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Monday, August 19, 2013

ROCKHILL HART AND THE BROMLEY JAIL

I posted the photo at the top of the screen a few years ago and it became a victim of a Google glitch in which many of my graphics were removed from this website. Those that were removed have a triangle with an exclamation (!) in the middle. A recent visitor requested a repeat of the post showing the graphics.
As a long time Bromley resident, I have always had an intense interest in the old Hamilton Township Clerk's office that was once located on the corner of Walnut and Johnston Avenue here in the township. Each time I go by that corner, I look to see if any of the buildings could have been the site of the office of Rockhill Hart, Hamilton's legendary town clerk. The building also served as the Bromley jail back in the first few decades of the 20th century. Thanks to Hamilton Library Director George Conwell for making these public files and folders on the history of Hamilton Township available to the public. For some reason they have been secreted away in a credenza in the Director's office, strictly off limits. Along with fascinating scrap books and other paper memorabilia is this RARE and I dare say UNIQUE photo of township Clerk Rockhill Hart's office. The building also served as the Bromley jail, and at times, a meeting place for the Hamilton Township Committee. This photo was undoubtedly one of the items moved from the original library in the basement of the Municipal Building on Greenwood Avenue. On the back of the photo, along with the descriptive caption reproduced above, was a cryptic note:
"DO NOT CIRCULATE."


With the exception of the Hamilton Township Police Department, it is a very sad fact that Hamilton employees from the early years of Hamilton Township had very little interest in preserving historic photos and documents. Even today, the most recent vintage map of Hamilton Township is from a 1935 atlas. 

THIS FROM "ANONYMOUS:" REGARDING A DEFECTIVE 2010 POST WHERE THE ABOVE GRAPHICS WERE MISSING AND REPLACED WITH THE DREADED (!) EXCLAMATION:
Hi Tom, Im having trouble viewing this image...any suggestions? Also, would this be the location of the church building of the now-disbanded Bethel Lutheran church congregation? Thanks! on 1920's:

3 comments:

Joe P said...

I bought my first house on Rockhill Ave. in the Hutchinson's Mill area of Hamilton. Named after this man?

Tom Glover said...

I really can't verify that, Joe, but I would bet that it was named for him. In all my 50 years of local history the Rockhill name belonged only to him.

Tom

Anonymous said...

yes, tom, tha is the site of the old jailhouse across from bethel church on walnut avenue.