This photo was taken from the front lawn of the classic Hotel Seaside and shows a breezy and clear day on the turnaround in the 1920s. It turns out the Hotel Seaside was a popular nerve center for the community and its vacationing tourists. The balcony of the Hotel Seaside, pictured at left center, was where major local announcements would take place. During the busy summer season when the turnaround, beach, and promenade were packed with people, the crowds would gather beneath the balcony to hear announcements, commercials, and ceremonial recitations. The announcer perched on the Hotel Seaside balcony and spoke into a microphone or loudspeaker to project his voice out to the crowd.
A beautiful day at the beach has always attracted cruising vehicles and anybody who has ever taken their car for a jaunt through the turnaround can relate to this picture. It looks like some folks in their late Model T are on an early afternoon joyride, breathing in both the fresh sea air and the soothing view. These kind of joyrides are definitely a longstanding Seaside tradition. Do you remember your first trip down Broadway? Did it include cruising the turnaround in your car? Please share your memories about your turnaround experience(s).
Editor’s Note: The turnaround and promenade were jointly constructed in 1921.
