Most people associate the “Beacon” at the north intersection or Route 130 and Route 156 with the old Giovi’s Restaurant, because for so many years it held the Giovi sign. Many people think that Giovi’s used to be the Beacon, but in reality Giovi’s used to be the Yardville Bar and Grill, The Beacon was something totally different.
Before there was a Giovi’s restaurant at this point there was an establishment known as the Yardville Bar and Grill. Even today if you are driving south on Route 130, at Route 156, and look at the roof of the Old Giovi’s restaurant, now American Grill and Sushi, you will see the peak of an old “A” style roof. This was the Yardville Bar and Grill. When Giovi’s was constructed, it was built around the old establishment, so mainly it was most likely considered a renovation, rather than new construction. For years the bar area of the Yardville Bar and Grill, was the same bar area as Giovi’s.
When the Yardville Bar and Grill was at the point, between it and the Beacon was a Drive-In restaurant, I believe complete with “Car Hops”. The name of the drive in was “The Beacon” and they were the ones that originally erected the Beacon Sign.
At one time the beacon was lit with tall florescent bulbs arranged in a circle in the center of the Lantern and a yellow revolving light on top. The revolving light is still there but is no longer operating.
The “Beacon Drive-In” was still there in the mid 1960’s; I remember they had great steak sandwiches, foot long Hot Dogs, and fresh cut fries, along with all the other great drive-in food, including soft ice cream.
The history of the “Beacon” light goes way back before there was a drive-in restaurant at this intersection, it goes back before there was a Route 130 and Route 156. In fact the “Beacon” or “Lantern” is 94 years old. After a little searching here is what I found:
Before there was a Giovi’s restaurant at this point there was an establishment known as the Yardville Bar and Grill. Even today if you are driving south on Route 130, at Route 156, and look at the roof of the Old Giovi’s restaurant, now American Grill and Sushi, you will see the peak of an old “A” style roof. This was the Yardville Bar and Grill. When Giovi’s was constructed, it was built around the old establishment, so mainly it was most likely considered a renovation, rather than new construction. For years the bar area of the Yardville Bar and Grill, was the same bar area as Giovi’s.
When the Yardville Bar and Grill was at the point, between it and the Beacon was a Drive-In restaurant, I believe complete with “Car Hops”. The name of the drive in was “The Beacon” and they were the ones that originally erected the Beacon Sign.
At one time the beacon was lit with tall florescent bulbs arranged in a circle in the center of the Lantern and a yellow revolving light on top. The revolving light is still there but is no longer operating.
The “Beacon Drive-In” was still there in the mid 1960’s; I remember they had great steak sandwiches, foot long Hot Dogs, and fresh cut fries, along with all the other great drive-in food, including soft ice cream.
The history of the “Beacon” light goes way back before there was a drive-in restaurant at this intersection, it goes back before there was a Route 130 and Route 156. In fact the “Beacon” or “Lantern” is 94 years old. After a little searching here is what I found:
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The beacon or lantern as it was known was on a U S Coast Guard Light Ship. The light ship was built in 1892 in Bay City Michigan, by the J W Wheelan Co., at a cost of $53,325.00. She was one of four built at a cost of $213,300.00 for four ships.
The beacon or lantern as it was known was on a U S Coast Guard Light Ship. The light ship was built in 1892 in Bay City Michigan, by the J W Wheelan Co., at a cost of $53,325.00. She was one of four built at a cost of $213,300.00 for four ships.
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She had an Iron hull and was coal fired, steam powered, and was also rigged for sail if need be. Originally the ship had two lanterns, each with 8 oil lamps w/reflectors and a fog signal consisting of a 12" steam whistle and a hand operated 1000-lb bell.
She had an Iron hull and was coal fired, steam powered, and was also rigged for sail if need be. Originally the ship had two lanterns, each with 8 oil lamps w/reflectors and a fog signal consisting of a 12" steam whistle and a hand operated 1000-lb bell.
In 1906 the Propulsion was changed from steam to a Murray-Tregurtha kerosene engine, a Submarine bell signal was placed in operation. In 1946 the ship was re-powered with a Superior diesel main engine, 151 HP, 310" propeller with a maximum speed of 8 knots.In 1914 the Masts were replaced with a single large diameter lantern mast amidships, equipped with an acetylene lens lantern; a pilot house was added at the foot of mast and in 1930 the Lantern converted to electric operation.
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During the Lights lifetime it served many assignments:
During the Lights lifetime it served many assignments:
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STATION ASSIGNMENTS:
1892-1896: Frying Pan Shoal (NC)
STATION ASSIGNMENTS:
1892-1896: Frying Pan Shoal (NC)
1896-1906: Martins Industry (SC)
1906-1923: Relief (SC)
1924-1933: Charleston (SC)
1933 Relief (SC)
1934-1951: Stonehorse Shoal (MA)
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During the Lights lifetime it endured many harsh storms; in 1893 she safely rode out hurricanes in August and October although boats and the davits were carried away during the storms and deckhouse demolished. In 1936, During a severe winter storm, the ship was dragged several miles off station in a moving ice field, the ship regained her assigned station unassisted and then in 1948, While in route to Boston, became caught in heavy ice in Buzzards Bay; later broken out by a ships tender, “Spar”.
During the Lights lifetime it endured many harsh storms; in 1893 she safely rode out hurricanes in August and October although boats and the davits were carried away during the storms and deckhouse demolished. In 1936, During a severe winter storm, the ship was dragged several miles off station in a moving ice field, the ship regained her assigned station unassisted and then in 1948, While in route to Boston, became caught in heavy ice in Buzzards Bay; later broken out by a ships tender, “Spar”.
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The Lightship was retired from duty in 1951 at the age of 59.
The Lightship was retired from duty in 1951 at the age of 59.
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Decommissioned Jun 15, 1951 at Boston then towed to Cape May NJ for final disposition. The Ship was sold Sep 15, 1951. The lantern mast and large diameter lantern housing is located outside Giovi's Restaurant, Yardville, NJ.
Decommissioned Jun 15, 1951 at Boston then towed to Cape May NJ for final disposition. The Ship was sold Sep 15, 1951. The lantern mast and large diameter lantern housing is located outside Giovi's Restaurant, Yardville, NJ.
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I have been told that after the sale at Cape May, the ship was towed to Doan’s Salvage Yard in Fieldsboro, NJ, to be scrapped; this is where the owners of The Beacon Drive-in purchased the Lightship’s Lantern.
I have been told that after the sale at Cape May, the ship was towed to Doan’s Salvage Yard in Fieldsboro, NJ, to be scrapped; this is where the owners of The Beacon Drive-in purchased the Lightship’s Lantern.
9 comments:
I live in Yardville and this is fascinating! Thanks for your hard work in researching all of this.
I used to know Harry Doan. He also owned Waretown Harbor for a while in the 60s.
Your post is excellent -- very well detailed.
Louise
This is wonderful! So beautifuly written! I really enjoyed this!
are there records or reminants of the ships scrapped at Doan's?
Used to eat there when I was a kid in the early 60's. Lot's of great memories.
Gary - I was one of the 'car hops' employed by the owners of the Beacon, Sam & Cecelia Spelkoman and Joe Twer and his wife. I worked there summers from 1960 until 1962. There were two car hops each night and one waitress in the screened-in dining room. A separate frozen custard room (air conditioned) was on the left side. A fun place to work, it was a great summer job just out of Hamilton High School and for two summers in college. The photo of the lightship in your blog was a large picture on the wall of the dining area. Thanks for all the info about the Beacon and its history. Eleanor Goldy Guear
The Beacon had the best cheeseburgers I've ever had (back in the '70s).
Great memories - the waitress inside was Mabel - she was our next door neighbor and close friend- her youngest daughter and I would walk to the library in Yardville
and then walk to the Beacon for lunch to her in the summer.
Donna
Mabel's son John was my best friend growing up (I was his best man) and at one time he also worked their. Best chocolate milk shakes I've ever had in my life.
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