TOM GLOVER'S HAMILTON LIBRARY SCRAPBOOK: LOCAL HISTORY WITH A PERSONAL TOUCH.

THIS IS AN EXPERIMENTAL SLIDE SHOW

2012-01-31T07:47:00.004-05:00

http://www.photoshow.com/watch/jM7VT3Cn

I am experimenting with software slide program that will allow me to post on this blog. My first attempt is KUSER FARM as you will see when you click on the link below.
HERE ARE THE INSTRUCTIONS:

1) MUTE YOUR SPEAKERS. THE MUSIC IS NOT MY CHOICE. I AM WORKING ON INSERTING MORE APPROPRIATE MUSIC RATHER THAN THE HORRIBLE NOISE ON THIS PARTICULAR SLIDE PRESENTATION.

2) THE GRAPHICS ARE ONLY ON THE SCREEN FOR A FEW SECONDS. TO VIEW THEM AND HOLD THEM KEEP YOUR MOUSE ON THE "II" (PAUSE) BUTTON.

3) THERE ARE A FEW NON-KUSER GRAPHICS WHICH WERE INADVERTENTLY INCLUDED IN MY GATHERING UP GRAPHICS FOR INCLUSION. FUTURE SLIDES WILL ALSO INCLUDE CAPTIONS.

4) COMMENTS PLEASE, VIA THE HOME PAGE GUEST BOOK, OR TO tglover320@optimum.net.
http://www.photoshow.com/watch/jM7VT3Cn

Bob Chianese said...

Tom:

Great concept and fine photos. I suggest you feature photos only in the slide show, as newspaper articles can't be read in the time a photo needs to appear in the show-- a few seconds longer than here. Okay on changing the music, which should be instrumental only.

PS: Our HHS Class of 1960 had a reunion picnic the the Farm in 2010.

Bob Chianese

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Many thanks for your comment, Bob. I am aware of the illegible news articles. I just cut and pasted ALL items in the folder, photos and articles. I will get this thing down pat in a few days and post interesting material. Congratulations on your 50th. I hope it was a success. I have my 60th coming up in March.

HAMILTON'S OLD "ANDERSON FARM" A COLONIAL LANDMARK

2012-01-29T22:15:00.004-05:00

I have been researching information on one of the oldest historic families in Hamilton Township. The Anderson family roots go back to the pre-Revolutionary war years when Eliakim Anderson settled in "Nottingham," Burlington County. Today the only reference points available to this very historic discovery is the approximate location. I have been chasing this fascinating family farm for more than 30 years. The above article I wrote a number of years ago tells of Mr. James Anderson's battle with the "Biddle Tracy Gang" who were terrorizing the area back in the early 20th century. My research has revealed the fact that the Anderson Farm was located at the city line on North Logan Avenue, and extended all the way out to the area of Greenwood Cemetery, including all of the area we know of today as Bromley. Unlike the city of Trenton, Hamilton Township has been sadly derelict in preserving local history. Old maps and documents that should have been preserved over the years were discarded and lost for all time. As an example of the dereliction, many years ago, I found that the Hamilton Township Board of Education was getting ready to dispose of extremely valuable correspondence relating to the early history of our Hamilton Township schools with illustrated invoices from the early part of the 20th century. Fortunately, I was able to rescue them, and many of those pages are digitized and included in this web site.
As to the Anderson Farm, I have made it a priority subject to search and will be sure to post any future references to that Colonial farm that once stretched all the way from the Trenton city line, along E. State Street, Bromley and the Greenwood Cemetery area.
UNFORTUNATELY, THE 1902 NEWSPAPER PHOTO WAS ENHANCED TO THE MAXIMUM WITH MY IMAGE EDITING SOFTWARE. OFFSET PRINTING WAS IN ITS EARLY STAGES AND FAR SHORT OF PERFECTION.

1891 and 1923 THOSE GREAT OLD GREENWOOD AVENUE MANSIONS

2012-01-29T15:40:00.004-05:00

Did you know that Greenwood Avenue between South Clinton Avenue and the Monmouth Street area was once the preferred residential area for Trenton's more affluent citizens? The photo shows a dirt road before the road was macadamized. The article above gives an historic perspective on the glory years of Victorian Trenton. Sadly, a number of those historic and very beautiful mansions have fallen into disrepair and are boarded up.

RALPH LUCARELLA said...

HI TOM....GREENWOOD AVENUE AND THAT AREA BETWEEN CHAMBERS AND SO. OLDEN ALWAYS APPEARED TO ME AS ONE OF THE MOST ATTRACTIVE RESIDENTIAL SECTIONS OF THE CITY. CARRYING MAIL GAVE ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO COVER MOST OF THE CITY AND OUTSIDE OF THE WESTERN SECTION, IT WAS THE MOST AFFORDABLE. BEST REGARDS.

Sunday, January 29, 2012

SJBill said...

If we are looking away from S. Clinton towards Chestnut, I think that third house on the right served as the office and home for Dr. Paul Klempner, M.D. He was a dear friend of the family and like many area physicians, served the community for many decades. In 1991 he and his wife were murdered by a home invading crack addict looking for cash for his next fix. Apparently the criminal still lives, and has recently appealed his double life conviction.
A few of the other homes on Greenwood served as Rider College frat and sorority houses until they all left Trenton and moved to Lawrence in the early 60s.

Monday, January 30, 2012

1928: THE BEGINNING OF THE END FOR A GLOVER ENTERPRISE

2012-01-28T11:17:00.003-05:00

I'm told my father was really enthused as he purchased "Gill's Express" from Mr. Davidson back in 1928. It turned out to be a classic case of bad timing. Little did he know that a year later the country would crash into the "Great Depression." Gill's Express had a growing list of customers before the crash. The main customers were Trenton's thriving pottery industry where most of his income originated. With the coming of the crash, he found that his customers were victims of the depression and as they went "Chapter 11," he lost a sizeable amount of money. Long story short: His income began to shrink and when the telephone company cut off service to Gill's Express, my father lost it all and the Glover family was added to the many families who were "on relief;" the depression era equivalent to "welfare." My father ended up as a laborer in Franklin D. Roosevelt's "WPA" program.

RALPH LUCARELLA said...

HI TOM...YOUR FATHER'S MISFORTUNE WAS JUST ONE OF MANY WHO HAD TO DEPEND ON THE WPA TO SURVIVE. MY FATHER LOST HIS HOME AND HAD TO WORK FOR JUST A FOOD ORDER IN ORDER TO PROVIDE FOOD FOR THE FAMILY. IT WAS A TOUGH PERIOD FOR QUITE A LONG TIME BUT WE ALL FOUND A WAY TO GET ALONG. BEST REGARDS

Saturday, January 28, 2012

1920: TRENTON TIMES COMMUNITY NEWS

2012-01-28T11:13:00.002-05:00

There are numerous names of "old timers" who lived in the communities posted above. I see Mr. Johnes and Irons at Lakeside Park, a Totten family member from Yardville Heights, and a Hughes from Hamilton Square. There is a growing "COMMUNITY NEWS" folder in the Hamilton Library Local History Collection, with hundreds more to be digitzed.

2012: MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

2012-01-27T22:16:00.005-05:00

I hope to see many of my local visitors at the Hamilton Library on the evening of February 9th. The poster I composed tells the story. In addition to the musical program as advertised above, there will be a brief on-screen "Preview of Coming Attractions" and "Selected Short Subjects."

RALPH LUCARELLA said...

HI TOM....I HOPE THE PEOPLE APPRECIATE YOUR EFFORTS IN BRINGING BACK THE GREAT MUSIC AND SONGS OF OUR TIME. THE ENTERTAINERS OF OUR GENERATION WILL LIVE ON AS LONG AS THERE ARE THOSE LIKE YOURSELF AND OTHERS WHO TAKE THE TIME TO PRODUCE THE SHOWS LIKE YOU'RE PRESENTING. GOOD LUCK AND CARRY ON. BEST REGARDS.

Saturday, January 28, 2012

1906: The McGalliard Homestead 260 White Horse Avenue

2012-01-26T13:04:00.002-05:00

This exquisite photo of the McGalliard homestead is from Mrs. Eleanor Rogers who donated it to the Local History Collection a number of years ago. A closeup zoom will show the beautiful shaded front area which pretty much obscures the view of the home.

2012-01-26T12:36:00.003-05:00

Thanks to Dave and Glenn Rogers for family information on the McGalliard family. File this under "Little Known White Horse History:" I know White Horse is named after a legend that George Washington passed through the hamlet on a white horse, and thus the name. An appropriate name could have been "McGalliardville" due to the incredible history this family has and had over the years in the area of Hamilton we know of as White Horse. Here's a vignette of graphics showing the business of William McGalliard and his son as they supplied water to the surrounding suburban neighborhoods. The article on the left is from the Hamilton Library digital files and tells of W.V.'s failed attempt to draw artesian well water from the many springs in the Hamilton area and supply it to the city of Trenton.

JoeB said...

Tom:
I live on E. McGalliard Avenue moved here in 1957. At the time the road was gravel. A few years later the road was repaved. During the repaving they discovered wooden pipes under the road. At that time I was told that the pipes were from the water towers from the McGalliard Estate. This article confirms the fact, I never saw pictures of the towers. I was also told that East McGalliard was the drive to the McGalliard Estate. Originally was lined with Maple and Pine trees, driving down the street was like driving through a tunnel.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

2012: PLEASE SIGN THE GUEST BOOK

2012-01-25T08:03:00.002-05:00

Above is a sampling of just a VERY FEW guest book messages that have been posted by visitors over the past 7 years. I have cut and pasted the "GUESTBOOK" icon from my home page and posted it to draw attention to that tiny icon on the top of my home page. Much of what I am posting is based on comments from viewers over the years. When I get a number of visitors commenting on St. Joachim's, Chambersburg, Yardville Heights, South Trenton, Etc., I find that I am getting a feel for what areas of interest are reflected in the guest book comments. As I peruse many thousands of pages in my collection, these areas of interest are brought to the forefront, digitzed and posted.

1939: REMOVING THE TROLLEY TRACKS ON PERRY STREET

2012-01-24T22:29:00.008-05:00

The interesting view of Perry Street from July, 1939 shows the work in progress of removing the trolley tracks. Most of the main roads in Trenton and environs had these tracks before the rubber tired buses came on the scene. The Perry Street Terminal can be seen on the left across from the Royal Crown Cola delivery truck.

SJBill said...

When was the removal slated to begin? This pic resembles what most Trenton streets look like these days. The truck in the middle was carrying Royal Crown beverages. Wouldn't the Garden Theater (thee - A - ter) be on your immediate right? The old bus station is up a bit on the left. When I was in the Navy I waited for a few transits up to New York if I didn't wish to take the train. Can't be sure, but is that Arctic Refrigeration just before the bus yard?
Up a bit on the right was the old Wise Potato Chip building.
Perry Street sure has gone through some transition in the past half century, hasn't it. THe last time I did anything there was to get steaks from the Freeway Steak House in the mid-60s, and that was a real thriller.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Hi Bill: As you know and for those who don't know, the Garden Theater was on North Broad not far from Perry. As to when the trolley track removal project began, I think I recall reading that they began to plan for it in 1938 but I am not sure.

Tom Glover

RALPH LUCARELLA said...

HI TOM....WE SPENT MUCH TIME IN THE 1930'S ON PERRY ST. AT SYNDER'S STORE ACROSS FROM THE BUS TERMINAL AND IN THE 1950'S AT MEL BLATT'S STORE NEXT TO THE GARDEN THEATRE ON N. BROAD ST. MEL BLATT INSTALLED THE BOWLING ALLEYS AT OUR HAMILTON BOWLING LANES IN 1955. I RECALL THE TRACKS ON PERRY ST WERE AMONG THE FIRST REMOVED. BEST REGARDS.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Mack said...

They voted in December 1934 to end trolley service in Trenton. Something I remember coming across:)

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Tom Glover said...

Hey Mack.Thanks for the inpub. The actual date they began to tear up the tracks was March 23, 1936 on North Warren Street.

Tom Glover

Thursday, January 26, 2012

1944: RALPH LUCARELLA, U.S.N. (RET.)

2012-01-24T12:46:00.005-05:00

Ralph has been among my many valued visitors to this web site.With his excellent memory and experience in recalling the Trenton we all knew and loved. I am publishing two photos I received from Ralph a number of years ago, illustrating his station during WWII in the Herbrides. Below and to the right is a copy of a guest book entry from Jeff Ashton, Phoenix, Arizona which I have copied and pasted. It was directed to Ralph and me. As to you Ralph Lucarella, you are one of our heroes who served valiantly in the horror that was World War II. How do you Italians say it...."C'ent anni?"

Omad said...

Always find your comments interesting and I look forward each day to what you add to Tom's postings. I'm 76 and don't think my memory is as sharp as yours. Keep up the good work.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

1937: REMOVING THE BRIDGE AT LALOR STREET AND THE D&R CANAL

2012-01-24T12:17:00.003-05:00

I was only 4 years old when this photo was taken and never saw the bridges over the canal as it wove its way through Trenton. Wherever the canal crossed a Trenton street from Mulberry Street in East Trenton to the above bridge removal, teams of men had the task of dis-assembling the structures. Elsewhere in this blog is a news photo of the bridge at Mulberry Street.

1936: THE CANAL BRIDGE AT HAMILTON AVENUE

2012-01-24T11:55:00.002-05:00

I remember the railroad crossing at this juncture as well as the old N.J. Agricultural Works which was along Hamilton Avenue near this intersection. Once again, I must admit that I am puzzled by the vantage point from which this photo was taken. Someone please identify that brick building on the left in the photo and in what direction the cameraman was looking.

1937: ATHLETIC FIELD - SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT

2012-01-24T10:29:00.006-05:00

Not being an expert on South Trenton, this photo puzzles me. As indicated above, the photo is identified as being an athletic field which was in the Marine Terminal - Riverview Cemetery area of Lamberton. The "Bing" map below shows both sites, but your humble webmaster is completely confused. It appears that tombstones from Riverview Cemetery can be seen in the upper left of the photo. Help requested from my numerous Trenton experts.

SJBill said...

Where route 129 leaves the river and approaches "the tracks" and Sturgey, there were two fields. So this was behind the north end of the Marine Terminal and abutting the southern border of Riverview Cemetery. In my time, these were the South Trenton Babe Ruth and 6 - 11 Ward Little League baseball fields. Lamberton Road Extension, was the name of the road. The main attractions along the right of the road included the city dog pound, the sewage treatment plant, and the baseball fields. On the left side of the road was the Trenton Naval Reserve and Marine Corps Training Center, probably built during or immediately after WWII.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Tom Glover said...

Many thanks for that very informative description, Bill. Much appreciated.

Tom Glover

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Anonymous said...

As SJBill says, those were the South Trenton Babe Ruth fields and Little League. I played ball in the Babe Ruth League and enjoyed batting on the Little League field as a teenager pretending how great I was hitting home runs out of the little league field.

Warren Rue

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

1937: LALOR STREET AT THE RR CROSSING

2012-01-22T22:55:00.004-05:00

Thanks to Bob Kelly for this excellent view of Lalor Street at the Railroad Crossing. How many visitors can identify that big brick building?

Michael said...

Oh come on Tom.
It was the Stokely Van Kamp factory, now it is as you so adequately described it is the South Village subsidized apartments, converted by Joe Barry of Hoboken fame for revitalizing that city's walk ups along Washington Ave. A young employee of the City of Trenton who knew Joe's sister from Jewtown convinced him to come in a do the deal.
Now how about a tough one.

JerseyMike Kuzma
Oh how I miss that bread, and Pork roll. Would you believe that down here they call it "Bagged Baloney"!

Sunday, January 22, 2012

RALPH LUCARELLA said...

HI TOM AND MIKE...YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT SHED YOU SEE BY THE TRACKS WAS STILL THERE IN THE 70'S WHILE MY SISTER LIVED THERE. CROSSING THAT HIGHWAY WAS A BIG RISK UNTIL THEY PUT A GUARD THERE. SOMEONE MENTIONED THAT BUILDING WAS TRENTON POTTERIES WHILE STOKLEYS WAS THE BUILDING MY SISTER LIVED IN. BEST REGARDS.

Monday, January 23, 2012

2011:CHECK OUT THIS INCREDIBLE SITE!

2012-01-21T11:45:00.004-05:00

TomKrawiec's Trenton Makes Music and Trenton Speedway
http://trentonmakesmusic.home.comcast.net/~trentonmakesmusic/speedway

My high school classmate Bob Shinkle sent this link to me. Bob and I spent our younger years within hearing distance of those race cars as they sped around the track at the New Jersey State Fair on Nottingham Way. Those of us old timers who remember those 1940's stock cars ripping around the New Jersey State Fair raceway will love this series of photos posted by webmaster Tom Krawiec. There are photos of a number of what I call "Rocky DiNatale" stock cars, not to mention the old midget racers, and of course the more recent Tom Petty, etc. more modern cars. Tom also has a very detaile site which features local music and musicians. Well Done, Tom, and thanks Bob for forwarding this to me.

1895: ROBERT CHAMBERS' CHAMBERSBURG

2012-01-21T11:25:00.003-05:00

Most of the younger generation who are not particularly interested in history consider the areas of Emery, Bayard, Chestnut, Mott streets areas as "Chambersburg." As can be seen in extract I have digitized, the Chambersburg of Robert Chambers began on South Broad Street near the intersection of Cass Street where Robert Chambers built a hotel. With the arrival of the John A. Roebling plant, the nearby New Jersey Steel and Iron Company and other heavy industry, immigrants from many ethnic groups began to enter the area, and today we have the above referenced Emery, Bayard, etc. as the Chambersburg of today.

2012: HILTONIA HOUSE TOURS COMING IN MAY!

2012-01-20T12:18:00.009-05:00

Many posts in this blog come under the heading "CADWALADER AREA." Here is a graphic I composed utilizing the details of the house tours which I received from Mr. Mike Nalbone, a committee member of the Association. These homes are the Cadillac of Trenton real estate. They were built with the goal of maintaining a delightful living environment. For nearly 80 years, the Hiltonia neighborhood has been one of Trenton's most desirable neighborhoods.
The "Bing" map will show the location of Hiltonia, adjoining Cadwalader Park.

RALPH LUCARELLA said...
HI TOM....HILTONIA WAS INDEED THE CLASS OF THE CITY. PROSPECT STREET AND STULVESTANT AVENUE WERE HOMES IN AN AREA DEVELOPED TO REPRESENT THE BETTER PART OF TRENTON. I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK THAT AREA WHILE WORKING AT THE POST OFFICE DURING THE 1940'S AND 50'S. BEST REGARDS;
Friday, January 20, 2012

Hi Tom: Wish I could take the House Tour. I used to walk Hiltonia that was only a short distance from my house off Parkside. The homes were lovely and always a great destination when I was out and about on weekends. Thanks for keeping me up to speeed on all the goings on in my old neighborhood.

By Sally Logan Gilman on at 10:30 AM

1944: TITUSVILLE SUMMER BIBLE SCHOOL

2012-01-20T09:09:00.001-05:00

Here's an oldie but goodie from the "HOPEWELL-TITUSVILLE-PENNINGTON" folder in the Hamilton Township Public Library's Local History Collection. This photo has been languishing in my computer from the very earliest years of my entering into the computing field. Indeed, it was archived and moved from my original "Headstart" PC back in the early 1980's and came through at least 4 of the computers I have owned since then. It is now firmly ensconced in the digital collection.

MILL HILL'S DOWLING HOTEL, SO. BROAD STREET

2012-01-19T11:08:00.004-05:00

I am looking for more definitive information on the exact location of the Dowling Hotel on South Broad Street in the Mill Hill area. The old hostelry was a popular venue back in the 19th century. Pay particular attention to the 1896 article which tells of the early immigrants to the area.
I have just uncovered an additional Dowling Hotel article (outlined in blue above.)

Anthony said...
Tom: I want to say the old Dowling was on the corner of Livingston and Broad.
Friday, January 20, 2012

Tom Glover said...
MANY THANKS, ANTHONY! MY VISITORS ARE VERY INFORMED!

Friday, January 20, 2012

1889 and 1930: JOHN SCHIMMEL: FIRST HOME IN CHAMBERSBURG?

2012-01-19T10:00:00.004-05:00

An historian's positions on historic facts sometimes calls for speculation. Speculation is called forth with this story of Mr. John Schimmel, who was said to have built the first home in Chambersburg near today's South Clinton Avenue and Coleman Street (Beatty St.) The graphics above call for a bit of speculation to the story, The1889 article tells of building a 3 story brick house. Using a 21st century aerial "Bing" map, the 2 story home today labeled 936 is next door to a 3 story brick building which I speculate may be the home referenced in the above article. It is important to note that is speculation and not necessarily the home referred to in the article referred to in his obituary notice.

Aprilicity said...
Hi Tom:

This article is fascinating, but raises so many questions for me! First, I’m fairly certain the 1889 article was not referring to the same J. Schimmel as the 1930 article. I think he must have been the son and had the 3 story brick home built at 938 S. Clinton beside his father’s home at 936. To my point, in the 1889 article, John Schimmel is referred to as “a young druggist” while the 1930 article states the elder Schimmel was in the wire drawing trade for 53 years. The 1930 article also states that upon the time of the elder Schimmel’s death, he had only one living child even though he had fathered eight. This would explain why the directories I’ve searched have other people living in the 3 story brick at 938 S. Clinton - he must have died young. Secondly, Schimmel came to Trenton in 1869 and located onto James St (S. Clinton). It further states "...near the spot of his late home, 936 South Clinton, he erected what is believed to be the first residence...". This tells me that 896 S. Clinton is his “late home” because of his passing and that the “first residence” was located near that spot. Perhaps it’s not even still standing? Perhaps that is the spot used for his son’s 3 story home? Thank You Tom for adding another piece to my puzzle, even if it exposed how many pieces are still missing! One more interesting tid-bit...in and 1881 directory, 938 S. Clinton is listed as a Beer Saloon owned by Frederik Shcimmel...I wonder if the original house was the location of the Saloon? That might suggest that the original house was removed to make room for the new 3 story brick?
Thursday, January 19, 2012

A VERY ASTUTE OBSERVATION THAT I COMPLETELY OVERLOOKED APRIL! THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I DO BELIEVE YOU ARE CORRECT. I AM STILL SEARCHING FOR ADDITIONAL INFO ON THE ORIGINAL SCHIMMEL. STAY TUNED. THANKS VERY MUCH FOR YOUR INPUT.

TOM GLOVER

Aprilicity said...

One more interesting tid-bit...in and 1881 directory, 938 S. Clinton is listed as a Beer Saloon owned by Frederik Schimmel...I wonder if the original house was the location of the Saloon? That might suggest that the original house was removed to make room for the new 3 story brick?

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Aprilicity said...

Thanks Tom, and you are welcome! I thoroughly enjoyed researching this today! If only this pesky job of mine would stop interfering with my true passion! :)

Thursday, January 19, 2012

1949: 1st GRADE, MERCERVILLE SCHOOL

2012-01-18T23:03:00.002-05:00

Thanks to my friend Alan Wildblood for this very nice photo of the first grade at Mercerville School in 1949. Alan has tagged each student for those who can relate to this photo.

1938: ST. ANTHONY PARISHIONERS PREPARE FOR A BENEFIT PARTY

2012-01-18T12:52:00.003-05:00

Things are much different today. Back when I was President of the St. Anthony PTA, we had only a few stalwart supporters who were always ready to help with our fund raisers and support of the PTA. Just a decade earlier, the parishioners went out of their way to give whole hearted support to the church and school. Unfortunately those days are gone forever. The names in the article show just how much support was forthcoming from those loyal parishioners. Many of those names are still relatives and members of that great old church on South Olden Avenue.

Ruby Claire said...
after seeing this pic and reading this article, you reminded me old saying ...old is gold.

1944: TRENTON MARINE PFC JOHN KNOSKY IN SAIPAN

2012-01-18T11:34:00.005-05:00

I would bet that the John Knosky in the photo above is a relative of my amateur radio friend, the late Jeff Knosky, N2FFA. This post is in keeping with my "Local History With a Personal Touch" slogan, and also honoring as many of our local WWII heroes as I find as a page through thousands of Trenton Times newspapers.

1944: GOLDBERG "OLD TIMERS"

2012-01-18T10:56:00.002-05:00

They were billed as the "Goldberg Old Timers Club" back in the day. I recognize Mr. John Geehan who went on to be the boss at Yard's Department store when my wife Judy worked at Yard's in the Infants' Wear Department. There are probably a number of visitors who may recognize other old timers from that era.

RALPH LUCARELLA said...

HI TOM....I CAN NEVER RECALL SHOPPING AT GOLDBERGS EXCEPT AT THE BARGAIN BASEMENT. WE JUST COULD'NT AFFORD THE REST OF THE STORE DURING THAT GREAT DEPRESSION. IT WAS EITHER GOLDBERGS OR GIMBELS. WHEN THINGS GOT BETTER IT WAS SWERNS AND DUNHAMS AND SOME OF THE STORES THAT CARRIED THE MORE EXPENSIVE GOODS. DURING THOSE DAYS TRENTON HAD A FAIR SHARE OF DEPARTMENT STORES. BEST REGARDS.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

1942: SCHULMAN'S SHOE STORE - LAFAYETTE STREET TRENTON

2012-01-18T09:28:00.003-05:00

There were many stores in the area that sold merchandise labeled as "cancellation." These were manufactured products that got by the quality control inspectors with crooked seams, or other irregularities. Mr. Schulman was selling "Cancellation" shoes as was Mr. Schnur where we went for our back to school shoes. We could seldom see where the defects were and we saved a lot of money compared to the sky high prices of Miles, Thom McAnn, Fisher, and other name brand shoes. Mr. Schulman's original shoe store was next to Swerns at So. Broad and Lafayette Street. The original building experienced a destructive fire on the night of January 26, 1935 when he lost over $40,000 dollars in stock. The fire even made limited incursion into the Swern's building which was a nearby neighbor. Subsequent articles indicate that Mr. Schulman re-located to the 31-33 Lafayette location

2012: USING THE "SEARCH" FUNCTION

2012-01-17T22:13:00.004-05:00

The "SEARCH" function on this blog very efficiently lists ALL of the posts containing the word for which you search. When you enter a search word and click on the magnifying glass, you page down and find 8 pages containing the search word. After you finish reading the 8 searches listed, go back and repeat the process. Eight new searches on the same subject will appear. Yardville, Chambersburg, etc. have MANY pages, and using this search method

will reveal all posts containing the subject of your search.

1937: 413 EAST STATE STREET TRENTON

2012-01-17T13:07:00.003-05:00

This excellent photo of East State Street shows the long gone Moose Hall which once occupied a space on E. State Street. I have enhanced the sign advertising a basketball game to be presented at the hall. Old timers will undoubtedly have stories to tell about that old sports arena.

RALPH LUCARELLA said...

HI AGAIN TOM....YOU SEE THAT DINER ALONG SIDE THE MOOSE HOME, WELL THAT'S WHERE I HAD MY BREAKFAST EACH MORNING WHEN I WAS WORKING AT THE POST OFFICE ACROSS THE STREET DURING THE 1940'S AND 50'S. THE MOOSE HALL WAS WHERE THEY PLAYED THE FIRST PROFESSIONAL BASKETBALL GAME. I'M TOLD. THEY PLAYED IN A CAGE WHERE THERE WERE NO OUT OF BOUNDS. THEY HAD TO DRIBBLE WITH 2 HANDS AND HAD A CENTER JUMP AFTER EACH BASKET. OUR EARLY PLAYERS WERE RUSTY SANDERS, AL COOPER AND GEORGE GLASCO AMONG OTHERS. BEST REGARDS

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Very interesting, Ralph! Once again you are bringing Trenton's past into clearer focus and that is very much appreciated. In fact, all of you veteran Trentonians are really adding fabulous insights into our documenting local history.

Tom Glover

2012: A REDUNDANT REMINDER

2012-01-17T10:56:00.005-05:00

There have been many new comers to this website over the past two weeks due in a large part to the audience we had at my "Chambersburg" on screen presentation at the Hamilton Township Public Library and also my reference to the affair in my "Sentimental Journey" column in the Trenton Times. We are now averaging anywhere from 300 to 700 visitors per day; many of whom are repeat visitors. The Trenton Times has a very large number of readers.
Many newcomers may be puzzled by the initial graphics as this website is accessed. A number of folks who are un-familiar with the enlarging process have emailed me telling me that they can't read or see a graphic in which they are interested. Hence, this "post it" notice that I will be posted randomly throughout the year for the benefit of new visitors to my website.

Diana said...

Hi Tom! I'm learning so many new tricks. I learned this one at your recent presentation. Since then, I've learned of another simple trick to enlarge the screen...I tried it with your blog and it appears to work:

Simply, on the keyboard, first press and hold (control key) then press the (+) key. Presto! Enlarge to your satisfaction. Reverse the process by repeating above, except press the (-) key.

Don't know if you have any use for this, but thought I'd run it by you.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Tom Glover said...

Hi Diana:

Thank you for your input. I use those Microsoft "quick keys" but CTRL+ does not work on my computer. Very interesting that it does work on yours. It is much easier to enlarge by clicking Ctrl +.

Tom Glover

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

1947: KLOCKNER SCHOOL CLASS OF 1947

2012-01-17T10:27:00.007-05:00

Many thanks to Al Lombardo for this photo of the class of 1947 at Klockner School. Many of the students in the photo began their grammar school careers at White Horse's Maple Shade School and transferred to Klockner for their final grammar school year. Most of those in the photo were my classmates in the class of 1951 at Hamilton High School. One of my early childhood girl friends, Shirley Whitebread was in the Klockner class of '47. She and I made beautiful music back in Kuser Grammar School. Don't miss the designer shorts I was wearing; my older brother probably grew out of them, and became a generational hand-me-down. I told you the Glover family was just this side of poverty during those years!

Lee Belardino said...

Tommy
Nice picture of you and Shirely.She was a beautiful person as well as one of our finest alto's. We had many a practice session together and miss Baird had Shirley and I sing a duet.Mona Lisa at one of our assemblies. Shirley was my guardian angel and always looked out for me. Precious memories.
Lee

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Tom Glover said...

Hi Lee:

I really had a case of puppy love in grammar school. I was heart broken when her family moved over to Finley Avenue in White Horse. She ended up with a friend of mine, Paul Woolverton. In my yearbook, she wrote, "I'll never forget you Tommy, you're first next to Paul."
Ahh, the innocent years of our youth!

"Tommie"
(A name all of my old friends still call me.)

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

1944: THOSE SCARY WAR YEARS ON THE HOME FRONT

2012-01-17T09:21:00.003-05:00

From the "WWII" folder in the Hamilton Township Public Library Local History Collection comes this very scary article relating to the Nazi plans to attempt aerial bombing of the United States; in this case, New York City. I remember as a boy of 12 how scary it was to hear of the dreaded "Fifth Column" which was permeating industrial centers all over America. Reports were being broadcast on the evening radio news of saboteurs bombing local defense factories and other critical industrial sites. Japan was launching hot air balloons laden with high expolosives in the hopes of the balloons landing in a highly populated area. Off shore on the Pacific coast. Japanese ships were lobbing shells in to Pacific coast refineries. On the East coast, German submarines were coming perilously close to our eastern shores. Stories of Nazi spies and insurgents being put ashore in rubber rafts from German submarines all along the east coast including New Jersey were in the news. All in all it was a scary, unsettling situation.

RALPH LUCARELLA said...

HI TOM....A SCARY SITUATION IN 1945WAS ABOARD A TROOP SHIP IN THE PACIFIC. WE WERE OUT IN THE SEA FOR 19 DAYS TRYING TO AVOID THE JAP SUBS AND FINALLY ARRIVED ON AN ISLAND IN THE CORAL SEA CALLED ESPIRITO SANTOS. IT WAS A BIG RELIEF TO BE ON LAND AGAIN. THANK GOD I MADE IT BACK TO FRISCO AFTER THAT ORDEAL. BEST REGARDS,

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

It's guys like you whom I call heroes, Ralph. Your generation was one that endured the Great Depression and then went off to fight and die in WWII. Heroes indeed!

Tom Glover

1842: THE NEW HAMILTON TOWNSHIP

2012-01-16T16:33:00.002-05:00

2012 will mark the 170th anniversary of the establishment of the
Township of Hamilton. Nowhere in this document is there any reference to the derivation of the naming of Hamilton Township. Speculation has ranged from Alexander Hamilton to Hamilton Fish. One of the most frequently asked questions I have received over the years has been asking for the reason Hamilton was chosen. Still searching, but I believe the search will be in vain.

1922: OLD TIMERS ONLY!

2012-01-16T09:27:00.004-05:00

Michael said...

Tom:
Mercer Bag, and Burlap owned by the Entin Brothers, it was not on John Fitch way. It was located on Bridge & Bloomsbury St. just as you exited the "Trenton Makes" bridge in NJ.
Along John Fitch way was Sokalner Brothers Hides, furs and Skins.
This was the corner of Fall St., and where my day was foreman for most of his young life. Nearly all the family, brother's, sister, Uncles,and they even tried to recuit me to work there.
Just north was the Stryker Machine. Than my favorite; "the horsin Alley, where the local junk men stabled their horses at the end of each day. My brother in law Joe Bastecki who lived across the Bloomsbury St, would sneak the horse out at night and ride them along the grassy portion of River road. Beyond Princeton Worsted Mills, where my mother and most the the neighbor ladies worked during WWII was a garbage dump where we used to shoot rats. Than Bob Lavine's "Trenton Dressed Beef" slaugherhouse. Than a junk yard, the blacksmith shop with its big fire pit, and huge anvil, Up Near the corner where the bridge over the Assumpink was "Trenton Auto parts" Junk yard. South of the Trenton makes bridge was a very colorful bottle recyling business run by Mike "Magooch" Mucci.

Hopes this fills in some of the gray matter.

Mike Kuzma

Monday, January 16, 2012

AS USUAL, MANY THANKS FOR YOUR INTERESTING KNOWLEDGE AND INSIGHT INTO THE NEIGHBORHOOD IN WHICH YOU GREW UP, MIKE. YOUR KNOWLEDGEABLE INPUT IS A VALUED ADDITION TO THE HISTORY OF THE VARIOUS AREAS WE ARE POSTING. AS YOU CAN SEE BY THE ARTICLE ABOVE, THE MERCER BAG AND BURLAP COMPANY MUST HAVE HAD A FACTORY AS YOU DESCRIBED. I ASSUME THE STRUCTURE I RECALL WAS PROBABLY A STORAGE WAREHOUSE ALONG JOHN FITCH WAY. I I SEEM TO REMEMBER SEEING THE BUILDING AND I SEEM TO RECALL THAT THERE WAS A LOADING DOCK RIGHT ALONG THE HIGHWAY, UNLESS I AM FALSELY REMEMBERING A LOADING DOCK AT ANDY'S AUTOMOTIVE SUPPLY.

TOM GLOVER

How familiar this sign was as we drove along the old John Fitch Way, and headed into the War Memorial area of Trenton! Remember "Andy's Automotive?" Do you emember any other company's that were along John Fitch Way. I seem to recall "Mercer Bag and Burlap Co." and Stryker Machine Co. as being there....can anyone help me and my fading memory of that area?

GLENN BROS. GROCERY STORE

2012-01-16T08:52:00.004-05:00

Here's another very beautiful photo from the Duke University R.C. Maxwell Advertising Collection. The Glenn Brothers held forth in this grocery store back in the early part of the 20th century. By the looks of the autos, the undated photo is probably from the 1920's. There is also evidence that the brothers also had a store at the corner of Locust and Monmouth Streets. With the traffic signal in the photo, It is my assumption that this is the intersection of downtown Trenton at W. Hanover and Willow Street.

2012: NOT YOUR GRANDFATHER'S MILITARY VEHICLE!

2012-01-16T08:07:00.002-05:00

My friends Ray and Bob Shinkle sent a series of photos to me this morning. It is the revolutionary "airless" tire being manufactured by Michelin for military vehicles. No more flat tires, impervious to punctures, and rendering law enforcer's "spike strips" completely irrelevant. Who knows? These tires turned into rubber wheels may prove to be the direction your personal vehicle will have in the near future!
(As for me, I still prefer a pristine set of "white walls!"

1937 LAWRENCEVILLE ROAD AND ELDGRIDGE AVENUE

2012-01-14T12:41:00.002-05:00

Thanks to "Google Earth" for the colored street view of the intersection as it looks today. Above is a Duke University-R.C. Maxwell photo of that intersection as it looked 74 years ago. Fascinating!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

2012-01-13T17:42:00.005-05:00

"THE MUSIC WE GREW UP WITH" IS COMING BACK!

This is the second in a series of presentations I will be presenting at the Hamilton Township Public Library. The Chambersburg on screen presentation was a huge success with over 100 visitors. This special Valentines Day program will be presented in rooms 3 and 4 so that our singing doesn't interfere with other groups holding meetings in rooms 1 and 2. I hope to see many of my local visitors there. We will be singing those great old love ballads as sung by Bing Crosby, Perry Como, Patti Page, Joni James and other popular songs from an ere when music had a dreamy influence with lovely melodies and understandable lyrics.

I have no idea how many visitors to this blog are in the Hamilton-Trenton-Mercer County area. Drop me an email at tglover320@optimum.net and let me know if you are planning to attend.

RALPH LUCARELLA said...

HI TOM....CONGRATULATIONS ON THE FINE TURN OUT FOR YOUR CHAMBERSBURG AFFAIR. ON YOUR PROGRAM OF SINGERS COMING UP, MAY I SUGGEST YOU PLAY A FEW NUMBERS BY JERRY VALE. HE WAS A VERY UNDER RATED SINGER WHO WAS PRAISED MANY TIMES BY FRANK SINATRA AND MANY OTHER PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE. HIS ALBUM OF ITALIAN NUMBERS WAS THE BEST I EVER HEARD. BEST REGARDS.

Saturday, January 14, 2012

I AGREE, RALPH. I AM WORKING ON MY MUSIC AND WILL BE SURE TO INCLUDE JERRY VALE. ANOTHER VERY UNDER-RATED VOCALIST IS ONE OF MY FAVORITES: AL MARTINO. HIS "MARY IN THE MORNING" IS DELIGHTFUL.

TOM GLOVER

1940: THIS WAS DOWNTOWN TRENTON

2012-01-13T10:13:00.004-05:00

Once again, thanks to the Duke University Archives/Outdoor Advertising Assn Archives, this delightful photo of downtown Trenton taken from North Broad Street at the S.P. Dunham Building.
The following modifications have been made in the interest of increased clarity: Convert from RGB to gray scale, add border, add credits.

RALPH LUCARELLA said...

HI TOM....THAT'S A GREAT PHOTO OF STATE AND BROAD AND THE CAPITOL THEATRE WHEN THEY HAD VAULEVILL. I HAVE A FAINT RECOLECTION OF GETTING 50 CENTS WHEN I WAS A YOUNSTER FOR APPEARING ON STAGE WITH A COMEDIAN DURING HIS ACT. THAT WAS A LOT OF MONEY THEN AND MADE ME VERY HAPPY. ONE OF THE MANY CRAZY THINGS THAT WENT ON IN THOSE DAYS. REGARDS.

Friday, January 13, 2012

Anonymous said...

And "Of Mice And Men" along with "Private Affairs" on the Capitol's silver screen.

Tom, just what did Wilson's sell? At some point I remember a Wilson's House of Suede and Leather in the area but that does not appear to be the same.

Thanks .. Ed Millerick

Friday, January 13, 2012

Anonymous said...

Of course, the next photograph answered the question! Wilson's carried ladies hose and hats.

I seem to be either too quick on the trigger or slow on the uptake?

Ed Millerick

Friday, January 13, 2012

omad said...

In this pic I can't see that nifty outside magazine/newspaper stand that sat on the Broad St side of Wilson's. In my teenage years loved to just walk slowly along and look at all the covers. Once in a while buying Seventeen or Glamor and spending hours day dreaming about the clothes.

Saturday, January 14, 2012

1939: AN EXQUISITE VIEW OF DOWNTOWN TRENTON

2012-01-13T09:58:00.004-05:00

Professional ethics and U.S. Copyright laws demand that we observe rules of use. You will note that I am crediting each and every photo which I "borrow" from the Duke University Library's R.C. Maxwell photo collection in the Outdoor Advertising Assn' archives. Each of these photos provide a wonderful view of the city of Trenton and its environs going back many years.

About the photo: The detail is so clear when brought up on my monitor and enlarged to the max, that the most miniscule details can be seen. As I gazed hypnotically into the scene, I was magically transported back to Trenton as it was when I was a 6 year old boy. What a wonderful trip! I hope you can experience that incredible journey back in time.

RALPH LUCARELLA said...

HI TOM...DOWNTOWN TRENTON WAS WHERE I WOPRKED FOR 3 YEARS WHILE I WAS WITH THE POST OFFICE IN THE 1940 AND 50 YEARS. IT WAS A TIME WHEN THE AREA WAS VERY THRIVING AND I GOT TO MEET MANY FINE PEOPLE. THEY RECEIVED 3 MAIL DELIVERIES A DAY AT THAT TIME AND LATER ON I DROVE A PARCEL POST ON THE SAME ROUTE. DURING MY YOUNGER DAYS IN CHAMBERSBURG I ALWAYS FELT LIKE IT WAS SOMETHING SPECIAL TO GO DOWNTOWN. BEST REGARDS.

Friday, January 13, 2012

Anonymous said...

And when I look up at that billboard I can hear his words as if it were yesterday; "Don't forget the three ring sign and ask the man for Ballantine, Ballantine's Beer and Ale". Mel Allen the voice of the New York Yankees in the 1950's.

Ed Millerick

Friday, January 13, 2012

Tom Glover said...

RIGHT YOU ARE, ED. WINS 1010 NEW YORK. MEL ALLEN AND CURT GOWDY ANNOUNCING THE GAMES. ALONG WITH THE THREE RING SIGN, THEY WERE ALSO SPONSORED BY WHITE OWL CIGARS. A HOME RUN WAS A "WHITE OWL WALLOP." I WAS AN ARDENT YANKEE FAN BACK THEN, BEFORE TV. (I STILL AM)

TOM GLOVER

Friday, January 13, 2012

2012: CAN'T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG?

2012-01-13T09:06:00.004-05:00

I received this photo among a few others from my fellow Kuser School alumnus, Harry Hall. I added the "Isaiah" quote; it is quite appropriate. All my fellow animal-loving visitors will appreciate this delightful photo.

1992: A BELATED CHRISTMAS WISH FOR THE CITY OF TRENTON

2012-01-12T12:04:00.002-05:00

Even though we are in a new year and the Christmas season of 2011 is behind us, the city of Trenton will always come to my mind when I recall the city during that splendid season. This article I wrote brings back some memories of the city and the hopes we all have for her future.

GOODBYE, OLD FRIEND: A FAREWELL TO S.P. DUNHAM

2012-01-12T11:52:00.002-05:00

This was the beginning of the end for the downtown Trenton of my youth. With the proliferation of suburban malls and their adequate parking spaces, and with Trenton really hurting to provide convenient parking, a silver nail was driven into the heart of downtown Trenton. Gone forever was the courteous sales person who would go out of his or her way to satisfy you and assist with your purchase. Like the gas station attendant who cleaned you windshield and checked you fluids, gone was the mens' department store salesman who would never think of showing up for work without a shirt, tie, and jacket.

1908: SERING P. DUNHAM: IN THE BEGINNING

2012-01-12T11:47:00.002-05:00

He went on to form one of the most prominent and popular "anchor stores" back in the day. Starting out as Scudder and Dunham, he took the reins and created S.P. Dunham, a familiar downtown Trenton landmark. in the mid 20th century Dunham's expanded with satellite stores in various areas. One which the Glover's patronized was located over in Independence Mall. It hasn't been the same over there since they left. Old time Trenton residents were frequent visitors to their State and Broad Street facility.

2011: THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING OUR LOCAL HISTORY NIGHT!

2012-01-12T08:07:00.008-05:00

To say it was a success would be a gargantuan understatement. Over 110 citizens came to last night's local history program at the Hamilton Township Public Library's "HAMILTON LIBRARY LOCAL HISTORY THEATER." The program was to have been from 7 to 8:30 but at the end of the program, enthused attendees couldn't seem to get enough of this refreshing journey into the past. My special thanks to my dear friend Maury Perilli for attending. My high school buddy Gil Lugossy and his lovely wife Lee were also in attendance, along with many of my friends who have been following my music and history programs. Stay tuned; there is another program coming in February at the
"HAMILTON LIBRARY MUSIC THEATER;"
We will be celebrating St. Valentine's Day! It will be an evening of fun and nostalgia as we remember those classic love songs we grew up with.
Many of the lyrics will be projected on the screen for those who like to sing along. We are working on a date as this is being posted. STAY TUNED!
JoeZ said...

TOM: CONGRATULATIONS ON THE SUCCESS OF YOUR PROGRAM, I'M SURE THE VALENTINE'S DAY EVENING WILL BE ONE TO REMEMBER.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Diana said...

Hi Tom,

Wanted to thank you again for the incredible work you've done in preserving Trenton history. Most dear to my heart of course is Chambersburg and St. Joachim's Parish. Having been good friends with my dad, I'm sure you know how much he would have appreciated and thoroughly enjoyed your site. He also, no doubt, would have had much to add. I will go through his items to see what might be of interest to the community. (BTW, I gave mom your hug )

What a marvelous job you did last Wednesday night at the library with the first of your new presentations - Standing room only! And how fortunate we in Hamilton Township are for the assistance and cooperation of George Conwell, the director of the Library. Until attending your presentation, I had no idea that he was so very instrumental in the creation and success of your archives.
Also, I was honored to be present during your wonderful tribute to Maurice Perilli as he sat there in the audience. How amazing it was to witness his delight at seeing a very vintage photo of his parents for the first time! I believe that is at the heart of why you do what you do.

As we had discussed, I hope to come in to visit with you soon to share some "treasures." In the meantime, God bless, stay well and keep 'em coming.

Daughter of Tony&Mary Tazza,
Diana

Saturday, January 14, 2012

CHAMBERSBURG FEATURED ON SCREEN TONIGHT

2012-01-11T07:53:00.003-05:00

TONIGHT, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2011 FROM 7 TO 8:30 P.M. IN ROOM 3 OF THE HAMILTON TOWNSHIP PUBLIC LIBRARY LOWER LEVEL MEETING ROOM.

The above graphics are taken from an on screen presentation which I will be presenting in a new series of local history programs for the local citizenry. Hamilton Township Public Library Director George Conwell has dedicated a large meeting room in the lower level of the Hamilton Township Public Library for this new series of programs which will be presented from our Local History Collection. These presentations will be a continuation of the programs I had presented over the past 25 years or more at the Kuser Farm mansion. Current technology allows me to connect my computer to a digital projector (think an old fashioned slide projector without those old fashioned slides) and project selected programs for public viewing on a large movie screen.

The program is completely free of charge, and open to all. Trenton’s legendary Chambersburg will be featured in a thumbnail sketch of the borough from its inception. This is a program the Late Bob Immordino and I have been working on for over 4 years. Thanks to modern technology, the computer software used to create these historic treasures are “open ended” allowing additional material to be added on as uncovered. Future programs will feature “White City,” “The New Jersey State Fair,” and many programs with photos and articles from Yardville, Groveville, Ewing, Pennington, and other Mercer County villages, our local schools, and development of many of our neighborhoods.

Future dates will be set aside for our trademark musical sing along program “The Music We Grew Up With.” I hope to see many of my readers there; you will find it to be a very interesting and entertaining hour and a half.

Note: as of this date, I WILL still be doing my summer Kuser Farm Gazebo programs. I have already heard from Hamilton's Recreation Dept.
and confirmed summer, 2012.

RALPH LUCARELLA said...

I SURE WISH I WAS ABLE TO BE THERE TOM. IT SOUNDS LIKE A PROGRAM I WOULD ENJOY VERY MUCH. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY CHANGES IN CHAMBERSBURG SINCE I WAS BORN ON MOTT SYREET IN 1919. THERE ARE NOT MANY STILL AROUND THAT RECALLS THE BURG AS IT EXSISTED IN THOSE DAYS. I WISH YOU AND THE PROGRAM ALL THE LUCK. BEST REGARDS.

Thursday, January 05, 2012

Lee Belardino said...

Tommy
Great lineup for 2012. Wish I could be there.I was born on Mott Street in 1933. My Grandfather had a grocery store at 412 Hudson close to DeLorenzo's tomato pie which sold for .35 cents. Moved to Hamilton in 1942 There will never be a time as that or the class of 1951 where we were taught American History and not social activism.
Lee

Lee Belardino was one of my fellow singers back in Hamilton High School in the late 40's and early 50's (HHS '51). We made incredibly beautiful music together. Both of us still do! Great to hear from you, Lee. Happy New Year to you and yours.

Tom Glover

1898: TRENTON POLICE FORCE IS PROFICIENT

2012-01-10T13:03:00.002-05:00

These glowing testimonies from local downtown Trenton merchants speak well for the state of Trenton's police force back in the late 19th century. Those of us who are familiar with the city of Trenton and what I call her "Golden Years," are really saddened by a situation where Trenton's finest are being put to an unbelievable disadvantage in policing the city with a crippled police force. Sadder still is the descent of the city into another Dodge City situation where walking the streets is a risky venture.

1944: Lt. Louis Bonanni Weds Nellie Putzan

2012-01-10T13:00:00.002-05:00

The Bonanni name is prominent in the history of Trenton during the 20th century. Louis was an accomplished swimming champion in his time at Rider College. After serving his country as a Marine in WWII, he became heavily involved in real estate. The last I heard he was with Mario Lombardo as a realtor.

1922: WHAT AN INSPIRING MESSAGE!

2012-01-09T13:01:00.004-05:00

I would love to have met Rabbi Jacobs. It was men like him who saw the Christian and Jewish religions as really in concert. As you read the Rabbi's message, think about all the atrocities which were committed over the centuries by those who could not accept the idea that there is a Diety there, whether he be God the Father, Jesus, Allah, Budda, or whomever. We won't know until that day arrives when the truth is revealed.

Michael said...

Tom:
Having been baptized at Holy Cross, and made my Communion and Confirmation at "Our" Sacred Heart Church, and growing up in "Jewtown" as the Shabass Goy, I can honestly say there has always been a link, between Judism and christianity throughout my life.
The Rabbi's words were the same I hear in my neigbohood as a kid, co celebrating with my Jewish friends all of thier holidays, which coincided with ours in many, many ways.
Truly significant, particularly in these times when the Judo-Christian America is being overrun by people who don't believe in much at all.
Shalome alachem
Mike Kuzma

Monday, January 09, 2012

Tom Glover said...

TWO HEARTS AND MINDS THAT ARE COMPLETELY IN SYNCHRONIZATION, MIKE; THAT'S NICE TO KNOW.

TOM GLOVER

Monday, January 09, 2012

2012: WHY NOT HONOR OUR CITIZENS WHILE THEY LIVE?

2012-01-07T10:27:00.003-05:00

After being referred to as the "Hamilton Township Historian" for all these years, and given the fact that Hamilton Township hasn't created an official position of town historian, I will continue to refer to my passion for local history as an "archivist." That being said, I feel that I am qualified to recognize those who rightly should have worn the formal title of "Township Historian." Such was the case with my dear departed friend, Robert "Bob" Simpkins. Bob's historical knowledge of the Hamilton Township area was superb. He had the knowledge and experience of living and learning as a native of Hamilton Township dating back to the early 20th century right up to his passing on at age 102. The same situation surrounds the story of Mr. Bob Immordino; perhaps the most knowledgeable Lawrenceville area historian who devoted his life to the history of the "American-Italian" experience in the local area.
(I referred to it as "Italian-American" and Bob said, No, we are American Italians, and should be referred to as such.)
Even in his 90-plus years of life, Bob had a razor sharp mind with an incredible storehouse of local history. He was an authority on the the history of Lawrenceville, and Princeton's Dorothea House. I am proud to say that both of these dear departed gentlemen were among my very best friends.

RALPH LUCARELLA said...

HI TOM...SPEAKING OF OLD AGE, I HAVE NO TROUBLE RECALLING EVENTS THAT HAPPENED YEARS AGO BUT ON OCCASIONS CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY. MOST PEOPLE IN THEIR 90'S HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THEIR MEMORY BUT I CAN SAY I GET ALONG PRETTY GOOD. I HOPE BOB IMMORDINO AND YOU GOOD LUCK IN YOUR PROGRAM OF THE PAST. BEST REGARDS.

Saturday, January 07, 2012

Tom Glover said...

ME TOO AND MOST OTHERS, RALPH. I'M TOLD IT IS A VERY NORMAL GAME OUR BRAIN PLAYS ON US. I'M FINDING IT WHEN I WATCH "JEOPARDY" EVERY NIGHT. I OFTEN HAVE TROUBLE BRINGING FORTH AN ANSWER AND I KNOW THE ANSWER...JUST CAN'T REMEMBER THE PERSON'S NAME, THE PLACE, ETC.

TOM GLOVER

Saturday, January 07, 2012

1937: HEY, ISN'T THAT THE TRENTON POTTERY PLANT AT THE LALOR STREET RR CROSSING

2012-01-06T12:17:00.002-05:00

Ah yes, I remember it well!

RALPH LUCARELLA said...

HI TOM....MY SISTER ROSE LIVED IN AN APT THAT WAS BUILT FOR SENIOR CITIZENS IN THAT LOCATION FOR SOME TIME IN THE PAST FEW YEARS. OR WAS IT THE STOKLEY PLANT THAT WAS CONVERTED. BEST REGARDS.

Friday, January 06, 2012

Michael said...

Ralph:

You crossed the tracks. I brought the developer Joe Barry to Trenton from Hoboken who turned the Stokely Plant into a sucessful low income apartment complex. The Pottery burned down in the 40's or 50's and Sid Hoffing developed a small shopping center on the vacant land.It is directly across from the old Shultz's Steakhouse, and Rabbit grille, now a Portugese Restaurant. To help jog your memory, there was a Dunkin Donut on this old Pottery site, and a small supermarket.

Past it frequently enroute to Jr.Four.
Mike Kuzma
PS:
Your Brother Chuck was a good friend for a long time, a great guy and excellent doctor. His wife the twin, just lost her brother in law a few months ago; Vince Bogdan.

Friday, January 06, 2012

SJBill said...

That's the old canal bridge, and yes you are headed towards Junior 4 away from the River. Stokeley's is located on your immeduiate left.

The first RR crossing sign marked the siding where Fruit Grower's Express railroad cars used to line up for Stokeley - Van Camps. THis was another source of free ice for hot kids in the summertime.

Mike, do you remember a great pretzel bakery in the third or fourth building past the tracks on the right? Was it Leibensberger's? I think he started out on the corner of Genesee and Beatty St, where the old Paramount Bakery was located. Sold pretzle rods in 5 gallon tinned steel cans that were incredible.

Friday, January 06, 2012

Tom Glover said...

THAT OLD STOKELY PLANT IS NOW TWO SEPARATE APARTMENTS: VILLAGE I ON LALOR STREET, AND VILLAGE II ON STOKELY AVENUE. SACRED HEART PARISH ON SO. BROAD ST. HAS TAKEN OVER CARING TO THOSE WHO CAN'T GET TO CHURCH. I HAVE BEEN DOING A COMMUNION SERVICE FOR THEM FOR THE PAST 10 YEARS. 9 AM SUNDAYS AT VILLAGE I, 9:30 AM AT VILLAGE II.
TOM GLOVER

Friday, January 06, 2012

Michael said...

SH Bill:

Funny you should mention Paul Lipsenberger the pretzel man.
Here I am in Virginia nibbling on a lousy stick pretzel 1/3 the size of those I salivated for from Parker school to THS.
Those tall tins were a welcomed site. The pretzel factory was in a one story Cement block building a few blocks east on the Hamilton Side of Lalor just before Sacred Heart Cemetary (St. John's) across from the Gas station near where Home Ave. come out to Lalor.
Such fond memories.
Bill do you remember when Shultz's Steak house began on Liberty St. only a block from the greatest school in Trenton or for that matter the State; Jr.#4 roll up the score, we'll rally round thee to fight the foe, etc. etc. etc.
Class of 49 was mine!

Regards
Mike Kuzma

Saturday, January 07, 2012

SJBill said...

Mike, I'm a Schultz, with a "c", and not related to the Steak House. Do remember the steak house, and I do remember those pretzels, for sure. Fresh baked, just excellent.

My father was graduated from Junior Four in 1939, and I was graduated in 1961.

You looking for great pretzels? Try a web search for Martin's Pretzel Bakery in Akron, PA. The pretzels are old fashioned and unbelievable! Hand made (while hymns being sung), slow baked (I think in a coal oven) till some minor charring sets in.

The best buy is to order an eight pound box of broken pretzels over the phone. They ship them. No credit cards. Pay by mail when you receive them - if you like them. And they are just wonderful folks.

Saturday, January 07, 2012

omad said...

Hey guys, notice how all our posts eventually end up talking about food? My grandparents lived on the last block of Second St, across from the cemetery. In the summer, as a kid, I stayed with them a lot and remember each time the 1st day of ketchup making started at Stokely's. Smelled delicious. But, about the third day I never wanted to touch ketchup again. The smell permeated the walls of the house and lingered for days. The Good Old Days.

Saturday, January 07, 2012

Michael said...

Omad:

Whenever I was on Lalor St. amywhere near 2nd street, the only thing on my mind was somthing good( and they all were) from Richie Koslowski's coal oven Bakery "The Elite Bakery". His rye Bread was beyond compare, as were his rolls.
Now the donuts were another story.
We used to laugh; his "sinkers" were lethally heavy, and you didn't dare go swimming at " B A B"
Where the Thunder stadium is until at least two days after consuming one of Richie's donuts.

Did you live in one of the brick row houses across the street from The Elite, or on the same side?

Mike

Saturday, January 07, 2012

Michael said...

SJBill:

I mentioned the Shultz steak house in an earlier post on this subject.
Billy Shultz was a good friend of mine from Jr.#4. They began on Liberty St. and moved to Lalor across the street from this photo's lot. Rabbit's Cafe was ont he other side of the cut through st. that led back to Cracker's dump than on to Duck Island and the PSG&E plant along the river.

Mike Kuzma

Saturday, January 07, 2012

Omad said...

Mike, I actually only stayed with my grandparents in the summer. They lived directly across from Riverview in the last block of Second. Four houses joined together but with shingle fronts, not brick. I sure remember the bakery up the street and we would go just when the rolls came out and stand at the doorway & give our order. Kinda remember that to be a "dutch door" that remained closed at bottom. I was a kid then and followed my grandpop around. He was from England and a great story teller and comedian. The neighborhood kids would sit on the 3 step stoop and listen to his ghost stories. When it got dark & he finished the scary part, the kids would run home thru the two alleys to Lalor like demons were after then.

Saturday, January 07, 2012

2012: A SENIOR CITIZEN NOSTALGIA QUIZ

2012-01-06T12:06:00.004-05:00

See that picture of a pack of Lucky Strikes? The background color on the original "Luckies" was a deep forest green. During WWII the pack changed as did the advertising. "Lucky Strike Green Has Gone to War!" Only we old veterans of the WWII era will answer that question of why they went to war and how it changed the color from green to white, maintaining the familiar red ball with Lucky Strike in black. How many other old fogies out there beside me will come up with the answer as to why the Lucky Strike people changed the color? Comments invited. Some of you young whippersnappers out there will probably find the answer at Wikipedia.

1963: JUNIOR FOUR'S LOVELY CHEER LEADERS

2012-01-05T11:55:00.003-05:00

Back in 1963, 90+ percent of students were there to learn "3r's."Those organized sports programs, cheer leading, print shop, metal shop, and other elective courses were also important part of our education. When I went to school a decade or so earlier, History as a subject was known as "History;" not "Social Studies."

1929: NEW $2,500,000TRENTON HIGH SCHOOL APPROVED

2012-01-05T08:52:00.000-05:00

2012: ATTENTION, TRENTON HIGH ALUMNI !

2012-01-04T23:05:00.003-05:00

Remember: To enlarge images, RIGHT CLICK on image (s) then click on
"OPEN LINK IN A NEW WINDOW"
******************

CLICK LINKS BELOW FOR FURTHER DETAILS

http://www.tchsalumniassociation.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=131&Itemid=233

TCHS Recommitment Ceremony & Reception

www.tchsalumniassociation.org

1895: THE ORIGINAL TRENTON HIGH SCHOOL

2012-01-04T22:27:00.003-05:00

It is really wonderful to find alumni who are taking the time to form a high school alumni association. We made an effort to form one for Hamilton High School back in the 1980's but it was one of those "suppose we give a party and no one comes? No one did. The operating word here is apathy. However that's not the case with the folks from Trenton Central High School. The article and engraving above is from one of my old scrapbooks and is believed to be from the Trenton Times. This is the first Trenton High School which was located on Mercer Street in Mill Hill.

ATTN: ALL TCHS ALUMNI:

THE FOLLOWING EMAIL WAS RECEIVED FROM MR. KARL J. FLESCH
There will be a Recommitment Ceremony on 1/18 to mark the dedication of TCHS 80 years ago to the day. Guests are invited to attend to hear about building and dedication of the school. A small tour will follow. RSVP:

http://www.tchsalumniassociation.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=131&Itemid=233

TCHS Recommitment Ceremony & Reception

www.tchsalumniassociation.org

1932: TYPICAL CLASS ROOM IN THE NEW TRENTON CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL

2012-01-04T12:04:00.001-05:00

This is a graphic from the newspapers of early January, 1932 heralding the opening of the new Trenton Central High School. The room in the photo is typical of the seating arrangement in my high school and grammar school years. Usually 5 rows with the center row facing the teacher's desk. In the numerous visits I have made to local schools, the desk arrangement is much more informal; the old conventional 5 row arrangement no longer the rule.

1932-2012: HAPPY 80TH TO TRENTON CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL

2012-01-03T12:32:00.004-05:00

Would you believe there are those in our community who want to demolish this building (except for part of the front with the clock tower.) Not being an architectural engineer, but experiencing the process of stripping a building down to its bricks and mortar and rebuilding from the inside out is done all the time, providing that the structure is sound. Let's celebrate the 80th birthday of this venerable old institution by making a commitment to restore it to its original glory and forget about building one of those glass-encrusted monstrosities in the back yard of the property.

RALPH LUCARELLA said...

HI TOM...I ATTENDED TRENTON HIGH IN THE YEARS 1935,36 AND 37. I VISITED IN 2009 AND FOUND EVERYTHING THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL AS I LAST REMEMBER IT. I BELIEVE IT TO BE AMONG THE BEST HIGH SCHOOLS IN THE COUNTRY AND CAN'T UNDERSTAND THE TALK OF THOSE CHANGES.

Tuesday, January 03, 2012

Anonymous said...

Tom, these buildings were let go on purpose. This is the work of the EDA, Schools Construction Authority and a few other names they went by. The State "Cow-Tow's" to the party donors who are architects, contractors, engineers or consultants and vendors at the expense of our now bankrupt state. And yes, I have been a fly on the wall.

Ed Millerick

Tuesday, January 03, 2012

Mack said...

Great post Tom:) Heres to the red and the black....

Wednesday, January 04, 2012

Omad said...

Visions of Sports Night dance in my head when I see the pictures of the gym and theater. My friend's older sister was able to get us tickets as she was prominent in the week's event. We were only in 8th grade and were in awe of the participants. Begged my parents to let me go to THS, but a Catholic education was what they had for me.

Wednesday, January 04, 2012

Sally Logan Gilman said...

Hi Tom: I loved my time at THS and hate to think of anything happening to it. The gym was the greatest and during Sports Night the center of everything that was high school. I was on the Red Team and there was a lot of competition between the two sides. We rehearsed all the many numbers until they were perfect. The show was top notch and attracted Paul Whiteman who was one of the many "big names'' who came to our show. Regards and the best in 2012.

Wednesday, January 04, 2012

Anonymous said...

Sally, I believe Paul Whiteman is buried in the cemetery that is on that curve at the church on Scotch Road. It is an almost "cabin" looking and it's very attractive place of rest. After making the turn past the church it can be seen on the left.

Ed Millerick

Wednesday, January 04, 2012

1944: MY UNCLE CHARLIE

2012-01-02T18:19:00.004-05:00

This is photo captures the image of the Uncle Charlie whom I remember as a boy. He and my Aunt May Glover Gaudette were frequent visitors to the Glover home back in the 30's and 40's. I remember on graduation night 1951 at our graduation exercises at the War Memorial, "Unc" saw me among the graduates. He reached into his wallet and gave me a five dollar bill along with his best wishes. Five bucks went a long way back then.

RALPH LUCARELLA said...

HI TOM...THAT IS A BEAUTIFUL PHOTO OF THE WAR MEMORIAL BUILDING THAT TRANSFORMED STACY PARK INTO ONE OF THE MOST ATTRACTIVE AREAS OF THE CITY. I RECALL YOUR UNCLE BEING INVOLVED IN MANY ACTIVITES THERE WHILE HE WAS DIRECTOR. REGARDS.

Tuesday, January 03, 2012

Omad said...

Tom, So glad to see the pic of Nancy's dad. Reminds me of the old days when we all lived near Greenwood and spent time together at Nancy's house and others in the neighborhood. When I was at Villa we held all our concerts at the War Memorial. Being a friend of Nancy's brought me around her dad frequently when I was at Cathedral and we held events there. Thanx again for stirring up old good memories. Nancy and I still keep in touch.

Tuesday, January 03, 2012

Tom Glover said...

TELL HER I STILL LOVE HER EVEN THOUGH SHE HAS DISOWNED ME.

TOM

Thursday, January 05, 2012

2012: HAPPY NEW YEAR! I'M TESTING A SLIDE SHOW

2012-01-01T17:26:00.003-05:00

CLICK ON THIS LINK TO VIEW A NEW ADDITION TO THIS BLOG. THIS
IS A TEST SLIDE SHOW. I AM CONSIDERING ADDING IT TO MY ARSENAL.
http://www.kizoa.com/slideshow/d2163752k6604651o1/remembering-whendiaporama%20kizoa

WHEN YOU CLICK ON THE ABOVE LINK, MY SLIDE SHOW WILL OPEN IN REDUCED SIZE. LOOK TO THE BOTTOM RIGHT AT THE VERY LITTLE SQUARE WITH ARROWS IN EACH CORNER. CLICK ON IT TO VIEW FULL SCREEN. THE SHOW WILL CONTINUE WITHOUT FURTHER CLICKS FROM YOU. SLIDES CHANGE EVERY 8 SECONDS. CHECK IT OUT.....IT'S REALLY COOL! PLEASE GO TO MY GUEST BOOK AND LET ME HEAR YOUR COMMENTS PRO OR CON. THE SLIDES WILL AUTOMATICALLY CHANGE AFTER 8 SECONDS. NOTE THAT THE LARGE ARROWS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE VIEWING AREA WILL CHANGE TO THE NEXT SLIDE WITHOUT TRANSITION EFFECTS.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL MY VISITORS! HERE COMES MORE WWW.GLOVER320.BLOGSPOT.COM LOCAL HISTORY/NOSTALGIA POSTS!

1949 nd 1976: MARTY DEVLIN, SPORTSMAN EXTRAORDINAIRE

2011-12-31T23:10:00.004-05:00

Some guys were just like Robert Redford in that great movie, "THE NATURAL." Trenton area sports legends are, and will be part of the Hamilton Library's Local History Collection. Fred Kuser was "Mr. Tennis" back in the day, Eddie Moylan, my wife Judy's cousin Bob Boyd, and the gentleman who is a feature in the 2 articles above. In computing we call it "multi-tasking;" in the sports world it's "multi-talented."

RALPH LUCARELLA said...

HAPPY NEW YEAR TOM....MULTI TALANTED IS GREAT FOR MARTY DEVLIN AND IT ALSO APPLIES TO MY BROTHER "CHUCK". THEY BOTH PLAYED TOGETHER FOR 3 YEARS ON THE SCHROTHS AND TRENTON HIGH TEAMS. MARTY WENT ON TO BECOME QUITE A TENNIS ADVOCATE WHILE CHUCK WENT ON TO BECOME A HEART SPECIALIST AFTER AN AUTO ACCIDENT CUT SHORT HIS BASEBALL CAREER. THE TRAFFIC DIFFERENCE IS CHUCK PASSED AWAY AT 56 YEARS WHILE MARTY STILL CARRIED ON. MAY GOD BLESS THEM BOTH AND WE'LL REMEMBER THEM ALWAYS.

Sunday, January 01, 2012

Michael said...

Happy New Year Tom; from the MIKE Kuzma, It was I not Mike McNicholl who sent you the note on Felix Nowicki! Started celebrating a little early eh?

I attended Trenton High for just one year with Marty Devlin and Chuck Luccarella. I git to know them both through Andy Greener, another member of the famous 48 Schroth team that took it all in Legion Ball. I got to know Andy while we were both in Jr.4, and I followed him as Goal Keeper for Dave Weisberg's outstanding THS soccer team.
All of the fellows who played on the Schroths in those days were well mannered, outstanding atheletes. Jake Miller would have it no other way.
Marty's brother John was a classmate of mine at THS, and through the years, I interacted with Marty. He began tennis, as an outlet and soon rose to the top nationally due to his being amberdextirous.
All his shots were forehand killer's!!!
You also mentioned one of the all time nice guys I evere met; Bob Boyd. Bob was the consumate gentleman, with the patience of a saint. I met Bob through Edgar Levy who was my tennis partner ( actually he carried me in every match) a close friend and competitor of Bob's. Bob was so kind. He relieved me of the pressure of teaching my girlfriend ( now my wife of neary 50 years) Joan how to play tennis.
What a wonderful guy and so many good memories of him.

If you talk to Fr. Dennis, tell him my nephew Johnny Zuccarelli may be taking the plunge. We can co celebrate the ceremony! LOL

To understand, check my website
www.thecivilservant.com

Happy New year to all.

Mike KUZMA

Sunday, January 01, 2012

Tom Glover said...

SORRY I SWITCHED "MIKES," MIKE. WHEN THOSE COMMENTS COME IN WITH ONLY A SINGLE NAME, I AUTOMATICALLY PLACED FELIX IN THE BURG, AND AS YOU CORRECTLY POINT OUT, CREDITED THE INCORRECT MIKE.
ED LEVY WAS A REGULAR VISITOR TO THE KUSER FARM CLAY COURT. HE GAVE ME AND MY FRIEND DON SLABICKI UNLIMITED PASSES TO THE GREENWOOD THEATER. BOB BOYD WAS INDEED ALL CLASS. VERY QUIET AND SOFT SPOKEN, BUT A HUMBLE AND VERY TALENTED MAN.
TOM

Monday, January 02, 2012

RALPH LUCARELLA said...

HI TOM...I WOULD LIKE TO THANK VERY MUCH TO MIKE KUZMA AND YOU TOM, FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS HOW MUCH WE ALL THOUGHT OF THE YOUNG FELLOWS OF THE 1948 ERA. MIKE MENTIONED ANDY GREENER ALONG WITH MARTY DEVLIN AND MY BROTHER CHUCK LUCARELLA. THEY WERE AMONG THOSE THAT PLAYED ON THE SCHROTHS AND SCHOOL TEAMS. WHAT THEY ACCOMPISHED LATTER MAKES IT SOUND LIKE THOSE DAYS HELPED THEM TO GO ON TO GREATER HEIGHTS. FOR ONE, MY BROTHER CHUCK, AGAINST ALL ODDS, MADE IT THROUGH MEDICAL SCHOOL TO BECOME A HEART SPECIALIST. HE LEARNED TO PLAY THE BASS FIDDLE AT COLLEGE IN ORDER TO EARN A FEW DOLLARS ALONG WITH WORKING IN THE MESS HALL. WHAT I'M TRYING TO EXPRESS IS YOU MUST HAVE A GROUP OF FRIENDS WHO GO BEYOUND THE REGULAR ROUTINE TO SUCCEED. THANKS AGAIN MIKE, YOUR COUSIN CHET KUZMA, IS ALSO INCLUDED.

Monday, January 02, 2012

1924: THE NEW LINCOLN SCHOOL FOR "NEGRO CHILDREN"

2011-12-30T11:59:00.004-05:00

Segregation was alive and well back in the roaring 20's. This interesting article along with a very poor copy of an engraving of the school which was located on North Montgomery street in Trenton.

Tom,

Happy New Year.

I like your post on the Lincoln School, later to become Jr. #5. I started Jr. 5 in 1948 and P.J. Hill was Principal.

To read the description from the news article I could picture the inside all over again. The biggest change is that the first floor class rooms had no direct door to the outside.

Noel

1946: COUNT FELIX: A LOCAL LEGEND

2011-12-30T07:45:00.005-05:00

Thanks Mike McNicol for correcting me with my statement that Fexlix was involved with "Centanni" in Chambersburg. I have no idea where that idea came from. I have never been to any of his gigs. I hereby revise this post and change the venue to the Sherwood Inn over in Ewing and other local places of entertainment. This ad is from a December 1946 Trenton Times Christmas-New Year page.

Babs said...: Thanks for posting this ad. Count Felix was my talented, fun-loving Uncle Felix. He had his bar on Anderson Street with my Aunt Etta. I never made it there as an adult patron, but enjoyed his musical abilities, pranks and jokes growing up. I wonder if you remember my mother and her two sisters from THS. Evelyn, Ruth, and Etta Davidow?
Tom, thank you for what you do. I work with many historical societies as a book designer for Applewood Books in Carlisle, Massachusetts.

Barbara DaSilva; Friday, December 30, 2011

Many thanks for the interesting insight, Babs. It is much appreciated. Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope you return often. As to the Evelyn, Ruth and Etta Davidow, as a Hamilton High class of 51 alumnus I only recognize the Davidow name.

Tom Glover

mments:

Michael said...: Tom:

Hate to correct such an expert as you, but in the past year, I sent you a post, clarifying the mistake with Felix Nowicki.
He was not with Centanni, that was an Italian bar located a few blocks away behing Merlo Printing
Co. just steps off So. Clinton near Liberty,and behind the old Prior Donuts.
Felix, who I knew well had as his neice says, a "fun" bar at the corner of Woodland, and Anderson. A few blocks from Cent'ani, which if memory serves me means "100 years" in Italian. Typcially said as "Chen Don" when toasting a goomba, or Paisan.
Felix's brother Eddie was an appraiser who worked for me at one time and came from a proud Polish background.
The Davidow's were in the Wallpaper business.

Mike Kuzma; Friday, December 30, 2011
Anonymous said...: My father was a regular with Count Felix and consequently, I accompanied him on many, many occasions. The phone that squirted water in your face, the quarter that was permanently glued to the bar. The "robot" at the front door whose hand would find its way where it didn't belong on an unsuspecting customer. The microphone in the "john." Felix was a phenomenal musician who saw the hilarity of everyday life. He had a theater organ in the middle of the bar he would play at night. My mother sang with him accompanying and my father, who didn't know a note of music was challenged by Felix to play a piano duet. Felix taught him music and my father studied and eventually played with him. I got my start in music because of his mentoring and made a career of it. A very excellent remembrance. Thank you Tom!

Warren Rue; Friday, December 30, 2011

1936: KUSER SCHOOL SAFETY PATROL

2011-12-29T11:15:00.001-05:00

Long live the NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL! This article from 1936 lists the students at Kuser School, all now in their mid 80's who were on the "Boys' Patrol' and the "Girl Guard' which I assume is the predecessor to the old Keystone Safety Patrol which is more familiar to those of us who attended Hamilton schools in later years. My oldest brother Len is in the group as are many other familiar names from the Colonial Gardens/Liberty Street area.

1939:NO. OLDEN AVENUE AT THE ASSANPINK CROSSING

2011-12-29T10:46:00.007-05:00

Sincere gratitude to loyal visitor Ed Millerick who corrected me. I made a mistake in locating this view, assuming it was looking north when in reality it was North Olden Avenue looking TOWARD East State Street. Thanks, Ed for correcting me. Once again, in keeping with their "fair use" copyright policy, credit for the above photo goes to the Duke University Archives, Maxwell Collection.

Sally Gilman said...

Hi Tom: I recognized North Olden Avenue right away. A few blocks before the bridge, on the left side of the street was, Eagle Bakery -- my father used to take me in there and let me pick out cookies. They were huge and I always got chocolate chip. I can still remember how good they were. The bakery was still there five or so years ago. Thanks again for the memories.

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Michael said...

Tom:

Help an old man with a failing mind out.
The one hundred block of No. Olden Ave. was just north of East State St. the dividing line. This being the case, Lou's tomatoe pies would be ultimately be on the right. How you could see Hetzel field is great, I can only imagine it. As far as the Eagle Bakery, that was on the Corner of No. Olden and Ohio, or Indiana, across the street from The Polish Falcons Hall. Panalyte and Crescent Wire would some day be on the left over the bridge right?
Thanks for any clarification.

Mike

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Trust me, Mike, based on your numerous comments on many of our posts, you don't have a "failing mind!" Open "BING" and key in the North Olden Avenue address. You will see the Assanpink and also what is today identified as Hetzel Field. As to Lou's Tomato Pie place, I am not familiar with it. Sally's reference to the Eagle Bakery was a bit off geographically as it was in the Polish Falcon area of North Olden Avenue. The only place I remember as the location of Panelyte was way over on Enterprise Avenue. As to Crescent Wire, I looked for the structure but I also came up with the "failing mind" syndrome that is so common among us members of "Wrinkle City."

Tom Glover

RALPH LUCARELLA said...

HI TOM.....I PLAYED AT HETZEL FIELD MANY TIMES IN SOCCER AND BASEBALL GAMES AND GOING ON TO CRESENT WIRE, THAT'S WHERE I TRIED TO GET WORK WHEN WALT PARKER WAS DOING THE HIREING. HE WAS THE UMPIRE IN MANY OF MY GAMES AND PRAISED MY PLAY BUT NEVER GAVE ME A SHOT AT A JOB. I'LL NEVER FORGIVE HIM FOR THAT.

Friday, December 30, 2011

Omad said...

Tom, area is familiar to me from when I lived down Olden near Hamilton and walked all over to anything the "gang" thought interesting. Can you give me a little info on the "Bing maps" please. I remember there were old factories over the bridge that were no longer in use (late 40's). We used to climb all over the structures and it is a miracle we didn't get hurt. Nobody ever worried about tetanus shots then.

Friday, December 30, 2011

1935: CHAMBERSBURG: SOUTH BROAD AT DIVISION STREET

2011-12-29T08:10:00.004-05:00

No comment except for the beautiful high definition photo that shows a section of Chambersburg as it looked over 75 years ago. TO ENLARGE THIS BEAUTIFUL PHOTO: Right click on the photo, click on OPEN LINK IN A NEW WINDOW, and you will be standing on South Broad Street near Division viewing the minutest details of the neighborhood.

SJBill said...

That panel truck - double parking, going the wrong way? This just cannot happen in the Burg! The third floor of the buiding with the advertisement has been removed during the intervening years. Broad Street was always so very busy with traffic. It made for a good retail district. Totally different these days with all the progress we've made with new highways. Don't I wish I had that Deuce Coupe, with a 327, 350 horse engine. ;-) Paint it red, please.

Thursday, December 29, 2011

1934:"WHAT ARE YOU DOING NEW YEARS'S EVE?"

2011-12-28T11:24:00.005-05:00

It was in the very heart of the Great Depression, much like our present state of affairs when poverty was king. This is full page scan of the Trenton Times displaying the ads from the many local area venues who were inviting citizens to come ring in the new year of 1935. These 2 graphics will keep a number of my old Trenton residents busy; there's a lot of examples of downtown Trenton during the 1930's.
DON'T FORGET! RIGHT CLICK ON AN IMAGE, CLICK ON
"OPEN LINK IN A NEW WINDOW"
AND USE THAT MAGNIFYING GLASS!

1 Comment

RALPH LUCARELLA said...

HI TOM...IN 1934 I WAS JUST 14 YEARS OLD BUT I RECALL ALMOST ALL THOSE PLACES WHEN I GOT OLDER AND WE HAD A BALL ON NEW YEARS EVE. THE ITALIAN SPORTSMAN CLUB AND LATTER CEDAR GARDENS RESTAURANT WERE OUR FAVORITES. THOSE WERE THE DAYS. HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

1934: CHAMBERSBURG LEGEND ANGELO CAMERA OBIT

2011-12-28T10:48:00.001-05:00

Angelo Camera was a Chambersburg legend during his lifetime in the city of Trenton. Above is a mini biography of this noted American Italian. Below is a BING map of the home in which he died at 299 Hamilton Avenue. These graphics from the "AMERICAN ITALIAN" folder in the Hamilton Library's Local History Collection, along with the every growing "CHAMBERSBURG" folder will be among the many programs to be featured in one of my upcoming Local History and musical presentations in the
"Hamilton Township Public Library Local History Theater:"
a free series of history and music programs to which the public will be cordially invited. Look for the first program in January 2012.

2011: ROBERT A. JURAN'S "OLD FAMILIAR FACES"

2011-12-28T10:32:00.004-05:00

Just a bit of fun for my senior readers who remember those great movies from the 30's and 40's. Above is a Tom Glover reformatted graphic from the cover of Mr. Robert Juran's wonderful book of memories of the character players we all still know and lover. The graphic is a scan of the original book cover with the original yellow panel reading, "OLD FAMILIAR FACES;" the great character actors and actresses of Hollywood's golden era, by Robert A. Juran"

(Published by Movie Memories, Sarasota, FL.")
With only a bit of juxtaposing, I have turned it into the lyrics of that old big band favorite, "I'll Be Seeing You." Each of us in the senior citizen community remember nearly all of the folks shown on the cover of this great volume. Memories are made of this.

2 Comments

Close this window Jump to comment form

sally.gilman@yahoo.com said...

Oh, Tom: I know almost all the faces. It's always great fun to visit your webpage. I have a new computer with Windows 7 and it's a joy to use.It opens your site so quickly compared with my seven-year-old machine loaded with Windows XP. Happy New Year to you and yours.

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Tom Glover said...

GREAT NEWS, SALLY! I WISH YOU THE BEST OF LUCK WITH YOUR NEW COMPUTER. THANKS FOR BEING SUCH A LOYAL VISITOR. LOVE 'YA; A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU AND YOURS.
XO
TOM

2011: OLDEN PHARMACY: BACK TO MY ROOTS

2011-12-27T18:16:00.008-05:00

With a hearty and proverbial knock on wood, I observe that the Lord has been good to me insofar as health problems are concerned as I approach my 79th year. My only prescription is for "Dexilant" for heart burn and acid reflux. I had been going to one of those national pharmacies that are on nearly every street corner. The nearest one to me is knee deep in people either picking up prescriptions which are stowed in a large area with "A to Z" pigeon holes loaded with prescriptions. I found early on that the "G" as in Glover requires a clerk who isn't necessarily fluent in the language to search for my Dexilant, or occasional anti-biotic if I overindulged on cashews and irritate my "diverticula" or whatever it is called. Add to that the fact that these stores are so large it is difficult to talk to a real warm body; everybody is so busy. The operating phrase here, as in my army days is "hurry up and wait." So I decided to go back to basics to my friendly independent pharmacist. Our family has a history of pharmacies that included Fromkin's Pharmacy which morphed into Lenny Rubin's Liberty Pharmacy, and then to Harvey Silk's Drug Store. Somehow it feels more natural to deal with a mom and dad organization where they know your name, and you know their name. As an historic nugget: This is the very same building that I visited countless times with my Mom and my sister Dot during the 1940's when the Palombi family operated it as a grocery store and incredibly busy meat market. Each time I go in, I look up along the wall near the ceiling and remember seeing the chickens hanging from the ceiling. I can also remember Carlo or one of the younger boys happily singing what I recall as an Italian aria as he goes merrily about his daily duty. Mr. Palombi always had a piece of candy for the "lilla boy." Ahh, those wonderful and precious memories!

Omad said...

Tom, what corner is this on? It says Olden Pharmacy but I remember Palombi's being in the Burg cause my parents bought the meat for our restaurant located on Hamilton near St Francis Hospital there and I had to run there often to pick something up in a hurry. This was in the 40's.

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Tom Glover said...

HI OMAD:
THIS PALOMBI'S WAS ON SOUTH OLDEN AVENUE BETWEEN CEDAR LANE AND LIBERTY STREET. PALOMBI'S HAD THE BURG STORE, AND ALSO ONE OVER ON GREENWOOD AVENUE IN BROMLEY.

TOM GLOVER

Michael said...

Tom,Omad:
Are you talking about the Palombi's who as in Rudy who was President of Roma S&L some years back? If so didn't that Palombi have a Grocery store on the Corner of Mifflin & Anderson? That would be within a block of St.Francis Hospital.
I know I am out of my area, but I dated so many girls from Chambersburg and spent so much time there, I remember many of the landmarks.
Regards

Mike

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

SORRY, MIKE, IT'S OUT OF MY AREA ALSO. I LEAVE IT TO RALPH LUCARELLA OR ANOTHER OLD TIME BURGER VETERAN TO ENLIGHTEN US. THE ONLY PALOMBI STORE OUR NEIGHBORHOOD PATRONIZED ON A FREQUENT BASIS WAS THE OLDEN AVENUE STORE.

TOM GLOVER

Omad said...: Mike, that is one my family used and I remember the location as you do from back in the 40's when I was a kid. We moved to Hamilton and So Olden across from Hobart around 1946. Not sure if family ever went to the Olden location. That is really reaching back and I'm out of the area too.; Wednesday, December 28, 2011
JoeZ said...: Tom: We miss those pharmacies down here in Florida. We always used Episcopo's on Chambers.; Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Carlo said...

Hi Tom..Thank you for the nice picture of our pharmacy. The other Palombi Market was on Washington st, corner of Mifflin near St. Francis Hospital and was owned by Fabiano , a brother of Remo Palombi on S. Olden Ave. He was the father of former Roma Bank President Rudolph Palombi. Our pharmacy was started in 1959 by George A. Smith and I took it over in 1963. As you know it is now my son's although I still go in now and then. Happy New Year & stay well! Carlo Benedetti

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Many thanks for the Palombi family info, Carlo. It's nice to hear from you. Stay healthy and the very best for the coming new year.

Tom Glover

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Michael said...

Hi Carlo:
Once again, you proved how much smarter you are than I. I mistookk Anderson for Washington. I knew it was near the former John Henry's Resturant.
Thank goodness for you, and the other two musketeers. Without you I would never have gotten out of Jr. 4. Espescially with Mr. Alito watching over me. BTW, I rec'd a nice note from his son Supreme Court Justice Samuel Jr. last year.

Best wishes to you all.

Mike

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

RALPH LUCARELLA said...

HI TOM...IN THE 1920'S WE LIVED RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET FROM PALOMBI'S ON WASHINGTON STREET. I ALSO RECALL PALOMBI'S ON SO. OLDEN AVENUE, WE PLAYED BALL ON A FIELD NEARBY. HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Anonymous said...

Hi Mike, Would you have believed when we were sitting in Mr. Alito's classroom, that some day his son would be a Supreme Court Justice? Simply amazing,but Mr. Alito was one Jr.4 teacher I always admired.For a period of time I used to see his widow at church, but not recently; she must be in her 90's now. Good
hearing from you and have a healthy, happy New Year!..Carlo

Thursday, December 29, 2011

1980: BOY SCOUTS "EXPLORERS" AT MERCERVILLE VFD

2011-12-27T12:50:00.000-05:00

These boys were learning the art of firefighting. The young men learned first hand how those selfless volunteers did their job. We should be very grateful for those volunteers who risk life and limb to save us from the horror of fires. On the coldest, snowiest winter nights and at any hour,these brave citizens carry on the tradition of history's American colonial era "Minutemen,"

1979: BENNY SNYDER AT ANGELONI'S

2011-12-27T12:26:00.001-05:00

He brought the most beautiful music to as during his time leading the Benny Snyder Big Band Orchestra. He was a true gentleman and his band was a real asset to the local community. When he played at the Kuser Farm Park Gazebo during those many summers, the attendance was "SRO" as they say in show business. Unfortunately Benny's health lead to an all too early passing. I miss him still, even as I remember the great music he brought to our community.

1979: ERNIE KOVACS: A TRENTON LEGEND

2011-12-27T10:19:00.004-05:00

I will never forget his hilarious TV personality, "Percy Dovetonsils." This man was a genius in bringing real comedy to Trenton first, next New York, then Hollywood and the world. He is herewith being ensconced in the "NOTABLE PERSONS" folder in the Hamilton Township Public Library Local History Collection as well as this blog. His lovely wife Edie suffered a great loss when he died so prematurely in an automobile accident on a rainy night.

THIS IS MR. CALVIN ISZARD
WHO WROTE THE ABOVE ARTICLE FOR THE MESSENGER
(LINKEDIN EXTRACT)

RALPH LUCARELLA said...

HI TOM....I'VE BEEN AWAY FOR THE HOLIDAYS AND WOULD LIKE TO WISH EVERYONE A VERY HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR. SPEAKING OF ERNIE KOVACS BRINGS BACK MANY MEMORIES OF HIS YOUNGER YEARS. WE WERE BOTH BORN IN 1919 AND WENT THROUGH SCHOOL TOGETHER. HE WAS VERY ACTIVE IN JUNIOR 4 AND TRENTON HIGH AND OF COUIRSE WENT ON TO BECOME ONE OF THE BIG NAMES IN SHOW BUSINESS. MY SISTER LAW WAS HIS BABY SISTER IN THE 1920'S ON GENESEE STREET. I ALSO DELIVERED MAIL TO HIM WHEN HE LIVED IN MERCERVILLE FOR A SHORT WHILE. I RECALL ALL THE PROBLEMS HE HAD IN RAISING HIS CHILDREN WITH HIS FIRST WIFE. HIS DEATH WAS A TERRIBLE ENDING TO A GREAT HOLLYWOOD TIME. BEST REGARDS.

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

GREAT TO HAVE YOU BACK, RALPH, WE MISSED YOU! I HOPE YOU HAD A GREAT HOLIDAY AND ARE READY FOR MORE TRENTON, HAMILTON, AND MERCER COUNTY POSTS COMING IN 2012!

TOM GLOVER

1909-2012: NEW YEAR'S DAY

2011-12-27T09:22:00.001-05:00

A bit of Photoshopping and voila! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Ca 1924 R.A. DONNELLY

2011-12-26T22:56:00.004-05:00

A familiar site to we Trenton old timers. R.A. and F. W. Donnelly were two permanent fixtures in downtown Trenton for many many years. A small portion of the S.S. Kresge's "5 and 10" sign can be seen in the left of the photo.

1 Comment

RALPH LUCARELLA said...

HI TOM....THE DONNELLY NAME TO ALL THE OLD TIMERS SHOULD BE VERY FAMILiAR. WE HAD THE TWO STORES A MAYOR AND GOING WAY BACK A MOVIE ACTRESS NAMED ROSE DONNELLY. BEST REGARDS.

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

2011: HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2011-12-26T16:07:00.002-05:00

This will be the year when we reach a half million visitors, new and return. To one and all, I would like to express my gratitude for all who take the time to go visit this blog which was started in 2005 and now has over 7,000 pages. We are entering our 12th year!

1922: THE MERCER AUTOMOBILE COMPANY

2011-12-24T22:15:00.006-05:00

Here is a photo of Lawrence Road which would probably be impossible to locate today due to the many changes along that busy roadway. If your monitor doesn't have high definition, I have cut and pasted the sign. The Mercer Automobile Company was falling on hard times in the early 1920's and would soon go out of business. This photo is so clear one can see small stones along the roadway.

SJBill said...

If the address on the image is correct, the company was just after Darrah Lane on the left headed for Princeton. After our family left the Burg in the mid 60s, we lived very close to that location. We had no knowledge of the plant from the Old Timers that lived up the road. In the early 60s, outside of the residences, the land was all agricultural and woodlands. Today, that's real close to the Rider College campus. Wasn't the Mercer plant located near Whitehead Road - a more industrial setting?

Monday, December 26, 2011

Hi Bill: Yes, the Mercer factory was located across the street from the Thermoid plant on Whitehead Road. The Roller Bearing Company of America took it over in the late 1920's.

Tom Glover

2011: MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND GOD BLESS US EVERYONE!

2011-12-24T16:29:00.004-05:00

RIGHT CLICK ON THE ARTICLE CLICK ON OPEN LINK IN A NEW WINDOW AND ENLARGE THE ARTICLE'S TEXT

I wrote this article many years ago. It was written long before we expelled God from public schools. It was also the era when many fathers, brothers, and sisters were off fighting and dying for freedom from the three Axis powers. Our churches and synagogues were well attended back then. It's curious how some folks search for spiritual help when their personal situations are in serious jeopardy. How innocent we were! We saluted the flag, we bent our heads in prayer, and no one was offended.

1947: THE HOTEL PENN AND HOTEL LEONARD

2011-12-24T15:12:00.004-05:00

Another splendid view of old Trenton. This one across from the Trenton railroad station. The clarity on these R.C. Maxwell photos is incredible. Some are a trifle dark as was this, but a tweak with Photoshop brings forth a photo that will warm the hearts of we Trenton lover. Mercer Cemetery can be seen in the background.

Anonymous said...

As a kid, and having never stayed in one, a hotel was an exciting place or at least what from what I had seen in the old Hollywood movies it was. I remember asking Dad in the early 50's if we could stay in the Hotel Penn? He painted a picture of n'er-do wells, shady characters and hoodlums "on the lam" as being the clientele. I wanted to go in at least for a sandwich but got hustled up the street to that luncheonette across from The YMCA.

Ed Millerick

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Michael said...

Ed:
Your Dad was very charitable with his description of these two hotels.
If you remember the buses from Ft. Dix unloaded all those poor lonely soldiers from Ft. Dix right in front of these two hotels.
Of course there were always plenty of women the majority of which were not so young or pretty.
My first job with the City of Trenton in 1959 was as a Health Inspector. My assignment took me into hotels and rooming houses.
Having inspected these two, I can confirm what your Dad had told you.

Merry Christmas

Mike Kuzma

Saturday, December 24, 2011

1939: PEOPLES' BREWING COMPANY

2011-12-24T11:57:00.004-05:00

I was only 6 when this beautiful photo was taken. I tried to picture it as I remember it back in the mid 40's and 50's, and the Mercer Beverage Company being across the street confused me. I always envisioned that old brewery as being on the very corner of Lalor and Lamberton Street and across the street the Delaware River. I don't remember the "dog leg" curve on Lamberton Street and I leave it to my knowledgeable South Trenton resident visitors to expand on their memories of this historic Trenton landmark. Correct me if I am in error, but we are in the middle of Lamberton Street looking toward Lalor Street.

SJBill said...

Correct, Sir, the middle of Lamberton. If you were a bit more to the right, you should see the corner of Lalor St. The brewery changed a bit over time. There was a roof added to the loading dock on the right for a little shelter and there were changes (from damage) on the river side. This answers a question I've had about Mercer Beverages - definitely a brewed malt beverage rather than a soft drink. Since the pic was taken six years after the repeal of Prohibition, what was the product during those "dark years"?

Saturday, December 24, 2011

1952: MY GENERATION! THE HAMILTON I REMEMBER

2011-12-23T12:59:00.002-05:00

Here's another great R.C. Maxwell photo featuring the late, great Patterson Chevrolet. As I indicated in earlier posts, I am completely enamored with photos of cars as they were during their lifetimes. Old black and white movies with a 1950 Nash police car or a 1937 "Topper" movie with Cary Grant tooling around in a Cord "Hollywood" is my piece of cake. Just look at those old beauties in the photo. The 1940 Nash was one of my brother's first cars. It was a business coupe and in beautiful. I remember the clutch had a steel extension on it. When you started the car, depressing the clutch would engage a silver starter cylinder on the floorboard. I also remember that brother Bud's Nash was in beautiful condition with one exception: Plastic was in its early years as parts of a car. The sun beaming through the windshield caused the plastic farm around the speedometer and other dashboard parts to curl away from their anchored spots. However, that car was build like a tank. The fenders were made of HEAVY gauge steel....beautiful memories of a beautiful car. (Hey, I told you my interest was always with the "mongrels" of the American auto industry: Packard, Studebaker, Hudson, and Kaiser-Frazer.)

2011: A COWBOY CHRISTMAS FROM MY ARMY BUDDY, CARL O'HAIR

2011-12-23T09:04:00.003-05:00

I believe that old friends are the best friends. I have stayed in touch with one of my 3 best buddies from my cloak and dagger "G2" years in the ASA (Army Security Agency). Carl O'Hair lives in Kansas and he sent me this great Christmas card that appeals to my dream of living out in the "wide open spaces" and appeals to my "country boy" upbringing. The poem catches the essence of that friend of mine who is the down to earth guy that I was attracted to way back in our years in Aviano Italy where we carried on our cloak and dagger missions.

JoeZ said...

Tom: That is one touching prayer, thanks for publishing it on your site.

Friday, December 23, 2011

1941:LAUBLE'S BAR, LIBERTY STREET

2011-12-22T23:15:00.002-05:00

Fred Lauble lived on Cummings Avenue. His bar can be seen in the photo. It was located between Washington and Hewitt Streets in the 900 block.

SJBill said...

There a few items that are dear to the memory in this image.

Clothes lines - we all had them. Some were made of braided cotton and had pullies on each end so you could load them from a second story window, but the cotton stretched under load. Ours was made of metal wire. The metal wire ones didn't stretch, but to be wiped clean of black deposits before you hung the clothes to dry. Wet clothes even dried in the Winter when it was below freezing.

The National Coal Company building was a long thin strip of buildings consisting of different bins. The coal in each bin was sorted by size - pea coal being the finest.

Was it Vroom St. on the corner? I cannot remember the name of the cemetery, but it was very small in size, only about one block long and wide.

A classmate from Junior Four through THS and Rider College lived next to the Krueger sign - Diana Wood.

I also remember Krueger Beer, though. Pretty bad stuff. ;-)

Friday, December 23, 2011

1915 and 1935: SO. BROAD AND MARKET AREA

2011-12-22T17:07:00.009-05:00

BE SURE TO RIGHT CLICK ON THE ABOVE GRAPHIC, CHOOSE
"OPEN LINK IN A NEW WINDOW" TO ENLARGE

Did you know the the area of Mill Hill from Market Street over to the Hamilton Avenue area was the subject of a neighborhood effort? The merchants formed an organization to spur more business to the Merchants in the 300 block of South Broad Street. Above is a conglomeration of the many files in my "MILL HILL" folder which melds perfectly with the splendid photo of many merchant store fronts. I often went with Fritz Kuser to the speedometer shop where the instrument was repaired on the Kuser Ford Station wagon.

rayfromvillapark said...

Hi Tom, This photo appears to be South Broad looking South toward Hamilton Ave. on the left. If you look closely, that appears to be the John A. Roebling plant on the left at the traffic light. The first car on the left in the foreground, is a 1932 Chevrolet Deluxe Sedan. The panel truck is a 1935 Chevrolet, and the car further back, is a Ford Model A with it's side curtains attached. The car traveling away in the foreground, appears to be a 1933 Pontiac or Buick; that is my guess, with what I can see. Best regards, rayfromvillapark

Thursday, December 22, 2011

This is a photo taken from the middle of So. Broad Street. I erroneously said that Sacred Heart Church is on the other side, thinking that it was in the same row of buildings in the 300 block. However, the correction from Mike Kuzma below advises that the photo is in the 400 block of So. Broad Street, out of the "Green-Mar" business area.

Tom Glover

Michael said...: Tom:

This photo is in fact looking south on Broad St. But it is the 400 block, one block south of Sacred Heart Church and the south side of the main line of the Pennsylvania railroad, and beyond where Center St. splits off at Sacred Heart Church. That is in fact The American Steel & Wire Shop building of US Steel.
The tall building just before it was the Hamilton Hotel. I worked for American Steel & Wire, and the brick building is where the Trenton Sports Arena now sits. I remember many of these merchants as a little kid in this neighborhood.
Another great job. Thanks

Mike Kuzma; Friday, December 23, 2011

Thank you Mike. I have revised my descriptive caption for the photo removing the suggestion that it was part of the "Green-Mar" marketing effort. Your input is appreciated.

Tom Glover

2011: DETROIT, MICHIGAN BILLBOARDS

2011-12-22T12:25:00.004-05:00

BILL BOARDS ON DISPLAY IN DETROIT THAT
SHOULD BE ON DISPLAY ALL OVER AMERICA!
This is a graphic that will warm the hearts of those of us who love "MADE IN AMERICA." Today, confused guys like me remember when we could see a car go by, and without blinkin' an eye, say, there's a 49 Ford.....there's a 57 cChevy, Hey, there's a Studebaker President. Today, most of them look alike, at least to my dimming eyes. The above graphic is a cut and paste of an email I received a month or so ago, and today I received it from my Hamilton High classmate and good friend Bob Shinkle.

1933: NORTH WARREN STREET AT TUCKER

2011-12-21T23:10:00.008-05:00

The old Reading station can be seen in the beautiful R.C. Maxwell photo. As I peruse this incredible collection, I fall in love with all the great automobiles that are in their natural habitat. Ray Paskiewicz, as my resident antique auto expert, can you identify that car in the forefront?
I have added still a second photo of the Reading Station in another
R.C. Maxwell photo.

Michael said...

Good Morning Tom:

Seeing this photo reminds of one of my first jobs as a kid at Litowitz's Wholesale fruit & produce on Tucker St. The store with the Maxwell Sign on it, is at the corner of Ringold St. The Allfather's candy company (a name that is frequently mentioned here) was just behind this store. The big dark building looming over the car in the forefront is "Lavine's Dept.store.
Seeing the trolley, reminds me of the days when they removed the tracks to be used in the war effort.
Thanks for the memories, and Merry & Blessed Christmas to all.

Mike Kuzma

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Thank you, Mike and a Merry, Happy and Holy Christmas to you an yours. Thank you also for being one of my many knowledgeable "Trenton guys" who have experienced many of the wonderful years living in the Trenton and sharing their knowledge and memories of their youthful years. Your input is valuable, as is that of my many visitors. Mike McNicol just corrected an erroneous post on my part, and I appreciate those who catch my errors to keep me honest.

Tom Glover

I received this comment from my Hamilton High School class of 1951 classmate, Alice Schmidt Mullen:

DEAR TOM,

I WROTE A COMMENT ON YOUR WEBSITE, BUT IT WAS REJECTED. I STILL DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY.......MAYBE IT WAS TOO LONG. HOWEVER, I CAN TELL YOU ABOUT THE ALLFATHER CANDY COMPANY IN THE EARLY 1950s.

MOM USED TO DECORATE THE EASTER EGGS THERE. I USED TO WORK ON S. WARREN & STATE STREET. MANY TIMES, AFTER WORK, I WOULD WALK ON UP TO ALLFATHERS SO MOM AND I COULD RIDE HOME TOGETHER ON THE BUS. (BY THE WAY, I USUALLY WOULD SEE CHESTER HUGHES ON PATROL ON MY WAY OR SOMETIMES HE'D BE STATIONED BY OUR BANK.)

MR. EUGENE ALLFATHER LOOKED TO BE IN HIS 70s AT THAT TIME. HE ALWAYS WORE A DERBY HAT, A SUIT VEST AND PANTS OVER A DRESS SHIRT WITH BANDS OF ELASTIC ON HIS SLEEVES TO KEEP HIS SLEEVES OUT OF THE COOKING KETTLE. HE WAS USUALLY RIGHT INSIDE THE DOOR WHERE HE USUALLY WAS WITH HIS COOK, JOE. HE LOOKED AS IF HE WAS LIVING IN THE EARLY PART OF THE CENTURY WITH A MUSTACHE, TOO. HE ALSO LOVED HIS CIGARS.

THERE WAS NO AIR CONDITIONING IN HIS LITTLE FACTORY, SO HE HAD TO WAIT UNTIL THE FALL TO MAKE HIS CHRISTMAS CHOCOLATES. AFTER CHRISTMAS, THEY WOULD START ON THE EASTER EGGS. MOM DIPPED CHOCOLATE IN THE FALL AND DECORATED THE EASTER EGGS AFTER CHRISTMAS. IT WAS A VERY SMALL FACTORY. BESIDES THE COOKER, WHICH WAS THERE AS ONE WENT INTO THE DOOR, THERE WAS A CHOCOLATE DIPPING ROOM WITH 2 CHOCOLATE DIPPERS, 2 HELPERS TO MOVE THE TRAYS AROUND, AND THE DECORATING ROOM. THERE WERE ONLY
7 PEOPLE WHO WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING ALL OF THOSE EGGS AT THAT TIME. EVERY TIME I HEAR OR SEE THE NAME 'ALLFATHERS', I REMEMBER MR. ALLFATHER AND HIS GREAT LITTLE FACTORY. I LOVE THE PHOTOS YOU ARE PUTTING UP ON YOUR WEBSITE, AND NATURALLY I LOVED THE ONES OF TODAY. I ALWAYS LOVED THAT LITTLE TRAIN STATION.
I FORGOT TO TELL YOU WHAT A SWEET MAN EUGENE ALLFATHER WAS. HE WAS VERY NICE TO ALL OF HIS EMPLOYEES. NO WONDER HE HAD SUCH A GREAT BUSINESS. I WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A WONDERFUL, HEALTHY NEW YEAR.

ALICE

Thanks Alice; It's really nice to hear from my classmates, but unfortunately most of them have not gotten into computing and really don't know what they are missing! A very happy and holy Christmas to you and your family. Love 'ya!

Tom Glover

1920's: THE EARLY YEARS OF LEGENDARY HIBBERT PRINTING CO.

2011-12-21T11:09:00.007-05:00

I have inserted the 2011 Hibbert Group logo below the photo of Star Hall at 189 South Broad Street which was then located next to the German Lutheran Church in the Mill Hill section of Trenton. How far they have come from the early years of the old "job press!" They are into digital graphic technology that makes my meager Photoshop graphics look like kindergarten. I took 4 years of printing in high school with the hopes of becoming a printer. However, back in those days one had to serve an apprenticeship with a weekly pay that only the more affluent citizen could afford. My printing abilities with that old Hamilton Job Press in Charles "Pop" Mitchell's Hamilton High School printing class earned me straight A's throughout the 3 years I was in his basement print shop in the basement of Hamilton West. He told me that my proficiency in spelling and grammar were a definite advantage to anyone interested in choosing the career of a printer. I was also an "ace" with that old California job case, deftly picking out those "ffi" and "ffl" ligatures and as rapidly spacing them with "em" and "en" quads where necessary. I do believe I could operate one of those old printing relics today, these 60 plus years later.

Michael said...

Tom:

Once again you bring back vivid memories of my youth. This block was considered the beginning of "uptown" from us kids in "Jewtown" The church noted above was one of the last buildings to go in this block to accomodate the extenstion of Livingston Street to Broad from Lamberton. I you look closely, you will see the tall building at the far right of the photo. This was the Palace Theatre, where I climbed the fireescape in the alleyway along side of it that led you to Cooper St. to sneek into to see a double feature. I did not realize The Hibbert Printing Co. I worked for 1957-59 had it's origins in my old neighborhood of South Trenton. Once again, thanks for all your work to bring us old geezers so much joy.

Regards

Mike Kuzma

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Hi Mike: This card-carrying member of "Wrinkle City" also loves those golden olden days.

Tom

1947: 1063 SOUTH BROAD STREET

2011-12-21T10:21:00.005-05:00

No comment necessary; this graphic speaks for itself.

Mack said...

Hi Tom:)
Thats Marsh Hobby Shop with the Coca Cola sign, that was where I got all model planes cars and stuff as a kid. This is going towards downtown not hamilton so the widows watch would not be in the pic as its 1 block before this part of broad:)

Thursday, December 22, 2011

MANY THANKS, MACK FOR CORRECTING MY INCORRECT POST! I HAVE CORRECTED IT. WHEN I GOT YOUR EMAIL AND CHECKED THE GRAPHIC AND REMEMBERED MARSH'S, I SAID, "OF COURSE! I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN!"; I WENT BY THAT PLACE MANY TIMES. YOUR INPUT IS MUCH APPRECIATED AS IS YOUR CORRECTION OF MY ERROR.

TOM GLOVER

Mack said...

Hi Tom:)
I put Diamonds on the wrong street once (it was on Kent of course). I was tired and just didnt look the post over. The readers responded by sarcastically putting other establishments on the wrong streets.. which made me laugh as that was a good example of the Burg type humor I grew up with. And if you are reading this JOE BATTISTA I think you are right in saying the bank on Chambers Street in Franklin Park was never an Old Borough Savings & Loan branch. Dang I thought it was. I had an account at Old Borough for years. I used to cash my checks at the bank on Chambers so I thought it was Old Borough..it was probubly Roma and cashed my checks anyway.
You do a magnificent job Tom and your blog is the inspiration for mine:))

Thursday, December 22, 2011

I never have and never will claim to be perfect. I can try, but there will always be an occasional error made. No one is perfect.

Tom Glover

rayfromvillapark said...

Hi Tom, That Coca Cola sign has the legendary Sprite Boy with the Coke bottle. He was an elf like creature, used in their advertising campaigns form 1942, well into the late 1950s and early 60s.
I purchased many model car kits and promotional models from Marsh's Hobby Shop. It was a regular stop, whenever we were around the area. Right across from one of my favorite stops, Chico's Harley Davidson. rayfromvillapark

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Ahh yes, Ray. I do remember those beautiful "Hogs" on display in front of Chico's.

Tom Glover

1925: NIEDT-ERTEL FORD DEALERSHIP

2011-12-21T09:34:00.006-05:00

It's really gratifying when I am given the opportunity to harvest various graphics relating to the very same subject as in this Niedt-Ertel series of graphics. As told in the article above, Edward Niedt started in the automobile business in 1919 on South Clinton Avenue. The middle graphic is from a newspaper ad which I have added a bit of color to give it more attractive appearance. This dealership was located across the street from Sacred Heart Church.
Thanks again to the Duke University R.C. Maxwell Collection

Michael said...: Tom:

As a kid leaving Mass at Sacred Heart, I would be looking directly across the Street at this building. Many years later I was the Real Estate Broker of record when I sold this structure to Bill Beitel of Beitel Displays. Who took his company from a garage to here and than onto the Huge Drugco building on Princeton Ave. in Lawrence which I sold him. This little company grew into an Internationally recognized leader in Convention Displays, but really hit it big when Bill developed the device seen on TV for the Lottery.
Soon every country in the world was clamering for his product.
Imagine, it all started in a garage on Franklin St. in little old Trenton.
I represented my buddy Bill and his company until I left NJ ten years ago.
We still stay in touch, he on LBI.

Regards
Mike Kuzma
AS USUAL, AN INTERESTING COMMENT, MIKE. MANY THANKS FOR YOUR VALUABLE HISTORY EXPERIENCE AND INSIGHTS.: TOM GLOVER

Mack said...

WOW. Good stuff Tom:)

1936: EXQUISITE R.C. MAXWELL PHOTO E. STATE STREET

2011-12-20T23:05:00.004-05:00

Many of these photos were in need of enhancing. This one was on the dark side, and with a bit of "Photoshopping" I was able to bring it back to its normal clarity. It has been converted from RGB to gray scale. As you can see the detail is incredible. One can enlarge it and almost feel like you are standing on East State Street looking toward familiar clock on the building on Broad Street in the distance.
Kyle said...

Hi Tom,

How did you stumble onto this great collection of Duke University photos?; Wednesday, December 21, 2011

I'M ALWAYS SEARCHING, KYLE; THAT'S WHAT I DO.: TOM GLOVER

Michael said...

Tom:

When I started work for the City of Trenton as a Health Inpsector in 1959, our offices were in City Hall. Soon thereafter, the city took over the "Brock Buick" Building across the street from City Hall. For several years therafter I was ensconced in an office in this barn like building. I left to join the Trenton Housing Authority, where I worked for many years, and than returned to the same old Barn like stucture to work in Trenton' Planning and Development Dept.

They were the good days of Trenton.

Regards

Mike Kuzma

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Yes Mike, They were the good days of Trenton....Never to return again.

Tom

Tom, The resolution on the 1936 picture on East State St is unbelievable. Starting with the Kerns truck, Consumers Ice Cream, Clayton Sandwich Shop with Arctic Ice Cream; three theaters, Stacy, State and Orpheum. At State and Broad the clock at 3:50 PM with Community Chest on the sign. I am fascinated by this photograph. Picture was taken by a very good commercial camera.

Noel

Hi Noel. We should be very grateful to the Duke University R.C. Maxwell Collection for preserving these historic treasures, and their willingness to share them as long as we follow their rules on crediting them as the source.
Tom

1982: EDNA HOWE KUSER

2011-12-20T11:30:00.004-05:00

I hand colored this photo of Edna Kuser. It reposes in the "NOTABLE PERSONS" folder in the Hamilton Township Public Library's Local History Collection. Many of my "The Way We Were" columns in the old Mercer Messenger are being preserved for posterity. As to those of you whom I suspect are a bit perplexed or possibly bored by my frequent Kuser Farm related posts, I ask that you just arrow down to the next graphic. As the "webmaster" of this site, I will continue to honor and cherish the memories I have not only of the Kusers and Kuser Farm, but of recalling my thousands of more than 75 year of old memories of growing up from boyhood to adulthood in this wonderful township of Hamilton; It is important to remember that these posts are first person local history stories. Additionally, I believe that our grandchildren and great grandchildren will find that reading of life in the fast fading 1930's through the 1950's will be of great interest. How I wish I had asked for some of my mom and dad's memories of their young years; those reminiscences would have given me a very pleasant insight as to their young years.

1982: REMEMBERING SLEDDING AND TADPOLE CATCHING AT KUSER FARM

2011-12-20T09:36:00.003-05:00

I am sending a PDF copy of this post to my best friend Don Slabicki to include in the family scrapbook and remind his family of life as we lived it in the 1940's. Every visitor to this blog has a place that will remain in their memory for life.....the place where you and your friends spent those innocent childhood years. Over the years, I have chronicled the adventures of Tom Glover and Don Slabicki, recalling our Tom Sawyer-Huckleberry Finn adolescent years catching tadpoles, making slappys (slingshots), gathering green wild cherrys for our pea shooters, building model airplanes in the Glover basement, roller skating in Don's basement where we found the best and smoothest concrete around. (There were no paved sidewalks out in the sticks where we lived), traveling to the Hamilton Township Dumps on Patterson Avenue looking for old baby carriage wheels for our home built "chuggy," using the tools from Pop Slabicki's basement tool bench.

2 Comments

Close this window Jump to comment form

Anonymous said...

How about when those tadpoles got legs but still had the tail? There was a certain wonder that was revealed to us bit by bit by those childhood hobbies. That was like when I learned that all of those "Garter" snakes were not the same and one bit lots more than the others. Behold, that is when I learned the difference between a Copperhead and a Garter! My neighbors we none to fond of my backyard cages, coops and other things that contained my little zoo.

Ed Millerick

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Tom Glover said...

Great story, Ed. I remember keeping those tadpoles until they got big and fat and turning them back to the pond. Remember how we were told the dragonflies would sew our lips if we got too close to them. I collected 1 garter snake for about a week, but my mom tipped the box and let him or her go.

Tom Glover

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

1982: JUST ONE PAGE FROM MY KUSER SCHOOL DIARY

2011-12-19T12:40:00.002-05:00

I will always be grateful for the education I received in the Hamilton Township public school system; first at Kuser school from 1939 to 1947, then to Hamilton High where I graduated with the class of 1951. That education has stood me in good stead in all these many years of my life. Memories of Kuser will always remain indelibly impressed in my memory. The above graphic is one of the many, many Kuser School articles I have written over the years. This particular article is extracted from an 8 week series I ran in the late, lamented Mercer Messenger. I began the series in "Reception Grade" and each week for 8 weeks I recalled my grades from 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc. all the way to "Farewell Alma Mater" which was my 8th grade column. When I read of the many shortcomings in today's educational system in many cities and towns across America, I realize what a splendid education those of us who were fortunate enough to attend school before computers replaced hand writing. This was the era when penmanship was a subject one had to pass, When desks were in rows of five with the teacher at the head of the class, when talking out of turn was not tolerated, when chewing gum was a "no no," when the teacher was addressed as Miss or Mister, when we had an unwritten dress code where students dressed in their very best; the boys in shirts and ties, the girls in skirts and dresses. A recent article in the newspaper told of the system now considering eliminating cursive writing from the course of study. How stupid! Future generations will never know how to sit down and write a legible letter. Spell checkers will go a long way to fortify opinions that spelling is also going hi-tech with the word processor taking the place of the human brain. How thankful I am that I got in under the wire!

2011: TO ALL MY FELLOW AMATEUR RADIO FRIENDS

2011-12-19T09:28:00.007-05:00

This blog is now experiencing 3,000 to 4,000 visits per week, many of which are repeat visits. While this is a very convenient blog for displaying graphics, I find that Facebook with its scrapbook feature is a very convenient way to display the thousands of graphics in my Hamilton Township Public Library Local History Collection. I have posted a number of scrapbook graphics on my Facebook page.
Click on the "PHOTOS" menu.
As to this post from my "RADIO-TELEVISION" folder, below is the link
that will take you to just my Facebook scrapbook graphics of amateur and commercial broadcast radio. When you get to the page, and begin viewing the pages, Right click on a graphic, choose "View Image" and click on the magnifying glass if it is there. Source credits are listed in all possible posts. If you use them, list credit where credit is due. It will be appreciated. ENJOY!
(MORE TO COME....STAY TUNED!)

http://www.facebook.com/mediaset/?set=a.266004310124242.63507.100001440241468&type=3

1912: TINY TIM, BOB CRATCHETT, AND OLD "EB"

2011-12-18T08:15:00.002-05:00

It's still a heart warming story after all these years. Each Christmas eve during the radio era, I and many of my contemporaries waited for the annual Christmas Eve radio broadcast of Charles Dickens' "Christmas Carol," with Lionel Barrymore playing the stodgy and greedy Ebeneezer Scrooge.
As Tiny Time said, "Merry Christmas, God Bless us everyone!"

1877: DAILY TRUE AMERICAN EDITORIAL

2011-12-18T08:10:00.002-05:00

Christmas is, and always will be a day of rejoicing for those of us who profess the faith of Christianity. Back in 1877, as seen in the editorial above, the editor succinctly defined the true meaning of this wonderful season. There are many article and engravings in the "HOLIDAYS" folder in the Hamilton Library's Local History Collection. this is one of them.

2011: CAVEAT EMPTOR!

2011-12-17T12:53:00.003-05:00

I Googled Classmates.com which has morphed into Memory Lane. There are numerous problems which you will find with this organization's deceptive "automatic renewal" feature. I was a member of the class of 1951 at Hamilton High School for many years when it was known as CLASSMATES.COM but when the change occurred, my name was missing. Upon subscribing for the annual membership in the new Memory Lane, I was designated as a "NEW" member when I had been a member for many years. As we all know, it would be very difficult to monitor each and every subscription we contract for if we are not advised ahead of time that the subscription is running out and we are given the opportunity to
renew or terminate. Such is not the case with Memory Lane. Subscribers have to search for and cancel the "Automatic Renewal" feature which many subscribers do not see.

Mack said...

Classmates destroyed by Facebook as you can do almost everything it did and do it for free. However...Classmates yearbooks thing is really really cool and they should change their name to Class Yearbooks and create functions which show off the yearbooks best. THAT would be a nice service and worth a reasonable fee:) And I agree they should have their act together as far as record keeping for customers and no fleecing:)

Monday, December 19, 2011

1939: DOWNTOWN TRENTON ON A WINTER DAY

2011-12-17T09:14:00.004-05:00

From the Duke University Archives' R.C. Maxwell collection, this view of Trenton way back when I was 6 years old. This is the State and Broad that I have written about in over 20 columns over the years. As I enlarged this photo to its maximum size, I imagined myself in front of the Wilson store, and making a left turn to go down the hill to Goldberg's for a visit to TOYLAND and their magnificent display of toys. Ahh, the memories! The original is in sepia; I have converted it to gray scale and as I slowly scanned across the screen, all those familiar old haunts came into clear focus: the Savoy Restaurant, the Stacy Trent and Hildebrecht hotels, Doctor Silberman, and so many others. Compared to the Trenton of today, is it any wonder that old geezers such as I long for a return to a safe, clean, and relatively crime free State and Broad?

Anonymous said...

What a prosperous time it was for Trenton ! I'm retired from TFD and these are not the scenes I have been used to seeing over the past 25 years.

Saturday, December 17, 2011