Buckroe Beach Hampton

Buckroe Beach
Hampton, VA 23664

Vintage Personal Photos
and Memories

http://www.nnhs65.com/buckroe-beach.html

N. Mallory Street
at Atlantic Avenue

05/23/04

Courtesy of Frances Goodson Wang ('65) of MD - 01/24/04
Thanks, Frances!

http://www.nnhs65.com/buckroe-amusement.html

http://www.nnhs65.com/buckroe-BW.html

http://www.nnhs65.com/carousel.html

http://www.nnhs65.com/penny-arcade.html

THEN:

Sunday, June 26, 1949

Courtesy of Dave Spriggs ('64) of VA - 04/29/04

Every now and then an image comes along which is so clear, so evocative of the moment, that I am almost literally transported
back to the days of my childhood, bringing back memories so crisp and clean I can not only smell them but taste them.
This is one of those pictures.
Thank you so much, Dave! This is a true treasure.

- Carol Buckley Harty of NC - 04/30/04


THEN:
Ahh, Buckroe! The sand, the sun, the stinging nettles, the seaweed, the sunburn, the snowcones, and the cotton candy! What could be more perfect on a hot summer's day?!?
	Summer 1954 Eleanor Buckley ('59) - almost 13 Carol Buckley ('65) - almost 7
- Carol Buckley Harty ('65) of NC - 05/01/03


My father was Chief of the Domiciliary Clinic at the Veteran's Administration Hospital at Kecoughtan. Once a month, he was requited to be Officer of the Day, a rather insane practice which required that physician to stay on duty for 24 hours. On such days my mother would drive him to work so we wouldn't be left without transportation. The next day she'd take my sister Eleanor ('59) and me along to pick him up at 4:30 when he finished work. As often as not, Daddy would suggest we'd drive to nearby Buckroe Beach to watch the ships. Unlike the "submarine races" along Chesapeake Boulevard, these were actual ships and boats. He could sit for hours, both fascinated and mesmerized by their movements - and sometimes we did just that. We had our own regular spot at the end of whatever street that is that was between the roller coaster and the San Souci Motel - would that have been Point Comfort Avenue?	This was a regular ritual for our family. But one time was special. It was Christmas Day of 1955. The Peninsula was enjoying record high temperatures that day. It was such a gorgeous day, in fact, that Daddy suggested we all go to Buckroe to watch the ships. I recall I was wearing the same white organdy dress I had worn for Easter that year. (Yes, Jimmy, I always remember what I wore for such important moments of my life, Christmas Eve of 1962 included!) Daddy and I were the only ones who wanted to do this; Mama and Eleanor thought it sounded colossally boring, so the two of us went alone – with no coats. They just weren’t necessary that day. It was no doubt colder on the beach itself, but we stayed in the car, parked in our usual vantage spot, and just watched the ships for the longest time, entranced by the way they appeared to be little toy boats. It was a very simple, quiet thing, but I'll always remember it
- Carol Buckley Harty ('65) of NC - 04/16/04

In June of 1963, my sorority, Theta Delta Chi, had raised enough money to spend a week at Buckroe Beach. We had wanted to spend a week at Virginia Beach, so we sold Krispy Kreme donuts every Saturday and held a car wash or two until we accumulated a bundle. But that first summer we only raised enough to go to Buckroe, not Virginia Beach, which wasn’t nearly as exotic in our minds. But we rented a cabin, and off we went. Unfortunately, it rained all week, and we spent much of our time lolling around the cabin instead of soaking up the sun and meeting guys (which after all was the major reason we were there). The cabin next to ours housed a bunch of guys from Hampton – also bored and disappointed.	On one particularly dreary day early in the week, Katie Haan ('64) and I were lazing around on the upstairs screened-in sun deck porch thingie, when I became so bored and frustrated, I let out a really loud Tarzan yell. In all modesty, I must say I do a better – and louder – Tarzan yell than even Carol Burnett. Some of the other girls ran out to see what was going on. We all got to giggling, and I did several more just for the fun of it. But suddenly, we started hearing more Tarzan yells – and more and more. Then we realized that the fellows next door had tape recorded them, and were playing them back at us! And they continued to do so all week long!!! Ah well – at least we weren’t bored anymore – embarrassed, but not bored.
- Carol Buckley Harty ('65) of NC - 04/16/04

Ahhh, Buckroe Beach…….now there are some good memories. Everyone drove slowly by the beach……..go to the end, turn around, and drive back the other way…….go to the end……you get the idea. It was like Shoney’s on Pembroke Avenue……the place to ride around and be seen. Where was I? Oh, yeh, Buckroe……..besides the sand and the boys, my best memory is going to Barney’s on the corner and getting French fries and a soda.	(Should I post a picture?) But young adults did not go there at night because it was one of those “beer joints” (aka really bad places) along the street. So, it was a huge deal when my brother Mel (HHS/56) took me there one night. And the amusement park…….. loved the roller coaster, snow cones, and DANCING in the pavilion!
- Gloria Woolard Price (HHS - '65) of FL - 02/16/05 Thanks, Gloria! Oh, by all means - send us a picture - we'd love it!

THEN:
	I used to sing at Pier One both in the restaurant and on the pier... seems like another lifetime ago!
- Cheryl Mays Howard ('66) of VA - 03/17/05 Thanks, Cheryl!

THEN:
Carol, I did find a few Buckroe pictures, but most of them have us in them! I'll send a couple anyway. Here's a couple you might get a kick out of. These were black and white polaroids of my Dads. I thought you might get a kick out of them even though they don't show much. I had asked my brother about a bar called Barney's the I remember walking past. We were definitely not allowed in any "beer joints" at the time. My brother said it was "The swinginest place on the beach" -- he also mentioned a place next door that had a big slot car racing track inside. Heck I'd have fun with slot cars now, I vaguely remember something like that - I found a picture of the lighthouse at Point Comfort which must be the one that I remember climbing up the round stairs inside to go to the top. It looked a lot bigger and higher than than it did when I saw the picture...
	*Image Temporarily (I hope)* Missing in Action...**
Here we are under the shower chain pull at Todd's? cottages. (My mom talked about staying at Al's Motel, Brown's cottages, and Todd's cottages). I can't remember which was which. By the way, I'm the Indians fan here. About 1965 I think. That scrawny guy getting me wet is my older brother.	Speaking of Swinging. Here's us in front of the Swingin Gyms - Two brothers and our best friend went that year (probably 65). Once my brothers got yelled at for not stopping these things when the guy told 'em to stop. There was some kind of foot brake on those things they used.... Anyway here it is. Note the mandatory skinhead haircuts we had at the time. My dad would say give those boys a "nice" haircut, which meant a Butch. I realize these don't show up very well. I just thought you might get a kick out of 'em.
- Paul Gregor (Springfield HS, OH - '79) of OH - 03/24/06 (but incredibly not posted until 01/08/07!) WOWZERS! Thanks, Paul!

THEN:
Check these out for old times....






THAT'S ALL FOLKS!
Someone sent these pictures of Buckroe Beach . I think they range from the 1940's to the 60's. Thought you might want to include some in the news letter - Dale Mueller ('64) of VA - 12/10/06 ***************************************** A little trip down memory lane. What were you doing when these pictures where taken? If you can identify or have some knowledge, please sent it to Carol! - Bill Hobbs ('66) of Northern VA - 12/10/06 *************************************** These are great Buckroe photos forward to me. I am sure if you contacted the originator, he would give you permission to post. - Jerry Gammon ('63) of VA - 12/10/06 *************************************** Those are terrific images ... someone's Brownie box camera, no doubt. They will look great in one or more newsletters and on the Buckroe page. - Dave Spriggs ('64) of VA - 12/11/06 *************************************** I just received this from a friend and thought you would like to see these pictures. I am not sure if you can download them for the Buckroe site. From the looks of the ones with storm damage might be after hurricane Hazel around 1955. - June Veneris Collie (HHS - 62) of VA - 12/16/06 *************************************** I tried sending these before, they must have not made the trip. So, I'll try again - Jerry Blanchard ('62) of VA - 12/18/06 *************************************** Someone sent these to my brother, Mel Woolard (HHS - '56) of VA. I don't know the years, but looks like from a long time ago to maybe early 60s. Oh, how I long for those wonderful Buckroe days! - Gloria Woolard Price (HHS - '65) of FL - 12/19/07 *************************************** Here are some more pictures of Buckroe that were sent to me. They cover a long span of time as you can see by the bathing suits - Bruce Sims ('56) of VA - 01/09/07 ***************************************** FINALLY POSTED on 01/10/07 Thanks so much, Everyone!

THEN:
I saw mention of Buckroe in the Spider Man newsletter (1/05/07). Here are some images that might be of interest.

The first image is of two tickets left over from long ago years for rides in the amusement park.	The other shows stores that lined the boardwalk. The roller coaster is visible in the background over the stores. The people in the picture are my sisters, me, and our mother. My sister, Joanne, Class of 1962, is on the left eating a candy apple. I am in the middle, also eating a candy apple, and my sister, Rose, Class of 1960, is on the right, next to our mother, finishing cotton candy. A fifth unidentified person was apparently behind my mother, but the camera caught only her feet.	Then I found another picture of the store fronts on the Boardwalk at Buckroe. My sister, Rose, (Class of 1962) is crossing the street to the beach with her cotton candy. My guess is that the pictures of the Buckroe storefronts were probably taken around 1955, maybe 1954.
Hope everyone enjoys these pictures.
- Aretie Gallins Patterson ('59) of Northern VA - 01/07/07 Enjoys them?!? OH, yeah! These are priceless treasures, Aretie, especially for those of us who had forgotten the richness of detail which you always recall with such clarity! Thank you so very much!
WOW!!! Those certainly capture the moment. You can almost taste the hot dogs and french fries they sell .... (with apologies to The Drifters) I bet you get some great comments when you post them.
- Dave Spriggs ('64) of VA - 01/07/07 Thanks, David! I just did!

The Sand and the Sea

Artist: Nat King Cole
Words and Music by Hal Hester and Barry Parker, 1955

If I find peace of mind in the sand and the sea,
There's a hope in my heart that you'll soon be with me,
There's a prayer that I share with the sand and the sea,
And it cries "Come to me, come to me."

As my eyes search the skies from the edge of the shore,
You are here in my arms for a moment or more,
Then a tear rushes down to the sand and the sea,
And it cries "Come to me, come to me."

But as long as there's sand, as long as there's sea,
As long as there's time, I'll wait hopefully.
As long as there's heaven up above,
Let the sand and the sea bring my love to me.

But as long as there's sand, as long as there's sea,
As long as there's time, I'll wait hopefully.
As long as there's heaven up above,
Let the sand and the sea bring my love to me.

Under the Boardwalk

Artist: The Drifters

When the sun beats down
And burns the tar up on the roof
And your shoes get so hot
You wish your tired feet were fireproof

Under the boardwalk
Down by the sea
On a blanket with my baby
Is where I'll be

(Under the boardwalk) Out of the sun
(Under the boardwalk) We'll be having some fun
(Under the boardwalk) People walking above
(Under the boardwalk) We'll be making love
(Under the boardwalk, boardwalk)

From the park you'll hear
The happy sound of a carousel
You can almost taste the hot dogs
And French fries they sell

Under the boardwalk
Down by the sea, yeah
On a blanket with my baby
Is where I'll be

(Under the boardwalk) Out of the sun
(Under the boardwalk) We'll be having some fun
(Under the boardwalk) People walking above
(Under the boardwalk) We'll be making love
(Under the boardwalk, boardwalk)

Oh, under the boardwalk
Down by the sea
On a blanket with my baby
Is where I'll be

(Under the boardwalk) Out of the sun
(Under the boardwalk) We'll be having some fun
(Under the boardwalk) People walking above
(Under the boardwalk) We'll be falling in love
(Under the boardwalk, boardwalk)

"Under the Boardwalk" midi courtesy of http://smickandsmodoo.com/aaa/rocknroll/,
at the suggestion of Dave Spriggs ('64) of VA - 07/03/03
Thanks, Dave!

"Under the Boardwalk" lyrics courtesy of http://www.jackis.com/lyrics/here_comes_sun_sum02/under_the_boardwalk.htm,
also at the suggestion of Dave Spriggs ('64) of VA - 07/03/03
Thanks again, Dave!

Map image courtesy of http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?ed=azR7Qep_0ToAQtGFytBwmGMaIuMRKtK6v1tfNg--&csz=VA+23664&country=us&new=1&name=&qty= - 05/23/04

Pebble Lines gif courtesy of http://gifsnow.com/ - 05/01/03

"The Sand and the Sea" lyrics transcribed by the Webmistress - 2003

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