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Q: What made
you choose Asbury Park as a topic for a history book?
A:
My years as an international travel writer and
photographer along
with my growing interest in New Jersey
history prompted me to revisit favorite scenes from
my childhood and where I landed my
first job in journalism – at the Asbury
Park
Press.
Q: How did
you trace the
history of Asbury Park?
A: Rare
photographs, hand bills, unusual matchbooks,
advertisements, menus and postcards
enabled me to recreate a residential resort that no longer exists.
Q: Why do you
think people
came to Asbury Park?
A:
It began with the late 19th century trend of
rest
and relaxation in the out-of-doors. As
the new century progressed, people came for boardwalk amusements, entertainment, and for jobs and a good
education for their children. Asbury
Park was a
lively alternative to the religiously strict Ocean Grove, and more
family- friendly than Long
Branch
with its dance halls and gambling parlors.
Q: What were
the four peaks
of popularity between 1890 and 1980?
A:
The Gay Nineties; the Roaring Twenties; the Nifty ‘50s;
the Kodachrome
‘60s.
Q: What were Asbury Park's main
attractions in the 1960's?
A:
The boardwalk, the Palace Amusements, concerts in
Convention
Hall, opera in the Paramount Theatre, national
touring acts in the Casino, local movie premieres,
fine department store shopping, and dining.
Q:
What movies were made in Asbury Park?
A:
Scenes from a variety of movies were shot in Asbury
Park, including The Projectionist,
The Lemon
Sisters, Eddie and the Cruisers, City
by the Sea, Homeboy, and
Earthly Possessions. A
slew
of music videos were also shot in Asbury
Park.
Q:
What significant styles of architecture exist
in Asbury Park?
A:
The entire city boasts a rich inventory which includes
Queen
Anne Victorian, Gothic, Federal
Revival, Beaux Arts, art deco, and art moderne.
Q:
Why has Asbury Park always been linked to the music industry?
A:
There is a rich tradition going back to famed trombonist,
Arthur Pryor, who put the resort
on his touring itinerary when he formed his own band.
Since then, various
musical groups – from swing to jazz to
opera to rock-and-roll – have taken
up residence. Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon
Jovi, and Southside Johnny and the
Asbury Jukes are the more recognizable rock and blues names.
Q:
What brought about the city's eventual
downfall?
A:
It was gradual, beginning with the opening of shore exits
along
the Garden State Parkway
in the 1950s. This signaled a major
shift from train travel to automobile vacations. Summer vacations also became shorter, which
triggered economic unrest. In
addition, there was unprofessional city
management, and the middle-class flight
of both white and black residents to the post-war suburbs opening up outside of Asbury
Park.
Q: What is Asbury Park like today? What are the factors bringing it back?
A: It
is a city on the cusp of a 21st century renaissance. There is fresh real estate investment
with the restoration of historic
buildings as well as signs of modern construction.
New businesses are opening and there is a
push to improve the public school
system. It has become quite a dining
destination, and there is a vibrant
cultural scene with theater, art and music.
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