1944: "L-9" Liberty Street ; A Busload of Memories

I drew this pen and ink sketch back in the 1980's to illustrate a story in "The Way We Were," a column I wrote for the late, lamented Mercer Messenger. That bus was the source of many pleasant memories for me. Mom Glover and I made many visits to downtown Trenton before the shopping malls and the desertion from downtown caused by societal changes and the loss of business. The "L-9" in this view is at the corner of Liberty Street and South Olden Avenue, heading back to Cedar Lane and the end of the line. "Steve's Barber Shop" is seen in the engraving, next to "Carty's" luncheonette. Remember them? The "L-9" started its daily runs from the end of the line at Cedar Lane and Olden, some 3 blocks from my Hartley Avenue home. Her journey to downtown Trenton took her along South Olden Avenue to Liberth Street, left on Liberty Street to South Broad Street, then through State and Broad Streets to the old Perry Street Terminal, and retracing her route back to Cedar Lane and Olden.