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Tuesday, March 31, 2015

2015: REST IN PEACE, "CUZ"

Aging has its good and bad moments. One of the bad ones involves our daily look to the obituary page of the morning newspaper. We senior citizens remember in our younger years seeking the wedding announcement section of the daily paper to see which of our classmates tied the knot. Now we check the obits to see if we know anyone who has gone to be with the Lord. Some of those obits touch a warm spot in my heart. Above is the 1944 photo of my cousin Charlie Gaudette whose dad (my Uncle) was the Superintendent of Trenton's War Memorial building for so many years. Charlie was movie star handsome and Mom Glover used to say he had a remarkable resemblance to MGM's Peter Lawford. Rest in peace, Charlie. You were still another tribute to those who were members of the legendary "GREATEST GENERATION.

Friday, March 27, 2015

1935: 400 BLOCK SOUTH BROAD STREET

I have digitized 2 versions of this photo. This is the original, and the second zeroes in on the merchants that were once located on the right side of the street; specifically, Harry's Supply. Harry's was a very popular party supply for citizens, churches, fire houses and any others.

1921:WITTMAN JEWELRY CO

Once again, R.C. Maxwell comes through with this incredibly in focus photo of Wittman's at 33 E. State Street in Trenton. Included is an ad I found in the "BUSINESSES-TRENTON" folder and brought the duo together to form a pretty nice example of this particular Trenton merchant's organization.

1907 AND 1921: THE ARCADE BILLIARD PARLOR

To a hopeless romantic such as I, visions of dark walnut paneling and deep maroon Victorian wallpaper would be part of the ambiance that would be found in this Victorian pool hall. The ad has been extracted from my "BUSINESSES-TRENTON" folder and superimposed on this splendid photo of the first block of East State Street. Note that the photo is dated 1921 and the ad from 1907.

1913: THE TRENTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Even though I am not a Trenton resident, like many of my contemporaries, I have very pleasant memories of that great old town of my youth and pray that one day it will do that Phoenix thing and rise once again from the ashes and resume its place as the historic treasure it is. All of which brings me to the article above. As an active member of the Hamilton Township Historical Society, I naturally tried to find the year it was established which appears to be just after World War II. Unlike Trenton, Hamilton forefathers were really derelict in saving and preserving historic "Hamiltonia."
Reading this interesting article on what appears to be the formal founding of the Historical Society of Trenton also suggests that it may be the genesis of Trenton's renowned "Trentoniana" collection. I could find no concrete information of a formal establishment of the society until I uncovered the above article. However, there are numerous articles from the 1840's indicating that there was some form of a society even back then. I have always had an abiding love for the city of my youth. Trenton had a very unfortunate setback in the 1960's when much of the town was plunged into social unrest with rioting, looting and what turned out to be irreversible destruction.

Thursday, March 26, 2015

1921: "ROSELAND"

Today, the imposing J.B.Van Sciver building on South Broad Street occupies the site of the late, great Roseland dance palace.One can easily have a mental visualization of a 1920's "Flapper" girl on the arm of a boy as they enter for and evening of dancing. Perhaps the young man has a flask of illegal hootch in his breast pocket after paying a fast visit to one of the many local Trenton speakeasies in the area.

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

1937:ZEROING IN ON THE GARDEN THEATRE

I never attended this theater but remember seeing the listing in the daily edition of the local press. This is an extracted segment from a high definition photo of North Broad street looking north,

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Circa 1921 STATE AND BROAD STREET LOOKING NORTH FROM STATE STREET

Another exquisite view of State and Broad looking north taken during the second decade of the 20th century. The old City Hall is on the immediate right. This photo has been modified from the original by zeroing inn the scene above, sharpening the image, tweaking the signs along the street, and lastly, bringing the dental office sign on the side of city hall into better legibility via Photo Shop.

Unfortunately, these photos cannot be viewed full screen on those that I am posting on Facebook. They are spectacular here on "Blogger." To view this photo full screen, right click "Open link in New Window." a magnifying glass icon will appear. Click on it and you should get the full screen version. On my 19 inch "all in one: computer monitor, you feel like you uare a part of the crowd on the streets. Watch out for those Model "T" Fords!




1891 AND 1922: THE FOURTH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

This old church was founded in 1858 and prior to construction of this edifice, Sunday services were held in the old City Hall building now standing on the North East corner of State and Broad Streets.

2015: MY LOVELY DAUGHTER JULIANE ("JULIE") SAIIA

I'm so very proud of my daughter! Not only did she inherit those Glover-Britton genes, she included her love of music and the practice of enjoying life to the fullest. An accomplished runner with her husband Joe, along with cross county skiing, and for the past few years an instructor in the very heart and physical healthy art of "Spinning." Love 'ya "Sis!"

Sunday, March 22, 2015

2015 MARCH 22 - 10:30 P.M.

It's guest book entries like this that makes all the hard work worthwhile. Thanks, Barb.  I natrually wonder if Barb is related to my dear friends at Sacred Heart Parish, Bob and the late Barbara Van Doren. Barbara's entry in my guest book:

barbara van doren burroughs
Location:  Luray, VA
Number:  127


Just found your scrapbook and I will be up all night now! Thanks so very much for bringing back the memories. 'These were the days , my friend, we thought they'd never end'... (Class of '61, Steinert)

1937: SOUTH BROAD STREET APPROACHING BROAD STREET

Here's another pair of zoomed photo that will place you smack dab in the middle of South Broad Street as you approach Front and then Broad Street. A bit of sign enhancement on that "Hamilton Jeweler" sign and clarifying the feature move at the RKO Capitol gives an incredible view of Trenton as it was nearly 80 years ago. I have also digitized the other side of the street and it is in the photo below.

1940: AT THE MOVIES 75 YEARS AGO ON MARCH 23!

What memories these movie pages from the Trenton Times and Trenton State Gazette bring! Here's what was playing 75 years ago when I was a 5 year old and hadn't yet experienced the thrill of going to a real movie theater; and did Trenton have movie "theatres!"

2015: MY LOVE OF MUSIC; IT ALL BEGAN BACK IN THE LATE 1930'S OR PERHAPS THE VERY EARLY 1940'S

Remembering Hamilton High School Class of 1951 and my wonderful experience singing in that award winning choir under the direction of Miss Louise Simpson Baird. Here's a link to my lifelong musical journey that began back in the late 1930's  as it appeared in today's TIMES OF TRENTON "Sentimental Journey" column:
http://www.nj.com/…/…/03/glover_hamilton_high_classmate.html

Saturday, March 21, 2015

1914: MAYOR WILLIAM PATTON HOWE - PENNINGTON COMMUNITY LEADER

I had the honor of meeting Mayor Howe at his "Beeches" home in Pennington back in the 1940's. This is from my "NOTABLE PERSONS" folder in the Hamilton Library's Local History Collection. Mayor Howe was one of the most dignified men I ever met; very soft spoken and a true gentleman. As you can read in the above article, he gave new meaning to "community activist;" always involved in affairs for the benefit of his neighbors. Right up to the last, he was referred to as "Mayor" by Edna Howe Kuser's husband "Fritz" Kuser.

1875: HAMILTON SQUARE; THE WAY IT WAS IN 1875

I have carefully digitized and included in my Hamilton Township Public Library Local History Collection which is being added to on a regular basis. I am also going to post it on Facebook, but the size of the map will probably not be as vibrant and legible as it is here at www.glover320.blogspot.com.

Friday, March 20, 2015

1936: E. STATE STREET HEADING TO BROAD STREET

This zoomed in photo gives the viewer the feeling that he or she had better get out of the middle of the street. The cars in these photos are completely fascinating as we see them as they were during their "prime." Once again, the signage and dark shadows have been tweaked in order to bring out the fullest legibility. I leave it to our auto expert Ray Paskiewicz to identify that car in the center of the photo with the two piece front bumper. He will also be able to identify most of those in the photo that are visible enough to identify.

1936: WEST STATE STREET ON "HOTEL ROW"

Since I discovered these Duke University photos 6 months or so ago, I have found that working on them reminds me of the years I spent at Juanita Crosby's Bordentown art class back in the 1960's. This time, I am gazing at a photograph rather than one of my pastel or pen and ink drawings. This photo has been carefully enhanced as PhotoShop allows me to zero in on the signage and bring it into full legibility. The policeman's jacket was all black and a slight tweak brought contrast. All of which gives us an incredibly beautiful photo of Trenton's West State Street as it was some 80 years ago. As I work on these Maxwell "canvases," I am magically feel a part of the scene.

1921: "ROSELAND;" TRENTON'S DANCE PALACE

What a delightful photo! Roseland, 162 South Broad Street is directly across the street from the historic J.B. Van Sciver building. The article describes the dance hall which was apparently a luxurious venue for song and dance.

1893: DEDICATING TRENTON'S BATTLE MONUMENT

This full page DAILY TRUE AMERICAN graphic is a challenge to one's ocular abilities, but my 81 year old eyes are able to discern the text albeit marginal. The city of Trenton has so much to offer to the public with its countless points of interest from Riverview Cemetery on the west, Battle Monument on the north, St. Michael's P.E. church, the historic Mill Hill area and center city with its numerous historic venues. The above graphic is page 1 of 4. I will eventually get to the other 3 pages as time allows.

Thursday, March 19, 2015

1915: MILL HILL-STEEPED IN HISTORIC TRADITION

There are over 200 JPEG and PDF files in my "MILL HILL" folder that I am adding to as other material comes into view. From the incredible story of Quintin's "Washington's Retreat" to the old cobblestones on Livingston Avenue, Mill hill has an historic heritage that is every bit as fascinating as any other neighborhood in the area.

1905: THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF SACRED HEART PARISH, 1905

My dear wife Judy and I spent many happy years as a parishioner at Sacred Church in the Mill Hill section of Trenton. Indeed, there are nearly 450 various photos and news articles which relate to that wonderful old Trenton church. Sacred Heart parish (not church) is the oldest parish in the state of N.J. Additionally, the Mill Hill area in which Sacred Heart is located is also of special interest to me. There are over 200 files relating to that historic Trenton neighborhood,.

1945: CAPITOL BODY AND FENDER WORKS - THEN AND NOW

 This garage was located on East State Street between Monmouth and Chambers Street. The photo in black and white shows the company which dates back to 1930. Below is the building as it is today; a mere shadow of its former glory.

1922: ANOTHER INSTANCE OF HISTORY "COMING TOGETHER"

These two photos puzzled me until I did a bit of research relating  to Trenton's very unfortunate attempt to be the rubber capital of America. Akron's Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co., was instrumental in taking that title to Akron Ohio when it sued one of our rubber companies for patent infringement and won. Even so, Trenton had a respectable number of rubber companies; two of which are illustrated in the graphic above. As can be seen in the article posted next to the two photos, the Empire Rubber Co.went bankrupt and was taken over by Mr. E.C. Murray who established the Murray Rubber Company. Apparently the Maxwell company furnished the signage for both companies as is seen in the graphics above. The plant was located on North Clinton Avenue near its intersection with Nottingham Way and Mulberry Street.

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

1925: E. STATE AT RIDER COLLEGE AND NO. CLINTON AVENUE AHEAD

A few posts ago I posted the home of Walter P. Wilson who set up a printing company on this, the site of a prominent Trenton physician. That beautiful building in the background is presented here in enough clarity you can plainly see the "writing on the wall" of this location of Rider College back in the early 20th century. In the ensuing years, Rider College has morphed into Rider University and I am proud to say that my granddaughter Jessica Saiia was on the Dean's list.

1943: SO. BROAD AT THE ROEBLING RR CROSSING AND THE BRIDGE TAVERN

 
The photos above are from the same R.C. Maxwell catalog number. Note the beautiful photo of the old Bridge Tavern where countless J.A. Roebling workers probably gathered after a grueling 8 or 10 hour day, How that landscape has chanted over the years!

Monday, March 16, 2015

1925: WALTER P. WILSON PRINTING COMPANY

Here's a good example of what historians do as we attempt to tie two or more documents into a complete subject:

The photo shows the new home of the Wilson printing company. It was located on E. State Street in close proximity to Rider College. The photo is an R.C. Maxwell photo. A quick search of my records turned up  the accompanying article which I posted next to the company's new home. As can be seen in the article, it was the home of one of Trenton's more prominent physicians,

Sunday, March 15, 2015

1936: E. STATE ST. AT BROAD CLOSEUP


This is a close up extract from the original which I had posted some time ago. Great store front shots of our "five and dimes" with only the "CO." showing from Woolworth's.

1936: E. STATE AT MONTGOMERY

There's a strange emotional reaction that I get as I view these incredible Duke University Library Maxwell photos of yesteryear. This photo was taken when I was only 3 years old and I never got to see that Orpheum sign. By the time I was old enough to go "downtown with my Mom," it had changed to the Mayfair. Thanks to the extraordinary features of Photoshop, I was able to lighten all those buildings in the left foreground from the Orpheum sign the edge of the photo. This is a zoomed in extract of the original photo which appears in an earlier post.

Friday, March 13, 2015

1946: STATE AND BROAD AND NEDICK'S

How's this for an incredible closeup of one of Trenton's most famous refreshment locations where that frosty glass of Nedick's orange had you back at the counter for a refill. Once again, as zoomer which concentrates on the south west corner of State and Broad during what I consider the golden years.

Note: I originally dated this erroneously from another Maxwell photo. The correct date is changed in the photo to 1946. Thanks to Ray Paskiewicz who was kind enough to advise me of the error. Ray, you know I was caught napping and you also know that I know there was quite a difference in 1930's autos as opposed to the 1940's

1946: THE LATE, GREAT BORDENTOWN GRILL

This interesting photo had me quite puzzled until I think I finally figured it out. Let's go back to my teen years when Route 130 was known as Route 25. Today, as one leaves the White Horse circle south on route 206, you come the fork in the highway where Route 130 continues southward on the right fork, and Route 206 is the left fork (Heading south). The auto shown in the photo is moving southward on Route 206. Hey, with the incredible changes that have taken place over the years, there is a chance that I am in error in locating this spot as described above., I was never a patron at saloons and bars so I really can't recall the Bordentown Grill. Corrective of confirming comments always welcome.

1935: SOUTH BROAD STREET AT DIVISION

Once again a zoomed in extract showing that notable intersection as it looked 80 years ago. I seem to recall that a surplus office supply company took over one of there corners back in the 1950's and 60's. (State Sales?)

Thursday, March 12, 2015

1935: SOUTH BROAD STREET APPROACHING HAMILTON AVENUE

Here's another enlarged extract showing that area of South Broad Street just before the intersection of Hamilton,moving away from the Mill Hill area. I made numerous visits to that shop when I worked for Fritz Kuser back in the 1940's. Love that truck that my generation called a "panel truck."

1935: RKO (RADIO-KIETH'S-ORPHEUM) CAPITOL

What a superb photo! As I indicated in an earlier post it was here that some 14 or 15 years later, I had my first date with my dear wife, the late Judy Britton,. Check out the detail! This photo is a zoomed and and zeroed in extract from the original.

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

1938: THE VERY CONTROVERSIAL AND SCANDALOUS MOTION PICTURE "ECSTASY"

I remember the outrage expressed by many of the population back in the 1930's when the motion picture "Ecstasy" was brought to the screen. It was the talk of the town when the scene shows the very beautifil Hedy Lamar swimming completely in the nude with ripples of the water blurring out any details. There was just enough to be seen to make the movie the talk of the town....(especially with the guys.)

1949: THANK YOU JOANNE FEESER LEIGH FOR THIE GREAT PHOTO

I was in my Sophomore year at Hamilton High, having spent my Freshman year at Kuser Annex on the second floor of  Kuser School. Class mate Joe Sweeney and I were assigned to the alto section of the choir because our voices still hadn't evolved into my today's baritone. But oh what sweet memories attend that year of 1949! You will note that I was a member of the chorus for this presentation and how I wanted a male lead. But who would consider a 95 pound 5 foot 2 blond haired little boy for one of the romantic leads? My Kuser singing partner Shirley Whitebread had the voice of an angel and played the part of "Debby." Thanks to the lovely Joanne Feeser, a fellow choir member from the class of 1949 for this very nice photo. The lovely gal in the middle of the photo standing with the gentleman whom I can't identify, is Bette Beiger who married classmate and the very handsome Eddie Farmer. I still see Bette at the library and she looks as lovely as ever. What a voice that gal had! I really miss those 3 years I spent in Hamilton's choir with Louise Baird in room 300 or as we called it, "The Tower."

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

1943: WAR RATIONING COMES TO AMERICA

 
I post in numerous pages on Facebook. One of the pages referred to WWII rationing and I received a query from a visitor asking when rationing was started. Here is a fairly complete set of graphics that will explain some of the complicated "ins and outs" of the system. Fortunately for the Glover family, we had Mr. Palombi to interpret the laws for my mom. That great old grocery store on South Olden Avenue was very popular in our neighborhood back then. In the meantime, I am going to look for Mrs. Carabelli's query and post these on Facebook where the lower page will be easily read, but not so the large graphic above.

Monday, March 09, 2015

1941: A TRIP TO THE A&P FOR THE WEEKLY FOOD ORDER

Here we see the cost of living for the food budget as it appeared in1942 mere 5 days after the "dastardly attack on Pearl Harbor.") I would guess that the average guy was earning 30 to 35 dollars per week before taxes, and as you can see by the prices (compared to2015) his dollar went about as far as our dollar does today. "Standing Rib Roast 27 cents per pound!

Sunday, March 08, 2015

1944: WARTIME TRENTON WEST STATE AND WARREN STS,.

This is another exquisitely detailed edited from the larger photo. Look closely and you will see Traver's Book Store with a dark colored sign, The others stand out quite well. Love that Plymouth rounding the corner from West State at the corner of North Warren Street. Also love those vintage cars! This was wartime Trenton.

Saturday, March 07, 2015

1941: FIVE DAYS AFTER "THE DASTARDLY ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR"

 
I was only 8 years old but I remember the fear that America's entry into World War II overcame much of American society. World War I held little danger of an air attack by an enemy. Such was not the case with the evolution of the airplane. An unguarded America would be an easy target. However our civil defense teams locally and nationally very successfully met the challenge with volunteer airplane spotters, air raid wardens and other then very scary scenarios. One of the very real threats was from what was known then as the "fifth column;" a term for enemy agents to enter the country as spies or saboteurs. Over the years I have written numerous columns 8 year old Tommy Glover experienced as the possible threat of enemy bombers obliterating the city of Trenton. Blackouts, air raid wardens, rationing, and other vestiges of those fearful years are still crystal clear in my memory and that of many of my fellow senior citizens.  

2015: JUST A FEW OF MY "SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY" COLUMNS

I have been writing "Sentimental Journey" for many years and I am happy to say that it is popular with many "mature" (AKA senior citizens) who like to recall the wonderful years of their youth. Here's a link that THE TIMES publishes so you can sample my columns.

Friday, March 06, 2015

1939: ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL CLOSEUP OF W. STATE FROM BROAD

The Savoy, Donnelly, Kaplan's and even a doctor's sign is in there along with other very familiar stores that lined the south side of West State Street. I particularlu like that "No. Broad St." sign!

1930'S -40'S AND 50'S "LAKESIDE; AKA "GROPP'S LAKE"

Minimal verbiage here. See the graphic.