Cranford Then and Now - Part 2

“Everything that is past is either a learning experience to grow on, a beautiful memory to reflect on, or a motivating factor to act upon.”
― Denis Waitley
Note: Presented under fair use for educational purposes, all rights reserved by the original owners.
THE USE OF ANY COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL IS USED UNDER THE GUIDELINES OF "FAIR USE" IN TITLE 17 & 107 OF THE UNITED STATES CODE. SUCH MATERIAL REMAINS THE COPYRIGHT OF THE ORIGINAL HOLDER AND IS USED HERE FOR THE PURPOSES OF EDUCATION, COMPARISON, AND CRITICISM ONLY. NO INFRINGEMENT OF COPYRIGHT IS INTENDED.

[@jacobthekidd22]

I’m still here for another 14 years

[@kristinejones6383]

Well done, Michael. Fond memories of Cranford and Sherman School second graders of Room 21 in 1973-74. It was my first and last position there since the building was set for demolition. Some of the students....Kelley Washburn, James Trotter, Anthony Cirello, Lauren Green, Becky Thompson, Michael Horowitz. Hope they are all well.

[@snailsfrogslegs119]

If that circular building was a bank or something like it... I was a little kid at the time when it opened and participated in the penny grab game during the grand opening. Amazing to see it again after all these years.

[@Bullit061950]

Thank you, Michael.....that was awesome!

[@donwilcox728]

I remember Shapiros. My father brought me there to buy my first dress suit in 1985. Mr. Shapiro gave me his undivided attention to detail. A very kind man. First time I thought of this in 35 years. I remember Brown's, the large bank on the corner of North Ave., the magazine/news shop across the street from the bank next to the train underpass, the round bank on the other side of the underpass, and when Pathmark was across the street from the train station in Cranford. All explored on my bicycle from 1973-1987. I lived at 114 Columbia Ave. From 1973-1982 and then we moved around the block to 195 Locust Dr. From 1983-1994. I attended Roosevelt School at the end of my street for kindergarten through 4th grade 1975-1979. Orange Ave. School a block away for grades 5th through 8th from 1980-1983. And Cranford High School from 1984-1987. Cranford was a great place to grow up. I would leave the house at 9am and not come home till 5pm for dinner with no worries. So many trees it was like living and playing in a forest. I loved the large open field behind Orange Ave. School, the Cranford Pool off Orange Ave. and riding my bike past the dead end and into Kenilworth to buy my wrestling magazines at "Stinky's" the boulevard's newspaper and deli store. Great memories and a great childhood.
Edit: I had to mention my favorite store downtown. The "Hobby Shop". My grandmother Ruth and my father Don Sr. bought me many models and match box cars there. The owner was always grumpy and didn't trust us kids but it was a cool place anyway.