By SERGEY KADINSKY
Forgotten NY correspondent
At the southern tip of Soundview Avenue in the Bronx is the newest NYCFerry dock, providing a one-seat ride from this corner of the borough to Wall Street. I haven’t been to Soundview since high school, when my classmate Karen hosted friends at her home and there was Dominican music in the background. Soundview Avenue is the odd one here, cutting through the street grid on its two-mile route.
Having previously chronicled other prominent points of land in the city, I followed Soundview Avenue to its tip. Along the way, the triangular intersections are designated as Greenstreets parks, with more than a dozen on the route. At the end is Clason Point, historically pronounced as Clawson.
The most notable of these triangular parklets is Woodrow Wilson Triangle, bound by Underhill, Patterson, and Soundview Avenues. Its World War One monument was dedicated in 1928 on the decade anniversary since the end of the war. On the plaque are quotations from Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Wilson. An odd pair as Lincoln emancipated the slaves while Wilson was a staunch segregationist.
Your old Hagstrom map won’t help you here as many of the streets on the grid were never completed, end midblock, and others appear partially completed. Turning right from Soundview Avenue, one enters Harding Park, a cluster of bungalows built organically in the 1920s by Thomas Higgs and named after then-President Warren G. Harding. City planner Robert Moses attempted to condemn this community in the name of slum clearance but the residents won and in 1982 the Harding Park Homeowners Association succeeded in gaining title to their homes and land. Kevin Walsh was here in 2006, telling the story of Harding Park in detail.
Undeveloped waterfront parcels were acquired by the city for parkland but kept in a natural state. Dead-end streets disappear into the tangle of vegetation at Harding Park.
Beyond the bushes there is a lagoon in Harding Park separated from the East River by a rocky breakwater. This is where the Bronx River widens into the East River. In the background are the Hunts Point Market and the skyline of Manhattan.
As mentioned, Harding Park developed organically without regard to the borough-wide street grid. Some streets here are interrupted midblock by properties, and others do not appear on any official maps.
One of the great unfinished waterfront roads here is Bronx River Road, which was intended to run continuously from East Tremont Avenue along the east bank of Bronx River down to the tip of Clason Point. Today it runs in five segments that are kept separate by Soundview Park, Harding Park properties, and the Shorehaven development.
Speaking of unfinished plans, further inland at Story Avenue, the Bronx River Parkway abruptly ends. Usually when a highway ends, it does so by merging into another highway. Destination signs along the southbound parkway show Soundview Park as its terminus.
A 1960s hand-drawn Hagstrom map shows the parkway continuing into the park with an interchange at Randall Avenue, Lafayette Avenue crossing the Bronx River, and Bronx River Avenue curving along the shoreline. Hagstrom often tried to keep their maps up to date by depicting planned highways and paper streets as reality, because in most cases when Robert Moses proposed something, it became reality. On the other hand, the massive superblock interrupting White Plains Road at the time was the wetland source of Pugsley’s Creek. Most of it would end up developed.
Another unusual map of what Clason Point could have been is the 1941 Barkan Street Directory map that shows the grid in its entirety mashed with the natural courses of Bronx River, Pugsley’s Creek and Westchester Creek. A trolley line runs down Soundview Avenue, but Bronx River Parkway has not yet been extended to this corner of the Bronx. The section between Pelham Parkway and Soundview opened in 1951.
I would like to see every major street have a monument and plaza at its terminus, but the southern tip of White Plains Road is marked by a fence that keeps it a few yards short of the East River. This road runs north for 7.2 miles to the city line at Wakefield. It continues north under other names. Its namesake city is 10 miles north of the city line.
Returning to Soundview Avenue, there is a gated community with its own set of nautical theme streets: Admiral Court, Beacon Lane, Surf Drive, etc. This is the 57-acre Shorehaven community, set apart from the rest of southern Bronx by its wall and security guards. Between 1949 and 1986, this property was the Shore Haven Beach Club, a member-only resort for working-class Bronxites.
In 1949, Mal Deitch and Joseph Goodstein transformed the defunct Clason Point Bathing and Amusement Park, into a private resort with a swimming pool, cabanas, playground, and a stage. Most of its clientele were working class and middle class Jews who resided in surrounding neighborhoods. Like a Catskills resort or a Miami Beach hotel, Shore Haven had a unique cultural feel of secular Jewish life that included stand-up comedians, singers, mah-jongg, and cocktails. By the 1980s the Bronx was more Hispanic than Jewish, and new residents did not join the club in large enough numbers.
Along with rising liability costs, Shorehaven’s expenses forced it to close. Memories of Shorehaven survive online, with former member Marc Miller compiling a collage of old photos for the Shorehaven Beach Club Facebook group.
As an amusement park, Clason Point was linked to the city by a ferry, competing for patrons with the North Beach Amusement Park across the East River, and Starlight Park on the Bronx River. The park has a tragic history with 6 deaths and 22 injured on June 11, 1922, when a storm blew down an operating ferris wheel. The amusement park closed in 1935.
The 1927 G. W. Bromley map of Clason Point shows the bungalow colony, amusement park, and the tip labeled as “Public Place.” It was a crowded district in contrast to today’s gated community.
Between 1906 and 1939, a ferry operated between Clason Point and College Point. The completion of the nearby Whitestone Bridge put the ferry out of business. On the above 1940 photo from the Municipal Archives, the ferry gantries stood unused in place for a few more years. Following the demise of the ferry, the tip of Clason Point reverted to parkland and was given its present landscape in the early 1990s.
This includes a scenic traffic circle as a terminus for Soundview Avenue with vistas of the East River and Whitestone Bridge.
Across the East River you can explore the northern shoreline of Queens and see the palatial homes of Malba.
Here you can also take the NYCFerry at the cost of a subway ride down to the Upper East Side, 34th Street, and Wall Street. At some point, we should do a Forgotten-NY cheapskate’s cruise aboard this ferry. We’ve haven’t yet had a floating ForgottenTour. My previous examples of exploring tips of land in the city include Throg(g)’s Neck, Breezy Point, and Kingsborough Community College.
Sergey Kadinsky is the author of Hidden Waters of New York City: A History and Guide to 101 Forgotten Lakes, Ponds, Creeks, and Streams in the Five Boroughs (2016, Countryman Press) and the webmaster of Hidden Waters Blog.
Please help contribute to a new Forgotten NY website
Check out the ForgottenBook, take a look at the gift shop, and as always, “comment…as you see fit.”
8/29/18
69 comments
Re Shorehaven Country Club, a similar case existed in Jackson Heights/East Elmhurst where the Jackson Heights Country Club existed until roughly the late 1970’s (????). It had a primarily Jewish membership,but that community left the city in the big Long Island suburban exodus, and the club closed. The location was 23rd avenue roughly 84th to 86th street (estimated). I believe they sold the property to a large church organization.
From the postcard, Shorehaven looks more “country” than Jackson Heights did. Even at its best, Jackson Heights was clearly in the city.
Great article!!!
As a young child in the early 60s, I remember seeing some members having a tense encounter with the Shorehaven Beach Club management at the entrance for trying to bring in some Black friends as guests. They were not allowed in.
Wow, I remember how that carried into the 70’s. I was still very young but remember being intimidated by the way my best friend was treated trying to go there with her siblings.
Nice tour, Sergey
I grew up on Beach Ave., and at that time, Shorehaven was NOT open to everyone, no Hispanics and no African Americans. So it want so wonderful for those of us looking in from the outside. I loved growing up there, and it is nice to see the green spaces that have been encouraged and purposefully developed, but we do need to recognize that even in our “melting pot,” life was different for many other “ working class” people.
Not true. We were Hispanic with the last name Ortiz. My family and many other Hispanics were members of Shorehaven from 1973 to when closed in the late 80’s.
I’m also one of those Hispanic families that lived in Harding Park and member of Shore Haven Beach Club (Sandoval) 1973- late 80s
Hi, Was your fathers’ name Victor? My X-wife lived at 535 Beach Ave and I lived at 534 St. Lawrence Ave around the corner.
Frank
Thanks for the memories.
A few more thoughts…….great carnival each year at the Clason Point firehouse…..parade each Memorial Day was a highlight to the neighborhood….book mobile came each week. Swimming in the East river…stick ball games every night…rollerskating on Soundview Ave. Sleighriding down Guildersleeve hill…Beach theater…Holy Cross. Wow what a wonderful childhood I had!
That’s how I remember it, the best part of summer was Shorehaven working there and friends that lasted for years!
My Dad did the lawn @ Shore Haven before I was born mid 50s . I remember fishing right by my Grandfather bungolaw in Harding Park right by water .
You are right. I grew up in a Bungalow on
Gildersleeve Ave, a stones throw from the
Shorhaven pool. We were poor and we’re not
welcome in the pool. It was only available to the
elites from the Concourse
Shore Haven: I remember it well. My family had memberships, 1962-66. It was like a 10 week long Bronx summit meeting: Parkchester (my contingent) met Soundview, Grand Concourse, Pelham Parkway, & other middle class Bronx neighborhoods. Over fifty years later it’s mostly gated & the middle class is long departed. The development I live in here in AZ is like a year round Shore Haven minus the waterfront & the ethnic overtones.
Ethnic overtones?
He’s a racist.
My aunt and uncle lived in Harding Park from the early thirty until he died Around 1960. I think his address was 507 Harding Park their names were Ella and Thomas Tierney ,he had a vegetable garden in the lot across the from his house,great memories .
Tom, I grew up at 1621 Harding Park. Not far from your
family. The name sounds familiar. I was young, 67 years ago
Thank you for this history on Clason Point. As a little girl, my neighbor who has a membership to the country club, used to take me every weekend. I now own a home there in one of the developments and to think this area is still making history. I hope to be here to see what it will look like in 20 years.
Wow Thank you so much for all your research. I truly enjoyed the memories
Frances, are you related to Nick and Philamena , and Johnny and Margie?
Great going down memory lane . I remember the parades at the monument right in front of Dr Granito’s office. My Aunt lived on Underhill Av I lived on Bolton Av , Commonwealth and last Thieriot Av. Went to Holy Cross School. My mom worked at the Beach Theater where you bought your ticket to get in. I moved to California in 1976 but I have to admit I miss New York very much. Thanks for sharing Betty.
McElroy?
Tom, I grew up at 1621 Gildersleeve @ Harding Park.
Not far from your family. The name sounds familiar. I was young, 67 years ago. I went to PS 69; swam in the East River, played in the Boat Yard; went to Holy Cross
Church; my dad and Grandfather were Lieutenants At
the Volunteer Fire Dept on Gildersleeve. My uncle rented a stool at Gleasons.
Hi Jo Ann, My name is Frank Sclafani.
I remember your mom and you. I worked at Gene’s candy store along with Butchie, Junior, Mel and Stevie. Your mon would
come in and talk to me and you would come in to hang out looking for the guys.
I enjoyed this trip down memory lane. I lived in a houseboat in Clason Point…It was a community at the very end of Soundview Ave….wish you had some photos of them. We owned our houses, bug not the land they were on…In the late 1950’s, Shorehaven bought the land and told us to move…We fought but lost…Miss my old neighborhood…
I lived in a houseboat on Pugsley’s creek. I knew the Davis brothers who lived in a houseboat at the end of the point also the Ferry Inn at the end
My name is George Harkinson and the Davis brothers, Tommy and Paul and their sister Pat are my cousins. I lived at 15 Soundview Ave until Shorehaven purchased the property
George was you sister Elizeibeth I went to PS 69 with her in the 5 & 6th grades
I was about to send a link to Elizabeth, George, then saw your name. Very excited. She was a neighbor and is still a
Friend. Loved the stories and photos of living on a houseboat in the Bronx. I came from the east Bronx.
I lived in clason point over 40 years and may i say i love where i from. What it was than is what it is know peaceful god bless our lilpuerto rico
I lived in Academy Gardens from birth (1943) until we moved to California in 1955. My last year in the Navy was in Washington, D.C. in 1964 and I still had many relatives in Clason Point so I made frequent visits until most moved to the Island or New Jersey. The friends who I still remember, were John McKeever, Joey Macek, Johnny Kaiser, Raymond Francis and Chuck Huber. Our next door neighbors were the Valenza family with 3 boys (Johnny, Frank and Joey).
Hi Bill, I also lived in the Academy Gardens from birth, (1942). My name is Alan and my comments are below on April 1st. I an my friends had a wonderful visit there 5 years ago and we toured the old neighborhood. We took a group photo on the Big Rock in the Back.
I went to P.S. 107 and then JHS 123. All my friends went to Shorehaven for many wonderful summers there enjoying life in the great neighborhood. Do remember that when we were kids, there was still a small farm with
cows down Soundview Avenue on a hill next to the intersection with Lafayette Avenue?
what a great trip down memory lane, I lived on Newman ave in Clason point from 1955 until 1970 and remember the great summer days at Shorehaven, The bungalow bar ice cream truck that passed down my street in the summer evenings and all the great fishing at the point.
My Dad did the lawn @ Shore Haven before I was born mid 50s . I remember fishing right by my Grandfather bungolaw in Harding Park right by water .
My family and I were members of Shorehaven from 1970-1986. The first time I saw the magnificent clover shaped pool I jumped right in. From that point, we participated in every sporting event like paddleball, shuffleboard, and softball tournaments (run by Mr Wilson). We also loved the live entertainment like Jackie Mason and Joan Rivers. It was like a giant summer camp, but you got to go home and sleep in your own bed at night. I couldn’t wait to go back the next day. I even was a lifeguard there for 4 years.
What a great read. We lived on Newman Ave in the 60’s in a house my great grandfather built down near the corner of Patterson, Families like the Nichols, the Potulins, the Stecks, the Heaters all with kids running in the streets until the lights came on or scavenging down in the old boat yard which became a dump with the firemen’s training pit. Walking to the candy store or the hardware store on Soundview. Great fond memories.
Are you speaking of Aubrey and Mary Nichols, they had a son, John and a daughter, can’t remember her name. I went steady with John from 1971 to 1977 but never married. I grew up from 1960 – 1976 on Pugsley just off of Cornell Ave. I was a member for a few years at Shorehaven then when I was old enough was able to work there in the office then as the baby pool lifeguard. It’s one of the best memories of my life growing up in Bronx.
Diana – used to be Klein or Barca
Love this! My sister and I grew up in Soundview/Clason Point, in the Soundview Projects from 1954-1967. Great memories growing up in Soundview, Bronx! I’ve been to the Clason Point Park with the view of the Whitestone Bridge. So lovely there. I definitely want to take the ferry from east 34th street to Clason Point. Such an interesting read! Thanks!
Our view from our kitchen window was the east river and the Empire state building. Looks left was the Long Island Sound.
Again a great read!
Great memories growing up in the Point. What a terrific place to grow up. I lived on Bolton Ave from 1953 to 1972 mom still lives there.
Hi Mike,
You have 4 brothers: George,Buddy,Walter and Robert. I remember you guys very well. I lived on Bolton until 1971. How’s it going? Your Dad and Mom were always good to me. I was like one of the family. Had many meals with you guys. went to Holy Cross School. I loved the area as well growing up there.
Great Site
Lived in Harding Park from 1945 till 60’s. All the great games at baseball field, parties at firehouse. We all learned to swim. Oh those sunburns.
Pat (Haughey) MacInnes.
Great Memories Here. I also lived in the Academy Gardens and went ever summer to Shorehaven. I recall the square dancing on Wednesday nights and social dancing on Saturday nights. On Memorial Day my Boy
Scout Troop would march to the Harding Park Memorial to WWI and then we would go to the VFW club on Lacomb Avenue for lunch. Of course many wonderful Saturday afternoons were spent in the Beach Theater
watching two full length movies and cartoons. When in university I did a report on the Siwanoy Indians who lived in Clason Point. Their village was supposedly located near the corner of Lacomb and Soundview Avenues.
I went to the emptly lot there with my friend and dug a hole looking for any traces. We found oyster shells at the bottom of the hole. A friend in later life was a Bronx Historian, Arther Seifert, who lived near Shorehaven.
He had a collection of arrowheads he found near Pugsley Creek. I also recall the parents of my friend playing bocci and horsehoes in the fields near the Academy Gardens. If anyone wishes to share memories with me,
contact me at aaron3@netvigator.com. Thanks and let us enjoy our memories.
The residents of Clason Point chipped in for that monument…….My Grandparents owned 338 Underhill over 50 years. We lived there, played there, worshipped there and were all family to each otheir. If I went back I think I would get lost……
Anyone who is enjoying this should look at I Miss Clason Point on Facebook! We have great pics and posts! I was born and raised 338 Underhill Ave> We moved inthe mid 70s .
Thelma Peragine Green . Thank you for posting this site. I lived on Husson Avenue and Underhill. Went to P.S. 107 P.S
69. Junior High 123 and graduated from James Monroe High in 1959.
Great read! My father was born and raised in Clason Point, being born in one of the bungalows within Glenz Estates, which was located at the intersection of Soundview and Gildersleeve (just behind the old ‘Paley’s Supermarket’). He moved one block away after his dad had a home built at 1945 Gildersleeve Ave., in 1925. The home stayed in the family for over 50 years.
Many great, warm memories of the area from frequent family visits.
I enjoyed reading about Clason Point. I lived on Newman Avenue from 1954 to 1962 when I moved to California. My mother had a large group of women friends who played Canasta. Friends were the Verheyens,
Peragines (I see Thelma’s post above), Grazianos & many others. I haven’t bee back to the Bronx since 1967 when I attended Barbara Verheyen’s wedding.
I was probably four years old and remember taking the bus to Shorehaven with my mother from Parkchester.
Thank you for the article. My 2x great grandparents owned Kane’s until it burned down. I love reading accountings of this area as it was so important to my family at that time – and that was passed down through the generations.
Hi Sandy, my mom, Anne Nestler was baptized at Kane’s almost 97 years ago. Holy Cross Parish wasn’t established yet so the Franciscan Friars would hold services at the casino. She still lives, and is doing great, in the house that my grandfathers brother built on Bolton Ave. we were all born and raise in the same house. I have the original portable pump organ that the Franciscans would bring on Sunday’s to Kane’s.
I’ve wondered how old Holy Cross Parish is. Shortly after we moved to the area in 1963, the old church was condemned and torn down. I received the sacraments in the school. Finally, the new church opened at the end of the 60s or early 70s. Do you know the age of the parish? Thanks.
mike maher i lived in the academy gardens in the i remember rudys candy store peppermint bar shoe repair beer garden etc beach movie theater VFW for saturday movies in the early1950 my family lived in rudd place my cousin was a life guard at shorehaven pool my aunt had a small deli near the water fond memories we moved to L.I.in 1956 i went to ps 107 ps 69 holy cross church .
Small adjustment Mike, the candy store was called Ruby’s and across the street was Worth’s Grocery Store and they were my neighbors in 521 Commonwealth Avenue.
Best wishes and good health,
Alan
My mom’s grandma (named Carmody) lived in 309 Underhill. I was told it had been built by her son-in-law (my grandpa, named Maurer). Originally it was a tent on a platform that they spent summers in. It’s a tiny place, but still standing. The rest of the year they lived up on Webb Ave. Eventually they moved in year round. My mom lived there with her folks and swam in the east river (and caught polio back in the day of the Sister Kenney treatments). She made her first communion at Holy Cross.
I have great memories of Clason Point. I lived at Academy Gatdens till about 1953 when we moved to my Grandfather’s (Clifford Beck)house at 352 White Plains Rd. I went to PS 69. Both my parents (Joseph Bell & Muriel Beck)were born and raised in Clason Point. We went to Dr Granito. I, too emember the Memorial Day Parade and the Beach Movie theatre. Miss those days.
Hi Muriel,
I also lived in the Academy Gardens from around 1942 to around 1960 and went to P.S. 107. I think my sister went to P.S. 69. Hope all is well and safe with you in these challenging times.
I grew up Soundview Ave&Beach Ave neighborhood 1966-74.Wondering if any of my ol friends from back then still
around or someone knows them and how to get in touch.
Thanks!
Iran Dandridge, Mario Vernon, Ruben Ruiz, Eddie
Gonzalez,Luis and Robert Baez
Hello to all of you who at one time lived in Clauson Pt. and Harding…..
I was born in the Bronx O’brien Ave..1944..Moved to 227 Pugsley Ave at the dead end concrete wall still there. all the comments brings back lots of great memories.
Mom and dad married at Holy Cross. Went to school there most Sisters were great a couple no so. Went to Shorehaven when I was young, my Grandfather (Stanley Samson) was the Head painter
If you remember those chairs Adirondack chairs in the off season I remember him painting every one bright red, blue, green and white.Life guards would put on shows of diving and
clowning around off the high boards in the center of the pool….If any one is old enough to remember the ferry towers at the end of Soundview I used to climb the inside up to the top
was not to smart. neither was the boys who went with me. First job I had was in the third grade after school on Wednesdays setting up chairs in the hall next to school (Holy Cross}) for WEDNESDAY
NIGHT BINGO….And taking them down all for 50 cents a week big $ then..me and Eugene Mc Carthy, His dad was in Charge of Bingo set up.
The good times swimming in the River at the end of Soundview. Is it the East or the Bronx River? we would try to swim over to Ferry Point Park but never made it
, we were only 9,10, or 11. Had a lot of friends from around the neighborhood , stick ball base ball, cards nickel dime stuff. I remember the Cola family on Gildersleeve next to the deli on the cornor
Tommy an I were buddies and A boy named Derek was tall than us.Just good memories all around . When did they get rid of Reardon’s bar on Soundview and Gildersleeve, Grampa’s hang out
after work at pool… my job was to get him at supper time says Grandma. My mom bought the house on Pugsley Ave from Mr. Nelson who built it (1946-470 and lived next door. And there was Judge Greer
who lived across the street, the Kokindo’s The Nelsons and Hoffmans Eddie and Joey. Bruce and the cute girl up the street who owned the gas station on the triangle of Obrien and Soundview.
Getting late and this is making me want to enjoy and remember a great childhood in THE BRONX. For the record I became a history teacher retired now and also a Restaurant owner in Montauk, NY with my wife Jan… Place was called O’Murphy’s Pub on the circle in the center of town. We’re retired now down in Florida. GOOD TO KNOW THAT THERE ARE SO MANY OF YOU WHO ENJOYED
GROWING UP THE NEIGHBORHOOD. WISH YOU ALL GOOD HEALTH AND LONG LIVES
Hi…. Reading the comments of old Point residents and seeing photos of Shorehaven brings tears to my eyes….I
lived on the corner of Newman and Gildersleeve Avenue at the bottom of them”Hill” from 1940 to 1961 and my
parents stayed on for 35 years….I road the trolley from Gildersleeve straight up Soundview to Westchester Ave….My mother shopped at Paley’s and our property was adjacent to Glens Estate….I remember the “night” baseball games iin the”field” where my cousin was picked up by the Boston Red Socks….The homes on stilts at the tip of the Point;
one house was named “Journeys End” which later became my email address….Swimming in the Pugsley Creek,
playing in the ruins of Kane’s Park, doing the Classon Pt “Crawl” at the mouth of the large sewer on Soundview
before Shorehaven was built, Harding Park, the “Momument”, Higgs Lumber, the candy Store across from the
Monument, Dr. Granito, so much more….I worked in Shorehaven from 1954 to 1958 to pay my school tuition, then
brought my children from 1963 to 1970….Such fabulous memories for all of us….Shorehaven was paradice.
I remember members arriving in limos dressed in long gowns and tuxedos for “Dancing Under The Stars” every
Saturday night Square Dancing on Wednesday nights. The most Fabulous place to grow uupmin
My grandma, Anna Burrows Honan, and I discovered this article together. She wanted me to share that she’s still alive and kicking at the age of 92. She enjoyed seeing her old stomping grounds (she lived on 1411 Harding Park in Clason Point in the 30s-40s).
I and a friend had some wonderful teenage years in the 50’s being members of Shorehaven Beach Club. Great memories!
I just looked up Soundview Ave. to my surprise the Apartment we lived in is still there. We lived across the street from Shorehaven pool. We moved from the apartment in 1952. The family needed more
room. So we moved to Plainedge Long Island. Some of the sights haven’t changed the apartment still has the side parking an old garage in back. The swampy wet marsh is built on now. I remember
the people hated the giant bull frogs that inhabited the marsh they were so loud people could not sleep. My father would fish at the end of the River. There were summer homes built on docks which people in
habited year round. It had many different nationalities Irish Jewish. Italian and Germans. I was seven when we moved, but we would go back and visit friends. I didn’t see the old school. I did see the Holy Cross
Church we went to. I was Baptized there. This web site brought back nice memories of a happy times in my childhood the neighborhood had so many children. The one thing I never understood when I was a
child why I could go to Shorehaven pool. I do remember my mother telling me about the accident at the amusement park. She never gave me to many details. My parents knew the Bronx was changing. They
wanted us in better schools with trees and grass lawns.
I lived at 222 Newman Ave from 1948 to 1959 when my parents moved to Florida. I used to look from our front gate and see Shorehaven, but never had the money to get in. I spent countless hours with my friends in “The Woods” on Stephens Ave, which is now Pugsley Park. We did all the stupid kid things that kids do. Lots of fun and good times. I can picture every nook and cranny of PS69 and James Kiernan JHS.
Hi, I lived on Taylor Ave in Clason Point until I was 10 our family name is Paolillo…..
I grew up on St. Lawrence Ave. in Clawson point didn’t have enough money to go to Shorehaven but we used to sneak in once in a while it was beautiful and how I wish I was a member. I do remember going fishing down at the point and taking the bus up back to Randall ave lives right up the block from the beach theater so many movies, there Christopher Lee, Dracula, movies true grit, and even the Muhammad Ali Rocky Marciano computer fight used to go to Rubys candy store all the time it was across the street from the peppermint bar which is also candy store and there was a small grocery store on that block which is Commonwealth Avenue. I was actually born on Barrett Avenue, which ran right along Pugsley Creek behind White Plains Rd.
I lived at 534 St Lawrence Ave. from 1951 to 1966. My girlfriend lived at 535 BeachAve. I worked in Genes’ candy store on the corner of Beach and Randall Ave. Went to the old Holy Cross school and then the new one. Hung out on the corner of the candy store with my friends Butchie, Tommy, Johnny Boy, Billy and and a bunch of other guys. Always went to the Beach movies. Worked at Shorehaven in the summer. I remember going to the cafeteria and waiting to be called by Mr. Ricter to work. If you weren’t picked to work, he would say “enjoy the day here at the club” Also remember Tony’s Pizza next to the movies. He gave me drum lessons in the back after hours.