I know this is more of a New England topic but I found these old pictures of
“The Center” in Salisbury Beach and could not resist. My Father took these
probably in the 1950’s.
The Center at Salisbury Beach in Salisbury MA was
the place to be. Me and my friends spent many a weekend down the beach.
The Frolic’s was the typical summer venue, thousands of artists were featured there over 40 plus years. Everyone from Frank Sinatra to Aerosmith.
The Center isn’t quite what it used to be, the Wooden Coaster and the beautiful Carousel are gone, but it is still a good place to play pinball at Joe’s Playland and grab a slice at Tripoli Pizza.
If you have any memories of Salisbury Beach or the
Frolics please share them here.
I worked at Shaheens for about 4 years and loved every minute of it. I worked primarily with Paul and David Golzbein who ran the games and several of the rides including the Go Kart track and the Haunted House. The Golzbein’s now run the Old Orchard Beach Pier up in Maine. The posts here have brought back a lot of memories and all of them good. Its a shame that the place is fading as it was the center of my universe back then. My condolances to the family of Bob Salter. He was an awesome guy and you could just stand there for hours watching him do his thing. By the way does anybody know what happened to Stephanie (worked with Diane – I went to highschool with her) or Fireball Jack or Shi*house Jack?
One of my fondest memories was working in the Haunted House. Used to work in the Piano room and also the be the Chainsaw guy in the coffin at the end. It was such a blast to scare the living daylights out of folks. One year I ended up going with the Golzbein’s on the road to do the Fair circuit. Ended up doing the Topsfield Fair and a few others.
Thanks to everyone who shared a memory. Definately brought me back to a time that has my fondest memories!
My grandfather used to own the Frolics and as he got sick with cancer the place went down hill and ultimately closed. I was only about 18 when things went sour for the place and neither my family members, nor I, had the foresight to save some or any of the memorabelia from those great times in our lives. Please if you know anyone who has anything from the night club please email me. jamesgregson@ymail.com.
Thx.
My family and I went to the beach,every summer,when I was a little girl to my twenties.I remember the wooden roller coaster,the huge ferris wheel and the merry go round.There was also a rollerskating ring,where the pavilion is,they also had a swimming pools,big and little.I remember the frolics, I saw Johnny Mathis,three times,The Kingston Trio for not alot of money. There was also a drive in movie theater on beach road. My dad, would always say ,that he would give ten cents,to whoever saw the roller coaster first. I remember Bob Salter. When he found out ,my daughters lost their father at ayoung age he was very good to them. I also remember The Peppermint Lounge and the Five o clock Club. I love Salisbury Beach
My grandparents had a cottage at Seabrook Beach (next to the catholic church). Spent every summer there until I was 15. Loved going to Salisbury Beach. I remember fondly all the great amusement rides. Loved the Merry Go Round and the Tilt a Whirl followed by ice cream cones or Black moons at Wyllys across the street. I can still smell the batter friend clams and onion rings and the Tripoli Pizza. Remember going to The Frolics to see Frankie Avalon and Paul Anka. Grandparents and parents are gone but those wonderful memories live on. I even brought my two sons there when they were small. To this day I get a wonderful sense of peace when I am near the ocean and it all goes back to those great years.
I have fond memories myself. I was a little kid in the late ‘60s and my dad used to take me to the arcade by the building “with the big clown” on top. It’s where I first played pinball. I also remember the kiddie rides and a coin-op ride within the arcade that looked like an Apollo rocket (that was cool stuff in the ‘60s!).
My parents divorce and I recall my dad telling me on the phone the clown burned down in a fire. I was out of state then and felt saddened.
Circa 1980 – I recall summertime vacation as a teenager going on rides at Shaheen’s and eating fried clams and onion rings. How about the old Pirate ride?! My cousin set me up with her friend and we double-dated. Life really seemed simple then. It’s probably just the stage in your life that seems simple.
I was at Salisbury Beach two days ago (8/29) to watch what was left of “Danny” hit the coast. Not much recognizable of the old place I knew. The condo people are there now.
Bob Salter – “The Himalaya Guy” – was my uncle. He was the “king” of the Himalaya ride for years and years. He passed away in April 2009.
I grew up in Salisbury Beach. I stayed on Shea St . As a child my Uncle Lyn worked at the flying Horses and took me to work and I would ride the horses and boats for hours. Madam Jean was a friend of my Grandmother, Florice for many years. One of my school friends was Candy Foote (best onion rings and steak hoagies) The owners of the Spaghetti house knew me well as a child. As a teenager I went to the Frolics every weekend. The Himalaya was my favorite ride…lol I think all the teenage girls had a crush on a particular young man (can’t remember his name) My dad took me there during a visit to Mass. about seven years ago…As a little girl Salisbury Beach looked huge but as an adult, it seemed so small. My dad told me it was because I remember it from the eyes of a little girl…I did enjoy a slice of pizza from Tripoli’s (plain with a slice of cheese…mmm) I had many fond memories. The smells have always stayed with me…cotton candy, fried clams, onion rings, candy apples, salt water taffy. The sounds of the clubs, Kon Tiki, Pepperment Lounge, Tic Toc. What wonderful memories!!!!!
I loved the Himalaya ride and the great music that I often heard when I was on this awesome ride. It was great when it went backwards. Do you wanna go a litter faster, I can’t hear you. What a blast it was!
There is a new venue at the old Pavillion building that hopes to attract big name acts. It plans on opening next month. Hope it succeeds. We could use a great local place to go instead of treking to Boston.
I know the history of The Frolics and I don’t believe that Frank Sinatra ever actually appeared there.During the 40’s.50’s and 60’s there were always rumors abound that “Frank was coming thuis year”,but Frank never did come.If anyone has information to the contrary along with actual dates I would like to see the information posted.Until the,my thinking is that he just never came.