Young Michael Landon Walked Here

On our New Jersey trip our able guide, Abbe Effron, took us to the town of Collingswood to haunt some of Michael Landon's childhood haunts.  These included the school where he went to kindergarten, his high school, his soda shop hangout (now an Italian restaurant), and the movie house where his father worked and he ushered.  (More about that last one later.)  We had a great time talking and sharing - and shopping!  There's great British store there and that fed my inner Whovian. Those of you who know me, know that I am a great Doctor Who fan.  If you don't know just who the Doctor is, well, then, I pity you!  LOL  

Collingswood is a beautiful historic town in New Jersey with some impressive older buildings.  It actually reminded me of Troy, OH where I live.  Many of the buildings date to the last quarter of the 19th century  and the whole place had the charm of small downtown America.  As we walked, I could just imagine Michael hanging out on its streets in the past.

Our first 'Landon' oriented stop was actually the current Collingswood Middle School, which was Michael's high school back in the day. There was a basketball game taking place on Saturday so we were able to go inside and wander.  No one questioned us, so we took an extensive tour.  Again, I could just see that skinny, slightly big-eared, curly-headed, charming and handsome kid hanging out by the lockers, talking to friends, and pursuing his after-school sports activities.  We made a stop at the auditorium and stood on the stage.  It was cool to think of how Michael's acting career was not uppermost when he was there.  Sports, he thought, was his ticket out.  In the end, of course, writing and creating emotional heartfelt stories through acting and drama ended up being his life's mission and legacy to the world.  

The gate to the stadium at the high school. 

Views of the bleachers. 

The stadium sign.

Michael's famous javelin throw, done in the stadium yard.  (Look at that body, will you?!!)

The gym where Michael would have trained. 

Abbe, Jessie, and me outside of what is now the Collingswood Middle school.

The auditorium

Live long and prosper! 

The halls of the high school.  

And yes, this is Jessie dreaming of finding Michael's locker.  <G>

From the school, we went downtown and visited a number of other local spots.  The first was Michael's kindergarten building.  That's where this cute little kidder would have attended.  What a beautiful little boy!  

The building that housed the kindergarten.

Abbe and me inside the front door. 

Our visit downtown took us a couple of other great places.  One was the corner establishment that was known as 'The Triangle' back in Michael's day.  Abbe said it was something of a soda shop/hangout at the time. The floors and doors, etc. were still original and again we had visions of our favorite guy hanging out there (especially when looking at the outside front door).  It is a wonderful Italian restaurant now.  We had lunch there and spent an hour or so soaking up the atmosphere. 

The restaurant and Abbe and Jessie pigging out.  

The original door of The Triangle 

The Triangle on the corner

For the 'capper' to our downtown trip check back soon for 'our adventures in a 1950s movie palace' or 'the tale of three crazy ladies from Ohio in the men's' restroom'.

Really!  LOL