Sunday, November 12, 2023
LINK: Houdini comes to the Keansburg boardwalk
Here's a nice article by JF Grodeska about the time Houdini corralled a collection of S.A.M. members to throw a surprise party for Frank and Antonio Martinka at their home in Keansburg, New Jersey. I've always meant to do a post about this, but as Jersey Shore Scene did a fine job, I will let you enjoy it there.
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That is one cool Houdini pose!
ReplyDeleteIt is! They have a slightly different pic on their page. Equally cool.
DeleteKen is right. It is a cool Houdini pose! This photo looks about 1915 to 1918. Those old folks in the photo were born around the 1850s. Good Lord! I see Hardeen, and Dr. AM Wilson on the porch in the back row.
ReplyDeleteAnd HH in his black mourning clothes.
DeleteYou got it. It's 1917. I also love his look at this time. Iconic Houdini. And, yes, his mourning suit. He wore it no matter the occasion.
DeleteYeah I clicked on the article and soaked in the info. The other photo is slightly different. The subjects moved, adjusted a little. The tween kid lifts up his cap. Hard to believe he's already dead. I think Gladys is the lady behind the lady who is behind Bess. Dr. Wilson isn't mentioned in the article so I might have misidentified that old guy.
DeleteThe hospital mentioned in the article. Could that be the hospital HH donated that Cecilia wing?
I'm the Anonymous poster. I never sign out of WAH but for some reason I was and didn't know. All fixed.
DeleteAnd here I thought I had a second fan. :)
DeleteNo--one of me is enough. ;-)
DeleteI’ve tried locating this house as I live 20 minutes away. There is one house that seems to fit, large porch and close to the pier (still there) where the ferry docked, but no way to be sure. I’ve gone as far as reaching out to the Keansburg historical society but they did not have an address. Perry from NJ.
ReplyDeleteI have a photo of a house with the number 124 that looks like a decent match. Did you send that to me?
DeleteI remember sending you a few photos and a postcard from that time period.
DeleteThere was another magician that lived in the area during that same timeframe, forget his name, but I was able to find his house (now vinyl sided). The story I heard was in his old age he had no room for all his props and scrapped them putting everything in front of home by the street for garbage pick up.
Mr. & Mrs. Francis Martinka loved their summer cottage at 37 Beachway in Keansburg, N. J. It was surrounded by flowerbeds and landmarked by totem poles that Martinka had carved himself from local driftwood. Francis called the residence “Totem Pole Villa.”
ReplyDeleteAnother great name in magic lived near Martinka. Servais Le Roy, the creative illusionist, and his wife “Talma - The Queen of Coins”, also made their home in Keansburg.
Thank you for the address, Chuck! Great details.
DeleteThat settles it. Martinka’s home no longer exists.
ReplyDeleteI was able to locate La Roy’s home a few years ago which does exist.
Keansburg today is a very old low income town. Beach has not been cared for in many many years. I wonder how it was during the time Houdini visited?
Too bad. I was hoping that house marked 124 was it. Alas...
DeleteIf the Martinka house is gone, what's there now?
DeleteBeachway Ave is the closest street to the beach and runs parallel to it. Mostly all newer construction that replaced the old. From what I just saw looking down that street on Google maps Martinka ‘s home was probably where a gray condo complex is currently located. Not many original homes on that street. When I tried locating this house years ago I thought 124 Beachway Ave was a likely candidate. Now we know I was a few blocks away but the correct street! There is a Keansburg historical society who knew about the Martinkas and the Houdini visit but they did not know the address. I’ll reach out to them and ask if they have a photo of the house in their archives.
DeleteThanks for the info! It's typical property development in that area: Build high rises on small lots that were once occupied by old houses. Hardeen's house went that route.
DeleteI just sent a email to them. Will keep everyone advised.
DeleteTo John, and all of you who posted so many nice comments regarding my article about Houdini at the Jersey Shore, you are most gracious. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteJF Grodeska
Thank YOU for the great work, JF.
Delete