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Any photos not otherwise credited are from the personal collection of Frank Passic, Albion Historian.
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Morning Star, December 5, 2021, pg. 3 As you ponder what to give someone for Christmas this year, why not go "nostalgic" and give them a gift that they may have grown up with? The 1950s were the booming years in Albion’s growth. The anticipation of the opening of the new U.S.-12 by-pass north of Albion brought business opportunities to entrepreneurs along the N. Eaton St. corridor. The highway opened as I-94 in July, 1960. Did you know that Albion once had a trampoline court? It was located on the west side of N. Eaton St. at what today is the north side of the Ford parking lot next to Pizza Hut. It was in existence in 1960, the year the highway opened. There were 12 trampolines, and the site was surrounded by a basic chain-linked fence and a circular driveway. Apparently, some young couple ran it. Back then, trampolines were the craze across America, just like hula-hoops were. The trampolines were set at ground level, and each was supported by a recessed concrete casing. The springs holding the trampolines came out of the casings. Various youth of Albion became very good at trampolining, and could bounce from trampoline to trampoline, flip to flip. Each trampoline had a timer by it. It cost 50 cents per half hour, which was a full week’s allowance at the time. One of my Facebook friends wrote recently: "I used to go there, but on sunny days you’d have to keep bouncing because the rubber got so hot it would burn your hands and feet if you stopped. I believe they had black rubber when the place opened." Needless to say, this business had its ups and downs. It was an accident site waiting to happen, and they did. There were numerous broken wrists, ankles, and other bones. Youth would make flips to "show off" and hit their head on the concrete sides, or their foot would slip between the trampoline canvas and the concrete edge. I heard that someone got hurt and there was a lawsuit (only just one?) which closed the place. For years I’ve tried to get a picture of this business, but to no avail. Recently however, Phillip Konkle uncovered one for me dated August, 1960. It shows some unidentified young guys having a great time behind the chain-linked fence. Felpausch foods is in the background across the street on the right. How many of our readers ever trampolined here? What was the official name of the place, and who owned it? [NOTE: Since publication we have learned that it was owned by auto dealer Harry Richards, and run by his son David.] Oh, if you don’t think a trampoline would make a great gift this Christmas, then how about one of my Albion history books? The choice is yours.  Albion's Trampoline Court (photograph from Phillip Konkle, dated August, 1960)
All text copyright, 2024 © all rights reserved Frank Passic
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