Community Corner
My Bruce Springsteen Tour
This author takes a look at the Freehold locations Bruce Springsteen made famous.
Last year while visiting California, I took a tour of the stars homes. A lovely young man with aspirations to act, was our tour leader. Among our destinations were the coffee shop where Madonna bought her lattes and the first home of several actors who have now ugraded. A highlight was the multi-million dollar home of Nicolas Cage, which was for sale.
It ocurred to me then, that I could do the same thing back in Freehold. I could coordinate the “Bruce Tour” and take adoring fans to the homes, schools and favorite places of our local superstar.
I would start at 87 Randolph Street where he lived until he was six. Unfortunately, it is now a church parking lot. Still standing is 39 1/2 Institute St.. This location was used in the photo shoot for my favorite album, "Born in the USA.” There still stands a beautiful old tree that represents the “home town” mystique that the album made famous. We can then travel to 68 South St., where he lived until 1969.
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Bruce attended at 51 Lincoln Place until he completed the eighth grade. He then continued his education at located at 2 Robertsville Road. When you visit, you can actually see the smaller building where Bruce attended among the labyrinth of add-ons.
We could vsit Vinyard Park. This was built in 2002 on the site of the home owned by Tex and Marion Vinyard. He was the manager of “The Castilles,” which was Bruce’s first band. Freehold legend has it that his house was a haven for aspiring musicians and that “The Boss” himself was a frequent visitor.
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We could stop for a meal at , located at 14 East Main St. Bruce has openly cited this restaurant as one of his favorite places to go. One can almost picture him drinking a beer and eating one of their famous pizzas.
The last stop would be to see the “Born To Run Fire Truck. After the success of the album, Bruce donated $100.000 to the town. A fire truck was purchased with the money. The words “Born to Run” was printed on the side in deference to his generosity. The truck is located at the on 49 W. Main Street.
The tour would exemplify the solid foundation that Bruce had which helped him become the success he is today. Freehold was truly his hometown.
