Revere Beach faces Massachusetts Bay, five
miles north of Boston. Its hard sand shore forms a great crescent
along the blue ocean for miles, sloping away gradually out
to sea, creating an ideal bathing beach. With the Nahant and
Winthrop peninsulas framing the horizon, the distant lighthouses
and the steamers passing far out to sea, the scenic panorama
viewed from the beach by day or night is unsurpassed, described
an ad in a 1912 booklet advertising Revere Beach. (Peter McCauley,
Memories of Revere Beach 1989).
Kevin M. Carey wrote a poem about the history of Revere Beach. This poem summarizes the
historical events of this beach quite well.
In 1895 the Massachusetts legislature ordered
the taking of nearly three miles of private seacoast land
on what is now Revere Beach Reservation. The Metropolitan
Park Commission was entrusted with the land in 1896. Charles
Eliot, a little known landscape designer, was chosen by the
Park Commission, to design Revere Beach Reservation for the
best use by the public. Charles Eliot was born in Cambridge,
Massachusetts. He graduated from Harvard University and trained
under the supervision of Frederick Law Olmstead, whose works
include New Yorks Central Park and the grounds of the
United States Capital in Washington D.C.. Eliot stated in
November of 1896 that "We must not conceal from visitors
the long sweep of the open beach which is the finest thing
about the reservation." It is entirely appropriate
that the beach as we know it begins at a traffic rotary known
as Eliot
Circle, wrote Anthony Moccia, in Peter McCauleys
Memories of Revere Beach book.
The Boston, Revere Beach and Lynn Railroad
was the largest single factor in the development and growth
of Revere, states George Clarke, in The Story of Revere Beach.
Popularly know as The Narrow Gauge, that operated from Lynn
to East Boston. Prior to 1896, its road bed followed a path
that traced the crescent shape of the coastline. The train
operated along Railroad Avenue, which today is named Revere
Beach Boulevard, then it was removed and relocated four hundred
yards to the west. The MBTA currently runs its Blueline along the same roadbed. In its heyday, passengers would patronize
the train from stations all along the resort area. The Point
of Pines, Oak Island, Revere Street and Bathhouse were just a few. Old timers can still remember their anticipation
of a day at the beach, beginning with the sooty smell of soft
coal burning as it energized the little engines that carried
the Narrow Gauge to its destination. "During World War
II a number of men from Revere were stationed on the Hawaiian
Island of Oahu. To their surprise, the coaches of the railroad
taking them to their barracks and around the island, were
from none other than the Old Narrow Gauge. These cars were
sold and shipped thousands of miles from Revere to the Hawaiian
Island for duty during the War." Peter McCauley
For more than a century, beginning each year
from Easter time until Labor Day, visitors from all over the
world were entertained at Revere Beach. In the early years,
they walked, bicycled or took horse drawn carriages. Later
on, it was convenient to reach via the Narrow Gauge, automobile
and thousands would come by ferry. "Revere Beach was
the place to go to be entertained, have fun or to just relax
and enjoy a day at the beach," observed noted Revere
Beach historian Peter McCauley, during a recent showing of
his slide show about Revere Beach.
Many of todays baby-boomers are the
children of those who fell in love at the Oceanview or Wonderland
Ballrooms. Boomers themselves can still vividly remember the
Virginia Reel, Wild Mouse, Dodgems and other rides and amusements.
From all over New England, families would
vacation at cottages, hotels or even in tents high up on Beachmont
Hill. They came to enjoy the Coney Island of the East, Revere
Beach. The Boulevard boasted rides, dance-halls, movie theaters,
carousels, rollercoasters and all kinds of special attractions. Bluebeards
Palace, Nautical Gardens, The Pit and the Himalaya were
just a few. Hotels and restaurants lined the beach. The Pleasanton
Hotel, The Strathmore, The Metropolitan and The Point of Pines
Hotel were just four of the most noteworthy. President Theodore
Roosevelt delivered a speech from the Pines Hotel, according
to Jeffery Pearlman, in the Revere Beach Audio Tour, Revere,
Fleetwood, 1990.
Over the years crowds have enjoyed fine food
and dining at many of Revere Beachs eating establishments.
The Driftwood, Barney Scheffs, The General Edwards
Inn, The Skipper and The Paul Roger House, all featured the
finest in seafood. Fast food outlets included Joe and Nemos,
Howard Johnsons, Rudolfs Pepper Steak, Dannys
and of course the world famous Kelleys Roast Beef.
A day at the beach was always an opportunity
to enjoy frozen custard at Mary Ahearns or Kohr Bros.
At Mary ONeils you could get a hot dog and orangade!
For pizza, the choice seemed endless; Bianchis, Bill
Ashes, Annas, or the place downstairs at the Nautical
were always just great. There was always something for everyone
at Revere Beach. On hot summer nights, whole families would
sleep right on the beach for relief from the days heat.
Summer after summer millions of vacationers would come to
the ocean resort area to enjoy its natural beauty and to be
entertained.
From 1900 until 1988, Revere Beach was well
known for its fine dance pavillions. These included the Ocean
Pier Ballroom, The Beachcroft, Nautical Gardens, The Frolic,
Wonderland and The Oceanview Ballroom.
Many people will also remember the Crescent
Gardens Ballroom, Spanish
Gables and Moorish Castle. Among the famous bands and
musicians that performed for dancing were Paul Whiteman, Tommy
and Jimmy Dorsey, Guy Lombardo, Louie Prima and others. During
the 1930s, dance marathons were held at Revere Beach,
(McCauley, Revere Beach Chips, 1979). Couples would dance
for forty five minutes of every hour, from June until October,
until the end of the contest. It was not uncommon to see people
dancing for more than 1800 hours. Prizes would be awarded
to winners, sometimes more than $2000.
Roller coasters thrilled many beach goers
during all the years of Revere Beachs prominence as
New Englands playground; The Tickler, The Thunderbolt, Derby
Racer and the Jack Rabbit were just four. Dragon Gorge
and the Thompson Scenic Railway were also early favorites.
Two of the most famous on Revere Beach were The
Lightning Roller Coaster and The Cyclone.
The Lightning was built by Harry Davis and
Harry Travers, both accomplished coaster designers. The all-steel
coaster was the most terrifying of its time. The only straight
and level track along the ride was at the station. Its steep
grades and banked curves made it the most unique coaster in
the world. Because of its excessive maintenance costs, high
taxes, insurance and the Depression of the early 1930s,
it only operated for a few years.
The
Cyclone Roller Coaster was the worlds most famous.
It was built in 1925 at a cost of $125,000. This all wood
coaster was built by Harry Travers. Its first vertical drop
was 100 feet and riders experienced the thrill of the ride
at speeds of 45 to 50 mph. It was the worlds fastest
and largest coaster measuring 3600 feet of track. The Cyclone
operated for almost 50 years, ceasing in 1969.
Carousels provided thousands of children
and adults with endless hours of music along the boulevard. Hurleys
Hurdlers, the Rough Riders, The Teddy Bear Merry Go Round
and of course, The Hippodrome Carousel, were all magical places
to visit.
The
Hippodrome originally built in 1903, had a platform that
displayed three Carousel horses abreast; it was later extended
to showcase five abreast making it one of a kind. The organ
music of the two Gavioli organs can still be heard with the
memory of this majestic carousel which operated until May
1973.
Wonderland Park, Revere Beachs Mystic
City by the Sea, was Americas foremost self-contained
amusement park. Conceived in 1905, it opened in 1906. Some
people believe it to be the inspiration behind the Disney
theme parks of today. The similarities are striking.
Wonderland was built on 25.9 acres of land
known today as the Wonderland Dog Track. Because of the success
of Revere Beach Boulevard, three men worked together to create
Wonderland. John J Higgins, a commercial real estate broker
and Floyd C. Thompson, a visionary with interest in amusements
parks, combined their talents with those of another important
figure in Wonderlands history; Major Thomas D. Barroll.
Major Barroll had a very distinguished military career and
had many skills as an entrepreneur.
During this career, he had developed many
ties to the Boston financial community. Without this critical
financial support, Wonderland would have remained just a dream
Major Barroll became Wonderland Parks Managing Director
and Chairman of the Board. The centerpiece of Wonderland Park
was a beautiful lagoon and part of an elaborate and exciting
ride. The ride was called Shoot The Chute; it was one of the
most unique in all the world. Passengers would be lifted in
their gondolas to the top of a steep grade. Once at the top,
the gondola would be dropped down the water slide and back
down into the huge lagoon. Like Disneys theme parks,
parades occurred daily. There were international cultural
exhibits, demonstrations, educational displays and also scientific
exhibits such as the infant incubators at the parks
full service hospital.
Wonderland Park existed for just six years.
In 1911, because of their aggressive approach to out do previous
exhibits and the unpredictable New England weather, its operators
suffered great financial difficulty and had to close down.
After many years Wonderland reopened as Wonderland Dog Track
in 1935. This was noted by Edward and Frederick Nazzaro in
Revere Beachs Wonderland Mystic City by the Sea.
Revere Beach has a glorious history. For
almost one hundred years generations of New Englanders flocked
to this coastal resort area. Today, except for the world famous
Kelleys Roast Beef and a few pizza places, everything
else has been removed from the boulevard. This chapter in
Revere Beachs history has come to an end. We enter the
next century just as we had the last, reminded of Charles
Eliots observation that "We must not conceal from
visitors, the long sweep of the open beach which is the finest
thing about the reservation." |