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The Jersey Shore circa 1905. "Atlantic City, on the beach." Surf, sand and Steeplechase Pier in the distance. Detroit Publishing Co. View full size.
Absolutely fabulous photo. I can't realize that all those people are quietly lying in their graves now. Gosh.
Let's all put on our black woolens and go to the beach!
I think it is funny that today people find sitting around talking to be boring. Just think about the individual entertainment possibilities back then. About all there was to do was talk and socialize. That was normal back then. Can you imagine actually enjoying sitting around talking to someone? It is like these people are aliens or something. Ha Ha.
I could be wrong, but I think I've spotted the original "Urban Sombrero." I wonder if there's a man in a cape wandering about.
It is possible but not probable that someone on this beach 5 and under could be alive today without reaching 110. Of course, anyone over five on the beach would have to be 110 or over to still be with us.
My grandfather, born in 1900, who lived until 2001, would often tell how amazing it was for him to see the invention of automobiles and then air travel.
Can you imagine going out in the ocean with your skirt going up above your head? Or trying to swim with the weight of that dreadful outfit? Surely, this photos shows how our fashions have become less and less.
And makes one wonder how much "less" in fashion could we possibly go from here?
We have young men and women socializing in the Atlantic City's sand and surf. The usual photographs are of the old folks being wheeled about the boardwalk wearing their Sunday best and looking bored or as if they're waiting for the Grim Reaper.
There is nothing thats more fun than sitting on the soaked sand in a wet sailor dress, stockings and a shower cap. This may explain why the population gasped in shock when Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr did a similar scene with 50's swimsuits rolling around in the surf. Lately, the guidos and guidettes proclaim to the world their three priorities in life are gym, laundry and tanning. Isn't is strange that not a single sand sculpture has been created? This is their Sunday fun, just sitting on soaked sand in a wet sailor dress, stockings and a shower cap. (These people really need to get out more). We can rest assured however that nobody will get eaten by a shark.
Every time I see one of these "turn of the century" photos it is like watching an old movie. These people had little idea what would happen to them and their world over their lifetimes. I wonder how they handled it. What happened to them? How did they live their lives?
They are all gone now but they left plenty of stories. If only we could hear them.
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