Remembrances of Wilmington

I Remember Wilmington;  Send us your memories of growing up in Delaware.

    Sledding at Rockford Park and the Rockford Tower

I Remember Wilmington - send us your own fond memories of growing up in Wilmington and I'll publish them here. The first group here was from a list I sent to a classmate prior to the 35th reunion. I'm sure you've got your own set of memories; send them along for publication here. (Kevin Donohue)

• Going to 'Twin Lakes' on Kennett Pike for ice-skating

• Warner Theatre going to see "Old Yeller" the line stretched around the block.

• Salesianum (Sallies) dances

• Aldersgate Methodist Church canteen dances

• 'Hopping cars' with your sled in the snow-one time I "hopped" a Wilm. Transit Bus that took me from my house on 21st Street-Baynard Blvd all the way to PS DuPont HS.

• 'Kiddie Town' on du Pont Highway

• Mounting a playing card on your bike so the spokes would create a  'motor sound'

• Sledding on "Monkey Hill" near the Wilmington Zoo-loved this place as a kid-�Suicide Hill" was across the street-it was really only a foot path thru the woods and was really steep. I once rode my bicycle down Monkey Hill in the summer, hit a curb and went flying head first. Broke my wrist when I landed and didn't realize it until several hours later when I could not use my thumb and forefinger to button my dungarees.

• Lynthwaith's Ice Cream on Rt. 202 with the target on the trash can at the exit.

• Achenbach�s Soda Shop on 26th Street � this was owned by Peggi Mitten�s aunt

• Gassers Pharmacy on Washington Street-Mr. Gasser lived two doors down from our house on Baynard Blvd. He used to bring me baseball card bubble gum packs

• Joan Roberts across from the Wanamaker's Store on Augustine Cutoff. My mother used to take me to Joan Robert�s for my clothes �stand up straight� she would always say.

• Colonial Chevrolet, Delaware Olds-I worked there as a lot boy one summer-our neighbor (Boots Campbell) on Clermont Rd was the dealership manager-I once drove an armored truck across the lot and realized (after it was moving) it had no brakes! Scary!!

• Gaylord�s, Almart's, & "Strawbs" at the Old Merchandise Mart -

• Rick's Riding Academy on Rt 202 just across the PA line & next to the tiny St. Cornelius stone church;

• The Dog House-Concord Pike-got fired there for not remembering the prices-Dave Porter�s favorite eatery 

• Lanks Sub Shop on Concord Ave

• Dunbar Bicycle Shop at 9th & French Sts-I received the most beautiful Shelby English bike from there one Christmas. Later stolen Grr!

• Horisk's Grocery Store �our family�s first Wilm apt was above Horisks on Del Ave. One day, my birthday,  the Oscar Meyer wiener man in the (Weiner Mobile) came to our door! Was I impressed or what!

• Wilmington Dry Goods store-loved the smell of popcorn, wooden floors, I bought my first music albums there (Judy Collins and Frank Zappa).  

• S & H Green Stamps
• Our First "house" at 1900 Del Ave in the early '50's. Believe it or not, today in bright white paint, it is the Doherty Funeral Home-
• Additional Familiar Landmarks <The Old El Capitan, Concord Pike <Tally Ho, Concord Pike               < the Old rope swing on the Brandywine at Doeskin/Rockland <The Wilmington Train Station, Sledding at Rockford Park >

The Brandywine Raceway lives!. Google Satellite view of the outline of old Brandywine Raceway, (now demolished) juxtaposed next to the nostalgic Larry Anderson painting - (see link to his studio above).

A Blast from the past; Listen to 1380 AM - Wonderful WAMS - http://www.oldwilmington.net/sounds/wams.rm

Lynthwaite's Ice Cream and Spring Lakes Par-3 Golf Course original locations on 202 found. More

Five Decades Ago, a Wilmington first amendment movie Controversy surrounded the Edgemore Theatre owner, Daniel Cudone And the Catholic Legion of decency.

"I'm From Delaware" on U-Tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRsWdTO6P7o

Postcards From The Edge; (actually, from the early 20th century); nostalgic views of a by-gone era=http://oldwilmington-ivil.tripod.com/

Mitchell's In Fairfax is Fifty: Some great historical pictures of the Fairfax area on display during their anniversary - stop by to take a look!  (NOTE - Oct. '08 - Mitchell's is now closed. The Mitchell family would like to thank their customers over the past 55 years.)

Delaware Fun Facts - Did You Know?...  Also - You know you're a Delawarean if...........

Jake's Woods - (click here) a remarkable story by Gerald Loeb award winning journalist; Maureen "Muffy" Milford (Crowley) - Wilmington News Journal Staff Reporter and member of the Class of 1967. Also; "Lights are flickering but not yet out at drive-ins," Muffy's most recent homage to the Drive-In Movie Theater. Also, don't miss Muffy's story on the status of the old John Wanamaker's Augustine Cut-off store. (click on Accenture picture).  

Old Wilmington dot net- Nostalgia for D.P.W.'s; (Displaced Wilmingtonians)

   

 

"Time Honored Traditions" from the Wilmington Flower Market by:

    L. S. Anderson  Reproductions, Inc. (Wilm. DE)

 

Broadcast Nostalgia - Chief Halftown, Sally Starr, Pete Boyle et.al.

RAPA Brand Scrapple 

Do You Remember?  P.F. Flyers, Telephone numbers with a word prefix...(Olympia 4-601). 35 cent gas, Jiffy Pop popcorn...

Take Me Back To The Sixties!  http://moreoldfortyfives.com/TakeMeBackToTheSixties.htm

Take Me Back to The Fifties!    http://oldfortyfives.com/TakeMeBackToTheFifties.htm

Let's Go Down Memory Lane;

7. 28. 08 The Tail of Two Dog Houses (Click Here)

7.3.08 Jack's Place - The Montchanin Train Station - Many of you may recognize this structure as the Montchanin Train Station (Rt 100 & Kirk Rd) - adjacent to the Inn at Monchanin. However, it was also classmate Jack Klingerman�s �home� in the early 70�s. Jack lived on the second floor, the walls were covered in cardboard egg crates and foam, I guess to deaden the sound. The first floor in later years became a gourmet carryout (Puffs). The building still stands as far as I know. Leave it to the "Klingerbear" to find an unusual & unique place to live.

May '08 Plaid Crab Memorial Day Weekend Memories (More)