Stella Star at the Lollipop Motel Sign

One of Doo Wop City’s most colorful destinations is Lollipoop Motel, located on the intersection of 24th Street and Atlantic Avenues. Every door is a different color at Lollipop Motel. These pictures were taken on October 14, 1966. (…Or, was that 2022?) Here I am at the Lollipop Motel’s sign with its multicolored brick base.

Retro Signworks Signs

There’s a place on Rio Grande Avenue called Signs+ Printing, which makes signs and does professional wedding photography. They also have a new department called Retro Signworks, where they make the finest in mid-century modernist signs for homes or businesses. My husband, “Cathode” Ray, photographed some of their demonstration signs. He used a roll of

Stella Star visits Panoramic

The Panoramic Motel, on 21th Street lock of Surf Avenue in North Wildwood, is one of my favorite mid-era Doo Wop buildings, particularly for its color scheme, spacious windows, and irregular flagrock brick work, all elements of modernist architecture. These photos were taken on March 23rd, 1967. (…Or, was that 2021?) Well, here I am,

The Cars of Doo Wop City, Part 10

Doo Wop City, late September. You know what that means: The tourist season is winding down, and the streets are clear. So, everyone rides up and down Atlantic Avenue in their cars while the weather is still warm. Meanwhile, my husband likes to stand at Skylark Motel, to watch and photograph the vehicles as they

Stella Star’s Among The Cars, Part 4

With many boardwalk shops closing up for the season, car enthusiasts take the liberty to park their cars on the Wildwood boardwalk. I, Stella Star, love strolling the boardwalk in the fall, pretending I own the various cars parked there! You can’t prevent a girl from dreaming! These photos were taken on September 22nd, 1967.

The Cars of Doo Wop City, Part 9

It’s late September in Doo Wop City. You know what that means: The tourist season is winding down, and the streets are clear. So, everyone rides up and down Atlantic Avenue in their cars while the weather is still warm. Meanwhile, my husband likes to stand at Skylark Motel, to watch and photograph the vehicles

Stella Star at the 1984 Cheerleading Competition, Part 2

During the winter and spring of 1984 (or, was that 2023?), Wildwood hosted cheerleading competitions. I was a cheerleader for The Rockets early in The Age of Doo Wop. I found out that The Rockets still existed in The Wildwood of Tomorrow. This excited me, so I took several trips to the Awesome 1980s, when

Stella Wants Some Cool Scoops

Let’s just state the obvious: I love ice cream. One of my adventures last year ended with a craving which led me to Cool Scoops Ice Cream Parlor located at 1111 New Jersey Avenue in North Wildwoood. Unfortunately, I was so in the mood that I went while it wasn’t open yet. I had a

Restoring Binns’ Awning

In the previous post, I made a splash at Bonito Motel. Bonito is now the sister property to Binns Motor Inn, a lodging establishment that predates the Age of Doo Wop. Before the Age of Doo Wop, the Binns Sisters had an awning above the entrance to the entrance. Here’s a photograph of it, under

Stella Star Makes a Splash in the Bonito Pool, Part 2

One year ago today, I was cooling off in the middle of a hot, balmy day in Doo Wop City, with a refreshing dip on the pool at Bonito Motel. These photos were taken on September 14th, 1966. (…Or, was that 2022?) I can’t believe it’s been a year already! I just finished a nice

The Cars of Doo Wop City, Part 8B

Remember when I said that my husband took so many photos of this beautiful Edsel convertible that we’ll be saving more photos for a future post? Well, now is the time. These photos were taken on August 2nd, 1967. (…Or, was that 2023?) Here’s a nice view that shows both its front ans side. Did

Stella’s Day of Summer Nites Part 4: Marilyn Room

This is the fourth in a series of seven non-consecutive posts about Stella’s fabulous day at Summer Nites Bed & Breakfast in North Wildwood NJ. The Marilyn Room is named after, and inspired by, the glamorous star, Marilyn Monroe. I can’t stay here without feeling elegant. These photos were taken on Tuesday, May 9th, 1961.

Aztec & American Safari

The Aztec and American Safari are two adjacent motels with similar designs, so they are like one large property. We’ll examine their similarities. These photos were taken on March 26th, 1967. (…Or, was that 2023?) Here is the Aztec’s sign. Its angular thunderbird shape represents the Tiki movement, the architectural successor to Googie. Here is

Stella Star at Centennial Park

It’s September again! I have fond memories of last September, and how the sunny days continued as the summer made way to give fall the spotlight. One day last September, I strolled along Centennial Park in a new outfit. These photos were taken on September 10th, 1966. (…Or, was that 2022?) I’m behind the large

Pan American Without Its Globe!

The world stopped turning last winter! At least, the one that is usually perched atop the Pan American Hotel on Ocean Avenue in Wildwood Crest. The atomic globe emblazoned with the initials PA had to be temporarily removed for repairs. It’s back to its glory, but my husband took these pictures of the hotel without

Part 2 of Stella Star at Ivanhoe

This is part 2 of a two-part series. These photos were taken on March 23rd, 1967. (…Or, was that 2023?) One unique thing about Ivanhoe is its bronze sculpture art by the pool and on the west side second-story patio. The first day of spring was only days ago. It’s not pool weather yet,so it’s

Laura’s Fudge is All Lit Up

Laura’s Fudge is a well-established location, with operations dating back to the early 1900s! They have some nice shadowbox signs circling the top of the building. Most of the many bulbs reqired to illuminate a sign like this have been replaced, and now the signs are updated for a bright 1967! (or, is that 2023?)