Years ago there were many more small businesses in New Gretna then there are now. Many were in operation over a long period of time and are well remembered. Others were in existence for shorter periods of time and have long been forgotten. Allen's Dock fits into the former category, while Larry's Dock fits into the latter. Many New Gretna natives would have a tough time remembering Larry's small boat rental, fishing, and crabbing establishment.
The following present day aerial maps show the location of Larry's Dock. It was located on Old New York Road (Rt. 9) just before the old iron bridge spanning the Mullica River to Port Republic.
Bird's eye view showing Larry's Dock in relation to New Gretna.
Closeup view of Larry's Dock location.
The following photo shows Larry's Dock location from the Mullica River looking toward New Gretna.
August 25, 2009 photo by Pete Stemmer.
Larry's Dock was adjacent to the old iron bridge on the Bass River side.
I believe that Larry's Dock was in operation around the late 1950s and early 1960s. The following advertisement is from a 1963 New Gretna PTA Minstrel Show program.
Another advertisement was given to me by a respected Tuckerton historian who shall remain anonymous. The advertising booklet is somewhat risque, so it is not reproduced below in its entirety. Should you wish to view it, CLICK ON THE PARTIAL AD CLIPPING BELOW. Use your browser's BACK ARROW to return to the Blog. If you are easily offended, please do not click on the ad, as you may find it objectionable. Children under the age of 18 should not click on the ad. It's rated "M", for mature audiences only. And remember that I don't make history, I just report it.
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Unfortunately, I don't know much about Larry, his business, or his performance on the lie detector test. I don't even know Larry's last name. I'm hoping that some New Gretna old timer reads this Blog entry and provides some recollection or other information via email or in the comments section below.
Keep on smiling!
Pete S
Larry has finally been identified! Sometimes this history detective work takes time and answers come in unexpected ways. The other day I asked my history buddy, Steve Eichinger, if he knew Larry's last name. He told me that he remembers Larry's Dock but couldn't remember Larry's last name. I then asked Piper Steinhaurer who also didn't know the elusive surname, but he asked Bucky Lamson who also couldn't recall. Bucky called Steve Eichinger to see if Steve could remember and, during their telephone conversation, suddenly, a light bulb went off in Steve's head and he remembered.
ReplyDeleteThe quest had come full circle, and the answer was surprizing! That's what makes this "history business" so facinating. You never know where it's going to take you.
Seems as if Larry was not a first name but a last name. Steve reported that Larry's Dock was owned by two partners from the Trenton area - Joe Larry and Pete Estlow. He also remembered that the establishment burned down sometime in the 1960's but couldn't remember the year. He did remember that the West Tuckerton fire truck assisted the New Gretna Fire Company in fighting the fire.
Pete S
Pete,
ReplyDeleteI don't know the last name of Larry of Larrys Dock. I remember when it was built at the foot of the old mullica river bridge. The only access was the old abandoned New York Road. It was in a very inaccessible place and doomed to failure as a thriving business because of its poor location. I don't remember seeing any more than a couple of boats there ever at one time. My father and I used to ride over the bridge every day on our way to our work at Oyster Creek and often commented what a poor location it was. It didn't last long.
Don Maxwell
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