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| Golden Nugget, circa 1980 (Courtesy of the Wildwood Historical Society) |
Three years ago today, hundreds of diehard Wildwood fanatics turned out in downright ARCTIC conditions to pay their final respects to a defunct amusement.
Of course, this wasn't just any ride. They came from near and far to honor the legendary Golden Nugget Mine Ride, in a wonderful ceremony hosted by the Morey Organization.
No question, it was a bittersweet (and, did we mention bitter COLD?) afternoon. But, it offered much more than the opportunity to say "farewell" to an old friend; despite the circumstances, the event took on more of a tone of celebration than funerary procedure.
On January 31, 2009, generations came together to reminisce and reconnect with a piece of their childhoods. Some in attendance (including my son) were too young to have ever had the chance to experience the Nugget and Hunt's Pier in all of its glory.
But, it was very important for them to be there. Along with their parents. And their grand parents. And in some cases, their great grandparents. And... well, you get the idea.
Above all, the ceremony honored the legacy not just of the Nugget, but of Hunt's Pier. Of the vision of W.C. Hunt, his sons Bud and Guy, and the extended Hunt family; those who blazed the trails in the Wildwoods, and (in some cases, literally) laid the foundation of the Boardwalk as we know it today.
We huddled together inside the hollowed shell of the Nugget, and heard heartfelt speeches from a number of honored guests on that afternoon, including John Allen IV (son of Nugget designer John Allen III of the Philadelphia Toboggan Company).
Mayor Ernie Troiano declared January 31 "Golden Nugget Day" in Wildwood. It's hard to believe that three years have already passed since. But, it's important that we remember, that we keep the spirit of what made the Nugget, Hunt's Pier, and our own personal histories in the Wildwoods so special.
Today, and for the rest of the week, we'd love to hear your own personal recollections of and stories about the Golden Nugget, as well as its neighboring attractions such as The Flyer, Jungleland, and SKUA. Who can forget the Wacky Shack and Keystone Kops?
Please share your thoughts and experiences with us through comment here, on our Facebook pages (Wildwood 365 and Wildwood Memories & Nostalgia) or via e-mail at wildwood365@gmail.com.
HAPPY GOLDEN NUGGET DAY, everyone!
Never forget...
Sadly I missed the Nugget's last day. But in the nineties I worked for Teddy Snyder on hunts pier and had the pleasure of working on it and helping to keep it running in one of it's later years.
ReplyDeletethis ride is at knoables in elysburg pa now, i rode it last fall
ReplyDeleteOMG IT WAS FREEEEZZZZINNNG COLD THAT DAY!!! YOU CAN RIDE THE GOLDEN NUGGET ONCE AGAIN AT KNOEBELS IN PENNA. CALLED THE MINE RIDE I BELIEVE. WHAT GREAT MEMORIES OF HUNTS PIER I HAVE. WISH WE HAD A PIER LIKE THAT AGAIN. MY DAUGHTER WOULD LOVE THOSE COOL RIDES, JUNGLE LAND WAS MY FAV!!!
ReplyDeletestill bummed they didn't keep this ride...i know it needed work but i would have loved to have had the experience with my own kids as i did, riding it every summer with my dad! wish i could have attended the farewell ceremony!:(
ReplyDeleteWould be nice to see Hunt't Pier become what it was when i was a kid. All of the rides today are thrill rides. The cares under the Flyer, the walk through pirate ship, Jungle Land, Keystone Cops etc all offered a themes in some was shape or form. Good ole days
ReplyDeleteOh man. Loved this ride. I was coming out of my adolescence and heading into my boy hood when these rides were around. My older brother and older cousin were tearing up the Wildwood boardwalk scene. i was still young and timid of the rides.
ReplyDeleteGolden nugget was my first. it opened my eyes up to new rides and new adventures. i was able to relate to my brother and understand why he always wanted to hit up as many rides as he could... Jumbo Jet.. The Flyer...
Every time I step off a 'Nor Eastern or Sea Serpent, I pay homage to Golden Nugget
Hunt's Pier was our Disneyland. When I got to the original in SoCal as an adult, the sprawling complex Walt built paled in comparison to the handful of unforgettable rides there were Hunt's Pier. I feel lucky to have been born at just the right time to experience Hunt's as it developed during the 60's. My family vacationed every July on 25th St. --lucky again. My favorite rides were the Flyer and, of course, the Nugget. Both offered an experience I never tired and the glimpses of the ocean were icing on the cake.
ReplyDeleteI worked for the Hunts organization from 1977 - 1983, winter pier maintenance for a couple of those years. I started out at 17 years old (not old enough to operate a ride), opening and closing the gate at the Iron Horse railroad crossing. Most of the later years I worked on the Nugget. The last two years, I ran projectors at the Strand. My wife and I were there on that cold day to say goodbye to the Golden Nugget, but not goodbye to the memories! Thank God they live on!!!
ReplyDeleteThis made me cry :(
ReplyDelete