A Most Special Hometown
A Memories Project submission by Alex Sandra Hart Wildey
Nahant was a most special hometown and I moved there from Lynn in the 2nd grade. What made it special for me, was a good educational system, dedicated teachers, small classes and wonderful close friends. We could walk to school, sports events, and parties.
1951 Nahant Junior High girl’s basketball team
The Old Village Church stopped being an active church in 1968. It then became the Nahant YMCA and later, around 1989, it became the private home that it is today.
Our parents didn’t need to worry about us, day or night, anywhere in town. We had sand beaches, rocks and caves to explore, and lots of green space with wonderful trees to climb. Gail Comforts dad owned the roller skating rink and marina. We had lots of fun times skating and sometimes boating. I always loved fishing at the town pier and swimming off the rocks near my home. We always expected to jump in by April 15 and take our last swim October 15. (It doesn’t sound like FUN now!)
My mother and I always enjoyed participating in the events at the town hall, especially the annual flower shows. We had large flower gardens in our yard and at my grandmother’s on Pond St. Sometimes we would borrow a sprig or two from one of the estates before the summer folks returned.
The Village Church was a weekly part of our family life. I taught Sunday School there for 10 years, and my husband George and I were married at the stone church near 40 steps, 60 years ago.
All in all I have most happy memories about growing up in Nahant, and I hope it is still a special place for children now.