The Casino, Asbury Park: The final decade

[@bogglerful]

The destruction of the Asbury Park board walk was the result of corruption, lack of vision, greed, and incompetence. First came the destruction of the Mayfair and St. James theaters in 1974, then the destruction of Ocean Grove's North End Hotel complex (both leaving empty lots), then other buildings - which should have been designated as historical protected landmark buildings - one by one, were destroyed. The Casino was simply allowed to rot and rust through neglect. No vision. So sad.

[@bluemoon-20]

I used to take those same walks, circa 1995-2000, checking out the Casino and surrounding areas. I just could not believe the deterioration of such a once beautiful and historic building. I always regretted not bringing a camera to record those times, but so glad Rick did- great job.

[@PrimephotoStudio]

Thank you for posting this it is good that people can see how it use to be.

[@lindacholita]

July 17, 1975....Casino Arena, first row center...I saw Peter Frampton in concert. He was opening act for Joe Walsh. I was 16 years old and I sat there spellbound as I watched Frampton singing and playing that Les Paul. For an encore, Peter and Joe jammed to "Jumpin Jack Flash". One year later, Frampton would be selling out stadiums...The Casino is gone forever, but I'll never forget that night.

[@kimisdancin]

I think its a shame that we don't value old buildings and old places anymore!

[@empirical43]

How very sad seeing The Casino in that condition. In the 1950's and early 60's I spent many a Saturday afternoon ice skating there and playing the pinball machines after skating. I also remember seeing many great movies at The St.James and Mayfair theaters which are long gone also.

[@johnlongo2715]

I remember every summer my parents rented a bungalow in Belmar, and we took the bus from Belmar to Asbury Park to go to this Casino. We rode the Merry Go Round, and they had a brass ring, and we tried to catch that brass ring. We played games there, went on the bumper cars, and they even had a mechanical dummy fortune teller in a glass booth to tell fortunes. Great memories...too bad crime and urban decay took over! John

[@DMZScoutDog]

Ice skated there on New Years Day 1964 and years later saw a great Loggins & Messina concert there in 1973-ish? Thanks for sneaking in and taking this fine footage.

[@jefhunwpb]

loved Asbury Park, loved with her thru the 80's and 90's former newspaper photog. so know her well. and the ladies on the streets.

[@aarondenunzio8049]

This is a fantastic look at the old Casino

[@bogglerful]

If you had seen it in 1963, you would have been amazed. It was even still alive in the summer of 1973, but not as grand. What you saw as Asbury Park in 1986 was a town 3/4 destroyed.

[@carlwinslow5905]

I have that Skeeball sign shown as well as other things from there. I knew they were gonna throw em out so i just pulled up my car and took em. I have some seats from the theater too and the switch and outlet covers. I restored them all and they sit in my house to this day.

[@PrincepsAve]

if you have anything you're willing to part with i am interested

[@bluemoon-20]

When i was there checking the Casino out several times 1995-2000, i wanted to grab some things to keep as artifacts of such an historic place, but just didnt follow through. Sounds like you did, congrats.

[@medmond6]

I met my wife of 48 years at a high school ice skating party here in January 1959. I was a senior and Cathy was a junior. I was actually (I thought) on a date with another girl who brought along a friend. Its really sad to see what happened to Asbury Park. I remember the last years of its heyday in my youth.

[@joeymelvin1]

my best childhood memories are of the palace casino, riding the merry go round grabbing the rings for prizes, hiding and scaring people in the fun house, the oriental express, riding the swan boats, loving the gargoyles, taffy, howard johnsons

[@kimisdancin]

Yes, I agree! I've had reacuring dreams about that place for years but, couldn't place it until KZbin!

[@AnastasiaBeaverhousn]

WOW, the fact that you remember the rings in the Merry-go-round 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣. Remember the LONG winding ramp at the Howard Johnson? I used to ride my bike down it 🤣🤣🤣😭 OMG and the taffy and rock candy... Everyone loved going to Perkins for breakfast but not me, I ALWAYS loved HoJo... ❤️

[@salmonline]

I watched this a few years ago. It wasn't any easier this time.

[@missinformed4269]

I can't watch and I can't look away

[@llschnitz]

This has to be one of the saddest videos I have ever seen in my entire life. Only seventy years to go from palace to a ruination. Such a beautiful building and it crumbled right before our very eyes, and nothing was done to save it. Its a sin, a shame, and a crime. There will never be another one like it. I remember the walk thru fun house and the drive thru fun house, the arcade games, and the Mr. Peanut stand. Shari Lewis was there with Lamb Chop when I was about six. What a shame. I can't look and I can't look away.

[@Operationalexcellence263]

Very well said. I feel the same.

[@WilliamPatrickGreen]

I was lucky enough to go inside the Casino in the late 1980's. It was the coolest experience. I was only 13 and not yet familiar with the Art Deco style. Seeing this I know now I didn't understand what I was seeing, I just thought it was "cool."

[@PrincepsAve]

i had the same experience. proof of the effect of architecture on even the uneducated child mind, our structures in society so subconsciously important to making us feel proud to be human. i weep for asbury. i visted once with my grandparents when we had just moved to nj in 2001, by the time i graduated highschool all was gone forever. i'm glad the convention hall still stands.

[@RobertLofrano]

Could you imagine being there when the boardwalk opened. And then taking a few people forward in time and show them this. 😱😱😱😱😱😱

[@worldsmosthated2006]

I wanted to ask you if it would be possible to get a copy (digital or otherwise) of this fixture? I created a really cool candle holder from the pieces that I salvaged. You wouldn't believe how heavy those small Flor-de-lis scrolls are! I'd be happy to send you a picture of it if you send me a message. Anyway, I didn't have my camera with me on & it would be really cool to have a pic of the fixture. I also have lots of pics & videos of the Power Plant, Casino,Palace & Hotels. I'll swap for same.

[@MrMarcoboy1900]

Never made it inside to see. Thanks for the video at least i got to see it before demolition.

[@JohnFarrell-jo2sw]

What a terrible shame that building was allowed to decay like that

[@RobertLofrano]

One thing I remember from the casino was a giant while polar bear about 13 feet high in the entranceway to something.

[@MegaBait1616]

Crooked town government.... Top to Bottom.. be well.

[@williamschlenger1518]

Looks like we lost a war.

[@EricKuvykin]

Warren and Wetmore - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_and_Wetmore Wikipedia Warren and Wetmore was an architecture firm in New York City which was a partnership between ... The estate has been renamed to The Eric Kuvykin Mansion

[@williamschlenger1518]

This is a crime. 😡

[@Peter-pv8xx]

A horror movie was filmed in Asbury Park but I don't recall the name anybody remember it?

[@carlwinslow5905]

Dark Ride - by Craig Singer who I believe is from Belmar. City by the Sea with De Niro also filmed there

[@600joe]

Bruce. couldn't buy you a roof?