Bertrand Island Amusement Park Mount Arlington N.J. Torn Down 1986

Bertrand Island Amusement Park 1925--1983 Video 8 Tape

[@theincenseguy1]

I couldn't help crying ... the incredible shame of it all, letting the park go. I went as a kid with my family in the 60s, and came of age there, taking my first dates by boat to "The Island". Later, I worked there. I walked every inch of the place, knew every nook and cranny, knew so many people who worked there. The 'good, clean fun' we had there (even when it wasn't so much so) was an experience every generation since and hereafter will never know, being forever deprived of.

[@CProgression]

Hi Joe, I'm John... Employees was all I could think of. How many thousands they employed over the years. So much a part fo the community as it was a touristy destination for those from the city. My family (Dad his mom and dad and his sisters) grew up on Salmon Lane in Ledgewood. I just returned. Everyone is gone from that road. The house my dad was born in is a rental property that was being lived in by 2 Indian gents... I don't think I ever saw anyone from India in those parts growing up. Oh the smell from inside the house made me gag. All I could think of was the pies and the stews my grand mother mad from Scrtach with her wood burnig stove in the kithcen (a small gas stove to help) and a coal furnace in the basement (Oh I would catch hell for climbing in the coal cellar and I loved when the truck would back up the hill and spill all that coal into the house!! lol) So much has changed. I felt like my 4th of July trip back was to say goodbye one last time. Truly sad that time changes so many of the good things. After having been to Santa Monica Pier lately, I dreamed of that being built on the lake to replace what we have lost.... Oh I found a copy of a NY Times insert from 1937 with Miss Bertrand Island on the cover at a street faire (with an E) in Torrance CA in May. I told the guy the story of the park and he gave me the magazine. Anyway cool comment Joe... Be sure to join the related Facebook Groups that are out there (2 total I believe) one has the newspaper insert I found in Torrance posted to it.

[@chrisl8546]

I went in after it closed with a friend and found the wildcat coaster sign that hung over the entrance to the coaster. Still have it 36 years later. In excellent condition. Wish I could post it here.

[@joecozzi1365]

That's awesome!!

[@judysmith9103]

i remember my uncle taking us there on nickle night i had lots of fun growing up there loved the merry go round and the wooden coster

[@elenamilitopingitore5044]

I sincerely thank you for this. My heart actually physically started hurting, an actual heartache, wow. Guess i am being too sentimental, but I have fantastic memories of my family going there many times, lived nearby in Netcong, left New Jersey in 1977, moved to Delmarva's Eastern Shore. Again, thank you very much, part of history of this country

[@nightmarein1428]

so sad! this place would be booming right now! I think bertrands island in ruins still looks better than those hideous condos they built.

[@craz4mom]

So sad to see how it died, we lived at this place when we were young - Nickle night rode the coaster all night, the Merry go Round and the brass ring, all the rides I remember going on - breaks my heart now - those were the good old days - gone forever just like the drive- ins......😢😢😢😢😢

[@rlgn1950]

Absolutely heartbreaking! I have old 8mm videos for one of the many, many times we visited there. I really need to transfer/reformat the footage over to DVD. This was the place to go for a night of pure fun.

[@az08830]

I grew up in Lake Hopatcong and was 9 years old when they shut it down. It was the biggest heartbreak of my life!

[@CurtMustaine]

Very erie. We lived on Bertrand's Island from 1964-1976 and my mom worked at this park. I used to go there all the time when I was a kid.

[@NJNinni]

Bertrand Island brings back childhood memories. That old wooded Rollercoaster that nuts use to stand up on when going down. This and Palisades Amusement Park ..swing all day and after dark

[@craz4mom]

I was one of the nuts who stood up to hit the board at the top of the first hill! Thrilling!

[@Archangel-mp4hb]

@@craz4mom I thought I was nuts until I saw a guy in a front seat stand up while his friend held him by the legs. Bertrand Island was the place to go growing up in Jersey at least for me...I loved it.

[@MillerMeteor74]

I grew up in North Jersey, but we never went there. I think we were just too far away. We were in the far end of Roxbury, right outside Flanders. I had a friend who lived on 46 between Hackettstown and Budd Lake. I remember hearing about Bertrand Island while staying at his house, but I had no idea where it was at the time. I know more about it now than in those days (the 70s). Thanks for posting this.

[@Rickholly74]

Thanks so much for this video. When the Island started to be taken down I stopped and got a 4X4 piece of the roller coaster about a foot and a half long from the first hill. I still have it and it is still that ugly green that was used the last time they painted it.

[@cromeo187]

I am watching some videos of this when it was open. I missed going to this wonderful park! 😮😢

[@pontiacgrandprix733]

A friend of mine owns a house in Lake Hopotcong, pardon my spelling, and in the late 70s we used to go out clubbing in New York, Saturday nights, then drive up the lake 4 o'clock in the morning Sunday, stop at Pathmark rite off of Rt 80, buy BBQ stuff for Sunday, sleep a few hrs, go out on the boat, hang out eat, drink, go to Bertrand's island for a few hrs, then drive back to NY late Sunday night, those were the days

[@MuzikMania5375448]

Thank you so much for sharing this. The last time I visited Bertrand was in 1981. I remember being 10 and riding on the Galactica Rocket Ship ride that is shown in this video. The ride would begin to glide, performing it's circular dance first, over the busy lit up midway, then over to the quiet dark serene lake. A memory I still cherish decades later. So sad to see what has come of the park.

[@barbaraward8236]

+MuzikMania5375448 I remember that ride as well. It was my favorite.

[@jeremytravers8181]

Thank you for the video! I grew up on Bertrand Island and spent countless hours at the amusement park. Miss the park now...so much better than the condo's that replaced it!!!!!!!

[@peterdallman4550]

I grew up just the other side of Kings Cove on Yellow Barn Ave. used to camp out on summer nights at the old ice house, now there’s million dollar homes there.

[@mrsullyrox]

we used to have a summer home on lake and the highlight every year was at the end of summer to go here with my family- this was in the 60's- great fond memories.

[@jfeeney411]

We had friends who lived on the island and I remember walking through the park after they closed the doors when everything was still operational. In the winter, the portion of the lake near the park would freeze and we would run across the lake. Still have a scar on my knee from falling on those sharp rocks where the parking lot used to be. Memories.

[@g.coastal7575]

My camp took us there every summer. Visitation Day Camp from the Bronx. These were the best times of my life!! This is beyond depressing!

[@Raymond348]

very sad, I lived on Laurie Rd.in Landing and was proud to live "around the corner" from one of the best amusement parks in NJ

[@stephenbeers1162]

I lived on Bertrands Island for 2 summers. In 1955 I got my first job at age 15 working at the shooting gallery a couple hours a day in the morning. The job was to paint all the targets that had been shot at the day before. White paint to cover the bullet marks. The boss gave me a 1.50 daily I think plus 7 free shots on the targets!!! Wow ! free bullets! Used to go to the park almost daily when I lived there at nite with friends to enjoy the French Fry Ladies wonderful french fries! Park my boat at the docks and rev up the moto to attract the girls! haha

[@fiddlerpin]

The roller coaster sat for years by the Old Lake Hopatcong Post Office. Never knew what happened to it after that.

[@bradc73m84]

Thank you for sharing this. Where does the time go? So many beautiful memories. I'm so glad I grew up here. Wouldn't it be great if we could all reunite and rebuild what was the greatest place on earth when we were kids?

[@2linepass1]

Brad Cramer Yes but but during the 70’s, not now. Times back then was a lot simpler

[@marryingabroad9387]

looking at google earth its all gone now, its been replaced with homes and condos.

[@jeffp9920]

If it were still around today, we would lament how much it has changed. Nothing lasts forever.

[@rogexpo9430]

I remember going to that park with my summer day camp and riding the wooden roller coaster. Years later when I had my license I drove back to that general area in Lake Hopatcong wanting to go to the park with my girlfriend at the time. I stopped to ask someone directions to the park and the guy replied your in it. Theses condos were built were the park once stood. Was really disappointed because it was a great little amusement park.

[@ViaSandee]

Amazing footage, thanks so much for sharing. Almost eerie to watch ... with the birds in the background (so glad you didn't add an amusement park soundtrack!). I didn't see the Cube or the Gypsy's booth ... :(

[@faye0746]

When I was 3 I lived over the popcorn stand. My sister and brother use to have to go to school but I didn’t. I use to wander the park. They would be testing the rides and I would hop on. My brother use to work at the merry go round putting the brass rings in the doo hickey. Many memories. Good memories. BTW I never rode the roller coaster.

[@boaterbil]

Wow, Thanks for the memories. Shame to see this once wonderful place gone. This was Disney World of the time. Would have liked to have taken my children/grandkids there.

[@BrinaBrady]

Oh what happened to this fun park. I used to go on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It's so sad to see it like this. I wish someone would have purchased it so other kids could have the fun I had there. Beautiful memories.

[@sherylbailey8850]

The best days of my life, as well my neighbors.

[@jeffp9920]

I used to go every summer until it closed. Nobody ever believes me when I tell them about the boomerang.

[@joecozzi1365]

Fantastic job! I love the natural sounds making up the soundtrack. The location was obviously great for condos, though. When did you film this?

[@peterdallman4550]

Grew up walking distance to the park. Just the other side of Kings Cove on Yellow Barn Avenue. My paper route took me out the park entrance road. Used yo stop at the Four Aces diner for a pop on the way home.

[@gleuszler]

0:38 - 0:55 and 5:45 - 6:17 - The Boomerang! The tunnel entrance actually has a door to seal it off!

[@chuckt131]

I grew up going to Bertrand's Island so I appreciate the video...even if it is sad....thanks

[@cartdauria6538]

Some of the best times... Was sad to see it go.

[@USMCSDI]

I spent my youth there having grown up on the Landing/Mt. Arlington border off Oneida ave. We could walk there in 15 mins

[@peterdallman4550]

You lived 5-10 minutes from me. I was on Yellow Barn Ave down below Nixon Elementary.

[@USMCSDI]

@@peterdallman4550 Did you know Greg Schindler *I think that is the right spelling* and he had a sister named Tracy

[@peterdallman4550]

@@USMCSDI Haha. My cousins! Mark and Todd are there older brothers!!

[@USMCSDI]

@@peterdallman4550 WOW.... SMALL world Pete! I graduated from Roxbury High in June of 1987. I was REAL close to the Brandon Family.... how about you?

[@peterdallman4550]

@@USMCSDI My family moved to Oregon in 72. My younger brother was closer to your age. But I think he was in first grade when we moved. I would have graduated in class of 78 at RHS.

[@bandicoot5412]

My sixties trip, this wonderful exotic place of fun, second to none, much grateful appreciation, love and peace!

[@marknewjersey2329]

sad that it closed!

[@joecozzi1365]

Great memories!

[@charrmmee]

absolutely heartbreaking. i hav countless, fabulous memories of there. my gram lived near the Windlass on Nolan's Point. ugh. this is heartwrenching

[@sunnydayzie1202]

7:10 so seriously heartbreaking- So much history just trashed. :( Replaced by condos.

[@fuckedoveredbyincest]

was here as a teen,and younger

[@lbufordl]

that's hard to even watch

[@user-ml7ty3mp1o]

Torn down to make way for some stupid condos. Sad.

[@5555grumpy]

I went there many times as a kid and years later took my kids there many times!

[@laurenh9543]

Was this video taken the same year it was posted?

[@easynhonest]

Was that the Boomerang ride at :38 ? It was my all time non coaster ride of all time .

[@gleuszler]

Yes! The Boomerang is also shown from 5:45 to 6:17.

[@marknewjersey2329]

Did the park close because of competition from places like Great Adventure or were there other concerns with the lake and surrounding towns. Never really knew the answer to that.

[@jamesbraun9842]

Mark New Jersey Some of both. The main reason was the transition from being a summer vacation spot to permeant housing. Also competition from bigger parks choking out the smaller ones.

[@2linepass1]

@@jamesbraun9842 plus, the park was sold in the mid 70’s and the new owner didn’t make any effort to fix it up. I worked there throughout high school, 77-81. By 81, the year before it closed it became just a hang out for younger teens. The big crowds that used to come from New York on Saturdays by the bus loads stopped coming.

[@danielleg.3724]

So what year did they begin building the condos that are there now?

[@joecanfield4681]

I grew up in Landing. Monday nights were nickel night a few of the mothers from the neighborhood would take the kid's. With a dollar in your pocket yahoo. It was sad to watch this

[@robertleinwebber1793]

Remember NICKEL & DIME NIGHT!

[@Janadu]

Sad

[@Prince8David]

Dose anyone one know what happin to the Bertrand island sign

[@frankesposito2182]

It will Rise again.,.

[@jackpollard8205]

They should have bulldozed all that lumber into a big pile and had a 'bring your own marshmallows' party.

[@DrumNut927]

There was no better place to take your date when your financial resources were low.

[@fuckedoveredbyincest]

landing,s on the other side of the lake.

[@knutbaardsen6437]

Probably full of homeless now

[@marryingabroad9387]

Friday the 13th