Jimmy Johnson, Beachwood Plaza, Johnson's Pit (hotel, live in, shopping center)

[HeathenClerk]

Hoo boy, this oughta invite lots of interesting responses.

I'm starting to compile information on Jimmy Johnson, 1930-2003, former owner and proprietor of Johnson Contruction, Lumber and the Beachwood Plaza in Bayville/Berkeley Township, for a potential research project of mine. If anyone has any stories, facts, urban legends etc., please write me at heathenclerk@gmail.com. If stating facts, please give checkable references, or mention whom/where you heard it from, if you can remember. Urban legends also welcome; growing up in Beachwood had tons floating around about him and 'Johnson's Pit'. No political tirades please.

heathenclerk@gmail.com

[Devlboy08]

i live in Beachwood and sometimes i go exploring in the pit. there are 2 factories there (1 was abandoned).

[NJ~LuLu]

I remember this guy, little short dude with a heavy southern accent. Back in the 70's, think he owned the beachwood shopping center, water company.... His brother I believe owned the sand pit behind the shopping center. There used to be something atuned to a steward root beer kinda place a little south of shopping center. I heard Ole Jimmy was almost killed by the local mafioso, and hung on to the front end of a caddy. I certainly do recall the time I was late with my water bill and he offered to let it slide if he and I could come to an amicable agreement. Not sure what he really meant, my Husband came home.

[Johnson Industries/Rents]

Your implications here are not true. Except for the fact that you were late on a water bill. What you are implying here is not true at all so I would like to set that record staright.

[goonsquad]

Originally Posted by NJ~LuLu

and hung on to the front end of a caddy

I'd like to note that, per mythbusters, this is plausible as long as the driver didnt' try any zig zagging. If they drove fast and hit the brakes, said passenger could hold on fairly easily. It turns out that no matter what speed the car is driving, the coefficient of static (and immediately after skidding begins, kinetic) friction of normal tires on asphalt is not enough to cause a normal car to decelerate fast enough to buck the passenger.

[NJ~LuLu]

Very Sorry, Mr. Johnson Rents.... Believe this thread was about Urban Legends. Bayville/Beachwood sure had a lot of them back in the day. Ever hear the ole Legs diamond owned the big hotel which is now called Crystal Lake Nursing Home? Heck, the urban legend also included underground tunnels where illegal booze was supposedly stored. I also heard Mr. J Johnson was a philanthropist who donated all his land to preserve wildlife somewhere in Silverton. There were many a person whose name was brought up in this area back in 50's to 70's kinda like the good ole boys syndrome running the towns. Do you remember atleast 3 mens clubs, Macs, Saints & Sinners and Ray's in ocean gate? I kinda liked it when they rolled up rt. 9 at night and we all watched the grass grow.

[stonecold1946]

Does anyone know when this eyesore is going to be redeveloped? I can't believe this amount of land is being left vacant, let alone how it brings down the appeal of the local area