SJ Web Site Reviews - Cool Places

South Jersey never ceases to fascinate me. I know, from growing up here, that it is an interesting and historical piece of the state, but in taking a closer look, I realize there are many places I have overlooked during all these years of reading and day trips.

Take Vineland, for instance. Vineland immediately brings soccer and truck farms to my mind, and a town one passes on the way to Wildwood. I knew it was remarkable in its size, too, but I never realized it was hiding something as unique as the “Palace Depression”. What an engaging name for a palace – and: what is a palace doing in Vineland anyway? I was thinking along the lines of some type of care facility for those in need of TLC. Boy, was I wrong.

The Palace of Depression is a building created totally from “stuff” that a down and out ex-gold miner found lying around. The man was quite an eccentric celebrity in his day, and his fame/infamy has been reawakened with great impetus. His building, which in its time, was well visited and the subject of radio, TV, and even Hollywood, is now being rebuilt.

The publicity his efforts are receiving would undoubtedly cheer the original builder, George Daynor, a real publicity hound that wasn’t above inventing stories to get some recognition. In fact, his craving for publicity eventually led to his arrest – but that’s just a piece of his interesting biography.

You have to go to one of the several sites I found to first, see his palace, and then read more about the man who built it.

Check out this cool site as your first stop for some great pictures of the Palace of Depression. You’ll also be able to get a look at George Daynor, which should serve to fuel your interest and lead you to search on.

Since the groundwork is done for you, I suggest hitting the Roadside America link Here you will find some old film footage featuring our hero in the “Knockout Room” – I’ll let you figure out what that is: you wouldn’t believe me, anyway. The Quicktime movie link is at the bottom/right part of the page.

Speaking of movies, the Palace Depression was featured in the movie, “Eddie and the Cruisers”. The site featuring pictures of this is currently undergoing updating, but you can wait a little longer and get a firsthand view of the Palace. A replica of the original building is currently under construction; Roadside America has the details.

Tree clearing began in June and with over $200,000 for the project, maybe I’ll see you there soon.

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Author: Staff Writer Janis Labenz