Jersey City Memories (wide screen)

Scenes of Jersey City in the mid-1980s, with music by jazz vocalist Earl Coleman from a 78 on the Dial label released in 1949.

[@kawaiiafangirl]

As a Jersey City resident for nearly all of my life, this looks very cool. Thank you for this!

[@davidreisman]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jinxmas]

thank you so much for this,, I was born and raised in JC Hudson County. I'm grateful for all the streetwise experiences.

[@francoperrotta4968]

Made some great memories growing up in jersey city heights Franklin n Cambridge st sitting in front of my grandparents cafe Italia coffee shop

[@joselowe3379]

Aww man my dad use to take me there every Saturday’s 🥺

[@TheLace]

What address was the cafe?

[@francoperrotta4968]

@@TheLace 121 Franklin st

[@mikezach3116]

I used to live on Cambridge from 2002 - 2005

[@JerzeyPrince23]

I was born in Jersey City NJ 1983. What a golden memories.

[@ticketlesstraveler1394]

Very poetic film, David. Feels like a lost world on the other side of the looking glass. I love the music choice, too!

[@davidreisman]

Thanks! I found a copy of that 78 in a Jersey City thrift store and still have it, though the version I used is from archive.org. Charlie Parker was a fan of Earl Coleman's, and both songs evoke the feeling of melancholy sophistication of an earlier bygone era. I used to listen to it on my cheap portable record player on Stagg Street - hearing it brings back memories of the mid-1980s for me.

[@RenataSUK62]

Great trip down JC memory lane! Thanks! I actually was looking to see if my Mother would pop up. She went everywhere in JC by bus or walking.

[@lbisurfreak]

this is fantastic both of my parents born and raised in JC now i am a resident good authentic people

[@sincerelydavillian5851]

My dad waved to me from that sell it became some difrrent that was late 80s

[@frankciborski835]

My old hometown. Thanks for posting.

[@davidreisman]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@jermaineburgess3767]

The square still looks the same

[@vernamorales2326]

Who remembers 4040 or Pumpkin Hill clothing store!!!!! Duncan Projects!!!!!!

[@robertdipaula1623]

On west side?

[@robhaywood6783]

Im pretty sure at 1:26 in this video that guy dressed like a cop is Gorden he was not a police officer but dressed like one and use to direct traffic in the Heights lol

[@williamgarner3533]

The combination of images and music is so poetic and beautiful. Thank you for this.

[@davidreisman]

You're welcome, and thanks for your thoughtful comment!

[@lance3451]

i remember Woolworths is where they put the path building, they had escalators going down to the trains,also had a closed walkway from cottage street

[@judyrifka]

Thanks for these, David

[@davidreisman]

Thanks, Judy!

[@antoinqueen8261]

This is the j. .I remember

[@antoinqueen8261]

I like the music 🎶

[@suezworld]

This is amazing ti see thank you

[@faran1684]

What year is this from? Love it as a resident of the city. Thanks for sharing

[@davidreisman]

You’re welcome! The video is from 1985 - I lived in Jersey City from 1982 to 1986.

[@biggercandybar6115]

I have a question,What was Indian square in Newark ave between Tonnelle ave and JFK Blvd before Was it populated by Russians, Polish,Czechs or Jewish if so how come when I try to look up the history of Indian square it doesn’t show me anything about it I’m come out empty handed?

[@1USA1st]

Indian Square was never the official name of the area. Although there were a lot of Indian stores, there were quite a few Filipino businesses, as well.

[@biggercandybar6115]

@@1USA1st So your saying that Filipino’s where here before the India’s?

[@hennylo68]

@@biggercandybar6115 So it's not Indians there anymore? That area was like little India back in the 90's and early 2000's. And yes some Filipinos were there but mostly Indians. Didn't know they moved those people out of there. Haven't been back to Jersey City since the mid 2000's.

[@Lori66angel]

My home

[@JF-NYC-NJ-Girl]

Hi david- this really was a punch in the gut (in a good way LOL) I was born (1963) and raised in JC - didn’t move till 26 years old - This brings back so many great memories of my youth… I missed the three theaters in Journal Square… Honestly this is everything thank you for posting.

[@davidreisman]

You're welcome! I lived on Stagg Street for about four years in the 1980s, and enjoyed walking around and discovering new things to see in and around my neighborhood. I'm glad the video brings back good memories.

[@antoinqueen8261]

Yes the old path station 🚉

[@matthewdahl1872]

Very cool

[@moshebigelow5308]

Love it

[@frankmiller8100]

My parents and there parents was all from Jersey city. Big family gypsys. I was Born in 1974. In elezibth nj. They all live in Jersey city. My parents was arranged marriage by the gypsies their parents. My mom was 18 my dad was 11. Yes. 11. When thy got married My mom use to walk my dad to school across the street where they use to live. In the house where they all lived was. My grand father grandmother. My grandfathers. Mom and dad who was the old man mygrand fathers brother his wife. His son his sons wife agin arranged marriage. His son had 5 kids. Grandfathers brother had another son he was married. He also had 2 boys they water the youngest from my grandfathers brother. Oh he also had a teen age daughter. So all those people live in one house. Actually it Wasent a house it was like a where house they build a kitchen bathrooms bedrooms my great grandfather the old man in the old lady slept in the big big front down stairs. They build his bedroom sord of on a plat form. I don’t remember really. Very very little I was maybe 4. In 1978 the whole family decided to move to Los Angeles.

[@antoinqueen8261]

I think I will subscribe

[@smitha5022]

Is that Kennedy Blvd at 00:29??

[@davidreisman]

Yes, it’s Kennedy Boulevard on the way to Journal Square.

[@smitha5022]

@@davidreisman Holy shit!!! I knew I recognized it! My uncle managed the Fine Fare right next to Carvel. Me and my sisters used to hang out there in the early 80s when we were kids! We used to eat at the White Castle right across the street. Fine Fare is gone. It's a Dollar Tree now.

[@frankmiller8100]

There house was off of central ave

[@celsdogg]

Mister Softee!

[@saulgoodman2018]

In journal square, what is that tall white building. What's in there?

[@davidreisman]

One PATH Plaza - not sure what's in there.

[@1USA1st]

Back in the 80s, it was mostly the Port Authority administrative offices, a couple of banks, bookstore, record store, and a newspaper stand. Lots of empty office space. Underground were the PATH trains that ran from Newark to NYC. Also known as the "Tubes", although that name had started losing popularity by the time if the video.

[@TheLace]

Congressman Frank Guarini had his legislative offices in there, for one.

[@19irving]

Before the rich yuppies took over downtown.

[@ReyDiddy85]

Public school # 8