Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

Let’s get away from today’s problems and take a little trip back in time to Paragon Park, Nantasket Beach. The park operated from 1902 through approximately 1984. Lots of us have happy memories of outings, family days and just plain fun at Paragon Park.

Remember when those discounted match books were everywhere? Two dollars-worth of tickets for one dollar. Boy, what a deal!

As friends noted, “It was way better than Revere Beach, and the ferry ride made it better, to me anyway, juke box on the deck, party all the way there and all the way back.” Another memory: “Loved Paragon Park. We used to take the boat out of Atlantic Ave to Nantasket Beach.”

You could stop at Snack A Rama for treats like burgers, pizza and maybe fried dough. If you wanted the best hot dog on the beach you could pop into Joe and Nemo.

Of course you’d be wise to wait a while after chowing down before you took a ride on The Comet rollercoaster.

When The Surf Ballroom was in its heyday at Nantasket Beach, great bands like The Doors, The Ventures, The Rascals, The Turtles, Tommy James and The Shondells and many Boston bands performed there. In the ’60’s, the house band for some time was The Rockin’ Ramrods who opened for The Kingsmen of Louie, Louie fame. You could have a fantastic Nantasket day of fun at the beach and then check out a great lineup of live bands.

A musician friend shares the following memory: “I worked at a little joint there in ’77, the Lamarra Inn! I used to work at the Surf on Nantasket Beach in the early 70’s with the Inner Circle! Had a ton of fun!”

Some lucky Somerville families had cottages there. My friend says, “My kids all grew up there!” St. Catherine’s school had an eighth grade field trip to Paragon Park around 1970.

Friends also shared: “My Mom would take me there once a summer. We would take the harbor cruise out to Hull, walk across to the park and spend the day. I don’t know which was more fun. The boat ride from Rowes Wharf or the rollercoaster.”

Along with the Caterpillar,  Tilt-Whirl, and the Ferris Wheel, there were other rides you may remember. Thrills were had on The Salt and Pepper Shakers, The Rotor, Crazy Tea Cups, The Congo Cruise, and The Indy 500.

Directions to Paragon Park are the same today. Take 128 south to Route 3 south to 228 to Hull and Nantasket Beach. The beautiful vintage and ornate “grand” carousel, built in 1928 by The Philadelphia Toboggan Company (on the National Register of Historic Places) isn’t the only thing that remains from Paragon Park. Millions of people have their memories of the family fun they had back then and no amount of “progress” can ever rip that down.

Thanks to an article by Len Cirelli for some musical facts.