South Jersey Trips

The Delsea Drive-In and Wildwood's Dracula's Castle

Originally Posted in February 2002, this is the first South Jersey Trip we took.

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South Jersey Trips
The Delsea Drive-In and Wildwood's Dracula's Castle

We begin, in Vineland. Vineland is a rather large city in South Jersey, on the eastern end of Cumberland County. Route 47, Delsea Drive, runs through Vineland from north to south. Near the Southern end of Vineland you can find tucked away amid small businesses and car dealerships an old beat up marquee for the Delsea Drive-In Theatre. An article in Philadelphia's CityPaper from 1998 says that the date of the theatre's closing was unknown to them, but that the majority of the theater was in working condition.

The Concession stand, facing Northwest.

We found this to be otherwise.

The Concession Stand, facing Southward.

The Concession Stand was more than "a little burned out", fire had destroyed most of the building, leaving only the West and North (back and right when facing away from the screen) walls. Most of the interior was entirely gutted from flames and intense heat.

Jay, looking at the damaged circuit box in the Concession Stand.

The Projection Booth fared better in terms of damage, but it seems that it is or was inhabited by some of the city's homeless.

Shot of the Front of the Projection Booth, with Katy in one of the projector openings.

The old silver screen of the theater seems to be in excellent condition, with the exception of one blemish on the left hand side of the viewing area.

Facing east, the Screen and the Projection Booth.

After the Delsea Drive-In, we proceeded to the Wildwood Boardwalk. Dracula's Castle, an amusement ride on the boardwalk of Wildwood, recently caught fire and caved in through the boards.

Dracula's Castle. You can see the extent of the damage to the boards underneath.

A note reading "Rest in Peace, the crews of 86, 87, 88, and 89," along with flowers was left by the gate to the castle. Kevin thought this was touching. A tear was brought to Kevin's eye. "I couldn't have said it better myself."

The fence surrounding the castle at sunset.

We wandered around Wildwood for a while. The city is beautiful in February, when all the beachgoers are gone and the true Jersey natives are the only six people on the beach.

The view facing north of the deserted Wildwood boardwalk.

There's no one else around. Just you, the boards, and the ocean.

Another view of the deserted boardwalk.

The Wildwood beach is incredible at sunset.

The sunset, with Morey's Pier in the distance.

Sunset from the water's edge.

After we left Wildwood, we headed north to Ocean City. We stopped at Wawa.

We walked the deserted Ocean City boards after dark. Kevin and Crystal felt the need to dance around the Playland at Ninth and Boardwalk.

Kevin, as a Christ figure, and Crystal vying for his Lordy Attention.

As we left Playland, Kevin (for some reason unbeknownst to me) noticed this mural with anatomically correct pirates, which Kevin wonderfully points out below.

Without a doubt, you can always find something interesting in South Jersey.

Posted by John at August 20, 2003 02:41 PM | TrackBack