The 1970s were an important era in New Jersey history. In the midst of the Cold War, 14 Nike anti-aircraft missile batteries were constructed in New Jersey to protect the metropolitan areas around Philadelphia and New York City. A regional command center was built in our state along with multiple defense systems. Along with the Cold War, New Jerseyans were protesting Vietnam, concerned about an energy crisis and in the middle of an economic recession.

It wasn’t all chaos and crisis though. We were partying at the Stone Pony, which opened in 1974. In fact, it was this week in 1974 that the Stone Pony had its opening celebration, featuring the band, Rathbone. We celebrated our country’s bicentennial, along with the 5 Declaration of Independence signers from New Jersey. We spent summers at Action Park (Class Action Park) which opened in 1978. There’s so much worth remembering, and these photos will take you back.

1. Welcome to New Jersey! The Garden State Parkway near Montvale in 1977.
Flickr/Bengt
The Governor at the time was Brendan T. Byrne.
2. The Asbury Park Casino circa 1975.
Flickr/Herbert Maruska
3. Camden circa 1975-1976. The Ben Franklin Bridge is in the background.
Flickr/David King
4. An aerial view of Rider College (now University) in 1974.
Flickr/Lawrence Historical Society
5. And the Rider campus up close.
Flickr/Lawrence Historical Society
6. Winter in Willingboro circa 1974.
Flickr/Jeff Van Campen
7. Roosevelt Stadium in Jersey City circa 1972.
Wikipedia/Danny McKiernan

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8. An industrial plant owned by Agrico near Elizabeth circa 1973.
Wikipedia/Ike Vern/EPA
9. Sandy Hook from above circa 1973.
Wikipedia/Arthur Tress
10. The Port of Newark circa 1974.
Wikipedia/Dan McCoy
11. Dial-A-Ride buses waiting for passengers in Haddonfield circa 1974.
Wikipedia/Jim Pickerell
12. Lucy the Margate Elephant, Atlantic Avenue & Decatur Street, Margate City circa 1977.
Wikipedia/Jack Boucher
13. Ohio Avenue in Atlantic City circa 1978.
Wikipedia/Library of Congress
Sun Gallery Bridge, Spanning Ohio Avenue, Marlborough-Blenheim Hotels.
14. Midland Park kids, 1970.
Flickr/Steve
15. A U.S. Navy McDonnell F-4B Phantom II fighter during catapult tests at Naval Air Test Facility Lakehurst in 1978.
Wikipedia/Public Domain/USNavy

If these vintage New Jersey photos didn’t bring you back, these videos of Atlantic City (by jhand350),  Trenton (by Ear of Corn Productions), and Seaside Heights (by GreenRoseTV) surely will!



Were you living in New Jersey in the 1970s? Share your photos and memories with me!

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