Was Philly that Bad in 1985? - Page 2 - PhillyBlog

Hospitalitygirl · #11 (**permalink**) 05-28-2008, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueroses

That may have been the case, but it doesn't mean that's the impression folks in outlying areas or other cities had of Philly.

It was long before anyone had a clue about marketing this City's assets to anyone not from the city.

*Marketing*--making lemonade out of lemons.

ChiefSalsa · #12 (**permalink**) 05-28-2008, 03:17 PM

Channel 6 was not live all day for MOVE. It was Channel 10.

I know because I was home in bed from school sick. I watched the whole damn thing.

Hospitalitygirl · #13 (**permalink**) 05-28-2008, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pistaugh

Was that the year of the really long garbage strike? It had to be around then. Possibly '86...

The long strike was in 1986.

TVandSportsGuy · #14 (**permalink**) 05-28-2008, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by executive:dead

If you’re referring to 1985 in particular, then yes, that was a rough year for Philly because of the MOVE disaster. That made the news worldwide and the city’s reputation was dealt a severe blow because of it. I was a freshman at West Chester University at the time and still remember watching the entire thing unfold from the TV in my dorm. I blew off most of my classes that day and remained glued to the TV in astonishment. By the time the bomb was dropped (around 7 PM), several friends had joined me and we just watched without saying much with the exception of the occasional “Holy Sh--!”. Channel 6 was on the scene all day broadcasting and I can still remember Jim Gardner repeatedly asking the onsite reporter, “Why isn’t anyone putting out that fire??” I also remember calling my Grandmother, who lived a few blocks away in Overbrook, to see if she was ok. If you weren’t alive then or you’re too young to remember, it’s impossible to communicate the chilling effect of watching all of that go down. But yes, that was a definite black eye for the city and something from which it took a long time to recover.

That said, I agree with 3300 Mayfair that the club scene during the 80’s was a blast. I have many fond memories of some great nights at the Empire (and briefly, the Arch St. Empire), the Troc, Dobbs, Khyber Pass, the Crypt, Revival and the Chestnut Cabaret.

i have all that on Tape

pistaugh · #15 (**permalink**) 05-28-2008, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hospitalitygirl

The long strike was in 1986.

Man, that was brutal. I was living in West Philly back then. People just piled the bags up in front of their houses. The piles were so high, you couldn't see over them. In July.

Hospitalitygirl · #16 (**permalink**) 05-28-2008, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pistaugh

Man, that was brutal. I was living in West Philly back then. People just piled the bags up in front of their houses. The piles were so high, you couldn't see over them. In July.

It wasn't that bad where we were. But then again, the old hub took some trash to the dump. It was one of his few concessions to a pregnant wife...

alesis · #17 (**permalink**) 05-28-2008, 03:37 PM

Watch Trading Places with Eddie Murphy and Dan Akroyd. Unfortunately, those were not movie sets. At one point they are walking to a lady's apartment(played by jamie lee curtis), and you can see the spray painted addresses on condemned south street properties.

It was a rough time for many cities. Downtowns had become relics suitable only for corporate business and bureaucratic office space. Malls and suburbs were blossoming while downtown business was becoming archaic. Back then there was no "no.libs., old city, center city, etc.". Honestly, the only place people went out on the weekends was south street because every where else was boarded up. Even in the early 90's I remember being offered a market street/old city property for 180k, but thought they were nuts since the whole tract was vacant....oops.

GOP65 · #18 (**permalink**) 05-28-2008, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVandSportsGuy

i have all that on Tape

It's forever embedded in my mind having spent over 24hrs there starting the Sunday evening prior, which happened to be Mothers Day.

executive:dead · #19 (**permalink**) 05-28-2008, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefSalsa

Channel 6 was not live all day for MOVE. It was Channel 10.

I know because I was home in bed from school sick. I watched the whooe damn thing.

My mistake, it's been a long time. I do remember watching Channel 6 later in the day, though, because I started taping it just before the bomb was dropped.

executive:dead · #20 (**permalink**) 05-28-2008, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alesis

Honestly, the only place people went out on the weekends was south street because every where else was boarded up. Even in the early 90's I remember being offered a market street/old city property for 180k, but thought they were nuts since the whole tract was vacant....oops.

Let's not forget Front St. or The Lakes. No clubs, but lots of activity on the weekends.

It was great when we weren't getting chased by the cops.