As anyone over 50 knows, the next line by Freddy "Boom-Boom" Cannon was a swingin' place called Palisades Park.
Palisades Park enjoyed a love-hate relationship with the town of Fort Lee - mostly hate.
The Park was certainly the most popular destination in Ft. Lee New Jersey for most of the 20th century (it's no bother, it's no fuss, take the Public Service bus.)
Cannon, a native of Lynn, Massachusetts, had his career launched at the Park. Several other 60's bubblegumers were also there discovered including Bobby Rydell (Wild One), Leslie Gore (It's my Party), and Little Anthony & the Imperials (Goin' out of my Head).
There were a number of serious fires over the years in addition to the obvious problems inherent in having such a neighbor. (We lived nearby, but our parents never made it a destination for the McLean children.)
The Park was built in the early 1900's by the Bergen County Traction Company which ran trolleys in the area. As their electricity charges were on a flat rate for seven days a week, they created the Park to help generate otherwise limited weekend revenue.
The trolly company (and thereby the Park) was eventually bought by Public Service Electric & Gas in the early 1970's which, noting decreased attendance and soaring real estate prices along the Palisades, sold it.
Its fate became that of other local attractions of the time (Ebbits Field and the Polo Grounds) - high rise apartment buildings.
Its fate became that of other local attractions of the time (Ebbits Field and the Polo Grounds) - high rise apartment buildings.
If you are still reading, you either have an abiding interest in me (thank you) or Fort Lee. If the latter, here is another fun fact.
Fort Lee was America's original movie capital. The dense woods and the spectacular cliffs of the Palisades were considered to be dramatic backdrops for the burgeoning silent film business. It is also the birthplace of the term "cliffhanger".
The phrase comes from the classical end-of-episode situation in silent film days in which the protagonist (usually a woman in distress) is left hanging from the edge of a cliff.
And thank you for visiting.
Jack
4 comments:
Public Service sure is great, it takes you right up to the gate!
Wow, John. This is some great research. I'm not going to say inspiring, but it is intimidating that it's possible to find all that info.
So the next challenge in the New Jersey odd'essay (no!) is going to be Channel Lumber? The saga of Eddie Rabbit? Or the vision that brought New Jersey'ites Rt 22. Or, here's an idea....Echo Lanes. 64 lanes in the early 50's....BIGGEST in the world.
I think it's time for bed. Thank you for the posting. I loved it!
I first learned about Ft. Lee's movie history from the helpful plaques posted around town and in the park.
So Palisades Park became apartment buildings, eh? Such a sad end to a slice of Americana.
Thanks for the history lesson!
What a great window into history. Thanks Dad!
I see your next book perculating here...Makes me think of Water for Elephants and the incredible amount of research done there!
Thanks for the history lesson...interesting that we were never taken there. I've always wondered where Palisades Park really was...so near to Summit, but never visited me.
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