Bygone Binghamton

Bygone Binghamton Remembering People and Places of the Past Volume Two continues with memories of hundreds of people from the areas surrounding Binghamton, New York. It details all the former movie theaters, the early years of local television, TV and radio personalities, bloopers, the creative forces behind Igy, and the pioneers of polka radio broadcasting. Former musicians and musical events – bands, Fritz Wallenberg, David Agard and Pops on the River – as well as bygone entertainment places like the Pavilion, Danceland, Kiddieland, and miniature golf courses are featured.

A special lengthy chapter highlights what we did as kids – collecting baseball cards and the prizes in cereal boxes, reading comic books, watching favorite TV programs and their memorable commercials, playing “house” and “cowboys and Indians”, and playing with toys and games.

Politicians, sports and fine arts figures, and eccentrics – the Triplets, Billy Martin and John Gardner (who both died locally), Rod Serling, the infamous “Masty Huba” and the men who made him famous, John Kolcun, the Santa Claus who was buried in a clown costume, the artist who painted on cardboard boxes, and the ghostly apparition who haunted Devil’s Elbow – are profiled.

The last section – The Spiritual Side – deals with people and places of faith, including a hidden cemetery with thousands of lost lives whose graves are now cared for by those who never knew them in life.

A full bibliography is also provided.