Earlier this month George Krewson III sent in this-
My Dad purchased the Oceanside Hotel at Magnolia in 1931. I was 6 at the time. He kept it until 1946. Dad had no idea how to operate a hotel, having most previous experience in the building business. When the 1929 depression hit he was out of building and just happened to acquire the Oceanside by what he called “trading cats for dogs.” He and Mom learned quickly, and within a few years a guest suggested that they journey down to Thomasville, GA and have a look a winter resort inn there. They liked what they saw and purchased the inn. Each year for the next 11 years they thrived on the resort hotel business–the Oceanside at Magnolia in the summer, and the Three Toms Inn at Thomasville in the winter, Needless to say I cam to really love growing up in the business. Then came WW II and changes in all family’s lives.
Magnolia and the Oceanside, in particular, will always remain as a fond memory.
George Krewson III
and now he follows up with this-
Oceanside Hotel first floor plan
Hi Joe,
In going through some files recently I came across the main lobby/dining area floor plan of the Oceanside Hotel I had scketched from memory about 10 years back. Odd how things like that can stick in one’s mind. I hadn’t been in the place since the early 40’s. Some fond memories.
George Krewson
Click on document below to view full sized-
Good Morning Gloucester 
Here are some more memories from those days, as told to me by my late father-in-law Dick Dunn, whose parents ran The Crawford House in NH and the Gasparilla Inn in Florida…Duke Ellington in Magnolia, imagine!
PS if this PDF doesn’t click through, please feel free to email me and I’ll send it as an attachment.
Sincerely,
Teri Dunn Chace
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does anyone know if this later became “Magnolia Manor”?
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Judy, I am not sure if you mean the building that is now a residential apartment building at 10 Oakes Ave. That building used to be called the Shore Drive Manor or the Manor House for short. It was a vacation spot and had a restaurant. I have a bit of history on it that I may post later, if you think that is it.
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The Mgnolia Manor was a health spa for women run by Saul Feldman and his wife. I think it was on Hesperus Ave.
Irene Ina Shaker
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Hi there, I worked at Magnolia Manor during one summer and dated Linda Feldman,
the daughter of Saul Feldman. Do you know anything about Linda Feldman ?
I would like to find her.
Thanks, Barry Rosenbaum
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Hi Barry,
You might be interested to know that my mother was pissed for years because my sister Linda did not marry you.
Regards,
Loren Feldman ( fminstrelsy@aol.com)
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Barry,
Linda lives in Stuart, Fla and has for many years. She has two sons and a daughter. Widowed for a few years if you are still interested.
Loren
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Hi, I Eliot Pearlman originally from Brookline and remember both the Oceanside Hotel (as a teenage guest, 1955-6 and Magnolia Manor, which was called a fat farm at the time (my mother went there a couple of times). I remember a “Gaby” Feldman, who made a terrific impression on me: Call it a crush. Are Gaby and Linda one and the same?
Thanks, Eliot
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Hi Eliot..I am Loren Feldman half brother of Gaby and Linda. We share the same mother. Gaby and Linda are indeed two different individuals. Gaby left us many years ago and Linda is alive and well living in Stuart, Fl. Since leaving Magnolia we owned and operated the Poland Spring House in Maine which burned 7/3 in its 99th year. Nice to hear from you.
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Barry Rosenbaum…I got a message from Lauren Feldman who was married to Linda’s Father, Saul Feldmand and answered her message as to where she and Linda were living now and would love to know. Was a dear friend of the whole family and work one summer at the Magnoia Manor. If you hear anything from them would love some info> Thanks and good luck.
s
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Hi Alfred,
Enjoyed your comment because “Lauren” is a male (Loren) who is Linda’s brother and I was never married to my fath . Both you and your dear mother were good friends indeed.
Regards,
Loren
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my parents (Ben and Helen Swartz) were great friends of the Feldmans in the early 50s and my mother used to take me to both the Magnolia Lodge and Manor for week ends after my father dies in 1952. Saul Feldman was a grocer in Washington Square, Brookline, before he went into Hotel life. I was only 4-6 years old, but I remenber the Feldman girls and Loren well. It was my first experience with playing pool and yes, there was a vibrating fat machinel!!! Best to Loren and Linda.
Shari Swartz Herman
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H Hi Shari…I remember your parents well. They were close to my parents Jenny and Saul My sister Gaby had an unfortunate early demise….Linda lives in Florida and I in Maine in my 88th year.
Regards
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His wife Jenny (my Mother)
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No, the Magnolia Manor was the home of the Heinz pickle family who summer’d in Magnolia. The Feldmans bought it and made it into a Manor and also bought the publishing family from Chicago, the McMullens estate on the corner of Lexington Ave & Shore Rd and made it into the Lodge. Both of them burned down.
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The Magnolia Manor was located on Hesperus Circle and was a ‘health spa’ until the ’70’s when they tore it down.
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when they torn down the magnolia manor it was never rebuilt. a private home was built on the land
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Googling places I remember being taken to as a child, the Magnolia Manor was one of them. I recall a vibrating belt machine poolside, was there one?
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Four private homes Alfred
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where are you and linda living and well i hope
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Linda lives in Stuart, FL, has two sons, a daughter and three grandchildren. I live in Sabattus, ME. have one son, one grandchild and one great grandchild. Thankfully we are all well as I write.
Warm Regards,
Loren Feldman
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No, Judy, The Oceanside retained its name until it was destroyed by fire.
George Krewson III
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George, thanks for bringing back old and fond memories.
I remember reading some old documents and notes by your father during my years at the Oceanside. Unfortunately everything was destroyed by the fire
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George, do you know if a hotel ever existed in Magnolia called the “New Magnolia?” If so, was it on Lexington Ave or somewhere else? Thanks.
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Please; if you find any more photos you MUST share them with us. This is awesome.
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Yes, the New Magnolia hotel was on Lexingtin Ave. on the corner of Flume Rd. and was also burned like all the other hotels in Magnolia. Poor Magnolia for it’s ashame what they have done to beautilful Magnolia. It was a little bit of Heaven.
Alfred Ina
s
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Does anyone know the exact location of the Oceanside Hotel? Thanks
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Hi, My late father-in-law was the maitre d’ at the Oceanside back in the ’40’s and up until it burned down. My late husband grew up working there in the summer months, along with several of his cousins. I was only there one time, and it was absolutely gorgeous. I can’t remember what year it burned down, though. Can anyone tell me?
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Glenda, Your wonderful father-in-law worked for us all the years I was involved with the hotel and fondly remember your husband. Great family.
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I think about 1952
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Hello Glenda, At some point in the 1940’s, presumably after the war, my grandfather and his associates bought the Oceanside Hotel and I spent a number of summers
there. To this day some of the very happiest memories of my childhood were spent at that wondrous place and I remember your father, Mr.Fleming (as w ecalled him), very well. Even at age 75 I can still see him, remembering always how gracious he was as he
escorted us to our tables. What a tragedy that this magical hotel burned down so that future generations never got to experience its grandeur and elegance. LEE SNIDER
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I
I had the same experience at the Poland Spring House. Was Ralph Snider your father? If so I remember your brother.
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Hi Loren, I’m not sure if your comment was addressed to me regarding Ralph Snider. NO, he
was not my father but my second cousin. His father Ben was the older brother of my grandfather Abe, thus a first cousin to my dad, Mel. Ralph had a brother named Wilbur (Bill) and two sisters.
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The Oceanside Hotel burned down in 1958. I was living in Magnolia at the time. I also think it was in the Spring.
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DAVE, NICE HEARING FROM YOU, A LONG TIME. IRENE & HER FAMILY LIVE IN GREATER CLEVELAND, SAM, MANCHESTER BY THE SEA & FT. MYERS, FL. RHODA & FAMILY IN CAMDEN, ME…ELINOR & FAMILY IN GREATER ATLANTA AND ME IN WEST PALM BEACH AND LOVE IT. MOM AND I MOVED HERE YEAR ROUND IN 2005. IN 2002 I RETIRED AND GOT CLL THEN AND SAM RETIRED 2000 AND GOT NON-HODGHKINS. THANK GOD WE SURVIVED THEM…JANET MURCH DIED AROUND 1988, RUSSEL HENDERSON 2003, NICK COPPOLA LAST YEAR, HIS SISTER JEAN 1996 OF CANCER OF THE BRAIN. MAGNOLIA CERTAINLY IS NOT THE SAME. THEY ARE DOING SOME NEW BUILDING & PEOPLE ARE FIXING UP THEIR YARDS. NOW, WHAT ABOUT YOU, YOUR PARENTS ARE WELL AND YOUR STILL MARRIED TO THAT BEAUTIFUL LEBANESE WOMAN. YOU MUST BE RETIRED BY NOW?! ON JAN 13, 2013 MY MOM HIT ONE HUNDRED YEARS OLD AND LOOKED FANTASTIC, NOBODY COULD BELIEVE HER AGE. ON APR. 26, 2013 GETTING OUT OF BED SHE FELL AND BROKE HER HIP AND DIED THE NEXT MORNING AT 6:25 AM AND THAT ENDED MY LIFE, LITERALLY. I WILL NEVER GET OVER THIS LOSS FOR SHE WAS MY LIFE. IT IS SO LONELY WITHOUT HER..GOD REST HER SOUL. IF YOUR EVER IN THE AREA, CALL AND VISIT ME 1-561-842-9068, WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOU & YOUR WIFE. TAKE CARE AND GOD BLESS. OH, SOON I HOPE TO SEE LINDA FELDMAN IN STEWART
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Hi it burned down in 1958.
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Does anyone know the exact location of the Oceanside Hotel? Thanks
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I remember the oceanside hotel.I was just a child and i remember the enormity of it.It was on Lexington Ave.,where all the fancey shops use to be.It burnt down when i was a child and i can remember watching the fire from my parents kitchen window.That was in 1956 or there about.I have a piece of funiture from the hotel that states in the draw,suite k Dr. Dob.I really do not know how we acquired it .I do consider it a prized possession.My granddaughter has it as her desk.Hope this information helps to bring but a little of history.
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The Oceanside Hotel burned down on a very cold january night in 1958 with the wind blowing towards the ocean, thank God for we lived right across the street from the hotel on Lexington Ave.
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Now I’m confused as to it’s location. Was it in the block of Lexington where the Post Office is today? I was told they had the salt water pool down at Shore Rd. but that would be a long distance for guests to use the pool.
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No, The salt water pool was on Shore Rd & Oak,Ave next to the Hakim house, the pool was blasted in the rock. The Oceanside Hotel was across the street from the Ina stores, where the 5 story condos are now. I think the Oceansides pool was also salt water which was very close to the ocean…just down from the tennis courts. The hotel that was in the block of the post office at the other end of the block ( and across the street from the Oceanside hotel…Flume Rd.) was the New Magnolia Hotel and quite large and had a short life for it to was burned to the ground. I don’t think any thing was saved from the fire for it was to the ground….period. Hope this helps you on the location of the Oceanside Hotel. Those are great memories.
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Hi Alfred
I am Jean Saphirstein’s daughter Nona
My mom bought all my clothes in your moms store
My mom and dad Jerry owned the hotel when it burnt down
She saw your postings on the Internet and asked me to reply to you.
You can reply to her directly at jean38071@gmail.com
Thank you
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DEAR JEAN, YES I REMEMBER YOU FROM PALM BEACH, I WORKED AT SALON MARGERITE IN PB AND WE SPOKE ABOUT THE OCEANSIDE HOTEL AND I GAVE YOU AN ARTICLE ON MAGNOLIA & THE OCEANSIDE. DO YOU REMEMBER ME. IT IS A SMALL WORLD. MY MOM, MRS. INA DIED ON APR 26, 2013 AT 100YRS & 3 MONTHS AND SHE LOOKED AS BEAUTIFUL AS EVER. AM LOST WITHOUT HER FOR SHE WAS MY LIFE. GOD REST HER SOUL
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Alfred I’m not picking on you but the salt water pool was not where you said. It was carved by the owner of the Spite House ( need explanation?) just to the left and across from Magnolia Lodge. It was done in the exact position in the rocks so as to innsure a fresh change with every high tide.
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Alfred…..I just received this. Where and how are you these days? Are you still in West Palm. These notes all bring back great memories. By the way, my father worked for Saul Feldman, when he was in school, when he still had the grocery store in Brookline. If you get this, contact me directly at davidmargolis@synadinc.com.
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hello,my name is Ellen Kuritsky,I have such wonderful memories of “magnolia manor”,we used to go there for Passover with my Grandmother Eva Caplan,who knew Sidney Feldman,since they were friends we went to “Poland Springs” and stayed at this beautiful home and I fondly remember the boathouse there as well.
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I vividly remember when the swimming pool was built at the Oceanside and spent many hours swimming in it over a number of summer seasons. It most definitely was NOT a salt water pool, it had fresh water and a lot of chlorine.
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I am Jerry Stone, formerly Jerry Saphirstein having changed my name in 1968. I was an owner and operator of the Oceanside hotel on December 11, 1958 when the hotel was completely destroyed by fire. I worked at the hotel in the summers from 1950 thru 1953 and became an owner and operator in 1954. We operated the hotel for 5 years as a full service American plan summer resort until the fire. We did attempt to operate year round in 1956 and 1957 but unfortunately it was not a successful venture. The hotel fronted on Hesperus Ave and there were several stores as part of the hotel on the Lexington Ave side. Lexington ave was home to many upscale stores and was known as the Worth Ave of the north in those days. I would love to hear from you all with any information as I have many fond memories and nostalgic feelings about The Oceanside and Magnolia.
I have retired, now live in California and can be reached at stone.jerry@gmail.com.
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Jerry,
I too worked for you , first in the stock/receiving room, then as a room service waiter and roll boy from age 15 until 1957 when I went up to the Catskills while at my last 2 yrs of college
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I also have found memories of Magnolia, but mine are of the manor. The address was on Hesperus avenue. This was the former Heinz summer estate. My mother and step father James Dooling owned it, before it burned. I spent a couple of summers there. They had renamed it the New Conservatory of Health where they sought to help those with medical conditions no longer deemed healable by the mainstream medical profession. I discovered “Rafes Chasm” while ambling along the rocks forty years ago. Nice memories from childhood. Wished someone had some pictures to post.
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As a followup, Dr. James A. Dooling II, the founder of the New England Conservatory of Health, at Manolia Manor, located at Hesperus Circle, passed away at a Beverly, Mass hospital early today, May 8, 2016. Dr. Dooling sought to heal those medical experts felt were not medically curable. I have a postcard with four pictures of the manor but don’t see where I can attach them here. Someone had asked for photos. I am willing to send a jpg. if you contact me at my email at gnorwood@comcast.net. God Bless and happy memories.
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We used to take school trips to the Magnolia Manor (!!?) and use the freezing-cold salt water pool(s) and sauna. I remember this from about 1972-4 ish, maybe I was 6 or 7 years old. The pool had long green algae that whipped through the currents like a horse’s mane. Other locations that take me back: Viera’s and The giant house with the Elephant Tree that the hippies lived in” Oh, what a great place…
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P.S. The hippies (great friends) lived in the house, not the tree. he he he. -D.
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hi there my name is benny hillerich i worked at the shore drive manor for three seasons was owned by fred manamara.i really enjoyed all the friends i made there i just wish i had kept in touch with them.i worked there from 1957 and 1958 i was hopeing some day i could returm there to see how it has changed after 55 years. now i live in thailand so i think i will never make it back there.if any friends i made there are still around please e-mail me…….benny hillerich
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LOREN…WOULD LOVE TO SEE LINDA, NOT TO FAR FROM WEST PALM BEACH TO STUART. IF SHE IS EVER IN WEST PALM BEACH WOULD LOVE TO SEE HERE AND HAVE LUNCH WITH HER. MY PHONE # IS 561-842-9068…PLEASE ADVISE..LOREN, IF YOUR EVER IN WEST PALM BEACH WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOU ALSO.
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Alfred if you wish to call her phone number is 1 772 287 3865
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THANK YOU LOREN…..AL INA
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My parents bought the former Costello house at the corner of Hesperus and Shore Road, across from the Oceanside’s grand poolside lower lawn, in the Summer of 1958. The hotel had no parking lots, and I remember guests’ cars parked along both sides of our street for miles. They closed in the Fall, we were told for renovations. In the coldest day of December I awoke at 2:30 a.m. to see it fully engulfed in fire. The heat was so intense it blistered the paint on the front of our house. Half-burned records from their accounting files were flying through the air, and landing in our front hedge. Others landed on our roof and started small fires there. The fire hoses wouldn’t reach. My Dad crawled thru our third-floor bathroom window and Mom was filling buckets of water from the tub and handing them to him. As soon as he threw the water on the roof it would freeze solid. She told him to give up and dragged him in after she stopped him from sliding off! They got all 5 of us kids ready to evacuate when the Fire Dept came and told us they finally had it under control. The next morning, all that was standing were the 6-story chimneys and tub drainpipes…with clawfoot tubs still attached, hanging in the air. It was really sad–the end of an era.
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Cathie:
Thank you for your reply (although rather glum) it is interesting for me to hear from folks regarding their association with the Oceanside.
Hope you and yours are well and wish you everything good for the new year.
Regards,
Jerry Stone—-formerly Jerry Saphirstein
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Loren
So good to hear from you and so happy that you are well. If I can find them, I have a couple of pictures of your Mom, on slides, at my parents house around 1952. If I can locate them, I will let you know. They were wonderful people and very good to my mother after my dad died.
Best
Shari
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I remember the Manor and the Lodge in Magnolia beautiful place. We were kids when our parents stayed there but nice memories.
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Some more memorabilia, the Los Angeles Public Library has a menu in their collection from the August 15, 1952 Sara Fredericks Dinner and fashion show:
and another from dinner on August 14, 1951:
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Another memory I have of the Oceanside were the incredible Sunday buffets in that grand dining room. To this very day I can see that room so clearly in my mind, so indelibly stamped upon my mind.
And what I really fancied were the sweets – what an array of sumptuous, delicious goodies. The
Oceanside Hotel was truly unique, there will never be another place like it. As a kid I also used to love running along those vast porches or going to the lobby soda shop for a Sundae.
Does anyone here know how to post a photo to this website? I have a few from the Oceanside
taken in the late 1940’s.
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Being born in 1960, I never got to see the Oceanside Hotel. I have gotten some postcards of it from ebay. My grandfather Arthur Fleming was the Maitre d’, and my Dad Arthur Hugh Fleming worked for him there. I remember my dad telling me he started working there during WWII because of the shortage of help. Our Dad told us lots of stories about his experiences there. I think it was the favorite time of his life. Being 62 now I don’t imagine there’s too many left who remember either of them. If anyone does please let me know. Thank you, Artie
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