorority
and Faternity Ad Books; Pledging ; Getting under
your desk and crouching in the halls during air-raid drills; No
air-conditioners; One Bathroom homes...
- This was quite enjoyable.
- 04/15/02
- The Wilmington Sash & Door Company totally destroyed
by fire on Palm Sunday (ca. 1950). Neighbors spraying water on roofs
to prevent
fires.
- 04/15/02
- This is wonderful, and I very much enjoyed reading it.
Some additions:
The Wilmington High Football Field at McKees Hill on Concord Pike. There
was an old concrete swimming pool there. It had not been used in years. How
did it get there? Whose was it?
Broom Street in the late 1940's from 23rd to 18th (Where Salesianum is now)
was still dirt. On the side away from the houses there was a dump,
with lots of frogs in a little stream that ran there. A kid who had
a bebee gun could shoot frogs there.
Can Wilmington Nostalgia answer a question that has bothered me for 50 years. About
five o'clock, in the summer time, a wagon with high sides, pulled by a horse,
would go south on Broom Street. Where did the wagon come from? Where
was it going? What was it doing there?
Industries:
Oberly Brick on Miller Road, two or three blocks west of P. S. DuPont
Activities:
Ice skating on the Brandywine just below the Swinging Bridge
Places (?)
On the zoo side of the Brandywine a race ran from the corrugated cardboard
(I forget the real name) factory above the Swinging Bridge down to Market
Street. It was brighly colored, and it changed color almost every day. Also
it smelled bad.
A stream ran through Hanby Park at 30th and Harrison, and kids spent hours
trying to damn up the stream. Every few years they would drain Porter
Resevoir, and the golf balls hit into the resevoir at Rock Manor Golf Course
would wash down into the park.
- (If anyone could help out with the questions, please
do to teddy-bears@erols.com, thanks,
HAR).
- 04/15/02
- A giant thank you to whoever you are for starting
this site, & bringing
back all the fantastic memories! I've thought of a few more for your
consideration:
The javelle man (plied the neighborhoods selling bleach).
Zelda Quack-Quack on 4th & Market Sts. (a "mentally challenged" woman
who always carried an umbrella & often chased people with it.) Everyone
remembers her!
Herbie the newspaper man (a permanent fixture on Market St., always yelling "paper,
paper!")
St. "Lizzie's" & the Armory (duPont St.) dances. Bill Haley
used to play at St. Lizzie's.
The 2 segregated playgrounds between 9th & 10th on Lincoln & Scott
Sts.
10th St. ball diamond on Lincoln St.
The slaughter house on Lincoln St. ("mooooo"!)
Fresh hot rolls & Italian bread at Di Fonzo's "cellar" bakery.
Petey Pops (Pappas) on 6th & Lincoln.
Cherry, vanilla & chocolate cokes at Greenhill & the soda fountain
shop on 4th & Union Sts.
Buying "peeps" every Easter on 5th & Lincoln.
Double yolks
Leaving your doors unlocked until bedtime.
Etc. etc. .........
- 04/16/02
Robert Hall Clothing Store 14th & market St
Brown Tech School
Northern Pharmcy 20th & Market Street
Wiltex Factory Vandever Avenue
Joy Trim Shop 9th Street
Pep Boys (Manny, Moe & Jack)
I love this and I have shared this website with co workers and family members
- 04/16/02
Crosby and Hill Co. at 6th and Market; Mullins Dept Store across from Crosby
and Hill; the Christmas Parade that closed Market Street for the afternoon.
The Cotillions at the Hotel DuPont,May Day at Tatnall School
- 04/16/02
- Piles of SALT on the sidewalk
and street around 11th & Wilson (East Side) - Allied Kid Leather .
I received the phone #: EA8-4141 around 1955 to listen to bible verses
from Asbury Methodist Church in New Castle. The number still works!
"MILLSIDE" - development between Rt. 13 and Roger's Rd (across from
Dunleith) - A street sign for Millside Drive still stands on Rt. 13 near the
Jamaican Restaurant just before the bridge.
Poplar Street Project A - Vacant lots on the East Side that waited for years
for houses to be built (circa late 1960's?)
The CASTLE in Dunleith - on the grounds of the present day "Oakmont".
3 cent bus tickets for school children riding the Delaware Coach Company
buses.
F.W. Woolworth on Market Street and 5th and at 9th.
Green's 5&10 around 7 or 800 block of Market St.
WAMS Radio Top 20 every Saturday morning
"Mr. Thomas, Please Thomas...." on WILM - The Mitch Thomas Show & also
on TV in the 50's
Listening to Cassius Clay fight on the radio.
Double features at the Grand Theater.
Ice Skating on Rt. 13 near Rogers Rd. (heading towards Heald St.)
Rolling down Monkey Hill in Brandywine Park in the summer.
More stores on Market St: Crosby & Hill (Clothing btwn 7th & 8th),
Rosenbaum Toys next to Carl Cobin Shoes in the 900 blk., York's (women's
clothes - 900 blk),
Joy & Dial Shoes, Braunsteins, Arthurs, Kennard & Pyle's (later dropped
the Pyles)
All Time Favorite at 3rd & King St.: BEN'S SHOES FOR CHILDREN
- 04/16/02
- Loved your site. I'm 61 years old, born & raised in Wilmington.
Lived there from 7/2/40 til 11/3/63, when I moved to New Castle. Here's
a few things I didn't see on your page
1. H.F.Brown Vocational H.S--14th & Market St. I graduated
from there --class of 1959
2. Wading Pool @ 10th Street Park (Cool Springs Park) @ 10th & Van
Buren Streets.
3. Fresh roasted peanut Machines--@ the corner of 4th & King Street, & another
one @ the corner of 5th & King Street (you could smell them roasting
for blocks away)
4. Borden's Ice Cream factory @ 25th & Market Street--may have been 26th,
27th,or 28th (not positive of exactly which steet)
5. 7th Steet Park@ 7th & Franklin Streets.
6. Reservoir @ 10th & Franklin Streets.
- 04/16/02
- I received your site and really think
it is great. I would like to add something to places or activity.
The Delaware Roller Rink-DuPont Highway(now Air Base Carpet) Printz Roller
Rink( Governor Printz Blvd ) now I-495. My brother and I skated at
the Delaware Roller Rink.( 1940's) This one is an oldie Deemers Beach ( River
Road ) New Castle also ( RT # 9 ) There was a local country singer Cousin
Lee who broadcasted from W D E L. Well I may have some more things later
and again this is a great site. I believe I read that you would be doing
the Richardson Park area.I was raised there until I was thirteen years
old. Looking forward to that . Keep going...
- 04/16/02
- Throwing sneakers tied to a long string over the trackless trolley
wires..and stuffed scarecrows out in front of cars as the drove by..Fortunately
we caused no harm..and am glad Mischief Night is no longer observed!
- 04/16/02
When I was about 3-4 (1958/9), there was a mobile carnival ride which came
around to our neighborhood every so often. The kiddy ride was within
a large cage which was mounted on the back of a flatbed truck. I'm a
bit fuzzy on this but I think it was a mini roller coaster of some sort.
Two children could be strapped into the cars which would travel around
and up and down on a track inside the cage. Does anyone else remember
this?
Thanks for your page.
Mark
- 04/16/02
I remember that our "zip code" was just one number!
Wilmington 5, Delaware
this is a GREAT site!
- 04/16/02
Hi -
I live in Satellite Beach, FL but grew up in Wilmington and graduated from
Mt. Pleasant. My four sisters still live in Wilmington.
When I was young, we used to go to the Edgemoor Movie Theater for the Saturday
matinees, I think it cost 25 cents to get in. I remember the 7 Up Plant in
Claymont.
- 04/17/02
- How about going to Lenape Park for the day?
Salasianum (Sallies) dances
The Soda House
Braunsteins store
Del Vets pool dances for teenagers
Aldersgate Methodist Church canteen dances
WAMS - Lee Davis, DJ
Watching "Summertime on the Pier" with Ed Hurst
Watching Sally Starr, Chief Halftown and Wee Willie Weber on WFIL TV.
Going to Cowtown, NJ for the rodeo or watching it on Saturday night TV.
Watching "Shock Theater" on TV on Saturday nights.
Brandywine Springs State Park when they had rides there.
- 4/17/02
- Circus elephants going past our street on their way to Ringling
Bros.
Dances at St. Johns
Dances at Newport
- 04/17/02
- I
went through your list and the one thing that i was fond of as a kid
(DOB 6/29/34) was the Grade"A" chocolate square, two for a
penny. When I got a little older it was Cavalier Cigarettes, two for
a penny at Shots corner store S. Jackson and Elm Streets.
And for "places" one could never forget the foul smelling
leather factory located between Lancaster Ave. and Chestnut St. and
Adam St. and
Monroe Streets, I believe it was called Amalgamated Leather.
- 04/17/02
Hi,
I lived on the east side of East side of Wilmington in the late fifties and
early sixties , and on the corner of tenth and Kirkwood there was a lady
that made snowballs, her name was anne and I think that she was Polish, but
she made the best snowballs and she was famous for the vanilla ones with
the ice cream in the middle. Very near to her was the sticky apple lady on
the corner of Taylor and Lombard, she sold .03 sticky apples, .$,05, and
the big deal was the .10, sticky apple. I can remember those days.
I think you readers forgot about Kelly's hamburgers in the early sixties.
Kelly's was located on Governor Printz blvd, right near the exit to go to
Philadelphia. For two dollars you could have a bag of goodies. At that time
the hamburgers were $.12 and the fries were$.10, and the shakes were .$.20.
- 04/17/02
Doing the "Hokey-Pokey" at Merryland skating rink.....Buying the
WAMS top 45's at Gaylords.....Line dancing to "Hang on Sloopy".....Pool
parties.....WALKING to school.....Actually saying the Pledge of Allegience
in school.....Taking the bus downtown to go shopping.....The first Burger
King (Concord Pike).....Going 'parking' in what is now Surrey Park.....The
Fairfax bowling alley and the PIKE & the HILL (60's version of gangs).....Toll
booths on the newly opened I-95....Streaking (an observer--not a participant!)
and peace rallies at the University of
Delaware .....Philadelphia Pike during "Hands Across America"....Life
before Happy Harry's......Land, space and, simplicity.
- 04/17/02
- I can remember sledding down Hercules country Club, Aschenback on
26th street had root beer float, could but mint julips
2 for penny.Marie is still well and alive after all of these yrs (hard
to believe. Yard gang (Christ Our King Yard). PS had their own
sundae's, Wilmington High. cant remember all of their names. Weekends
were spent on dances at Sallies or St Elizabeth's 50cents to get in. Lets
not forget Father Burns for splitting us up if we slowed danced to close,
gosh forbide.
- 04/18/02
- I Like this site. I'm not that old as I was born
in Wilmington in 1960 at the old Wilmington General, and still live in
Delaware. I do remember
a lot of this neat stuff though. I would like to add a couple more
also.
Industry: Ronson Corporation near Newark.They made fancy cigarette lighters
and gadgets like that. My Father used to work there in the 60's.
- Stores: I remember W.T. Grants on kirkwood highway. Sort of
an early local K-mart type store. I think there may have been another
local W.T Grants but not sure.
Nice web site and good luck with it....
- 04/18/02
- When I was a little girl in the 40's, I remember the "Jewel
Tea Man" making his rounds in a truck delivering tea and other goodies
to our home. Also, the Bond breadman in a uniform delivering bread
and goodies from his bag tray on a handle. Also on the Fraim's dairy
truck was sign across the top, "You Can't Beat Our Milk, But You Can
Whip Our Cream." I think the Charles Chips home delivery truck
went into the 60s.
Did anyone mention our street rollerskates with the skate key? We
always wore our key around our neck on a string when skating on the street.
We always loved going to the Grand Movie Theatre on Saturdays for double
feature Westerns (we all loved Roy Rogers and Dale Evans) and the continuing
cliff hanger series.
I love your Web Site. I am a Conrad graduate and look forward to your
information on Conrad.
- 04/18/02
- What about the Riverview Hospital in Edgemore? and Mary's shop in
Guinhurst? and Gino's on the Philadelphia Pike? and
The Silverside Hardware Shop that was on a hill on Silverside Road ( that
hill doesn't exist anymore)? and What was that dress shop in the city that
sold all the prom dresses?
Love this site!!!!!!!!!!!
(If anyone could help out with the questions, please
do to teddy-bears@erols.com, thanks,
HAR).
- 04/18/02
- Remembering the Tommy Roberts "Dance Time". Then
Grady and Hurst TY show. Used to dance on both of them. What
wonderful memories of the fifties. The bus would take us from the
court house in Wilm to Mt. Cuba to the station.
- 04/18/02
Enjoyed going through your old Wilmington area memories of people and places.
My wife and I moved here from Phila.in '57. Here are a few more.
Re PEOPLE:
Dr. Henry Heimlich, who devised the Heimlich maneuver, was born in Wilmington
(1920). Scott Fitzgerald once lived here (on Gov. Printz) and also the Clooney
Sisters (Quaker Hill). Pulitzer Prize winner Haynes Johnson and cartoonist
Bil Baird both worked at the News Journal. Before going on national TV, the
late Joe Pyne was a local broadcaster. And don't forget Herbie, the mid-city
paper man.
Re PLACES:
The old Black Cat Club near Rtes. 13 & 40; Del. Memorial Hospital, present
site of the Park Place Apts.; Artic Roofing; Hearn's Rest.; Jack Lundy's
Rest.
Re TRANSPORT:
The Wilson Line boats that used to travel from Phila. to Riverview Beach
via Wilmington. The trolley that paralleled Gov. Printz Blvd. From Wilmington
to Darby. DuPont Airport along Centre Road north of Lancaster Pike. (Charles
Lindbergh flew in there with his "Spirit of St. Louis" in 1927.)
- 04/18/02
Hi, I think your site Wilmnost is just great, I really enjoy it. I had
2 friends send me the site and it really brings back a lot of good memories.
I went to the old ball park at 30th & Gov. Printz Blvd. I lived near
it and I saw Connie Mack there when he use to bring his Philadelphia A's
here to play an exabition game against the old Blue Rocks. I use to go to
Riverview also and remember all the rides and the swiming pool.
I have a copy of a photo from a book about Wilmington that has the old Price's
Run Swiming Pool and also a photo of Canby Pool on it. I would be glad to
send it to you if you are interested in seeing it, and including it on your
site.
Again, thank you for this great site, Henry
- 04/18/02
- Remembering the Tommy Roberts "Dance
Time". Then Grady and Hurst TY show. Used to dance on
both of them. What wonderful memories of the fifties. The bus
would take us from the court house in Wilm to Mt. Cuba to the station.
- 04/19/02
I remember everyone of these things....plus more. Sad, but true. Well maybe
not sadly but having graduated from the "Old" WHS in 1952,
these things were all around in myera.
Do you remember "Shaggy Sharp" the cop who always directed traffic
on Market Street and knew everyone in town. Would wait on the corner of 4th & Market,
outside the Mr. Peanut Store while you waited for a "trolley home"?
Do you remember taking a long ride down Kirkwood Highway to the Chuckwagon,
for drive-in curbside service to your car, and the trays that clipped on
the window? Now that was a "big" date.
I don't think they mentioned "Bob" the Ragman, whose horse always
wore a strawhat with holes cut in it so his ears would fit through. Or that
Browntown and Hedgeville, and other neighborhoods still had outhouses in
the 40's & 50's. Or that if you cut a class at WHS, you would go to Jeanne
Bells for a burger and then had to sneak back without getting caught.....or
cutting Pall Mall (those long ones) into 3 pieces so we could sneak a puff
between classes in the girl's room...Or Senior Odd Day, where you had to
dress funny to come to school?
Stapler Park, in the 40 Acres where every kid learned to play sports from
the "older" boys & girls...and who looked out for all the kids
in the neighbor-hood. Or the cops who knew every kid on his "beat",
so didn't bother to chase them when they got into mischief....just waited
on their doorstep for them to show-up and took them into Mom.
Where each ethnic neighborhood took care of their own....there were no drive
by shootings....just good old rough and tumble fist fights if you crossed
over the lines with a bunch of kids. You only wore jeans when you got home
from school along with one of your Dad's White dress shirts. White Bucks,
circular skirts, and ballerina slippers (which you had to hid in your locker)
because you were made to wear "sensible" shoes to school. Oh, I
could go on and on, but you might get bored.
- 04/20/02
Hey, did you forget "the bath house" in Happy Valley, for a swim
in the heat.
Rockford Tower to climb and view the boys swimming in the Brandywine with
their rope swing out over the water. Good sledding there too.
Union Gardens across Union Street from a neat park that was built after it
was no longer used for the "circus grounds" and "Indian Rock" a
pretty dirty stream that ran through Canby Woods.
Saturday night dances at St. Elizabeths, with Fr. Burns in attendance to
make sure that you didn'tdance too close.
Noontime dances at WHS Gym, where the older guys came to show off their dancing
skills.
The guys that usually stood on the corner of 8th & Market to ogle the
girls instead of working.
Sophie's Sub Shop near St. Anns Church, the 1st in the neighborhood.
George Constantino's Sister and of course Constantino's House of Beef, with
George doing the cooking on his open fire place. You can still see George
at Walter's (his son's place) on Union Street. He still loves to table hop.
The Penn-Clay in the flat iron building, where you could get a meal ticket.
Cappeau's Drug Store....great cherry cokes at the fountain, at Delaware Ave & DuPont
Sts.
Skip Kempski and Jim Ford and many others in the yearly minstrel shows.
Al Cartwight, the sports writer for the "Journal Every Evening".
The tiny company houses for Bancrofts, where some families had 11 children
(though I can't imagine how they all slept in them) those houses are now
Ritzy Town Houses.
We were poor by today's standards but we could walk to the Park Theater on
Saturday's and spend the whole day on a dime. All the Western shorts and
Superhero's serials, and the news reels, then the main feature, and the streets
were safe to walk home even in the dark (but you usually had a bunch of friends
along).
No one locked their doors, and few had cars....didn't need them because the
buses and trolleys ran anywhere you wanted to go.
Don't forget those $7 linen suits on Thursdays at the "Dry"..they
were great....add a hat, a pair of white gloves, and stroll through Josephine
Gardens on Easter Sunday, in your first pair of "heels" so your
feet hurt for weeks afterward. I will think of more and send it along. You
probably have most of this anyway. My husband and I both were born and raised
in Wilmington and it used to be that where you went you would "know" someone....not
anymore...we are outnumbered.
His class at "Sallies" (the old school at 8th & West) just
celebrated their 50th Anniversary of Graduation in September. So we have
been here a long, long time. My 50th from WHS should be this year (if they
have one).
- 04/20/02
This goes a little farther back than 4th of July fireworks at the airport.
My father would drive us up to Irenee DuPont estate to sit on the back
country road to watch the fireworks.
- 04/21/02
The movie theater in Claymont.
The Claymont High School band practicing on Green Street. (circa 1950-52)
A store that sold nothing but ladies hats on Market Street.
Meeting someone "under the clock" of the Woolworth Store.
- 04/21/02
- The Ace Theatre on Maryland Ave where admission was .10 cents plus
.02 cents for belonging to the Young Timers Club!
Eating delicious steamed crabs at Adolph's cafe on Maryland Ave.
Modjeska Hall on Sycamore st. where there was dancing most Saturday nights
Parades in Browntown for Pulaski Day and the Pulaski Legion Jr. Band.
- 04/21/02
Getting all dressed up, hats, gloves, new dress and walking thru Brandywine
Park and Zoo Easter Sunday, everyone was there.
Wilmingtons very own Teen Dance show with Tommy Roberts, the bus picked us
up at Rodney Square to drive us to the TV station.
- 04/21/02
I REMEMBER THE ST. ANTHONY'S PARADE FROM THE CHURCH AND THE OLD NO. 25 SCHOOL
BEFORE LORE SCHOOL.
THE LORRAINE BASEBALL TEAM. COACH NED BENDER AT THE WOODLAWN PLAYGROUND.
FOOTBALL WITH ROLLED UP NEWSPAPER FOR A FOOTBALL.
WHEN ELECTRICITY WA S FIRST INSTALLED IN MY HOME AT 505 UNION STREET
TEOLI'S BARBER SHOP ON UNION STREET
KIGER'S DRUG STORE
UNION PARK THEATRE
SLEDDING IN UNION PARK GARDENS
KIDS THAT WERE LIVING IN THE FLATS DURING 1918 TO 1946
- 04/21/02
- I also remember:
Rosenbaums on Market Street where I bought my Nancy Drew mystery books, games
and softball equipment.
The Childrens' Library at the Wilmington Public Library.
Watching the Pushmobile Derby at Lea Boulevard when a classmate from Mt.
Pleasant (Bucky Reeder) won.
I also went to kindergarten)(Corliss,s) when it was in the original school.
Watching the Blue Rocks play in the stadium on Governor Boulevard when my
boyfriend warmed up Curt Simmons and Robin Roberts before they were moved
up to play for the Philly's.
WJBR, the first FM radio station, in this area which was founded by my best
friend's dad, John B. Reynolds.
By the way it was called Lynthwaite Farms ice cream and was so very very
good.
Watching the Ballet Rousse de Monte Carlo dance at the Playhouse every year
before they went to Philadelphia. Many new theater productions were
tried out at the Playhouse before going on to Broadway
- 04/22/02
- Hello all,
I remember when after attending a dance ay Saint Elisabeth's you went to
the greenmail Drive in and order you food through a speaker and food
was brought out to you on a tray that hooked on to you window space.
- 04/22/02
- The bike store on Front and Madison Streets, the
junk yard across the street where we used to take old papaer and junk
to get money for candy. The
dish give-away at the Ace Theater on Fridays. The race shows that
they held at the Ace on Saturday mornings. Everyone got a chance
when they paid the
admission to get candy if you had the winning tickets for the movies at
the Ace Theater. The Candy Corner candy store on Mryland Ave. near
the Ace
Theater. The walk around at the Loew's Theater at 8th and Market
St.
- 04/22/02
- Another few place were the Dandee Restaurant at 30th & Gov
Printz. and Prices Run Ice Skating Rink and don't forget the dances at
Claymont
Fire Hall.
Great web sight, brings back a lot of memories.
JJ
- 04/22/02
- Charles Chips deliveries and leaving the money on the step with
the can for new chips and pretzels.
Seeing the single span of the Delaware Memorial Bridge from Duncan Road (next
to Delcastle Park), the trees are too high now.
Esso gas stations with the tiger tail they gave out to hang from your auto
antenna and free drink glasses.
Reynolds Candy Store on Market Street with the soda fountain counter (vanilla
cokes and liverwurst sandwiches) and the sweet smell of chocolate.
S & H Green Stamp Store next to the old Marshallton Post Office when
it was on Kirkwood Hwy.
Grant's Department Store in Midway Shopping Center with the eat-in diner
type restaurant, popping balloons to get the piece of paper in it with the
price you pay for the ice cream sundae, Woolworth's did it also!
Ivystone Restaurant on Kirkwood Hwy and Limestone Road and their fabulous
pies!
Almart's Store where Kohl's is now on Kirkwood Hwy.
- 04/23/02
- There was a soda shop on Baynard Boulevard and Van Buren Streets called
Toner's Soda Shop. All the kids from PS duPont High School came in
there. We had pinball machines, juke box and the best hamburgers. Everyone
just loved it!!!!!!!!!
It was like "Happy Days".
There was also another place kids loved to go to "Aschenbach's".
These were just fun hangouts for high school kids.
- 04/25/02
- I remember "Susan Yellow" on 93.7FM. She
was the first underground radio show from midnight to 1 am weeknights
in the late 60's
- 04/25/02
- Thanks, this is great!!!
Robert Hall Credit Clothing Store
Salesianum School at 8th and West Streets
Krebs School in Newport
EAst-8 telephone exchange (New Castle)
Penny Hill Sub Shop
Push Mobile Derby on Lee Blvd.
Petrillo's quarry on Penny Hill
- 04/28/02
- Jan's Steak House at Governor Printz Blvd. near the Blue Rocks Ballpark
(best steak sandwiches in Wilmington)
Also the Greenhill Dairy off of Lancaster Avenue
Horn and Hardick(?), Strawbridges at the Merchandise Mart Shopping Center
on Governor Printz Blvd.
Kennards and Braunsteins Clothing Stores on Market Street, Prices Corner
and Newark
Arthurs Clothing Store on Market Street
Mullins Clothing Store on Market Street and Concord Mall
LeRoys Clothing Store on Market Street, Midway Shopping Center and Newark
Wilmington Dry Goods on Market Street and Midway Shopping Center
Dollar Days at Wilmington Dry Goods (doors did not open until the Star Spangled
Banner was sung)
Premium Deli on Maryland Avenue (family has reopened on McKennan's Church
Road). Note old menu hanging on wall which I had and gave to them
(carried it in my wallet for years).
Diamond Ice Company on Vandever Avenue where we pulled a wagon to get ice.
George Gray School which is now the Thomas Edison Charter School completely
renovated and looks wonderful inside. I went to school there in the
1940's and now my daughter teaches there.
Trolley cars (children hanging on the back for a sleigh ride)
Keils
Wilson Line (taking a lunch and riding on the Wilson Line to New Jersey on
a Sunday afternoon). My father worked on the Wilson Line for awhile.
- 04/29/02
- BRAD MORRIS DANCES (OVER TOP OF THE WARNER THEATER)
STARLITE BALL - HOTEL DUPONT GOLDEN BALL ROOM
JAMES BROWN AT THE ARMORY
UNION STREET A TWO WAY!!
WILDWOOD'S STARDUST BALL ROOM
JAN'S STEAK SHOP GOVERNOR PRN. BLVD
WAYNE NEWTON - WILMINGTON HIGH SCHOOL SAT. NIGHT DANCE 1963
LION'S CLUB DANCES DUPONT HWY. - HEADLINER "LEE ANDREW & THE HEARTS" FRONTED
BY LOCAL BAND "THE WINDJAMMERS"
0-100 - CHOCOLATE MILK WITH ICE
CRUSHED CHERRY SUNDAE AT HOY'S 5 & DIME
THE TARZAN ROPE OVER THE BRANDYWINE FALLS
BECKERS CORNER
SALLY STAR AT LORE SCHOOL
BLAIR'S BEER GARDEN, S. UNION STREET
TONY ANGELO'S VARIETY STORE, COLONIAL HTS
THE DANDY ON GOVENOR PRINZ (FAST FOOD)
GREENHILL DAIRY SODA FOUNTAIN, GREENHILL AVE & ONE IN NEWPORT
SHERWOOD DINER 4TH & UNION STS. AKA TOM THUMB DINER
JOHN'S BARGIN STORE ON MARKET STREET
WIENSTEENS CORNER STORE ON WOODLAWN
MARRO'S ITALIAN RESTAURANT & BAR (NEXT TO DELROSE & OLD B&O TRAIN
STATION ON DELAWARE AVE)
JADE EAST ON MARKET STREET
SQUEEGY CUPS - VANILLA, CHERRY & ROOTBEER
KIEGER'S DRUG STORE
LEVITZ JEWELRY STORE MARKET STREET
KATZ KID'S CLOTHING STORE 4TH STREET
ZAP'S BAKERY LINCOLN ST
PIZZAL'S BAKERY 6TH ST
T&C BAKERY 7TH ST
CASPERS CORNER STORE 6TH & LINCOLN
GINN'S STEAK SHOP 528 N. LINCOLN
RACHEL'S GROCERY 6TH & LINCOLN
THE BRUSH & COMB BEAUTY SHOP (FAMOUS FOR SHAVING THE HEADS OF "THE
HILL" GANG IN 1965, DURING THE LONG HAIR ERA) 6TH & LINCOLN
ANNONE'S ITALIAN WATER ICE 6TH & LINCOLN
TEDDY'S STEAK SHOP UNION STREET
MAMIE'S SUB SHOP LINCOLN ST
FRANK'S BEAUTY SHOP 4TH & WASHINGTON ST
JAY HURLEY'S BEAUTY SHOP
Slang Books
THE SMOKING COURT AT WILMINGTON HIGH SCHOOL
- 4/29/02
- How About Jerry Fine's original "Smoke Shop" on
Delaware Ave. next to
"Constantinos House of Beef". The "Post House" on Union Street
at Front.
Balloon's hardware store on Scott at Del. Ave. Sophie's Sub Shop on Lincoln
St. at Shallcross. Pantanos on Scott St.
- JH
- 4/30/02
- Going to Prices Run Pool for free in the morning and saving up $.25
for Sunday.
- PP
- 4/30/02
- Swimming in the Brandywine at Second Dam, Headgates,
Beachie, and Henry Clay.
Hagey's up the creek.
The Bath house in Happy Valley, with alternate swimming
days for boys and girls.
Dances at Riddle Chapel in Kentmere.
Street dances in Rockford, and at Stapler park.
Monkies in Rockford Tower in summer.once or twice
Ivy Road, Bancroft Estate
Park Commissioner's house Rockford Road and Redoak Road.
Delaware Art Museum--free
- Hmdoh
- 4/30/02
- How about the games , BUCK BUCK HOW MANY HORNS ARE UP
and, LEFT HAND OUT.
- CW
- 4/30/02
- swimming at head gates,big baby and second dam.
Carr's Esso at Augustine cut-off
The guy who sold brooms from his truck.
Capeaus drug store
Horisk's candy store(great place to book a race?)
When the best subs were in elsmere at Casapulla's (now they are everywhere)
cold pizza w/ no cheese from the bakery on Dupont street(cant remember the
name)
*** the city police bicycle skills competition on Bancroft parkway*** now
that was cool!
great idea for a site
- MC
- 4/30/02
- 1. Ferris Industrial School for Boys (Your mother said you'd end
up there).
2. Pep Boys @ 9th & Tatnall Streets.
3. The Old Salesianum at 8th & West.
4. The "Park Police" (merged with WPD in about 1964).
5. Joe Prouds, a candy shop in the 40 acres.
6. Food Fair @ Pennsylvania and Union Streets.
7. Brocius & Smedley Lumberyard at 13th & Union (later Eliasons).
8. Swimming in the Brandywine Creek at "Second Dam" and "Head
Gates" both below Rockford Park.
9. The observatory at Rockford Tower.
- CC
- 5/01/02
- Was looking at the updated sight and it brought back even more memories
and few more to add to the lists.
Stores & Restaurants: W.T. Grants at Midway Shopping Center
McDonald's 15 cent hamburgers, 12 cent french fries and 10 cent cokes (Lunch
for 37 cents!)
The Golden Point fast food place on Kirkwood Hwy where Brandywine Chyrsler
now stands.
Rt 40 between the 13/40 split and Elkton, MD when there was nothing but farmland.
Keep up the good work! We're all enjoying this site!
Snookie
snookieq@aol.com
- 5/01/02
- FEDERAL BAKERY, POOL HALL AT 5th& MARKET, GRAND
MOVIES COULD GO ALL DAY FOR 9 CENTS. RODNEY SQUARE DANCES IN THE SUMMER
EVERY THURS.
WHELANS DRUGSTORE BETWEEN 8th & 9th ON MARKET STREET, CHOCALATE , CHERRY & VANILLA
FOUNTAIN COKES.
SUGAR DADDY CARAMEL CANDY BARS. MRS ROBINOS EVERY SUNDAY WOULD SEND A PICK
POT FOR SPAGHETTI TO TAKE HOME
FEDERAL BAKE SHOP ON MARKET ST. CHEFS DINER ON MARYLAND AVE.
Sunshine1941@aol.com
- 5/02/02
- Now living in Richmond, VA but I was born and raised in Wilmington.
I grew up in the old 9th Ward, 30th and Madison St. across from East Lake
Park. In the summer time there was a cement scooped bowl area that had
showers above it to run through and to get wet and cool down. The best
ride in the park was the RAZZLE DAZZLE - a foot propelled, run around in
a circle and pick your feet up and fly type swing on a single center pole.
How about the girdle swings?!?! We would wait for summer storms to come
up because the park was lacking so much grass and the dirt was so dry it
would create a dust swirl when the wind picked up.Funny how you remember
the goofy things that only kids could enjoy. There was also Tigue's Drug
Store and up the street was Ponsell's Drug store, both with the old soda
counters and both on Washington Street at 28th and 27th.
Thanks for the memories!.
- SP
saphill1@attbi.com
- 5/04/02
- 1. In the forties we used to take our stack of comic books to friends
and neighbors and trade. What a fun, wholesome activity.
2. In the fifties we loved the fresh-made doughnuts made right inside the
door at Kresge's 6th and Market.
PC
PereCarpenter@aol.com
- 5/10/02
- HOW ABOUT "COUSIN LEE & HIS BAND ? (WILM)
FRANKIE DELCOGLIN & THE "TRAIL BLAZERS" (WAMS)
AND DON' FORGET ME : HANK RUSSELL ~" THE BLUE RANGER" ( SATURDAY
MORNINGS ON WAMS)
Thanx,
Rusty
TheBlueRanger2@webtv.net
- 5/14/02
- 1. Hanging out at the Spic 'N' Span drive-in near Phila. Pike and
Washington St Extension, where the thing to order was a grilled cheese with
barbecue sauce;
2. The upstairs smoking room at the Edgemoor Theater, separated from the
main area by a glass window. It had easy chairs and sofas to sit on while
you watched the movie and puffed away.
3. Penny Hill Donuts - better than today's Krispy Kremes!
4. Seeing how far you could travel on the trackless trolleys by always
asking for a transfer.
5. After a big snowstorm, watching cars trying to get up Penny Hill, and
then slowly backing down...
6. Being a school "safety", and wearing the white belt that went
around your waist and across one shoulder, so the other kids would know you
were
the boss at the street corner.
How about Diamond Ice & Coal Co.?
And for an activity: parking along the side of Center Road at DuPont Airport
to watch the small planes take off and land?
Great site; keep up the good work...!!
BF
whfisher@earthlink.net
- 5/16/02
- Someone couldn't remember the name of the diner opposite the ball
part on Governor Printz Blvd. at 30th Street - it was Dandee and they had
waitresses who served at the car (curb service). Across the street was
another diner - Brown's. They had the best milkshakes
Bskrinsky@aol.com
- 5/17/02
- When very young, we lived in Canby Park. Haystack Calhoun, the
wrestler, lived down the street. From my perspective, he sure was big.
- CPB
c.braverman@worldnet.att.net
- 5/18/02
- My parents would take us to Lehman's Ice Cream on the Gov. Printz
Blvd. near Penny Hill....we'd watch the boats go up the Del. River and
look across at New Jersey, which was absolutely desolate. (What does it
look like now??... I've lived in Fla. for the past 20 years.)
Every once in a while, we'd get a BIG Friday night treat when my Dad would
drive up to Marcus Hook and bring us a pizza from Clank's.
One time, we were driving thru Phoenix Steel in Claymont and my little brother
looked up at the smoke billowing out of the huge stacks and said, "Hey,
this is where clouds come from!"
We always bought our cars from Union Park Pontiac. We had a huge, gold 1965
Bonneville that had AIR CONDITIONING and ELECTRIC windows. Nobody in our
neighborhood had power windows in their car... the night we brought it home
from the dealership, word spread quickly. Everyone on our block came out
and stuck their fingers on those chrome window buttons.
One really cold winter, we went to Hoope's Resevoir and walked across the
ice to the other side. My uncle helped build the dam (in the '20s, I think).
My Mother loved to go to the Farmer's Market up in Boothwyn. We liked the
Amish horse and buggies in the parking lot.
Bill Aydellotte (sp?) on WDEL and the school snow closing reports....
There was a really cool house on Washington St. Ext. in Brandywine Hills
that had a pond and waterfall in the backyard. Everytime we went to Sears,
we'd pass it and I wished we lived there.
Ferris School For Boys and Bringhurst for Girls. Both scary.
The Hook Man in Beaver Valley.
On a dare, I drove into Granogue (the estate) one night. We turned off the
headlights and went up the mile-long driveway to the mansion. We got out
of the car and just stared at that incredible palace in the moonlight.
Vivid, beautiful memories!!
Ed Wylam
Orlando, FL.
e.wylam@cfl.rr.com
- 5/19/02
- The Pipe Dream at the airport(teen dances)Mundorphs beverage plant@30th
and market st,Saint Helenas dances(wed nights) Tessies
tavern,Wildroot,Vitalis,SEN-SEN,the flower market @what is now cool
springs park.Great site!
DM
doowopda@webtv.net
- 5/21/02
- the glass clickers on a string.
The CLaymont High School Has time capsule under the claymont school sign.From
1972 no one opened.i am curious whats in there.
DianaStress43@aol.com
- 5/26/02
- Joe Pyne, mentioned in 4/02 recollection, broadcast "It's Your
Nickel" from The English Grille on Shipley Street (His "meathead" preceded
Archie Bunker's
by a couple of decades.)
Mitch Thomas, another 4/02 item, was also sponsored by Dr. M.H. Saltz of
Chester, Pa. My man, MT, used to plug The Baby Grand (and other places where
those who dug the music could not get in because they were under age--or
their parents didn't want them there). In a backstage coversation after his
recent gig at the Grand Opera House, Jimmy Smith mentioned the Baby Grand.
Regarding another 4 or 5/02 entry, it was not Riverview Hospital in Edgemore,
but Riverside Hospital--now the Extended Care Pavilion on Lea Boulevard,
Christiana's Riverside campus.
How about Big John and Sparky on Saturday mornings (WILM, I believe): theme--
The Teddy Bears' Picnic ("If you go out in the woods today, you better
not go alone....")! You could order musical glasses--an entire ocatave--from
the
milkman (Frame's/Fraim's)--then fill them up with the designated amount of
water to play along.
Then there was the Second Street Deli--not the Second Avenue Deli, but as
close as Wilmington ever came.
GRGolden@aol.com
- 5/27/02
- Toner's Soda Shop Baynard Blvd and Vanburen in the 50's
Was well-known as "Patsy's" in the 40's. Best hamburgers around,
and a favorite hangout for kids from P. S. duPont High School. I can remember
"Frank", the proprietor, behind the grill, mashing down those thin
hamburgers (20 cents!)
Just across Van Buren St. from Patsy's was the Evan G. Shortlidge Elementary
School (#30) in the triangle made by Baynard Blvd, Van Buren St. and Concord
Ave.; I went there from 1944 to 1947. It's now apartments/condos. I went
to P. S. duPont Jr. High and later transferred to Mount Pleasant H. S. (on
Duncan Road in Bellefonte), and graduated from there in 1954.
Bill Fisher
whfisher@earthlink.net
- 5/30/02
- Thank you for the many memories. I came to Wilmington
in 1954 to attend the old Memorial Hospital School of Nursing(now a high
rise). I
have been here since and have so many fond memories. Was surprised no one
has mentioned the "kitchen sink or "Pigs dinner" at the
Charcoal Pit.And those wonderful cream filled Penny Hill Donuts or Lemans
wonderful soft ice cream on Gov. Printz.Katie's on Lincoln for the best
spaghetti . Clover day at the Merchandise Mart and no place to park. Braunsteins
and the many stores that eventually faded away. Clifton Park the first
home for many.Parking at Wanamakers Hill and Smith Bridge.Walking down
town after dark without any concerns. Sleding on Mckees Hill .Driving a
stick shift up Monkey Hill."Mr. Endurance" who did not sleep
for many hours while being on WAMS.The Cozy Corner late at night.The old
trolley terminal which is now Trolley Square.Going to Woolworth's with
a "colored" friend and not being served. The awful riots. The
big snow storms we use to have.Kresege's five and ten and those good hot
dogs.No metermaids.The wonderful Dry Goods and all the bargains and the
old wooden floors that use to creak. Joe Pine on the radio and dancing
to Dick Clark and Bandstand.Those were the days of Johnny Ray and "Cry" and
who can forget "Unchained Melody".and so many other wonderful
songs that bring back so many memories. No drugs but lots of Pall Malls.Three
wonderful Hospitals right in the city.King Street Market and the lovely
flowers.Downtown was the place to be. After the Dry there was lunch at
Govatos or Federal Bakery and than on to Aruthers, Crosby and Hill and
Kennards.Those were the beautiful years.After three years of Nursing School
I knew there was no place I would rather be than Wilmington.And I am still
here and still loving it despite the fact my beautiful professional memories
were "blown" up as I watched from Monkey Hill. And now there
is the beautiful Plaza Condos to replace the Memorial Hospital.
Thanks for this wonderful website.
Anewswanger3@comcast.net
- 5/31/02
- Glad someone remembers Lynthwaite Farms on 202. The
best end to any "drive in the country."
I remember:
Trolley rides with my grandmother from Richardson Park to downtown, the ladies
in black dresses and pearls at Braunstein's, the milkman who delivered bottles
with cream on the top that got pushed out when the milk froze in the winter,
the lights going out and the sewers overflowing during Hurricane Hazel, Harrison
Street Methodist Church at 7th and Harrison, picnics at Brandywine springs
State Park, my first movie at the Warner Theater (Lady and the Tramp), Hoy's
Five and Ten, the telephone exchanges - Wyman, Porter, Olympia, Endicott,
Diamond Cab at Olympia 84321, children's Christmas parties at the Oddfellows
Hall downtown, Monkey Hill, the Christmas lights downtown, Easter egg hunts
at Rockford Park, the Crest theater in Richardson Park, Beaver Dam, Granogue
(back to those rides "in the country," taking the train up to see
the Phillies
KatherineMRowe@cs.com
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