As like most things nothing stays the same! That includes the town I grew up in. I recently went to Woodbridge and I could not believe how it has changed. First thing I noticed is it looks so run down., and the traffic sucks!!!!! I passed by Marumsco plaza where you use to see about 50 cars there on a weekend night, people hanging out and things were just simple. You never saw a lot of people standing on the corner in lines looking for work. Reading the paper crime rates are way up. Took the back road thru Marumsco Acres, and could not believe how trashed it was. Went down Colchester Road to get to the woods, I remember being able to walk to highs, 7-11, etc and not have a care in the world. I went though Marumsco woods where I grew up. I drove all the way up to Kentucky Avenue to see the Maryland shore. The Potomac River flows between the two states of Virginia and Maryland. Drove to Michigan Street and remembered some of the people on that street. I remember the cool people that lived in the woods, Bill, the two Pam’s, Lori, Debbie, Shelly, Etc. You could be out all day and had to be home by the time the street lights came on. Everyone got a long for the most part. We did not have Potomac Mills Outlets, it was woods you use to be able to party in! The nearest mall was Springfield mall. I remember jumping off the bride at Neabsco train Bridge not thinking anything about the water or what was underneath it. Dale City and Manassas seems like it took forever to get to and the main way to get to Manassas was rt 234. What is up with Prince William Parkway, the main road that gets from Woodbridge to Manassas? I remember the bowling alley being at Linwood but now it is a furniture store, Ginos, Ground Round, Lums, just to name a few are all gone. Manny Moon’s pizza (Best pizza in the world) moved to Spotsylvania Virginia. There were so many stores, restaurants, things to do know, I could not believe it. I remember skinny dipping in Marumsco Acres Lake; don’t know if that lake is still there. Yes Woodbridge has changed. It is a nice place to visit but would not want to live there in today’s society! Like I said, the traffic sucks! Until next time
Ahhhh...yes...the good old day! Gone are the days of simplicity!
ReplyDeleteI grew up there 50 yrs. ago. Different town now
ReplyDeleteI grew up in Woobridge, graduated from WHS in 1972. Worked at the Pizzarant for 3 yrs. Sat for Manny and Jewel's children. Have so many fond memories of the people I worked with. Will be coming in May to bury my father and mother in Quantico National Cemetery. Hope to meet up with some of my friends. Debbie Sweeten Stachowicz.
ReplyDeleteI lived on Longview Dr so all those places were my world early 70s as well. Nice to hear other people miss it too. I bought many dresses at Mays and Tots and Teens. Great memories.
ReplyDeleteMy Dad managed Woodbridge Sunset Drivein. I worked there 5 years. Bet you remember that too.
ReplyDeleteHow can I forget the sunset Drive in my name is Diane I lived on poplar Lane in occoquan Virginia my mom was Emma Watkins at parties there parties on Longview Drive went to Garfield high got married in 64 still got the same old guy 60 years later I think those days were so great many moons Pizza was somewhere we went all the time after the dances of the fire hall in Occoquan my parents lived there for 50 years until 1999
DeleteWe lived on Cloverdale Rd. My dad worked for C.D Hylton. FREE PIZZA ON YOUR BIRTHDAY
ReplyDeleteI lived in Darbydale on Delmar Dr.fro 10+ years I also lived behind Marumsco plaza in apartments for a year. I miss Brother's Pizza in Marumsco plaza and Chesapeake Seafood Restaurant also the small placeon US 1 in Woodbridge I think it was called Hi Neibor. Steak and cheese subs and pizza
ReplyDeleteThose WERE the good days growing up in the late 60's and early 7-'s. Dale City and Woodbridge were the best places to be as a budding teenager.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone remember Occoquan Va, where we lived on the Occoquan river, remember the firehall dances upstairs Jeff Welcher sang in the band.
ReplyDeleteI lived at Featherstone by the river in the 60s and 70s. Manny would give you a free small pizza for your birthday. My dad would go to the hardware store in Occoquan and then to the get gravel at the quarry, and we had to drive across the one lane wood bridge. I was there when the original bridge was washed out during Hurricane Agnes. Woodbridge was a simple yet nice place to live. Kind of reminds me of the Wonder Years. It was close to all of the modern conveniences (Seven Corners, DC, parks, highways, historic places, yet still off of the beaten path). I ride past on the train going to DC from time to time, and it has become a dumpy place with lots of traffic. I now live in Richmond and love it. Anyone remember Handy Dandy market and the Lazy Susan restaurant/club and Lorton penitentiary? Oh, and Burke Lake park with the little train that you could ride around the lake.
ReplyDelete