SPRING LAKE HEIGHTS — Incorporated in 1927, Spring Lake Heights is a relatively young municipality. But it has a long history, with some buildings dating back to the 1700s.
In Spring Lake Heights, colonial structures can be found along typical commercial highways, co-existing with modern shopping centers.
Sara King, a 16-year councilwoman and resident since she was just 3 years old, walked The Coast Star through some longstanding landmarks that have certainly undergone changes, but still encapsulate the charm of decades past.
Community Center
King spoke about the Cornelius V. Kelly Community Center, located at 902 Ocean Road in Heights. King remembers how it used to be used for social gatherings such as memorable parties and hangouts with members of the community. The center is now utilized by multiple local organizations in the community, and is paired with a vibrant playground on site.
“The community center building has been here since I was young, but it was not used as the community center,” King said. “I believe it was a Villa Park school. When they built the Spring Lake Heights School, somewhere around that time, the building became a community center.”
King says that when she was a child, the community center was used for all different kinds of social events.
“In my day, we had something called canteen there,” King said. “You’d go on a Friday night and meet with all of your friends, from seventh and eighth grade up to high school. We had a dance, and we didn’t have DJs back then, so you’d have to have someone come physically play music, or we put on records and someone would be in charge of switching out different records. It was our meeting place.”
King said the community center was also often used for milestone celebrations when she was young.
“There were many different parties held there,” King said. “Bridal showers, baby showers, birthday parties and anniversaries. I’m not sure if anyone has ever actually gotten married there, but it’s definitely a possibility. So many events were held there.”
This is an excerpt of the print article. For more on this story, read The Coast Star—on newsstands Thursday or online in our e-Edition.
Check out our other Spring Lake Heights stories, updated daily. And remember to pick up a copy of The Coast Star—on newsstands Thursday or online in our e-Edition.
Subscribe today! If you're not already an annual subscriber to The Coast Star, get your subscription today! For just $38 per year, you will receive local mail delivery weekly, with pages and pages of local news and online access to our e-edition on Starnewsgroup.com.
 6x10 4c.jpg)
