Dartmouth’s City View Golfland was low-tech family fun

City View Golfland was a fixture on Faunce Corner Road in Dartmouth for most of my life. When City View disappeared, few people probably realized it was gone.

It wasn’t high-tech enough to impress modern generations looking for more stimulating entertainment.

City View Golfland consisted of a miniature golf course, Pitch & Putt, and driving range, and was built on a former dairy farm at 581 Faunce Corner Road.

According to city documents, the Turner and Caswell families occupied the land for most of the 19th century.

In 1903, a Polish immigrant named Jacob Tomkiewicz purchased the property and farmed it until his retirement in the 1950s. Jacob’s son Walter and grandson Walter, Jr. maintained the farm until the 1960s and operated City View Creamery across the street.

But Walter, Jr. left farming and instead taught science and math in the Dartmouth school system.

The miniature golf course opened in August 1963 and the Pitch & Putt the following July, according to a 2008 article by Curt Brown for the standard hours.

By 2008, it appears that Walter Tomkiewicz, Jr. became ill and was considering the future of City View Golfland. He died the following year at age 70.

In July 2011, the City of Dartmouth completed an assessment of the property where Southcoast Behavioral Health is now located.

I remember playing miniature golf at City View Golfland with my father and brother. I took my children there. I always chose the green and white ball.

Every time I drive past the property, I remember the wooden paddle wheel, the windmill that stood between me and the hole, and the little white card and pencil we used to keep score.

Great memories that last a lifetime, even if few remember.