BEL-CLARK RECREATION token ?

[pinenut]

Hey folks, I dug this interesting token today (and of course, scratched it)...
Has anyone seen this one before?

 

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[idahotokens]

I'm going to hazard a guess that it is from Chicago, IL, but that is just based on the style and the street address. I have looked a bit, but have not yet found a reference, but Chicago references from the Post-Prohibition era are scarce. Please consider posting it on tokencatalog.com
John in the Great 208

 

[pinenut]

Thanks! I just sent my registration info. for tokencatalog.com. Interesting site; makes me want to dig up more tokens! ^_^

This token was found in a LA county park, which I believe opened up in the '50s. Buried about 3-4" down, my SilverSabre was sounding off like I had a quarter. Since I have found a few '50s wheaties there, I expect to find a little silver... Happy with cool tokens, too.

 

[asrussell96]

Hey cool find....Tokens are always cool to find

 

[villagenut]

Maybe Belmont Avenue in Fresno California?? a google street view of that address shows an older business district.

 

[pinenut]

Don't know, but apparently Chicago does have a Belmont / Clark intersection. Guessing Chicago is correct, but wondering how it ended up where I found it.. ^_^

 

[sjvalleyhunter]

Maybe Belmont Avenue in Fresno California?? a google street view of that address shows an older business district.

Villagenut may be on to something. Interesting enough, here in Fresno, Belmont Avenue crosses both Clark Avenue and Recreation Avenue. However, when looking at the address of 851 Belmont (now East Belmont since the city has grown), it is on the corner of Belmont and Fulton Avenue. This was in the middle of a populated area back in the early 1900s. In fact, in the 1920s there used to be a popular rail line that went from Roeding Park to the San Joaquin River where dances and gatherings were held. This line ran along Fulton and Van Ness Avenues and along the route there were many stores, bars, etc. I would say that it's entirely possible that this coin is from Fresno, but further research would have to be done.

 

[pinenut]

You know, it would be cool if it turned out to be in Fresno, but I don't think so... Looking at Google Earth, the address of 851 Belmont Ave., just happens to be at the corner of Clark... "BEL-CLARK".
Still odd it was found out here at an LA county park, but people do get around. I wonder when bel-clark recreation was open, what kind of place it was, and when this token dates from. My (wild) guess is 1950s, as that's when I think this park opened up.

BTW - it looks as though that 851 Belmont Ave. in Chicago address, is now the location of "The Annoyance Theater and Bar"... They've been there for 25 years.

 

[sjvalleyhunter]

You know, it would be cool if it turned out to be in Fresno, but I don't think so... Looking at Google Earth, the address of 851 Belmont Ave., just happens to be at the corner of Clark... "BEL-CLARK".
Still odd it was found out here at an LA county park, but people do get around. I wonder when bel-clark recreation was open, what kind of place it was, and when this token dates from. My (wild) guess is 1950s, as that's when I think this park opened up.

BTW - it looks as though that 851 Belmont Ave. in Chicago address, is now the location of "The Annoyance Theater and Bar"... They've been there for 25 years.

Well now you have me curious. I work directly across the street from Fresno's main library and I know that they have a good amount of old publications, phone books and other historical documents in their "research room". I'll be out of town for a few days but later this week I'll go over there and check to see if I can by chance find out anything. You are probably right in that it's from Chicago though.

I'm not sure why Google earth is giving you an intersection of Belmont and Clark for 851 Belmont. That's actually the 2000 block of East Belmont. Regardless of it all, it's a cool token and congrats on finding it. Personally, I'd much rather find an old token than a silver coin any day.

 

[pinenut]

I just uploaded pics, description and measurements to tokencatalog.com. Maybe someone will recognize it. ^_^