I spent all my summers there as a child. As the community got older it became more and more abandoned even before the bridge burned down. The city of stratford owned the land and the cottages were not marketable to any one with the lease to short to being over. It was a wonderful place growing up. Mostly good times with family and friends.
So the bridge burning down was just the last nail in the coffin for the beach.
I miss it but at least we all still have the great memories.
It sucks, we can't get out there anymore. theres ALWAYS police out there and now the construction crews.Its a damn shame bridgeport never was able to build that bridge up again
i was just here this past weekend, you should see the shape the cottages are in now, its amazing what only a couple of years of vandals and squaters do to a place.
I went on Friday ( 7/29/09) and it's a wreck. Graffiti everywhere, everything is smashed and broken. I was hoping to get some photos of an untouched abandoned town... looks like by this video I'm two years two late.
I wonder what happen to the two guys who lived there and kept people away?
My dad was born in 1917 and grew up in Bridgeport. He used to go there when he was young. We went there when I was 11 - 1965 and I recall seeing the carousel horses encased in cobwebs and dust inside. He told me he used to ride them and hoped one day they could be saved. Stop pointing fingers folks, and let's work together to clean up the mess.
Excellent video and very sad. I grew up in Bridgeport. I have many of great memories of pleasure beach and the cottages. My summer days as a kid in the 60's and 70's was either playing 3 games of baseball a day or spending all day fishing at pleasure beach. I loved exploring the island. We used to have huge family picnics on the island and one of my friend's aunts had a cottage there. A lot of good times! I wished my kids had the chance to enjoy the island.
a little boy - we had a cottage on the water side - lordship 5th av - when i slept the waves broke right under my bed - I had a "pram" - at the extra low tides I could walk it out to the sandbar - collect spidercrabs & horseshoes -
for an English speaking fellow you sure don't know how to process what you read.Politicians are the ones with the power and I don't recall any minority politician being Mayor of Bridgeport.and for your last comment about minorities selling drugs,let me add that if it wasn't for good American white boys like the mayor of Bridgeport who love snoring drugs up their noses,there wouldn't be a drug trade,thank you very much.
So terribly sad. Bridgeport used to be so nice long ago. Ever since the fateful decision was made to build the coal-fired power plant on the harbor was made, it has struggled to survive, as the filth is belched into the skies of a once great city, choking the culture and land.
this was a beautiful video , I remember my mom taking me there as a child & my abuelo along with my dad & unlces fishing .. I wish people wouldn't bring race into the loss that Bridgeport has suffered .. Alot of people can be held responsible & it's not just one race of people ..
this is amazing, the music compliments the pictures so well, i live about 15 minutes from this place, i go to it a few times a year to photograph, its truly a very erie and depressing place, i wish they would do something to bring it back to life....well job capturing a part of connecticut history
A true shame... This is definitely a big part of my plan to improve our city. I am running for City Council and although I may just be one out of many, I want to work hard to bring things like this to reality and not leave them as a memory...
I was out there today. To see toys scattered around in the sand left behind by the children that once played there was a very sad sight. Going in the cottages was like being in a time warp. I guess some people didn't have the heart to go back and remove all of their property. I saw old photos, birthday cards to grandma & grandpa, toys, well used beach stuff, etc.. All just family memories now. The whole place had a vibe of what it once was..and what it will never be again.
I am a current resident of Bridgeport with no clue to the history of Bridgport and the great things BPT used to possess. I think this is a shame such a beautiful beach abandoned for what?????????????
My property taxes in Bridgeport are so high and I would mind, if I knew some of my taxes would go towards the renovation of the bridge which would allow the residenst access to this beautiful well needed beach and all the things it has to offer.
It is so bittersweet to view this video. My large extended family spent summers on the beach for generations. I have a picture of my father at about age seven with all of his family in front of the cottage in the early forties. Many of the family's along the beach became like cousins. The O'Dwyers, Doolans, Deluca's, Kaisman's, along with all the Kenneys. I can still hear the sound of crossing the bridge.
A very evocative and haunting video of a lost place. Some day, in the distant future, Bridgeport may have it all together to do something positive at Pleasure Beach.
I go there alot when I have time and take pictures I have somewhere in the amount of 1,000 or so pictures taken there it is a great place. They will not invest money because they see no future in it. There are alot more reasons if you just google it and do a smidge of research you will see a better explanation then what I just gave you cheers mate. Great job on the video. if you would like a link to my photos please drop me a line.
Money is money. A better town with healthier, happier scenery will make a world of a difference. What bastards. Why isn't rich ass Darien or Greenwich helping us out here?????? They'd rather buy ten fucking diamonds to sit and stare at and hoard for themselves to helping out some of us in this not so wealthy, not so lucky, not so fortunate area.
i went out there last november(06). didnt see any camera's all they had was 1 sign. we encounterd 2 creepy guys that still live out there and try to protect it from vandals. no cops or anything. even if they did catch u on camera they would have to walk a mile on sand dunes to get out there. i really dont think they would. its a pretty creepy place
Well the 2 guys are pretty kool, I remember walking around with my camera out and they just waved me a cheers while having thier morning cup of coffee and I carried on. Don't bother them and they wont bother you.
The imagery was spectacular. Sadness filled my heart seeing Pleasure Beach in this state compared to its hayday. But there was stark beauty in all this. Indeed Pleasure beach & Fayerweather Island seem to be in the winter of their days but both bloom in their stately solitude. What is the title of that song & who sang it? It was perfect for this video. I hope you do more videos of this type.
I was born and raised in bridgeport, to see this is awful. Pleasure Beach was the highlight of many summer time fun. Really an eye sore for a city that is trying to turn around!
I spent all my summers there as a child. As the community got older it became more and more abandoned even before the bridge burned down. The city of stratford owned the land and the cottages were not marketable to any one with the lease to short to being over. It was a wonderful place growing up. Mostly good times with family and friends.
So the bridge burning down was just the last nail in the coffin for the beach.
I miss it but at least we all still have the great memories.
simalibim 1 year ago
It sucks, we can't get out there anymore. theres ALWAYS police out there and now the construction crews.Its a damn shame bridgeport never was able to build that bridge up again
shedgen0 1 year ago
excellent video. check mine out if get a chance.
CTphoto1 2 years ago
i was just here this past weekend, you should see the shape the cottages are in now, its amazing what only a couple of years of vandals and squaters do to a place.
thriller79 2 years ago
Comment removed
karlikinsella 2 years ago
all they had to do was rebuild the bridge and it would not e like this. So sad.
dvwart 2 years ago
this place is destroyed. I went like a week ago (8/12/09) looks like a resident evil sight at night lol
Gunblaza 2 years ago
heard on the news 2 weeks ago that the city of stratford is having the cottages out there torn down in the fall.
nyg1781 2 years ago
new mayor in town... let's see how he handles the situation.
RIP PLEASURE BEACH/LONG BEACH WEST
1892-1996
mercapri302 2 years ago
I went on Friday ( 7/29/09) and it's a wreck. Graffiti everywhere, everything is smashed and broken. I was hoping to get some photos of an untouched abandoned town... looks like by this video I'm two years two late.
I wonder what happen to the two guys who lived there and kept people away?
m3ntalysan3 2 years ago
i still live in this place as is HAHA
D4nk5 2 years ago
yeah right
carlosjavierPR 2 years ago
My dad was born in 1917 and grew up in Bridgeport. He used to go there when he was young. We went there when I was 11 - 1965 and I recall seeing the carousel horses encased in cobwebs and dust inside. He told me he used to ride them and hoped one day they could be saved. Stop pointing fingers folks, and let's work together to clean up the mess.
tomsull27 2 years ago
Excellent video and very sad. I grew up in Bridgeport. I have many of great memories of pleasure beach and the cottages. My summer days as a kid in the 60's and 70's was either playing 3 games of baseball a day or spending all day fishing at pleasure beach. I loved exploring the island. We used to have huge family picnics on the island and one of my friend's aunts had a cottage there. A lot of good times! I wished my kids had the chance to enjoy the island.
jrizz510 3 years ago
a little boy - we had a cottage on the water side - lordship 5th av - when i slept the waves broke right under my bed - I had a "pram" - at the extra low tides I could walk it out to the sandbar - collect spidercrabs & horseshoes -
thank g i grew up there before now - Joel 1958
Pismobird 3 years ago
the mafia and the corrupt polititians killed this town,what a shame those slime bucket,blood sucking bastards
ivandemer718 3 years ago
The minorities also detroyed it......
Victory1956 2 years ago
i don't know of any corrupt hispanic or black mayor who's ran Bridgeport as of late.You cannot destroy when you don't have power
ElBerracoObama 2 years ago
Ha! Ha! So funny....No, the minorities have the power as they are the ones committing the crimes, selling drugs, and shootign up everything.
Victory1956 2 years ago
for an English speaking fellow you sure don't know how to process what you read.Politicians are the ones with the power and I don't recall any minority politician being Mayor of Bridgeport.and for your last comment about minorities selling drugs,let me add that if it wasn't for good American white boys like the mayor of Bridgeport who love snoring drugs up their noses,there wouldn't be a drug trade,thank you very much.
ElBerracoObama 2 years ago 2
minorities destroyed it by spray painting everything and breaking everything
metalassassin69 2 years ago
actually stratfords mayor is selling the beach to the government to make it into a nature preserve its in the Ct post
magiciscool676 4 years ago
shame to see they are making a casino out of the island. Read it in the milford weekly today. R.I.P. pleasure beach
mikv347 4 years ago
So terribly sad. Bridgeport used to be so nice long ago. Ever since the fateful decision was made to build the coal-fired power plant on the harbor was made, it has struggled to survive, as the filth is belched into the skies of a once great city, choking the culture and land.
DrBuzz0 4 years ago
I think the projects, crime and lack of upkeep were the final deathknell
johnmcboston 4 years ago
this was a beautiful video , I remember my mom taking me there as a child & my abuelo along with my dad & unlces fishing .. I wish people wouldn't bring race into the loss that Bridgeport has suffered .. Alot of people can be held responsible & it's not just one race of people ..
noli76 4 years ago 2
this is amazing, the music compliments the pictures so well, i live about 15 minutes from this place, i go to it a few times a year to photograph, its truly a very erie and depressing place, i wish they would do something to bring it back to life....well job capturing a part of connecticut history
DonnieDarkhorse 4 years ago
It was a great place to live until the ethnicity changed. Now its a war zone/garbage dump.
Victory1956 4 years ago
the ethnicity?you mean the Italian mafia?
ivandemer718 3 years ago
The scars of years of corruption in this city,
It's a embarrassment......
lookinto2003 4 years ago 4
Great job, I grew up in Bridgeport and know just how much this seaside spot meant to the folks that lived there and enjoyed it all those years ago.
MrMikeFla 4 years ago
A true shame... This is definitely a big part of my plan to improve our city. I am running for City Council and although I may just be one out of many, I want to work hard to bring things like this to reality and not leave them as a memory...
Daniel Martinez
5FoldMinistries 4 years ago
I was out there today. To see toys scattered around in the sand left behind by the children that once played there was a very sad sight. Going in the cottages was like being in a time warp. I guess some people didn't have the heart to go back and remove all of their property. I saw old photos, birthday cards to grandma & grandpa, toys, well used beach stuff, etc.. All just family memories now. The whole place had a vibe of what it once was..and what it will never be again.
rjo8500 4 years ago
I am a current resident of Bridgeport with no clue to the history of Bridgport and the great things BPT used to possess. I think this is a shame such a beautiful beach abandoned for what?????????????
My property taxes in Bridgeport are so high and I would mind, if I knew some of my taxes would go towards the renovation of the bridge which would allow the residenst access to this beautiful well needed beach and all the things it has to offer.
1drankine 4 years ago 2
Awesome to hear your thoughts! I deff. agree with you!
kewandnotu 4 years ago
It is so bittersweet to view this video. My large extended family spent summers on the beach for generations. I have a picture of my father at about age seven with all of his family in front of the cottage in the early forties. Many of the family's along the beach became like cousins. The O'Dwyers, Doolans, Deluca's, Kaisman's, along with all the Kenneys. I can still hear the sound of crossing the bridge.
patkens 4 years ago
A very evocative and haunting video of a lost place. Some day, in the distant future, Bridgeport may have it all together to do something positive at Pleasure Beach.
NumegJoan 4 years ago
I also have pictures of the interior of the theatre anyone intrested in those I will get them up as soon as possible just drop me a line.
Thanks
Joe
Joey Febus Photography
FirefighterJoe 4 years ago
I go there alot when I have time and take pictures I have somewhere in the amount of 1,000 or so pictures taken there it is a great place. They will not invest money because they see no future in it. There are alot more reasons if you just google it and do a smidge of research you will see a better explanation then what I just gave you cheers mate. Great job on the video. if you would like a link to my photos please drop me a line.
-Joe
Joey Feebs Photography
FirefighterJoe 4 years ago
I WOULD LIKE A LINK TO YA PHOTOS....
RICKNYCE20 4 years ago
Money is money. A better town with healthier, happier scenery will make a world of a difference. What bastards. Why isn't rich ass Darien or Greenwich helping us out here?????? They'd rather buy ten fucking diamonds to sit and stare at and hoard for themselves to helping out some of us in this not so wealthy, not so lucky, not so fortunate area.
kewandnotu 4 years ago 2
every town has it's own issues, no town pitches in for other town's needs.
LauraLiz411 3 years ago
I've heard a lot about police cameras everywhere, whats the deal with that?
Aperfectteenhood 4 years ago
i went out there last november(06). didnt see any camera's all they had was 1 sign. we encounterd 2 creepy guys that still live out there and try to protect it from vandals. no cops or anything. even if they did catch u on camera they would have to walk a mile on sand dunes to get out there. i really dont think they would. its a pretty creepy place
chiefdude14 4 years ago
Well the 2 guys are pretty kool, I remember walking around with my camera out and they just waved me a cheers while having thier morning cup of coffee and I carried on. Don't bother them and they wont bother you.
-Joe
FirefighterJoe 3 years ago
There is infact 1 camera of course as posted it's a Web Cam I forgot the location of it tho it's on google(dot)com.
FirefighterJoe 3 years ago
The imagery was spectacular. Sadness filled my heart seeing Pleasure Beach in this state compared to its hayday. But there was stark beauty in all this. Indeed Pleasure beach & Fayerweather Island seem to be in the winter of their days but both bloom in their stately solitude. What is the title of that song & who sang it? It was perfect for this video. I hope you do more videos of this type.
DrinkingStar 4 years ago
I wonder why the city does not invest money to fix it up?
B0RNfree 4 years ago
I was born and raised in bridgeport, to see this is awful. Pleasure Beach was the highlight of many summer time fun. Really an eye sore for a city that is trying to turn around!
twism814 5 years ago
It was truly something to see. My step father spent many of his summers as a kid there. He also grew up in Bridgeport, CT.
Thanks for checking out the video.
dayvejohnson 5 years ago