This is an excerpt from njn’s documentary OUR VANISHING PAST. The documentary features more than 30 historic places throughout New Jersey, from crumbling ruins in forgotten towns to spectacular restorations in major cities. The documentary also looks at successful preservation efforts, from grassroots citizens groups to innovative developers. Official Website: www.njn.net Along the coast in Wildwood, a different kind of teardown has invaded the shore. At risk is the largest collection of mid-20th century resort architecture in the country. In the 1950s and 60s, Wildwood was a major destination for newly mobile families. The construction of the Garden State Parkway and cars built for cruising made it simple for vacationers to reach this seaside resort. The well loved music of the era inspired the name for the eye-catching style of architecture in Wildwood referred to as Doo Wop. Fun, imaginative and surprising, these family owned motels attracted attention with dazzling neon, Miami Beach inspired designs and well loved themes of the 50s and 60s. Many people are surprised to learn that the Doo Wop motels are historic. A fantastic number of these places are more than 50 years ancient and are examples of the recent past. The fact that so many Doo Wop motels are in Wildwood adds to the significance of the collection. As each one falls, it has a direct impact on those that remain. More than 100 Doo Wop buildings have faced the wrecking ball. The pressure to demolish these vintage places …
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How did they ever get away with tearing down the Rio Motel? That was the quintessential Doo Wop motel.
Aw. It seems that everyone has the same wonderful memories. That’s so touching
I remember that bus terminal. Oh, what wonderful memories!
Stop all the crap, and leave our Wildwoods ALONE!!!!!
Like those Wildwood days.
It is sad how hi-rise condos are taking over beaches all over the USA. I worked a summer (1970) in Wildwood at the ancient bus terminal, and stayed in an ancient boarding house type hotel called the Arcadia (it was on Magnolia St.) about 3 blocks from the boardwalk. I despise to see all the ancient victorian hotel just torn down. Oh well, that is what happens when there is dense population. I don’t have any desire to return to Wildwood now because of the condo’s taking over.
We spend about 1 to 2 months a year altogether down t here and what I’d LIKE to know is this: WHO the Hell is going to buy those condos going up all over the place that all look alike?
We have real estate friends down there who tell us many of these were so poorly built by illegals that there are fire wall issues, regulation issues and many have gone into receivership.
It’s one of the most magical places in the world. Nothing beats the beach by the lighthouse in North Wildwood by moonlight!
the BRISTOL PLAZA!
1950’s were all white niggers and spic’s didnt go there
Now Wild Wood is now known as Wild Hood
Used to go to the Fontain in N. Wildwood through the late 60’s and the 70’s
Wildwood NJ is the best place to go on vacation. Even better then Ocean City in my opinion. I have been going there since i was born and my parents have been going there since they were born. At Wildwood you never get bored! Right now i stay at the shalimar ever since waterways has been nocked down. If u need a palce to go on vacation go to wildwood! I LOOOOOOOVVVVVEEE Wildwood!
I like the older styled hotels much more than the condos.
Watch the tram car please!
i miss waterways my famiy has been going their for like 3 generations untill it got nocked down!!!
I like this documentary. i’ve gone 2 wildwood since i was born and so has my mom’s parents parents. I loved the traditional hotel waterways that my family has always gone 2 till it got nocked down! Now my family and i have distress finding a hotel. So we have to reserve a hotel for the next year while were their the year before.I wish waterways was still their. Now i have no tales 2 tell my children when i get older about waterways!
I like wildwood the way it is now more then it was decades ago. atleast the beach stays as wonderful as always.
this man once stopped me and told me about wildwood’s past a century ago