By Dan Shine
Voice Columnist
Harriet North’s Savin Rock
This week’s column was written by beloved former West Haven Historian, the late Harriet North (1904-1998), and originally printed on Aug. 9, 1982:
“On these hot, muggy days of August, we think back to the days when we went down to Savin Rock, primarily to go on the flying horses. The thoughts of the wooden steeds, with the cool breezes off the sound blowing about us, made us anxious to get there.
“The big brass upright we held onto was generally too big for our small hands. The nervousness of the occasion made our hands perspire. Although we were strapped on, we were very apprehensive and seldom dared to reach out for the rings. The idea of getting the brass ring and getting a free ride was appealing to me, but I was afraid I was going to fall off.
“Some brave souls stood up and rode around. The man who collected the fares walked around with great ease. To me, the merry-go-round was going very fast. The horses with their bulging nostrils, the wild look on their faces and the loud percussive music filled me with a combination of fear and pleasure.
“After about two rides, I got off and walked around the building. I liked to put pennies in the cabinet for an automaton. A weird looking ‘Grandma’ told fortunes. A penny in the slot set her in motion. Her hands and head moved and she gave out a fortune on a small card.
“Generally, it was of a romantic nature, a marriage to a handsome prince, great wealth, good health and long life. Of course, we believed every word. There were peep shows, showing Charlie Chaplin in a fast-moving funny scene or some ‘beef trust’ ladies. Today they seem pretty mild but at the time they were considered wild.
“We always walked out on Wilcox’s Long Pier. At a little gift and souvenir shop we stopped and bought little mementos, red ruby glass pitchers and mugs with Savin Rock etched on them. We bought postcards, banners, little boats, tin pails and shovels. Today these things are eagerly sought by collectors of Savin Rock memorabilia.
“The day wasn’t complete without ‘all-hots’ (hot dogs), hot buttered popcorn, soda such as root beer, Orange Whistle and cream. Coca Cola didn’t come along until early in the Twenties. It started in the South and gradually came here. Some of us ate soft-shelled crabs which were on dry toast. Delicious! No tartar sauce, just salt.
“The ride home on the open trolley was a fine ending for a trip to Savin Rock on a summer afternoon.
“I know that some of my readers will call me and tell me that I have forgotten to mention, the shooting gallery, the games to win Kewpie Dolls, the Thunderbolt, the Old Mill, Shoot-the-Chutes and the slide shows.. I really haven’t forgotten but that would be too much for this article.
“A comprehensive story of Savin Rock, the people, the entrepreneurs, the restaurants, their rise and fall, all would fill a big book.
“Every old West Havener has his or her own memory of days spent pleasantly here.”
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