1953: TRENTON STORES WERE OPEN 'TILL 9 PM ON THURSDAYS

What pleasant memories I have of downtown Trenton during this era when I was a young boy of 18 or 19. You are looking at a photo of a Trenton Transit bus at the corner of West State and North Warren Streets picking up home-bound passengers during those years when Trenton was alive and vital. Subsequently, the malls, white flight, and social upheavals in the 1960's resulted in the demise of what was once a lively shopping center. Had you walked back along that sidewalk to State and Broad Streets on the night this photo was taken, I would bet that you would see officer Chet Hughes directing traffic, and there would be a blue 1940 DeSoto waiting to pick up my fiance' Judy Britton as she left her "Infant's Wear" job at Yard's.

If you look closely, you can see the Hotel Hildebrecht, The "Colony" restaurant, and the Western Union office in the background.

Mack said...

WOW Tom. This is the first time I have ever seen that view of the Hotel Hildebrecht sign.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Ralph Lucarella said...

HI TOM...THAT'S A GREAT SHOT OF HOW CROWDED THOSE BUSES WERE DOWN TOWN. WE USED THOSE SAME BUSES TO GET OUT ON OUR ROUTES WHILE I WORKED AS A LETTER CARRIER. CAN YOU IMAGINE TRYING TO GET ON A BUS WHILE LOADED DOWN WITH A BAG FULL OF MAIL. THE ONLY GOOD THING ABOUT IT WAS WE GOT A BUS PASS AT HALF PRICE. DURING THE 40'S AND 50'S TRENTON TRANSIT DID A GREAT JOB IN PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION. REGARDS.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

 

Sally Logan Gilman said...

Hi Tom: What a great picture. I checked to see if I was looking out the window, but I must have missed this bus. I took Trenton Transit to West Trenton and then walked a block to our home. Trenton was a great shopping mecca and my mother and grandmother loved to go "down town'' and have lunch and shop. As always, thanks for the memories. This photo is a keeper.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Anonymous said...

This photo is wonderful. It brought back so many memories. In the early 1960's I picked up the bus in the western end of the city to get to THS across town. What a balancing act to hold books tightly in your arms while riding one of those because usually always they were too crowded to get a seat. I remember the ever present scent of wet wool on rainy days. I also remember the absolute THRILL when in the mid 60's they rolled out the first air conditioned bus. Those were truly the days. Thanks for the memories, Tom. 

Judy Bingley Staed

Thursday, January 13, 2011

 

Anonymous said...

HI,TOO BAD YOU DON'T HAVE THE NAMES OF THE GIRLS STANDING LOOKING OUT THE BUS WINDOW I THINK IT COULD BE MY BEST FRIEND FROM CATHEDRAL HIGH SCHOOL??? I'M GOING TO SEND THIS PICTURE TO HER IN FLORIDA!!  RICKI

Thursday, January 13, 2011