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Tuesday, January 31, 2012

THIS IS AN EXPERIMENTAL SLIDE SHOW


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

Blogger 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.

Link

Sunday, January 29, 2012

HAMILTON'S OLD "ANDERSON FARM" A COLONIAL LANDMARK

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.

1891 and 1923 THOSE GREAT OLD GREENWOOD AVENUE MANSIONS

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.
Anonymous 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

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Blogger 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


Saturday, January 28, 2012

1928: THE BEGINNING OF THE END FOR A GLOVER ENTERPRISE

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.
Anonymous 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

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.

Friday, January 27, 2012

2012: MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

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."
Anonymous 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

Thursday, January 26, 2012

1906: The McGalliard Homestead 260 White Horse Avenue

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.
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.

Blogger 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


Tuesday, January 24, 2012

1939: REMOVING THE TROLLEY TRACKS ON PERRY STREET

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.


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
Anonymous 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

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Blogger Mack said...

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

Thursday, January 26, 2012

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Blogger 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.)

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?"
Anonymous 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

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

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

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.
Blogger 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

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Blogger Tom Glover said...

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

Tom Glover

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Anonymous 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


Sunday, January 22, 2012

1937: LALOR STREET AT THE RR CROSSING

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

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Anonymous 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


Saturday, January 21, 2012

2011:CHECK OUT THIS INCREDIBLE SITE!

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

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.

Friday, January 20, 2012

2012: HILTONIA HOUSE TOURS COMING IN MAY!

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

Thursday, January 19, 2012

MILL HILL'S DOWLING HOTEL, SO. BROAD STREET

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?


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






Blogger 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

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Blogger 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

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

1949: 1st GRADE, MERCERVILLE SCHOOL

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


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: GOLDBERG "OLD TIMERS"



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.



Anonymous 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