Growing up as a young boy in Newark NJ
during the early part of the 1960s, I began to realize that New
Jersey's largest city provided many interesting things to do and
places to enjoy. Eventually, I discovered at its epicenter in Downtown
Newark, the busy intersection of Broad and Market Street, also known
as Four Corners. This was where people of every race and religion,
both rich and poor would mingle, playing their part in a great American
melting pot experience. As I reminisce about some of my own nostalgic
experiences, I realize how very lucky I was to also be there at
this important time and special place in American history.
In 1960, I was 10 years old living in a North Newark public housing
project. I used to earn money by finding empty soda bottles that
I would return to local stores so I could receive the 2 & 5¢
deposit refunds. One day I met an older boy named Michael who told
me about a place called, “Downtown.” He explained that
there were stores filled with toys for sale, and even though we
had no money to buy any of them, we could still play with the ones
that were on display for free. That was all the convincing I needed
for me to board the 10¢ independent #18 bus to the place that
would become my frequent playground throughout the next decade.
I felt a sense of awe the first time I stepped off the bus onto
one of the Four Corners. In every direction I looked were vast numbers
of department stores, movie theaters, commercial businesses, historical
sites and places to eat.
We decided to head up Market Street to inspect a massive ten-story
department store named Bamberger's. Upon entering, I was amazed
by seeing an escalator for the first time in my life. It was fun
riding up several flights on these futuristic steps to the toy department.
There I discovered a giant room filled with shelves of toys. I felt
like I had arrived in paradise! Later back at home, I was happy
to have found an enjoyable place I could always go to, even in some
of my darkest hours. The lyrics of Petula Clark's 1964 hit song
Downtown expressed my sentiments when she sang: “When you're
alone and life is making you lonely you can always go – downtown.
When you've got worries, all the noise, and the hurry - Seems to
help, I know – downtown. Just listen to the music of the traffic
in the city. How can you lose?”
Sometimes my friends and I would play in Military Park on Broad
Street. The park featured the bronze statute Wars of America, created
by Gutzon Borglum. The colossal monument was comprised of forty-two
humans and two horses set on a massive granite base. I remember
we would have fun playing on the statute a form of tag called, “army.”
One of my favorite places, I used to love to go to was the pinball
arcade on Market Street. The mesmerizing sights and sounds of the
nickel a game pinball machines captivated me. And right down the
street was a pizzeria with delicious 15¢ slices. On the corner
was Nedicks renowned for their hot dogs and signature orange drink
that I always found to be a treat.
On Market street was the Army & Navy store with a large selection
of inexpensive clothes. Another store offering low-budget merchandise
was fittingly named John's Bargain Store. Unfortunately, I hardly
ever had any money at this time in my life. Nevertheless, I always
enjoyed feeling like I was on an adventurous journey. I never got
bored exploring the many department stores such as S. Klein On The
Square, Haynes, Kresge, and Orbach. They competed with each other
selling everything imaginable while keeping pace with the rapidly
changing styles and trends. I still have vivid recollections of
when iridescent pants and high-roll shirts became the latest fashion
rage. Bright color Banlon shirts also quickly became a fad. I admired
the stylish Italian knit shirts. They were expensive but still sold
well because they helped make anyone wearing one look distinctly
modern.
Thom McAn, a shoe store on Market Street began to sell Beatle-boots
because the rock & roll group The Beatles wore them. These were
an ankle-high, Cuban-heeled style boot with a pointed toe that I
imagined would help to make me look cool too. Eventually, I was
able to buy a pair with money earned selling Newark Evening News
newspapers on McCarter Highway.
I will never forget being on Broad Street in Woolworth's, as part
of a crowd, watching a demonstration of a new invention. The salesman
was swirling eggs around in a Teflon coated frying pan. His, “never
to stick” sales pitch claim convinced a lot of people to purchase
this amazing $1.00 cooking innovation. A block away was McCrory's.
The store had a photo-booth that my friends and I would cram inside
to take fun snapshots.
At the free Newark Public Library, on Washington Street, was the
fun, safe place where I began a lifelong passion for reading. There
I discovered a huge endless treasure of books that sparked my imagination
and curiosity for knowledge. From there I would take a short walk
up Washington Street to The Newark Museum. I marveled at the major
collections of American art and extensive art from around the world.
I became fascinated with astronomy from exploring exhibitions in
the museum's planetarium. Behind the museum, I would unwind in a
beautiful garden with sculptures and then visit the historical Newark
Fire Museum that I thought was interesting.
I was often drawn back to downtown Newark because of my love for
the movies that were shown in the spectacular theaters built back
during the Vaudeville era. They had ornate architecture consisting
of high-lighted dome ceilings, balconies, brass railings, and huge
curtains that would open before and close after each movie presentation.
I recall paying 25¢ for admission to the Adams Theater on Branford
Place, and 10¢ for popcorn. The show began featuring cartoon
previews of Popeye the Sailor Man and Mighty Mouse. Then followed
was a series of short films of the comedy slapstick team The 3 Stooges,
Moe, Larry & Curly.
Another of my memorable movie experiences in Newark was at the Elmwood
Theater. There I was spellbound by the striking visual effects of
Jules Verne's, Mysterious Island science fiction classic. I was
enchanted watching on the big screen castaways fighting giant crabs
and birds while hoping to be rescued before the deserted isle volcano
erupts. At the Paramount Theater on Market Street, I viewed Goldfinger,
the third in a series of James Bond spy films. I still can recall
the lyrics of the unforgettable 1965 hit song Goldfinger, sung by
Shirley Bassey.
Throughout the 1960s decade, I enjoyed seeing dozens of extraordinary
movies in the theaters throughout downtown Newark. In the RKO Proctors,
I received an important history lesson of when Spartacus, starring
Kurt Douglas led a gladiator revolt against the Roman Empire. The
cinematic classic depicted a compassionate story of men who fought
against being held in bondage and oppressive tyranny. The Bradford
was another one of my favorite theaters where I would go to see
blockbuster films such as The Great Escape. The compelling film
was based on a true story of allied POWs escaping from a Nazi prison
camp in WWII. I held my breath when Steve McQueen made a daring
motorcycle jump over a barbwire fence. In 1967 in the Loew's Theater
on Broad Street, I watched In The Heat Of The Night, the groundbreaking,
thought-provoking film about race relations in America. Sidney Poitier
portrayed Detective Tibbs, a black detective from Philadelphia,
who becomes involved with a murder investigation in racially explosive,
rural Mississippi. A bigoted, white sheriff reluctantly seeks his
help to find the truth. In the process, Detective Tibbs gains the
respect, and friendship of the southern police Chief. The film won
the Academy Award Oscar for Best Picture that I believed it truly
deserved.
Sometimes I used to walk up Market Street to sit on the bench
attached to the side of the inspiring, bronze statue of Abraham
Lincoln, overlooking the front of the Old Essex County Courthouse.
The magnificent, larger than life sculpture, provided me not only
physical comfort but, also uplifting my belief that courageous people
with integrity did exist. While I sat in contemplation next to Lincoln,
I felt I belonged, and was a part of this diverse, great city. This
strengthened my faith in humanity, leading to my better understanding
and acceptance of others.
As a young man, I was faced with difficult fundamental questions
of what I should do in life. One day while walking on Raymond Boulevard
my eyes became fixed on Newark Penn Station. The impressive Art-Deco
designed major transportation complex seemed to beckon me toward
it. I watched people bustling about in their rush to board transport
upon the multiple train rail and bus carriers leading to any destination
in the world. I began to realize with a calm clarity that my future
was filled with endless possibilities too. Growing up in Newark
prepared me with confidence and optimism for my journey in life
along the roads ahead.
Written January 26, 2020 – February 18, 2020, by ALFRED SONNY
PICCOLI Bloomfield NJ
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