Asbury Park, NJ ~ Rising Up

[DAS603]

I was a young child when the 1970 riot happened, I still have vivid memories of that.

[bluegangstar]

asbury park, live there for 18 years ,my childhood and my teen's all in asbury. i live in the south now but from what i hear now my city has a fight on your hands..i love my city for showin me to be a man ,and letting me live with you for 18years i love you more then words can tell are show

[sleepingowl1]

this place is in tatters, the only focus was cookman ave! the boardwalk is a shell of what it used to be and those retail stores in 18 wheelers is cheesey to say the least-try taking a walk downtown and you feel like your in Juarez Mexico And on the other side of the tracks-Well its bad you know

[fredreiss]

Years ago, I went to Asbury Park and I was close to tears when I saw how dilapidated the Boardwalk became. I had an aunt who lived there, and I'd walk down to the beach every other day. In the late sixties, White flight after the riots led to its demise. And there were so many wonderful days down there, playing skeeball, body surfing, and playing miniature golf. CHeck out my vid on growing up in Freehold, NJ.

[IXGertXI]

@fredreiss Thanks for stopping by. You should stop by AP if you're back on the right coast ;) I doubt Asbury Park will ever be back to it's glory, but valuable ocean front property tends to hang in there. My boys love to go to the pinball museum on the boardwalk now and we all had a blast at the Zombie Walk this year. Theatre is back, shops on Cookman and the good restaurants are spreading West. There's hope and I love it.

[SDSOverfiend]

I was interested in Asbury Park after watching "City by the Sea." The film took place in Long beach but Asbury park was the filming location. The place looked so Dilapidated that i could'nt believe the boardwalk really looks like that in 2001. Did they really fix it up again?

[metfanal]

is there a more over rated musician than springsteen?......nope....asbu­ry is a great music town.....and bruce had nothing to do with it!!!

[DowntheJerseyShore]

Three years later we are all witnesses to Asbury Park's Renaissance. If Asbury can come back, ANYTHING is possible.

[IXGertXI]

@DowntheJerseyShore Thanks for the comment! Bit by bit. Gotta love the growth, but there's a Long way to go.

[sateliteoflove202]

Brilliant vid.

"Man, the dope's that there's still hope"

[IXGertXI]

@sateliteoflove202 Thanks!

[go2class]

def nothing like nyc...nyc related nj towns are places like englewood/ teaneck/ hackensack and the neighborhoods of jersey city/ asbury park is country and more like philly and camden county..nothing like NYC at all

[IXGertXI]

@go2class Nooo, we were just saying that when the city comes "down the shore" NYC tends to stick to the line above Seaside and the Philly crowd does LBI and south... as a rule. Maybe that's switching.

[atomicsockhop]

Please don't joke about the Philly People coming to AP. Footnote... My Gay Brothers & Sisters from New Hope is OK :)

I live in Wildwood, and the Philly influence is Horrible down here!

[ToolOfTrade]

Is Asbury Park more inclined with NYC then Philly? I've began to notice some Philadelphia influence going on in places near Asbury Park such as Belmar, and Freehold. Is it because of the geographical location?

[IXGertXI]

I think Asbury Park is more of a NYC town. It's been my experience that Atlantic City and Margate and southern beach towns were more Philly Frequented. I didn't notice the Philly flux to Belmar... interesting. Can we keep MTV out of Belmar? ;)

[ToolOfTrade]

@IXGertXI It's weird. I've met people from Long Beach Island/Manahawkin who have the Philly influence going on. Just with alittle bit of NYC too.

[Mrveendam]

Wow when did you work at Footown in Sea bright .I worked there and lived in sea Bright and also worked in footown .

[IXGertXI]

It wasn't me, it was lumeriam.... you might want to respond to that comment so they see ;)  Thanks for taking the time to watch.

[u2blake]

With Bruce's help...I know this Dream can become a Reality..Asbury will Rise Up Again!

[lumeriam]

Grew up here...on the shore. Belford was home. Worked at Seabright Foodtown. Ringing-up the E Street Band's groceries. Fun days.

[awaseniu]

I just saw the vid seconds ago. I think that restoration of the old buildings ala Miami South Beach and a return of the amusement rides should happen. I think the theater group was also a step in the right direction.

[kareechai]

I'm currently renting a gorgeous beach house in Asbury this month on the other side of the tracks.. and it's beautiful. Had drinks today at the beach bar and an awesome meal at Langosta Lounge - looking forward to a long weekend here and hoping we can find a house to renovate and watch the city continue to come around... check out Yappy Hour at the carousel bar, we walked past it today what a great idea

[ToshiBecca]

Asbury Park is really coming along these days. ReVision Theatre, a non-profit,has moved from New York to Asbury. They're a bunch of great people doing great work. Right now they are turning the old Carousel House into a theatre for a performance of The Full Monty, which will run until September 6th. Maybe I can get you pictures of the changes being made. Its looking great. ReVision hopes to use the building every summer. Well wishes and high hopes-Crystal J.

[pattyg1821]

for those that didn't know this is where 80's Pop Icon Deborah(Debbie) Gibson filmed the video for her first hit single "Only in my dreams" just look on youtube for Deborah Gibson Only in my dreams

[sleepingowl1]

The beach is beautiful-just dont go on the other side of the tracks if you want to get out alive Its bad you know!

[IXGertXI]

Aw, where's your sense of adventure! ;) Actually, there are some pretty good restaurants on the "other side of the tracks" Thanks for watching!

[GettingLouder]

::peers::

[IXGertXI]

you made me giggle.

[GaryBoy54]

They really have torn down way too much-its like they ripped the personality right off its own face.

Too much taken for their own good when what they needed to do was save these places and not let them rot away like they did!

[IXGertXI]

I agree completely. Thanks for watching!

[kwazdukes]

It stinks that all the old buildings that once were there are gone. I happened to be driving through the day that they tore down Palace Amusements. When I was younger (in the mid 80's) it still wasnt a bad place to go and my parents took me there numerous times. It's sad to see all the places that I remember from my childhood being torn down. From what I hear though, is that they are planning a museum with all historical pieces from the old Asbury such as Tilly, the Merry Go Ground and such.

[IXGertXI]

Such is life. Thank you for stopping by, kwazdukes.

[sainter1]

Hi Dot, again this really is such a commendable video in so many ways. Your honest concern for the future of Asbury Park not the least of them. A question: The riots of 1970s had what kind of effect on the city?

[IXGertXI]

Thanks wiz. It's a pity that I peaked on my second vid, eh? ;)

Honestly, I don't know what the effects precisely were. I was a munchkin at the time. I just remember the adults talking about it. I do know that they were followed by Years of governmental corruption. When my mom was growing up it was "the big city" and where one went for "high fashion" and the latest trends. Thanks for stopping by, toots.

[sainter1]

Peaked?? Your career is only beginning; what looks a peak is only a preface. ;)

My guess is that the riots stole the innocence of the city and paved the way for corrupt offialdom. :)

[mandoalbee]

The riots were not the only thing that put Asbury on the decline. The rampant corruption of city officials and developers caused most of it. Not the people from the "other side of the tracks". When the age to drink liquor was dropped to 18, Asbury was revitalized. But when it was reverted back to 21, that's when the business dropped off markedly. I've been out partying on Cookman and it's great to see it improving.

[IXGertXI]

You're absolutely right.  Thanks for stopping by and adding the insight, Mandoalbee!

[brinny776]

This is an extremely beautiful vid and song. I love the Old Asbury Park!!!

[IXGertXI]

Thanks, Brinny!

[girtisholland]

Nightlife along the boardwalk and up and down Cookman ave is back and prosperous. I hang out there every weekend now and its great. I can remember Palace rides when I was a kid and I will certainly miss that AP, but the new one will get there. It'll take some time though.

[IXGertXI]

Black 47 is playing the Oyster Festival on Cookman this weekend. Not to be missed!

[girtisholland]

Nice! Were on Cookman?

[IXGertXI]

Sunday... noon to 6...ON Cookman... the length from 71 to.... not sure how far ;)

[girtisholland]

Nice...Im there!

[90265SE14]

I miss Tillie!!!!!! (The original on Palace Amusements)

[bklynbarbara]

So much sadness for me in these photos. I lived in Ocean Grove; the town next door. I remember the life and excitement that was this place. I remember the sounds and the smells and the energy. I remember the bumper cars in the Casino, and the Ripley's Believe it Or Not display where I actually saw shrunken heads. I remember The Palace Amusemant Park with it giant ferris wheel and when it reached the sky you could see across to the ocean. I remember the Stone Pony, and so much more, now gone.

[IXGertXI]

I know it's of little consolation but the Pony's still there. My mom, who grew up in Lakewood, always tells me about the trips to Steinbach's like it was the big city. They'd get dressed to the nines then walk on the boardwalk. Progress is dubious. Thank you for taking the time to watch.

[egulvision]

This is a well thought out video. Unfortunately this situation is happening to many east coast amusement parks, Coney Island, and down here in Daytona... very sad that history must be torn down for the advancement of wealth and technology. Asbury should have been a District Landmark, but unfortunately too many people were complacent. I'm glad you took the time to let people see what's going on in Asbury. Thank you.

[IXGertXI]

Thank you for taking the time to watch. I'm a relative newcomer to Asbury Park but no less passionate. Time marches on, eh?

[GaryBoy54]

If they take the route they appear to be taking- they are not working on getting "family" amusements back- rides- cheesteaks-etc.. they look to be trying to make it a Hamptons type place and it wont work.

I just have a 30% thought this will all turn out ok.

[IXGertXI]

You have higher expectations than I do, GaryBoy. Thanks for your optomism ;)

[GaryBoy54]

When I was there some locals thought a complete comeback but then others and then my own eyes thought otherwise.

Even if it comes back say 60% that would be HUGE.

But they cant cut the middle class guy/gal/family out and expect it to "rise" and stop catering to the $600K plus and get some of the middle class shore staples set up.

Moving the Pony where the Casino was torn down would be a good move I have heard of and Wonderbars gotta stay.

I love the place(AP) so lets keep hope.

[NJKISSFAN]

r.i.p madame marie !

[IXGertXI]

Indeed! For those who don't know and happen upon this, Madame Marie, Fortune teller made famous in Springsteen's song "4th of July", passed away this past June 27th, 2008. She was in her mid 90's.

[BobbyLauren05]

Too bad Madison couldnt open everything like they wanted before Memorial Day like they wanted, but thats what you get when you have KO running the team. Great work guys. Asbury Partners had a family atmoshpere and a respect for others while they were trying to re-build. I hope for the sake of Asbury and its residents it comes back other than thatI hope MM fails

[mbren28568]

This was THE boardwalk when I was a kid, even though the decline had already started by then (born in 1977)...but I admit, it was a sad, sad day when I went back to visit and saw that the carousel was gone (that was around 94 or so...haven't had the courage to face it since then)

[madiroe]

Ooops...I forgot, nice video, great song, great pix

[IXGertXI]

lol...thanks

[madiroe]

I walk asbury every day & it is a photographers dream...unless they keep knocking down all the historic 100year old buildings. It is coming back, work being done every single day! I Love It...I hope it stays just the way it is...nice and empty in the winter!

[IXGertXI]

I agree. It will never be like it was when my mom used to drive from Lakewood to shop at Steinbachs, but it's nice to see pockets of the town picking up. My husband's band just played at the coffee house on Cookman a few weeks ago. A good time was had by all.

[madiroe]

Great little coffee shop...nice and mellow

[bikerdude97]

I live about 20 minutes for asbury park and the last time I went was in late 07, they are renovating the convention hall

[shastasladybear]

I went ice skating there at the Casino every Saturday,remember catchin the gold ring on the Carousel, eating lobster dinners on the boardwalk near Mdm Marie's,playing miniature golf up on the roof of one of those boardwalk places & Tillie on the side of the Palace. Good song choice, can't go wrong with the King of Asbury Park! Thanks, good job.

[IXGertXI]

Thank you for stopping by, Shastasladybear! I'm glad it brought back fond memories!

[GettingLouder]

::looks shifty::

[IXGertXI]

::tosses a grape at him::

[GettingLouder]

::Makes a run for it!!::

[oganmy9]

we just moved from there about eight months ago... my wife and I could not take all of the murders last year... not to mention all of the gun fire, gangs, the police racing up the blocks at all hours of the night chasing all kinds of crimminals... also, the fact that you can't go for a walk at night without the risk of getting mugged... that was really heart warming... great place to live...

[IXGertXI]

I'm sorry you left on such a note. I'm not old enough to remember it in its hayday, but my mother has such great memories of Shopping there and the carousel. Thanks for watching!

[julesb33]

AP has really grown since your video. You'd be surprised. It's getting better and better.

[IXGertXI]

I know. I was just there a month ago. Still, I miss some of the "Oldies" Pity about the Wonderbar.

[BobbyLauren05]

Gert are you from around the area? Have you been following the project? Excellent Video too

[IXGertXI]

I'm not all that far, but honestly, no, I haven't follwed the inner workings of the growth. I hit the stone pony when I can but prefer to avoid the politics. ;)

[julesb33]

GREAT job!

[IXGertXI]

Thank You!

[BobbyLauren05]

Great memories from this project. Worked on it from the start, just a shame I couldn't finish it all the way. Asbury Partners you're doing great, best of luck to ALL the city officals, the fire and police depts, the DPW, mayor, deputy mayor, and most of all the maint staff working hard every day on the boardwalk........

[IXGertXI]

Thank you for taking time to comment, BobbyLauren05

[ihave35cents]

beutiful place but bad mems local government was real crooked

[Parrothead3chevy]

Great job,Great pictures ,Great choice of song.

[IXGertXI]

Thank You parrot head!

[grover199]

Good job, Gert. Touching vid...whenever I would visit before they tore all the old stuff down I felt the ghosts of the past. This is a nice tribute to those ghosts. Thanks!

[IXGertXI]

Thank you for the lovely comment and taking time to do so.

[peebsmom2]

I remember as a kid walking to the boardwalk and rides, the Mayfair Theater and the swan boats at Wesley Lake next to the Casino. It was a wonderful town to grow up in and I am so very happy it is finally being restored. I was dead for too long. Great video!

[IXGertXI]

Thanks Peebsmom2! I'm so glad this vid's gotten such a great respons... still.

[hottie91136]

I always felt ghosts from the past as I skated tru the doors. The surface was smoother than the boards and I loved the lonley feeling of Asbury Park on the boardwalk.

[IXGertXI]

I agree. I'm glad they left it standing and repaired the roof. It's not so lonely there anymore, though. On a summer weekend, it's like the "old days" Thanks for stopping by.

[PARIVISION]

I spent most of my summers from 1976 until 1987 with my grandmother who lived in Asbury Park. I loved that town. I remember seeing the 1976 version of King Kong at the Paramount inside Convnetion Hall. I have such great memories of that town. I am a filmmaker now and Asbury Park certainly inspired alot of visions for me as a child. My grandfather who is Danny Devito's uncle was a police officer there as well as my uncle Frank. Great town hope it makes it's way back to being what it once was.

[IXGertXI]

I grew up south of Asbury Park and didn't start visiting regularly until 10 years ago or so but my mother always spoke of how it was The place to go to shop when she was a kid. I love that they're cleaning it up so to speak but I hate how they're taking away so much of the character. I'm glad this brought back so many fond memories. Good luck with your films.

[afmafmafm]

My old band played the Stone Pony in 2002. A lady there told us there were 'ways' to get into the Palace and the Casino. We managed to get inside the Palace and were up inside the castle when our flashlight died and we had to find our way out of there in the dark! I've never forgotten the place, and have looked at everything I could find online about it. Thanks! Are they going to save the Casino?

[IXGertXI]

I drove by last weekend on my way to a vespa rally and yes, the casino is being saved. Looks like they're putting a copper roof on. That much is good news anyway. I have pictures inside the casino's rink with my husband on his rollerblades. great old memories.

[sweettooth910]

my husbend is from asbury park. i was there for 2 weeks in june. i live in nc. i had a great time there, the people are great and so was the food. i went to a bangin ass party in freehold. i love nj, i cant wait to go back!

[ajohyeah2222]

great video and excellent song to go along

[IXGertXI]

Thank you!

[ajohyeah2222]

i don't care i love livin in jersey

[ny2nj66]

Was just at Asbury park for the first time this past weekend and had a great time, it really is rising up and on the come back! I LOVE the slideshow,Awsome job! thank u for it :)

[IXGertXI]

Thank you Ny2nj66! It amazes me just how many folks have come across and commented so kindly on this video. I appreciate your time and words. Glad you enjoyed AP!!

[alixhoward]

Thanks to Faith who took me to the stone pony in 81 and to family for putting me up. Glad I saw it. Gb belfast.

[IXGertXI]

There are magical moments in our lives that we'll always remember. I'm glad you had the opportunity to visit that piece of history... the US has so little and it's dwindling. Thanks for visiting, Alixhoward!

[TheHoagie]

Great video, First saw this town in '87 with my father and it was falling apart then. Grabbed a lot of photos in 2002 thank God, just sad. Aug '04 heading to the Stone Pony with my bro, I had no idea the Palace was dirt lot. Least "Tillie" was saved. Seen the plans, hope it will be bigger,better than ever sooner than later. Ever see DeNiro's "City By the Sea?" A.P. is the town, but in the movie states its in NY.

[free2danz]

I lived in Asbury Park in the 60's & 70's then moved to Neptune City. I left NJ when I was 18 and never returned. Just seeing this video and others on Asbury Park makes me want to cry. What memories I have of growing up there.. Fireworks on the beach and the Carosel just to name a few. I also remember when Springwood Ave. burned ...what a waste! Thanks for the vid though... Maybe I'll get back one day to see whats left of one of the best parts of my past. T.S Jacksonville NC

[IXGertXI]

Free2Danz, thanks for your comment! There's still the stone pony! Asbury Park has to come back... bottom line is the real estate is just too valuable. Always comes down to greed, doesn't it?

Gert

[free2danz]

God said that the LOVE of money is the root of all evil.I'm gonna be praying for my hometown and the people who live in it..I'm not there but I think about it often. Many times the natural realm mirrors the spiritual ..even the condition of the people's hearts. The song that Springsteen is singing is prophetic I believe.I am going to begin to pray that God will restore what the enemy has tried to destroy..And that He will get the Glory for it..God Bless & Thanks for your reply!..Theresa

[FOXERtr29]

This is one of the greatest videos I have ever seen...

[IXGertXI]

You're too kind FOXERtr29. Thank You!

[FOXERtr29]

your welcome.. Man i wish i could have seen it in its golden time.

[champlain9]

My family used to go to Asbury in the early 60's before the decline and riots in the 70's. It was a beautiful place with lots of things to do. Asbuury will rise up again.

[IXGertXI]

Thank You camplain9. Asbury Park gets quite a reaction, doesn't it?

[MzFanzi]

This video go some old ass pics in it I live right next to asbury and it is coming up

[IXGertXI]

Thank You, MzFanzi, for the comment.

[BrynMawrYamBag]

If you consider toxic waste dumps ecological wonders..well then you may be right!! : ).I had to live there when i was in the military..Nasty place!

[BrynMawrYamBag]

screw new jersey..its a cesspool

[IXGertXI]

The thing about NJ is it's a cesspool, it's beautiful, it's the city, it has ecological wonders... it's everything. All in such a small package.

[Azuremuse]

i seriously miss home this made me cry ,,,,,,,

[IXGertXI]

Thanks for watching. I didn't intend the tears, but they're hard to avoid with AP as the subject.

[nutekk]

awesome slide show! some very cool vintage photos there. i've been shooting asbury park for years, and i just love to see this stuff, great work, and thanx so much for sharing !

Kieran

nutekk com

[IXGertXI]

Thank you for the comment, Kieran.

[Amoele2007]

movie was great! I didnt even know asbury park was pretty before. It's sad that it looks the way it looks now. All the gangs and f**up people just ruined that place. It's just sad. I hope that one day it will change for the better. Oh yeah " loosing" is incorrect. It's "Losing". great vid!

[IXGertXI]

Thanks for stopping by, Amoele. Everything has it's cycle, no?

[jacky3708]

Great work.

[turofhsre]

Fantastic work

Greetings from cologne Germany

[IXGertXI]

Thank you, turofhsre. I take it you are a Springsteen Fan ;-)

[robertosicles]

that was really beautiful, good work!

[IXGertXI]

Thanks Roberto!

[meredumais]

Thank you so much for this. I lived very close to A.P. as a kid in the early 70s and remember it very fondly. Weekends on the boardwalk...heaven! Went back ten years ago and it WAS in ruins...I was inconsolable...haven't had the guts to return since.

This is a gorgeous tribute, and instills much hope.

[DirtyVegas23]

Marvelous. Absolutely marvelous. Bravo.

[IXGertXI]

Thank you!

[sjestreet]

WOW thank you for posting this! More more more!

[IXGertXI]

Thank you! I'll work on it. Any requests?

[21stCenturyCat]

great, just great! strong images and strong, very well put together :)

[IXGertXI]

Wow. Thank you 21stcc.

[21stCenturyCat]

damn, I need to proof read my comments more! I meant "strong images and strong song"... d'oh! ;)

[IXGertXI]

Don't even worry about it. I translated already  ::quietly gets out her red pen::

[NAMATHSDAD]

Thank You. That is heartbreaking & beautiful all at the same time.

[IXGertXI]

You are most welcomed. That was the intention.

[DragonsHold]

great vid gert another well done project

[IXGertXI]

Thank you, hun. I'm not prolific but I aim to please!

[bigwallypants]

Great production Gert...I can see you and I have quite a bit in common, both fans of Bruce Springsteen, Rush and still image videography

[IXGertXI]

Thank you so much for watching. I'm eager to watch more of yours.

[guitmartiman]

Wonderfully inspiring! Can the dead live again? Yes, they can!

[IXGertXI]

There is no place better to see great music than Asbury. Just saw the psychedelic furs at the Pony for 20 bucks! Joan Jett, Black 47... they all still kick butt.

[papadizi]

THIS IS A VIDEO WITH SOUL

[IXGertXI]

Thank Springsteen for the soul. I thank you for the kind words.

[Furnifur]

Cool! I had no idea they were trying to rebuild Asbury Ok. Perfect song too. Thnks hun

[IXGertXI]

Thanks hun!

[StonewallStudios]

Now this is what I have been talking about with bigwallpants and RewindStudios since July last year- we love still image videography - it is what we do - great work ...5 stars and a subscription - keep 'em coming. Teejay

[IXGertXI]

If you like this, check out Minniver. She puts me to shame. Thank you for the kind words and the subscription as well!

Gert

[Minniver]

pshaw, I say!!!! This video is better than any I've done, keep 'em coming :)

[IXGertXI]

I can't take all the credit. My 9 year old helped edit. He has a better sense of timing! Besides, you're prejudice ;-)

[GettingLouder]

That was very moving!

The images and the song were a superb match.

[IXGertXI]

Thank You!  That means a lot coming from you.

[IXGertXI]

I think this was the first. I only wish These were my pics. The whole town has been torn down though... you can't go back.

[oneiblind30]

Very cool video great song.

[IXGertXI]

Thanks! Near and dear to my heart.