I was born there August 4th 1932 and named
Bette Ann Marsh. My Dad was Bill Marsh and a member of the Newark
Police Dept. until 1952. He and my Mom raised three girls. Nina
became Nina Grohgan and Carol became Carol Batto. Our home at 120
W Bigelow St. was located just above Milford Ave park. Sears Roebucks
occupied one corner and the A&P and Bergmans Drug Store the
other corners of Elizabeth Ave and Bigelow St. The #27 Mt Prospect
Ave bus took us from this Clinton Hill section to down town.
Broad and Market Streets was a favorite bus stop and a brief walk
would take us to Orbachs and Bamberger's. Further along Broad Street
one would find the more prestigious Haynes & Co. Military Park,
the Episcopal Cathedral, Public Service Elec and Light, The Five
and Dime, Lofts. I even remember a favorite button store with boxes
and boxes of buttons located on Halsey Street in back of Hanes.
There were at least 3 movie houses. Lowes done by Haynes, Paramount
on Market Street and one on Branford PL. From the third floor of
our home, I could see Newark Airport and the Anheuser Busch neon
sign. Port Newark was a short ride and Newark was noted as a land,
sea and air city. Located so near Manhattan by Penn RR or the Hudson
Tubes Broadway was simply a hop,skip and a jump away.
Thanksgiving Day high school football was played at Seton Hall.
South Side HS played. Olympic Park was our playground and our scout
troop had cabin for camping located in the Orange Mountains.
Life in Newark NJ from 1932 to 1952 was precious and visits to
Newark's
Neighborhoods as recently as 2012 just as precious. Staying in touch
with
HS classmates who graduated in Feb. 1950 is a special gifts. Imagine!
63
years of nostalgia. Imagine!
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