Retro Friday: Canteen Moves In
Posted by phil
Many of us know the story of how the current Camp Ridgecrest Canteen was moved across Yates Ave from where is originally set as the Train Depot for Ridgecrest. Camp Ridgecrest paid a total of $1 for that building. But I’ve heard it cost a lot more to have it moved (seen below).
Yes, campers at one time simply boarded a train, saying good-bye to their parents, and began their journey to camp. It’s pretty cool to stand in this building and try to imagine the years of people who passed through the same doors, and walked on the same floors. One of my favorite parts of the canteen is the door that we currently use as the main entrance (not in the picture below). There is at least a 2 inch dent in the floor right at that door from the years of excited campers stomping through on their way to buy a train ticket to camp, or just an RC Cola or a Cheerwine after lunch…
What are your favorite memories of the Camp Ridgecrest Canteen or the old Train Depot? Do you know any other details that you’d like to share?
Posted in News | Tagged Camp Ridgecrest, Canteen, Ridgecrest Alumni, Ridgecrest Depot, Ridgecrest Summer Camps, Ridgecrest Train Station, Summer Camp history, Train Depot
Great picture. A monument to that mammoth man known as Monk Ashley.
One buck, plus the haulin’. Settles this Oldster with gift of the chuckle.
In earliest days of the Seventies, the heavy freight doors slid open to reveal the Clothing Store. Canteen was quickly established on the uphil side. It was focus of weekly disbursement of laundry that we shipped out each week and came back cleaned in brown paper wrapped packages, tossed out with the call of the name to each camper.
Good stout doors. Sniff of old wood. Good job Monk.
I remember when the clothing store was on the left side and there was an old poster or flier glued to the back wall.I cant remember what it said but I think it was pretty old
so do i