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Thursday, June 28, 2012

2012: EAGLE SCOUTS: GOD BLESS THEM, AND THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA!


I have long been an admirer of the Boy Scouts of America, and an even more ardent admirer of the Eagle Scouts. My amateur radio friend Gary Wilson has been a staunch advocate for the Boy Scouts of America, and has devoted countless hours to that wonderful organization, all of which resulted in accomplishments that resulted in molding young and fertile minds which in turn has benefited our local communities. Here in the Hamilton area, Theresa and Steve Mundt family has a young son named Ben, who is in the process of attacking his project for the Eagle scouts that will be of extraordinary benefit to Hamilton Township Public Library and the entire local area. The graphics above show some of the crew preparing the foundation of a 12 x 12 gazebo that Ben, his dad Steve and grandfather Gordon along with Life Scout Ben Peluso are going to build on the beautiful lawn in a wooded vale at the Hamilton Township Public Library. Our many volunteers are unsung and often unrecognized community heroes.....Let's not forget that! You can bet that Tom Glover will be bringing numerous music and historic events to that Victorian gem when it is completed, as will other Library departments and local citizens. Incidentally, Ben Mundt's Mom, Theresa Mundt, is also a community volunteer along with the wonderful and selfless volunteers from the Friends of Hamilton Township Public Library. The "Friends" have been responsible for countless contributions to the library, including new furniture, electronics, and other critical library needs.

2012: LETTERS, WE GET LETTERS, WE GET..."

Many visitor do not read the very intelligent and historically relevant comments many visitors post on a given graphic.
Only the more senior visitors to this website will remember Perry Como's Saturday night 1950's TV show when the weekly "Letters to Perry" arrived with the song, "Letters, we get letters; we get stacks and stacks of letters, Dear Perry will you,,,,.
"

"
Thus it is with this website. The many comments that are attached to many of the posts on this site provide a rare historic embellishment to sections of town with which I, and many others are not familiar. This is one of the goals I wanted to accomplish when I started this website way back in 2005. As a result, we have many "old timers" who add their knowledge of living and growing up in sections of the area in which I am completely unfamiliar. Ray Paskiewicz, brings his knowledge of autos, Lucarella, Kuzma, Gilman, "Omad," Belardino, "SJ Joe," " Lakeside Girl," Millerick, and many other frequent contributors lend their remarkably and historically relevant retrospectives to certain posts, resulting in a treasure trove of first person local history. These comments are not only of great interest to many contemporary visitors, but will be even more important to future generations should this website somehow survive the rapid advance of digital technology. With an average "hit" count Monday through Friday of anywhere between 300 and 450 hits per day (Much lower on weekends (250 to 300), It is gratifying to know that there are so many people interested in our fabulous historical heritage; still more gratifying that there are local old time residents who will share their memories of our local neighborhoods.

SO:
TO ALL VISITORS, AND THE AFOREMENTIONED CONTRIBUTORS, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

CERTAIN POSTS GARNER LIVELY COMMENTS,
AS DID THE RECENT CLOSEUP OF STATE AND BROAD STREET, NEDICK'S, S.P. DUNHAM, ET AL, AS THEY WERE AT MID-CENTURY. HERE ARE ONLY A FEW:




Sally Logan Gilman said...

Way to go Tom: Congratulations on a great job. Your website keeps us all in the loop and gives us a place to remember and share memories. Please keep it up. We need you. Regards



Wednesday, June 27, 2012

2012: GROPP'S LAKE, LAKESIDE, LAKESIDE PARK, YARDVILLE A HEADS UP

Here's an exciting entry into local Hamilton history. My friend Nancy Johnes Fell has put together a volume based on a journal which was written by her father, Robert Teunon Johnes. Those who are familiar with Charles Teunon, whose articles I have posted and/or referred to over the years, will recall that he was one of the developers of today's Lakeside Park as a "bungalow community" back in the early 20th century. The very interesting reminiscences which Nancy's father wrote in his journal are historic treasures. As seen in the graphic, copies are available from Nancy, and and are also available in the Local History workshop at the Hamilton Library. Call in advance to be sure I am in the office:
609-581-4060 Ext. 4016.
RALPH LUCARELLA said...

HI TOM....LAKESIDE WAS A GODSEND DURING THE 30'S AND 40'S. I LEARNED TO SWIM THERE AND MADE GOOD USE OF THE DIVING PLATFORM ALONG WITH THE REST OF THE BEACH AND THE STORE. OUTSIDE OF THE CANALS, GROPP'S LAKE WAS ABOUT IT WHEN IT CAME TO COOLING OFF AND ENJOYING THE WATER. IT WAS NEARBY THE CITY AND EASY TO GET TOO. BEST REGARDS.

Ron Bound said...

Love this picture. When the AF sent me back to NJ, we bought a house on the other side of Gropp's Lake. When I left in 1970, I wanted to keep the house, to come back to and maybe retire in, in 79. When I came back the lake was a swamp, when the damn burst. Sad site to see it as a swamp.
Ron Bound HHS 56

1949: LOOKS LIKE TODAY'S ROUTE 1 NORTH!

Here's a segmented/enlarged photo of South Broad Street with cars heading out of town on South Broad and Front Street. Check out the guy moving boxes on the truck.
Anonymous said...

And sadly, as the town changed in the early 1970's that Sun Ray Pharmacy would become the classrooms for Sociology, Philosophy and Psychology in the newly forming Mercer County Community College. They had courses in the old Industrial Arts School by the State House Annex, The Kelsey Building and even many offices in the Hotel Hildebrecht. Who need a gym with the kid running all over town?

Ed Millerick

Anonymous said...

What a prosperous time for Trenton. In looking at all these photos it appears that the signpainters were very busy during that era -signs everywhere!

1936: BRUNSWICK AVENUE AT EVANS

This is completely unknown territory for me. I seldom journeyed over to the "five points" in the Battle Monument area. I found this photo of the Ford with canvas ad on the spare tire cover to be interesting.

0 comments:

SJBill said...

In the 50s and 60s, this was the site of Mercer Hardware and Roofing Supply. The owners were the Olin (or Olinsky) family. A large part of their business was beign a wholesaler to the roofing trade - which included my father.

I was in that buiding many a time - you just drove in the front door on Evans Street, to the area that had the materials you needed - rolls of tin or piles of shingles or slate and picked up what you needed. Fill out the paperwork and drive out the back door and to the jobsite.

The buiding appears to have been vacant for some time and was recently demolished.

Anonymous said...

Right on SJBill:

Across the Street is Tommy De Lellis's Richfield station which had the "classic" Al's Diner" next to it. Over the roof of the brick building on the right, you can see the PSE&G tanks rising above the roof line. The ford would be essentially behind the Jr.#1 school yard.
You were deep in the heart of the St. Jamees Parish territory, (or North Trenton)which went fromm the Battle Mounument to Olden Ave. where it became "Top Road".

Mike Kuzma

rayfromvillapark said...

Hi Tom, That 1936 Ford demonstrator is very interesting, as it cruises north on Brunswick Ave., but more interesting is the structure, to the left. Sadly it has been demolished. In my day, It was Motor Sales and Service, the De Soto Plymouth dealership, for the city. As your earlier contributor stated, you could drive inside and pick your building supplies, in later years, because you were driving into the Service Department. Easy entrance, easy exit. A wonderful building, now gone. You mentioned, sort of remembering Motor Sales and Service, with another photo you published of Brunswick Ave., but farther North, and there it is. I made many trips there, on my Schwinn, to obtain sales brochures, during the early 1950s. rayfromvillapark

Anonymous said...

Saint James Parish was what I often call "The Little Burg" and ran from the area by the picture and ended by Fuld Street. That area; Paul and Miller were very old world Italian. At Heil and Mitchell Bissel Tile Company, started the Polish section of Saint Hedwig's running right by Joe "Z"'s house and to the Top Road and the Circle. I was told that Top Road got it's name from that area being as far as you could go on the old trolley line or you were at "The top of the road". My last purchase at that old hardware store was a sheet of asbestos board that I then cut into a heat shield for an MGB, saving me quite a bit of money back then! And around the corner on Southard Street was Lincoln Supply, those were wonderful stores, all the steel was strong and not very expensive unlike the "blister pack" junk they sell in the big box stores today.

Ed Millerick

rayfromvillapark said...

Hi Tom, Not being from North Trenton, I never heard the term Top Road for that section of town. Now I know where Top Road Tavern got it's name. They opened in 1946, on Brunswick Avenue, north of Spruce St., and had the best tomato pies in the area. Paid many visits there over the years, but sadly it closed it's doors, this past fall. Too bad! The new owners weren't able to make a go of it. I don't know the story. rayfromvillapark

Anonymous said...

Ray, ED:

Top Road tavern closed because the owner, Charlie Costello Jr. died. No one could step up to run it.
The former owner's were clients of mine, and Charlie was my wife's "Cousin".
Now Ed Lincoln Supply was situated on Lincoln Ave. Hence it's name. it was owned by the Thiel family.
Boyd Thiel had a 39 ( ? ) Lincoln Continetal Yellow with the tire enclosed on the trunk. He used to loan it to Gene Leonard and we would skip class at THS and head for Seaside Heights.
The Steel Company you refer to as being on Southard St. was Millner fabricated Steel.

I used No. Olden ave. as the split since there were a number of Scician, Brutsase, Calabrese families living on Princeton Ave, on the Trenton Side betweeb Heil, and No. Olden. In the area of the Polaise Tavern.

By the way, no girl from the Neopolitan, or Roman families could evern think to date a guy from No. Trenton.
The rivalry between the Bond AA, and the Santuzza Oilers is legendary. Right Ralphie?
This all changed after the war, The big one that is.


Ciao,& Dubronotz

Mike Kuzma

rayfromvillapark said...

Mike, When Charlie passed, his brother sold it to two brothers or good friends, one or the other. Chuck was one of their names. John, the pie maker,introduced me to them when they first took over. I would have small talk with them every now and then. My friend, Nick, who lives just up the street, was the first to tell me they lost it, because of some money problems, unrelated to the business. That's what I know. They ran it for a couple of years. The place was clean as a pin, and looked the same as the day it opened in 1946. My sons surprised me, and held my 70th birthday party there, when it was under the new ownership. We took over the whole restaurant section, even had a four piece band. I really loved the place, and John made the best pie in town. rayfromvillapark

Anonymous said...

Ray:

Charlie ( Pinky ) Costello Sr. had but two sons, Joey who died years ago, and Charlie who past last year. Charlie Jr's son "Chuck" is a Funeral director out of the area.
Not sure if his is the "Chuck" you refer too.
I went to school with the boys, and thier dad was not only a "relative" but a good client of mine.
The previous owner's Larry, and Tony were also good clients of mine, and I would eat there regularly, when the kids came, it was our faorite Pizza night there.
Larry worked at Nevius Vorhees as a window dresser with the famous Rene Hawthorn. Voorhees windows, and the store itself rival firth ave in New York at Christmas time.
Is Tony's wife still working for Pat Chicacchio at Cadet Motors?

Mike Kuzma

Anonymous said...

Thanks for clearing up some of the town's Italian history for me. Larry is now in a local nursing facility along with some relatives of mine. I believe that I just read the obituary for John Cade if Cadet Motors not too long ago.

Ed Millerick

Anonymous said...

Ed:

Should you see Larry, please extend my very best wishes.
Though Larry was just about 5ft.6, his heart was ten stories tall.

Regards, and good wishes to you Ed.

Mike Kuzma

1948: I REPEAT: HOW I MISS "DOWNTOWN" TRENTON!

This delightful segmented/enlarged view of the intersection of State and Broad Streets in center city Trenton stirs bittersweet memories for me as nothing else could. That's not my favorite downtown Trenton police officer Chet Hughes in the photo, but I bet if Chet saw this photo he would know who that officer directing traffic is. Take a moment or two and see how many store fronts you remember; you will also get that warm, fuzzy feeling so familiar to those of us who recall Trenton's golden years. I would guess there isn't a single visitor to this site who remembers "downtown" Trenton who didn't get a frosty class of Nedick's famous orange beverage.

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

1952: GOOD OLE TRACY'S!

From 1939 when I started Kuser grammar School right up to June 1951 when I graduated Hamilton High, Traycy's was my source for my school supplies, and my childhood toys and gimmicks. Diagonally across the street was Bernie Schnur's "5 and 10" where the impoverished Glover family purchase "cancellation shoes;" shoes with very slight manufacturing defects which were hardly noticable....maybe a cro9ked seam or a slightly off kilter soul.
Anonymous said...

Ah! At last the dark side of the real Mister Glover was about to show itself and especially after the statute of limitations has run it's course for most crimes. I thought we may have been in for a treat with Tom as the mastermind behind that rash of hub cap that went missing in the late 50's. My two "favorite" words are lose and loose. Wasn't there a place out by Yardville or Groveville whose "stock in trade" was imperfections? I believe it was called "The Shoe Barn" and it seems that I remember shoes and sweaters? Or how about "Cheap John's aka, John's Bargain Store next to the Capitol Theater on South Broad?

Tom what really struck a cord .. or was it chord .. was the kids reader of the 1950 that addressed the recession of the times. I remember a "Dick and Jane" reader where "Father" was without a job and the family was faced with summer without a vacation? But "Mother" saved the day and with spare change and a box lunch managed to save enough for a day at "The Amusement Park" with a simple ice cream cone making them feel like royalty. My own Dad was between jobs back then and seeing it in print took much of the sing out of the situation.

Ed Millerick

Lee Belardino said...

Tommy
Our family bought allour clothes from south street in philly.
All our clothes were "2nds" which meant they were slightly mismatched
or someyhing else.the difference Guys would stand in front of the stores and dag you in. My father always negotiated and never paid full price.imes wete tough for all of us.But we survived right?
Lee

Omad said...

Spent lots of time standing near that "red light" when waiting for my school bus to Villa Victoria and then later for Trenton Transit to Cathedral. Tracy's was "THE" place for lots of last minute shopping when couldn't get to town. I honestly can recall standing at some of the bins of items there and trying to make up my mind. Gosh Tom, that was over 60 yrs ago and those good memories are still there. Thanx again for stirring them up.

Mack said...

I thought all 5 & 10 stores were called Tracys as a kid :)


1936: SOUTH BROAD AND DAYTON STREET

A nice clean and crystal clear photo of South Broad Street approaching Liberty and the old "Chambersburg Bank." As you can see, the price of gas at the Amoco station is the sky high price of 16.9 per gallon. Who said they weren't "the good old days?"
Anonymous RALPH LUCARELLA said...

HI TOM...1936 WAS A PRETTY GOOD YEAR. THE PRICE OF GAS WAS CHEAP, I WAS CLOSE TO GRADUATING FROM SCHOOL, I WAS PLAYING WITH THE SCHROTHS AND WE JUST MOVED INTO A HOUSE ON FRANHLIN STREET. MY FATHER WAS WORKING ON THE COSTRUCTION OF JUNIOR 2 AND THINGS IN GENERAL WERE GETTING BETTER. THAT PHOTO OF SOUTH BROAD STREET WAS VERY COMMON WHILE WE WE WERE ATTENDING JUNIOR 4 DURING THE PAST 3 YEARS. BEST REGARDS.

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Delete

1941: SOUTH WARREN STREET

I had somewhat of a problem placing this photo due to the numbers of Zoda'a and Dave's. The numbers seem to indicate that the traffic is traveling north from the old So. Warren Street, but I will need the expertise of a South Trenton native to verify that assumption.
rayfromvillapark said...

Hi Tom, I think you are absolutely correct. I believe this is South Warren, between Front and State. That 1947 Chevrolet is traveling North, and it looks brand new. The Casa Lido restaurant was located, probably, where the parking lot is in this photo. Can you make out the letters on the vertical sign to the very far right, just about out of the picture. Does it say CHRYSLER? That would be the location of Capitol Motors, before they moved to South Broad St., in 1949. rayfromvillapark

Monday, June 25, 2012

1935: NORTH BROAD STREET ACROSS FROM S.P. DUNHAM

Here's an interesting Maxwell photo looking down South Broad Street toward State. The cars parked along North Broad Street was unheard of in my younger years. I will depend on my buddy "Rayfromvillapark to identify those two interesting 1930's autos in the foreground. Don't miss the "Perfumery!" And no, that isn't the Roxy theater even though their sign suggests that it is. Roxy in this photo was a "Bond's" type store where men's clothing was on sale and very similar to one of my old haberdashers, the aforementioned "Bonds."

Anonymous said...

Ah, but for a hip flask of "Golden Wedding Whiskey", served in Trenton's finest establishments especially after being aged in that brown bag while it was being consumed.

Ed Millerick.

A snoot full of Golden Wedding and a pack of Fatima Cigarettes; all the makings of a fine time indeed. "And I think my piano has been drinking" .. from a song by Martin Mull