USO Club: Jones Beach
1943 West Bath House “Marine Dining Room” converted to USO Lounge (WWII)
The West Bathhouse was designed by Herbert Magoon, AIA in 1929-1931. The drawings were approved & signed by Architect/Engineer W. Earle Andrews. The corner stone of the West Bathhouse was laid by Franklin Delano Roosevelt, then New York State governor, in 1930. The WBH is composed of a north entrance building on Ocean Parkway and a monumental south building on the beach. A large central courtyard with pools and viewing decks flanked by changing areas was set between the north and south buildings. A brick screen wall connected the two buildings and enclosed the courtyard. The south building featured a formal Art Deco terrace level that included the Marine Dining Room, lobbies, private dining rooms and outdoor terraces. The first floor featured a café, first aid station, beach shop and restrooms. The building is 150,000 sq ft (approx). In 1953-55, the building under went a major alteration. The original floor plan of the south building was drastically altered as was the terrace level of the building. Passages were sealed, windows were bricked in and spaces were reoriented. Additional alterations to the building’s design and fabric were also undertaken 1970’s & 80’s in response to deterioration and changes in use. In 2009, a major masonry restoration project was undertaken. For more info on Architecture of Jones Beach as a whole click here.
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A Man on crutches ascending stairs to USO building, Jones Beach, New York. from The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Lantern Slide Collection.
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In the early 1930s, then New York Governor Franklin Delano Roosevelt (middle) dined at Jones Beach with Long Island State Park Commissioner, Robert Moses (left).
1955
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1960s-70s
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2009
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Thanks to recent restoration work, you can once again enjoy the fabulous design elements of the historic Marine Dining Room! Re-opened in 2018 as "The Landing" it currently operates as Gatsby on the Ocean.
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May 31, 1942 BDE
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July 13, 1942, BDE
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February 13, 1942, BDE
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A windshield sticker similar to the one described.
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10/31/1941-New York, NY: Taking off from Mitchel Field, New York, in a U.S. Army bomber converted into a Flying Showboat for a two weeks tour of the Caribbean bases where they will present live shows for Army and Navy men. (Left to right) Eddie Dowling, President of camp shows. Ray Boldger, Dancer. Mitzi Mayfair, Musical comedy dancer. Louis Polanski, (L to R center) Stan Laurel, Comedian. Jane Pickens, singer. Benay Venute, radio songstress, in the rear John Garfield, screen player who will act as master of ceremonies L-- and Oliver Hardy film comedian. Camp Shows, Inc. affiliate of U.S.O. is sponsoring the trip.
