Bookstore at the Ross Pavilion, North End, Boardwalk. Ocean Grove, New Jersey 1907. Submitted by Rich Amole, Blogfinger historian and reporter. Click to enlarge.
Hi Paul:
This wonderful image at the northern end of Ocean Grove is from a post card taken at the Ross Pavilion in 1907 showing a number of ladies gathered in front of the bookstore in their Victorian Dresses. Close inspection of the reading material shows a few shelves with hard back covers, and perhaps the shop owner, noticeable on the left side of the scene, peers out over pamphlets and other soft covered reading material with prices ranging from two indian head pennies to one Morgan Dollar and change.
In addition to a few shops there was a pavilion that would assist residents and visitors with their bathing needs and access to the beach. There also was an open air auditorium with a bandstand for live music.
Rich
Source: Ebay. 2014.
Back in 1907, here’s a Springsteen song , “Old Dan Tucker,” which they may have played over at the Ross Pavilion.
The NYT of August 18, 1888, mentioned:
“Some excitement has been created through the Grove by an edict which has gone forth from the association forbidding the sale of novels and works of fiction at any time within the town…In case this action does not break up the practice of novel reading during the hours which should be devoted to religious observances, they will prohibit the reading of novels in Ocean Grove, as well as their importation.”
Things were liberalized by the early 20th century with amusements not being considered a sinful activity.
If you like anything Springsteen ever did, this song track posted above you got to hear. I liked it after one verse. Let’s hear it for “Old Dan Tucker”.
Editor’s note: The 2006 album called “We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions” is the only non-Springsteen album that Bruce ever made. It is drawn from 13 of Pete Seeger’s folk songs. Springsteen made the album at his Colts Neck farm. He used musicians who were known for this style playing, and his wife Patty Scialfo participated.
The song Old Dan Tucker has its roots in black minstrel music. Published sheet music for this song has been around since 1843.
Below is the album cover.–Paul
https://blogfinger.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/220px-seeger_sessions.jpg