Back in the day, Route 9 was known as New York Road, as it was the route connecting New York City with Atlantic City. Famous people traveling from the "Big Apple" to the "Playground of the East Coast" would frequently travel through Tuckerton. Occasionally, they would stop. Sometimes by design and sometimes unexpectedly. Al Jolson, the famous singer, actor, and comedian, known by his generation as "The World's Greatest Entertainer", was one of these people.
Click on the arrow below to hear Al Jolson sing
"Toot, Toot, Tootsie!"
While traveling through Tuckerton on Saturday, June 16, 1923, Al was stopped for exceeding the speed limit.
Evidently, Mr. Jolson had a heavy foot. Trooper Lipgen clocked him at 55 miles an hour. Not one to be outdone, Jolson claimed that he was actually traveling 69 miles per hour.
Brought before Justice of the Peace Potter, Jolson was fined $25.00 plus court costs and was quickly on his way, the residents of Tuckerton unaware of the celebrity's brief visit to their tranquil village. I wonder if Al whistled "Toot, Toot, Tootsie!" on his way out of town.
Brought before Justice of the Peace Potter, Jolson was fined $25.00 plus court costs and was quickly on his way, the residents of Tuckerton unaware of the celebrity's brief visit to their tranquil village. I wonder if Al whistled "Toot, Toot, Tootsie!" on his way out of town.
Pete S
PS- Other celebrities were known to have traveled through Tuckerton and New Gretna on their way to Atlantic City. Click on the photo below to read about Al Capone's visit to New Gretna.
PPS- Jolson's "Toot, Toot, Tootsie" may not play on an Apple iPad as it is a Flash file.
