Rock of Ages
By Charles P. Eberson
It looks like “The Rock” is finally going to be leaving Margate. No, I’m not talking about Dwayne Johnson. I’m referring to the remnants of a sea wall that has been standing on the Essex Avenue beach for decades. It is one of those ubiquitous sites that has been around so long that one simply accepts its presence; its permanence. I haven’t given it much thought in years but news of its pending removal has met with a flood of memories from other people who have grown up with The Rock also known as Pride Rock or White Rock. Some people like me who remember The Rock still live here but many have moved away keeping family photos with The Rock in the background as a memento.
Growing up in Margate, my friends and family would go to the beaches close to our houses which was the Hanover Avenue beach. As young bucks, we would walk down to The Rock and play King of the Mountain where we would climb up to the top and try and push each other off. Other days, if the wind was blowing hard off shore, we would seek the shelter of the seaward side of the The Rock and be protected from the wind and blowing sand. But, it is rumored, it was allegedly also the site of more mischievous activities. In the 1970’s sometimes the police would roll a patrol car down Essex Avenue and the bulkhead “to see what would flush out.” I asked Margate Mayor, Michael Becker why at this time is the city deciding to have The Rock removed. Is it because some may consider it an eyesore or is it more of a safety issue? Becker said that is definitely not an eyesore but there have been complaints and the safety of the residents is his concern. Becker went on to say that the Army Corps of Engineers has agreed to remove the sea wall at no cost while they were here and the savings to the city is always a consideration.
This past weekend, I visited The Rock not having done so since my youth. Like many things we revisit after many years, I remember it being much larger; higher and longer. Playing king of the mountain now would not seem like such a challenging game. King of the termite mound might be more appropriate. Today, The Rock is off limits. Access to the beach is banned due to the beach reconstruction going on and The Rock is dwarfed by the size of heavy construction equipment. One can get sentimentally attached to things and places that may represent a simpler time; a time thick with youthful memories. We are disappointed when we would like to return to these places and reaffirm our existence at that time and space. I remember bowling at the two bowling alleys that were in Margate. I remember going to the Margate movie theater and later worked as an usher while going to school. I thought they would always be there. We have learned as the years progress that permanence can be fleeting. Even the concrete sea wall sometimes succumbs to the pressure of time.
Charles Eberson has been in the newspaper business for over 25 years. He has worked as a writer, advertising executive, circulation manager and photographer. His photography can be viewed at charles-eberson.fineartamerica.com
