REPEATING A TIP FROM TOM

A NUMBER OF GRAPHICS ON MY SITE ARE QUITE LARGE AND THIS RESULTS IN AN ARTICLE WHICH IS VERY DIFFICULT TO READ. ONE WAY YOU CAN HELP YOURSELF IS TO CHANGE THE RESOLUTION ON YOUR COMPUTER SCREEN. IT IS A SIMPLE AND PAINLESS PROCESS AND CAN BE REVERSED AT ANY TIME. HERE'S HOW: 1) GO TO START ON THE LOWER LEFT OF YOUR SCREEN (TASKBAR). 2) CHOOSE CONTROL PANEL AND CLICK ON IT. 3) CLICK ON DISPLAY FROM THE MANY CHOICES OFFERED. 4) CLICK ON SETTINGS AS SHOWN IN THE UPPER RIGHT OF THE SETTINGS SCREEN. 5) SLIDE THE SETTINGS BAR TO THE FAR LEFT, RESETTING YOUR RESOLUTION TO 800 X 600. YOUR SCREEN WILL BLINK FOR A MOMENT, THE CHANGE WILL BE MADE, AND YOU WILL BE ASKED IF YOU WANT TO MAINTAIN THE SETTING. CLICK YES. THAT'S ALL THERE IS TO IT. IT CAN BE REVERSED AT ANY TIME BY SIMPLY REVERSING THE PROCESS. I FIND THIS CHANGE TO BE MUCH EASIER ON MY 73 YEAR OLD EYES. TRY IT....YOU MIGHT LIKE IT!

HAMILTON HIGH CLASS OF 1950

One of the really great things about computer technology lies in the ability to bring people together whether they are in Europe, the orient, or any one of our far flung United States. Just by chance I was surfing the web and came across the website of my next door neighbors from the class of 1950 at Hamilton High! Great website Mr. Webmaster, whomever you are! I would hope that this little bit of information might be of interest to the many folks who have been kind enough to visit my website. As I went through this very interesting web site, many bittersweet memories came flooding back to me. Check it out, fellow Hornets, and while you're at it, ADD YOUR NAME TO THE HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI LIST AT THE HHS WEBSITE. VISIT THIS SITE AT WWW.HHS50.COM. AND WHILE YOU'RE HERE, PLEASE BE SURE TO SIGN MY GUESTBOOK!

1910: Lawrenceville School Centennial

What an incredible asset this organization is to the citizens of Lawrenceville AND Mercer County! The grand old school is steeped in a splendid historical heritage.
I WOULD RESPECTFULLY ASK THAT YOU OVERLOOK THE MIS-SPELLING OF "INFANCY;" I REALLY DO KNOW HOW TO SPELL IT, BUT SPEED AND TOUCH TYPING SOMETIMES CAUSES A MIS-SPELLING, AND THE GRAPHIC HAS ALREADY BEEN PROCESSED. SORRY 'BOUT THAT!

1910: Sacred Heart Carnival

Sacred Heart is not only the oldest parish in the state of New Jersey, it is also my home parish. I find the early activities of this grand old parish to be completely fascinating.

1920: Bootlegging in Broad Street Park

Many of us have relatives who were involved in bootlegging back during the prohibition era. The local papers frequently cited bootlegging in various parts of the area. Inded, it was a national problem.

1930: Clarence Middleton a Local Hero

Here's an unsung hero who performed a remarkable lifesaving feat at Gropp's Lake, or "Lakeside" as we all knew it back in the 1930's and 40's. The Middleton family are legends in the Yardville area, and the Middleton name comes up often in Yardville matters.

1938: Wilbur's Moses School PTA

The old James Moses School on Park Avenue section near Hamilton in the Wilbur was the grammar school of many area residents.

CIVIL WAR VETERAN STORIES

Even as we are all too quickly losing our members of the "Greatest Generation" from WWII, so too did we lose the brave men and women both north and south who fought in the battle between the states, or as we all know it, the Civil War. These interesting reminiscences of the veterans are extremely interesting and are valuable for historical research.

1938 Trenton High School's Stage Review

This group photo shows some of the participants in the "Band Brevities" show presented by the students of Trenton High School....anyone there that you know?

1938: Henry Clay & Bock Basketball Team

Here is a photo from the SPORTS, MISCELLANEOUS folder showing the championship Henry Clay and Bock Company basketball team.

1938: Jewish Naturalization Classes

How refreshing is this? Can you imagine immigrants coming into America LEGALLY and actually taking the time to learn the English language and our American customs? How old fashioned is that? I wonder if anyone back in 1938 requested Hebrew as a second language, or German, or Italian? Like the millions of immigrants who came to America before them, these newcomers to America are taking the positive steps necessary to become citizens of the greatest country in the world. One must wonder when, and more importantly, why we lost the spirit of folks like these.

The THEATERS folder in the Local History collection is constantly growing. There will be future posts on the many theaters that dotted the city of Trenton during her glory years.

1944: Eastern Aircrat's Grumman Avenger

There she is, the one of many airplanes of my youth. Nearly every day during World War II, one or more of these Grumman beauties would fly over our Hartley Avenue neighborhood. Many flew so low that the pilot could be seen waving to us on the ground below. This incredible aircraft played a major part in defeating the Japanese in the Pacific theater during World War II.

1938: THE MONKEY HOUSE

You are an old timer if you went to visit the monkey house at the Ellarslie mansion in Cadwalader Park. Besides the humorous antics of the monkeys, the thing I recall the most is the unpleasant aroma that surrounded the area!

1938: Ternstedt Division fo General Motors in Ewing

BACK IN 1938, THE LOCAL PRESS WAS ALIVE WITH ARTICLES AND PHOTOS ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE HUGE GENERAL MOTORS PLANT ON PARKWAY AVENUE. REMEMBER ALL THOSE GLASS BRICKS ON THE WALLS OF THAT NOW DEMOLISHED FACTORY?

1938: LET THE PUNISHMENT FIT THE CRIME!

I apologize for disagreeing with all those who fall for that "cruel and unusual punishment" blather we read about every day in our "enlightened" society. The lady on the left with two black eyes and unseen bruises was the victim of true "cruel and unusual punishment." The animal who did the cowardly deed deserved evey lash. This clip comes from the CRIME-MORALS-SOCIAL VALUES folder in the Local History Collection.

Hamilton High We'll Serve You....

Here's an extract from a three part column I wrote many years ago, recalling the emotional rollercoaster I experienced on graduation night, 1951.
What pleasant memories I have for my school days! Whether remembering Kuser Grammar school or Hamilton High School, there is a strange, bittersweet aura that overcomes me when I think back on those years. The era in which I and my contemporaries grew up is in stark contrast to the society of today. Louise Baird, our vocal music teacher at Hamilton High School used to tell us that "Simplicity has charm." How true. I look back fondly on those years when girls wore dresses and exuded feminity, and boys attended school in "class A" dress with clean slacks and neckties. Unlike 2006 America, that four letter word was never heard from a girl, and in very limited occasions by boys. Back then, boys called the girl for a date. Today, the girls have become agressive to the degree that a girl will often call a boy. Am I an old fashioned "stick-in-the-mud" or what?

1946: Sixtieth Reunion in the Works!

The class of 1946 at Hamilton is planning for their 60th reunion. Let me know the details, and I will see that a note is posted on this website. In fact, ANY schools who are planning their class reunion can email the information to me at thomglo@verizon.net and I will be glad to post it. Based on the number of "hits" on my site, this may be a good place for publicity.....and it's free of charge!

1930: The New Hamilton High School

Here's a photo of Hamilton High School as it looked when it opened way back in 1930. Note the absence of the familiar Sycamore trees!

2006: Louise S. Baird - Music Teacher Plus

The lady whose photo I am posting here is one of the teachers who changed my direction in life. As any Hamilton High School music student of that era will agree, "Ouise," as she was affectionately known, had the unique ability to make music a living and breathing addition to one's life. Coupled with her love of philosophy, Miss Louise Baird's students learned the militance of Wagner, the light hearted music of Gilbert and Sullivan, the beauty of Bach, Brahms, Beethoven, and Chopin. As an extra added feature, we were simultaneously treated to her philosophical wisdom. It was she who encouraged us to read Keats, Goethe, VanDyke and many other world famous thinkers. One of the MANY quotes she passed on to us was one I use to this day. "Though you travel the world over in search of the beautiful, you must carry it with you or you find it not." Recently, I winessed the musical capabilities of my Hamilton High School (West). I was delighted to see that Hamilton High School is carrying on the splendid vocal musical tradition of Louise Baird, thanks to the musical excellence of Ms. Sue Proulx. I hope students in all the contemporary schools are being subjected to music and culture.

1881: Fashion Stud Farm

NOTE: THE SIZE OF THIS GRAPHIC WILL BE LEGIBLE ON A HI DEFINITION MONITOR, BUT MAY NOT BE LEGIBLE ON SOME OLDER MONITORS.

Not many folks know about Hamilton's fabled "Fashion Stud Farm." Back in the 1870's it was a beautiful site with a race track, including a Kentucky style grandstand and many stables. It was located in the general area of the former N.J. State Fair grounds. General Ulysses S. Grant stabled a horse at the stud farm. Over the years the word "stud" has been twisted to refer to a virile male, but "stud" in this case refers to the breeding and training of horse flesh. It was at the Fashion Farm that the famous trotter "Goldsmith Maid" was stabled. Her monument can be seen today adjacent to the tennis court at Kuser Farm Park. It was transferred here when the fairgrounds were sold and developed. Back in 1926, John L. Kuser purchased the monument and had it installed at an appropriate site at the fairgrounds.

1918: Deutzville School Mothers

A week or so ago, I wrote a column in the "Times of Trenton" regarding Deutzville School. Here is still another document that was destined for the recycle bin. Fortunately, I was at the right place at the right time. Please people, think of me before you destroy material which you label as trash!

Construction of the Trenton Reservoir

This is a circa 1898 photo of construction workers laboring on the excavation that became the Reservoir on Pennington Road in Trenton. Note the huge steam boiler in the background.

1902: J.L. Mott Comes to Trenton

Old time residents of the Trenton area are familiar with J.L. Mott. Here's an item from the BUSINESSES AND FAC TORIES folder in the Hamilton Local History Collection telling of their plans to move into Trenton.

1913: J.L. Mott Eleven Years Later

The previous post reported the decision of J.L. Mott to bring their facilitites to the city of Trenton. Here's a photo showing the progress of construction going on at the J.L. Mott plant on Hancock Street.

1913: Roadwork on Riverside Avenue, Trenton

I really like these photos that show places from the very distant past. I have no idea just where this photo was taken and if if can be located today. Perhaps an area resident can make that determination.

1909: William Sharp's "SHARP ARROW"

Back in the early years of automotive history, Trenton had an automobile which was sure to give competition to the much heralded Mercer. The Sharp Arrow won numerous races for speed and endurance. Unfortunately, Mr. Sharp's limited financial resources prevented him from producing autos in quantity.

1913: "Obcene" Shows at the Trent Theater

Based upon the risque trash we are seeing in the movies and on television, and hearing much of the noise that passes as "music" today, the debauchery described in the attached article from 1913 is like a chapter out of Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm. I would assume that the lady who caused all the ruckus was guilty of performing on stage without covering her legs. How far we have come!

1885: A Walk In A Cemetery

This interesting article details a visit by a reporter to Trenton's Mercer Cemetery. He visits the grave site of many prominent Trentonians who were interred there.

1914: Wesley M.E. Church

Each Sunday morning as I drive down Centre Street to minister to the folks at the South Village complex on Lalor Street, I pass by this fascinating little church which sits sedately on the south side of Centre Street. The little edifice is still a very attractive building as it approaches the century mark.

1885: Local Trenton Baseball Teams

When I was a boy, I frequently walked over to Wetzel Field on Morris Avenue to watch the Trenton "Industrial League." One of the players I recall was Reynold "Rennie" Funari, a guy who could have made "the bigs." Panelyte, Roebling were two of the teams I recall, but that's about it. The accompanying clip from my BASEBALL folder reveals that the area was baseball minded back in the 19th century. There will be future baseball clips in future posts.

Republican Club 1931 Easter Egg Hunt,

From the "POLITICS-HAMILTON" folder in the Hamilton Library's Local History Collection comes this photo from the 1931 Easter season.

1931: St. Lawrence to Add to Morris Hall

A very nice engraving of Morris Hall in Lawrenceville. Theyear 1931 was chosen as the year to upgrade both Morris Hall in Lawrenceville, and the Orphanage at Hopewell.

1931: YMHA Basketball Champions

Even as there is a Young Mens' Christain Association, so too is there a Young Mens' Hebrew Association. These boys were the best of the best back in 1931.

1931: Holy Angels Minstrel

Here's a group photo of the ladies who are participating in the minstrel show on behalf of Holy Angels Church. That's Veronica McClain Larkin on the lower right, our Latin teacher at Kuser Annex back in the 1940's.

1931: Judge Schroth's Juvenile Justice

Why oh why can't we have more judges on the bench like Judge Schroth? He had a handle on the problem of juvenile delinquency. On the one hand he was compassionate in his desire to rehabilitate wayward youths, but those youths who rejected rehabilitation learned to live a while in the Jamesburg Reformatory.

1931: West Trenton Presbyterian Church

Once again from the "CHURCHES, MISCELLANEOUS" file, this article and an architect's rendering of the new church to be constructed in West Trenton. One of the wonderful features of an historical web site, is in the ability to read about little known, and seldom heard from persons, places, and things.

1931: Bill Soffel's Motorcycle Polo Champions

What a small world! Right after I uncovered a photo of a neighbor from the old Hartley Avenue neighborhood, came across another interesting photo from the old neighborhood, and amazingly, the same Soffel family! The Soffels were real motocycle enthusiasts. My older brother recalls when Bill Soffel's boys played motorcycle polo on our gravel covered Hartley Avenue.

1931: Trinity Lutheran Church

In the "CHURCHES, MISCELLANEOUS" file in Hamilton's Local History Collection, I found this interesting photo of the children who appeared in a production sponsored by the church. Henrietta ("Sissy") Soffel was one of our neighbors for over 60 years.

1931: Rev. Sylvester of St. Anthony Trenton

Here's an article detailint the activities surrounding the 25th anniversary of Father Ahlhaus' ordination into the Priesthood. There are many familiar names in the article, all of whom were very active parishioners of St. Anthony.

1931: Candy, This One's For You!

Easter is coming, and it's time to think flowers! Candy Frenking Jens, this one's for you and all of us who recall Frenking, Goeller, Clark, Joseph, Bertothy, Park, and other florists from the 30's and 40's.

1947: Yeah, I WAS young once upon a time

This photo was taken by Fred Kuser when my buddy Don Slabicki and I worked at Kuser Farm back in the 1940's. For those of you who are familiar with the farm, this is taken down along one of the rows of the grape arbor.

1949: My Favorite Trenton Giants Team

Bus Saidt, Bill Hildenbrand and WBUD, in conjunction with "Stan Coney Rebuilt Engines" brought us the Trenton Giants via WBUD, 1490 on the dial, Morrisville. I was a loyal Trenton Giants fan. They played at Dunn Field on the Brunswick Circle. I still remember many of my favorite players, especially Mo Cunningham, Wilbur Jackson, Pete Pavlick, Don Robertson, Paul LaPalme, and of course, a late-comer, Willie Mays.

1911: Slave Receipt Papers

From the "AFRICAN-AMERICAN" folder in the Hamilton Library's Local History Collection comes this article on the record of a local slave holder. A very shameful part of local history.

1931: Greenwood School Toy Drive

Since 1922, Bromley's Greenwood School has been providing quality education to neighborhood students. Here's a photo showing the boys who repaired toys for distribution to the less fortunate boys and girls in the community.

1932: Pennington Grammar School Class of '37

This is the right half of the very lengthy class photo for Pennington Grammar School's 1937 grads. See the next post for the other half. Sorry, I had to cut the caption in two. If you are into computer graphics you can cut and past the two posts and regain the original image.

1931: From Deaf School to Columbus Park

This interesting group of photos shows the buildings that were originally on the land now occupied by Columbus Park on Hamilton and So. Clinton Avenues. After the Civil War, orphans were housed there, followed by the School for the Deaf.

1931: The Lindbergh Home

Here is a photo of the newly purchase Lindbergh home in Hopewell. It was only a few months later that the child was kidnapped and murdered. One must wonder if this very photo didn't give the kidnapper the idea. Note the description where it is described as being in a remote area. We'll never know. There are those who say that Bruno Hauptmann was innocent.

1914: Farmingdale School MInstrel

That wonderful old school from Hamilton Township's past, the late, great Farmingdale School was a true font of learning back in its heyday. There are numerous stories of that old school which will be forthcoming in future posts and perhaps as an article in one of my "Sentimental Journey" Trenton Times articles. Farmingdale was one of the original schools in Hamilton.

These are known as "Trade Cards"

Back in the Victorian era, when one went to one of their favorite shopping places, whether it be a drug store, furniture store, indeed any store, the clerk would probably include one of these beautifully lithographed "trade cards." They are much in demand by collectors.

ST. JAMES P.E. CHURCH

The photo above shows the first building occupied by St. James Protestant Episcopal Church. It is located on East State Street near the intersection of Garfield Avenue. The Rehoboth Church now occupies the building. The lower photo is an interior view of the church as it appeared in the early part of the 20th century. Prior to the building the church, the parishioners met at "The Wigwam" on E. State Street in the Wilbur section.