Chewing out a rhythm on my bubble gum
The sun is out and I want some
It's not hard, not far to reach
We can hitch a ride
To Rockaway Beach
-The Ramones
This song by the Ramones was playing everywhere when I was a teenager, and I loved the song and the band because they came from Queens like I did. When it was hot and we kids wanted to get to the beach, Rockaway was the place to go because it could be reached quickly and easily as the song indicates, even without hitching a ride. I have very fond memories of going to Rockaway Beach, but that was a long time ago in a place that seems very far, far away.
A while back I wrote about taking a trip down to Coney Island, and it was a positive visit for me. I mentioned that New Yorkers felt that it was their best beach, and I received a few complaints about that comment, noting that Rockaway Beach in Queens was as good or better than Coney Island. In the interest of fair play and refreshing my own rusty memories, I took my trusty camera and ventured down to Rockaway Beach (I've not been there in about 25 years) to see for myself.
The history of Rockaway Beach is similar to Coney Island in that it was considered a resort area in the early 1900s. The Indian name "Reckowacky" (the place of bright waters) became anglified, and because of the large numbers of Irish immigrants settling in the area, it was sometimes called "Irish Town" because they were the ones working in the hotels, bars, and Playland, the large amusement park that opened on the ocean front in 1901.
Playland as it was in the early 1960s before its sad decline.
The boom times for Rockaway Beach lasted until after World War II, and Playland with its roller coasters, numerous other rides, and Olympic-size swimming pool attracted millions of people over the years. By the late 1970s, the place was sadly in decline. While the amusement park still opened its gates to the public, everything seemed to be rickety and the luster of the old days was long gone.
Article comments
1 - John Lake
How nice to read a fine article about the beach at “Far Rockaway”! Many years ago I found myself, a young man then, stranded and broke in Manhattan. If I said I lived in a W. House near central park, who would believe me? Depressing it was. The poor girls sit in the lobby all day, only rising to climb the stairs with this or that (or those) strange and hungery man or men.
Being depressed, and wanting mostly to get home to Illinois, a biker without a bike situation, I told myself I’d see how the summer day went, and based on that make plans for the future.
I took the subway, and out to the end of the line at Rockaway.
At that time the boardwalk was accompanied by two-story wooden buildings, with arcades, cotton candy, music, and the like. The beach was fine. I could just see the amusement park in the far distance. The Ferris wheel remains in my mind.
I always walk. I started walking along the Ocean, and kept going for the longest time. I walked and walked. Eventually, in my cut-off Levi shorts and raggedy tee-shirt I came to a dilapidated fence of wire. Curious as I am, I clamored over that fence, and kept walking. Naked People!! I was a young man, with the usual fire in my proverbial loins, and had encountered naked people. Many of them were girls!
I walked up the beach and sat on the sand. I was perhaps 5 feet from a young girl, about 21 years, but looking even younger, and her teenaged boy friend -- sans attire!
I wonder now if the Nude Section, upon which I had stumbled is still in use. I made my decisions based on one of the most memorable days in my life, and eventually I even made it home.
The cab driver when I left called it the “Nudey Beach”.
2 - Victor Lana
Really great story, John.
I do recall that beach being there years ago. I do not know if it is still around. Probably not if you judge from what they've done around the city, even to Times Square.
Thanks for the comment!
3 - joey boots
b116th is by far one of the worst blocks. most storefronts are closed, the hotels have been turned into SRO's for the city's worst residents. derelicts loiter the whole block aggressively begging for money day and nite. very bad beware