I was reading an entry over at Danger Girl's new blog about the topic "Where did Portsmouth go?" It reminded me of the time I spent in Portsmouth when I was around 11-13 years old. Just for a time reference, that was back in 1974-1976.
We used to visit my mom's brother, wife, and two kids while they were all still together as a family. The moved from one low-income location to another since he had a drinking problem and couldn't hold down a job. Anyway, in the summer time we would spend the weekend at Pierce Island. We would fish, picnic, and the kids would spend most of the day in the Pierce Island Pool.
Back then, the pool was 12-feet deep, had a high dive, and the bottom was almost impossible to see since they only cleaned it sporadically. Before you could go in that deep end and jump off any of the diving boards you had to pass the swimming test. You had to be able to swim from one side to the other using the crawl and do it well enough to pass the lifeguard's inspection. After you passed the swimming test, the test of your bravery was if you would jump off of the high dive.
In terms of family things to do in Portsmouth, this was it. Four Tree Island was only accessible at low tide via a causeway and Prescott Park was in its infancy. The city itself wasn't friendly and the only stores opened at night were Pete's Palace and an assortment of seedy bars.
Many of the places that my cousin's lived in as kids are now expensive homes or condos and the days of low income housing are long gone. In fact, another uncle's family member lived in the brick building that is right near Prescott Park and could recall looking out at the trash heap that is now Strawberry Bank.
Posted by bbarton at August 9, 2005 11:02 AMWow, did we timewarp and live in parallel existence in towns with the same name? I remember volunteering at Strawberry Banke in the summer of 1978 when I was in junior high. It was in full swing, though not as swinging as it is now with the new Dunaway Store turned restaurant.
In elementary school I'd ride my bike down to the dock near the Pier One restaurant and fish in the river. I was too scared to take out the hook so after I caught one I'd put it in my bucket and ride back home.
The Prescott Park Arts Festival also started out around then, I think. My whole family would bring blankets and watch the shows and sometimes my best friend and I, on the bikes again, would catch the free movies they showed.
I never went to the Pierce Island pool. I heard it was scary. And at night that's where guys went cruising to hook up with other guys.
Hi Marisol - I like Portsmouth as it is today. I like parking in the garage and then walking around the city on foot. Even if we don't eat dinner in town it is a nice place to go for a cup of coffee and to take a walk.
Pam - I don't think the cruising guys was going on in the mid-70s. The pool was scary but it was better than wading in the river. LOL Strawberry Banke needs some serious upkeep if it is going to be like it was in its hayday when you worked there.
Posted by: Bob on August 10, 2005 08:45 AMAmazing how life moves on.
Posted by: kari on August 10, 2005 09:11 AMKari - Yep, it is amazing and somewhat disconcerting.
Posted by: Bob on August 10, 2005 10:29 AMhi bob..this is naughtygirl. thanks for the visit. i also have another blog which is a little more um...normal.lol. in case you want to visit.. its www.jerzeesspot.blogspot.com
i will come back here and visit again!!
Posted by: jerzee on August 11, 2005 03:40 PMHi NG - I'll have to check out your 'normal' blog. Thanks for stopping by to visit!
Posted by: Bob on August 11, 2005 05:05 PM
I know of a lot of people who have chosen Portsmouth and commute to Boston because it has enough of a city's convenience without the excessive price. I suppose, inevitably, that changes the makeup of the place.
It's sad that it is changing so much because everytime I go there I feel like I am transported to a quiet, happy past.
Posted by: miss marisol on August 9, 2005 05:39 PM