1936: CHIEF WOLVERTON'S LARGE FAMILY

Even has Colonial Fire Company's John Lenhardt "large" family, so too did the Chief of DeCou VFD, Ed Wolverton. The above photo was all washed out in the original page 24 of the State Gazette, but thanks to my graphic imaging software, it can be brought back to its pristine condition.

1927: JOE'S TIRE SHOP ON THE "OLD" SOUTH WARREN STREET

Today it's known as the "New South Warren Street." A few decades ago, Trenton's historic South Warren Street was eliminated to make room for the many re-development projects in South Trenton. A check of a "BING" map will show that the intersection of what was South Warren and Factory Street is now where the Trenton Freeway approaches the bridge over the Delaware. When I was a young man, South Warren Street was alive with businesses; in my case the location of Tilden Brakes, and the Penn-Jersey auto supply store where I was a regular customer during my "jalopy" years as a teenager.

(Tilden Brakes? There's a name out of the past for all you over 70 visitors! And by the way, you're an old timer if you remember "Lee of Conshohocken!")

Mike Kuzma said...

Tom: You have now ventured into the extremities of my old neighborhood. In addition to the intersection merging Factory, and South Warren Streets, it was also the beginning of Lamberton Street, an Assumpink St. ran west for a few blocks towards River Road past Bloomsbury St. Sharpless Ice cream was on that corner the other corners included gas stations, which on one was situated "Happy's Diner" and old dining car much like the famous "Ted Forker's" Dining car on Perry St. Joe's Tire's was just beyond the diner. To the north of the Assumpink, was "Earls Bicycle Shop" they ultimately were relocated to No. Warren St. Next to Murphy Funeral Home next to St. Mary's Cathedral. Futher south on Warren below Joe's, was the Public Service Co. Yard that took up most of the block and ran back to Bloomsbury St. where behind it was Industrial Engineering, Trenton Dressed Beef. Further down the 400 block of Warren was Curtis Bowling Alleys, an than the Trenton Lace works, on the corner of Mill street, so named for the Princeton Worsted Mills on Bloomsbury St. Tilden Brakes featured Thermoid Brake linings whose motto on their Factory along the Railroad Main line on Whitehead Road was "Rely on your brakes, instead of your horn" The best to you always Mike Kuzma

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Thanks Mike! once again your historic insight and memory of Trenton's golden years lend a nice informative addition to the history of our area.

Tom Glover

1991: MAURY PERILLI......A ROLE MODEL

Believe it or not, we senior citizens also have role models. On the local, personal level, the gentleman in the above graphic stands out as one of mine. "Maury" is not only a dear friend, but a humble role model for me personally. He has done it all in his lengthy career; first in the printing business, then in public service, where he served as Hamilton Township Committeeman, Police Director, Mayor, and many other successful life choices. His early years of growing up in a modest and relatively poor family are very similar to my early years when times were economically difficult. Through all his endeavors, Maury has maintained the admirable trait of humility.

1919: MERCERVILLE'S "MERCER MANOR"

In and article I wrote some 20 years ago, during the years when I was suggesting that Hamilton Township was woefully inadequate in recording and appreciating its historic heritage. It seemed that all history revolved around Hamilton Square, and the only reliable source of history originated in the West family of Hamilton Square. As a result, very little was ever written about Yardville, Edgebrook, Deutzville, Bromley, Groveville, White Horse and all the farm land in between. Thanks to former mayor Jack Rafferty, Joe Bellina, and Maurice "Mo" Rossi, they were sold on Tom Glover's concept of at least starting a recorded history of the township. I suggested to the gentlemen that the historic John Abbott II house, the Watson House, the Isaac Pearson house, and other COLONIAL historic spots in Hamilton were important, but not all history involved the colonial experience. What about the evolution of Hamilton to a burgeoning megalopolis? What about the beginnings of Bromley, the McGalliard family, the antiquity of Groveville, etc.?
To make a long story short, I found that I was really preaching to the choir. Jack Rafferty is and always was very interested in local history. As a result, I have been zealously building a comprehensive digital and physical database of Hamilton and little recognized material from the surrounding areas of Hamilton. The project is a lifetime project and will continue for generations to come.

Mack said...
"Mercer Manor" is where I live. Many of the streets named after members of president Wilsons administration.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

2011: HAMILTON PAYS A WELL-DESERVED TRIBUTE TO "IRISH" BILLY BRIGGS

I attended the very touching ceremony at the intersection of Francis and Hamilton Avenue yesterday as the curtain was torn off of the Francis Avenue signpost and the Irish Billy Briggs Avenue sign was posted. Billy Briggs was a fierce supporter of freedom for Northern Ireland.

Mack said...

God Bless Billy Briggs. Great post Tom:)

Saturday, March 19, 2011

1926: ORTLEY BEACH REAL ESTATE!

Hurry up, shore lovers, at these prices these lots won't last long! Can you imagine purchasing real estate back in the 1920's and then take a mental trip up to the 21st century and the year 2011 and envision paying such incredibly low prices?

Ralph Lucarella said...

HI TOM.....I CAN'T HELP THINKING ABOUT THE SHORE IN THE 1920'S. THE ONLY PAVED ROAD WE TOOK WAS TO AS BURY PARK. FOR SOME REASON MY FATHER PREFERRED BELMAR. IT WAS A DIRT ROAD AND WE DROVE WITH THE WINDOWS UP. MY FATHER LOVED TO WATCH THE COMMERCIAL FISHERMAN BRING IN THE FISH AT BELMAR. THERE WASN'T A THING ON THE BOARDWALK, AND YOU HAD TO HOLD ON TO ROPES IN THE OCEAN OR GET SWEPT OUT TO SEA. AS A KID I THOUGHT THE PLACE WAS VERY BORING. REGARDS.

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Noel said...

Hi Tom, My parents owned a home on 4 7th Ave from the 60s into the 80s. I spent many days at Ortley Beach. Many memories. Noel Goeke

Saturday, March 19, 2011

omad said...

My son and his wife owned a sweet little bungalow on 4th a block from the ocean for several years. Ortley is a Mecca for people from around East Hanover. So many great memories as each grandchild was born and introduced to the joys of the Jersey Shore. They got interested in boats and still keep one on the other side of bay. As the boys got older they had their own interests in Morris County and my son sold the place. Unfortunately not at the ridiculously high prices they are going for now. They still rent a beautiful place there each year.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

1950's: Florence Yoth's Broad Street Park Civic Association

I am posting this list of members of the Association as it appears in an aging scrapbook, diligently kept by Mrs, Florence Yoth. One wonders how many of the names still reside in Broad Street Park. Don't miss my friend Jim Colello's Broad Street Park blog. The link is on the right of this page.

2011: CAPTAIN AMERICA AND BUCKY; MY SUPERHEROES

When I, like most of my contemporaries from the 1940's look back on our childhood years, one of the things that happened all those years ago was the comic book, or as we called them "funny books." Most of us will confess to having had at one time or another the first editions of many of the comics that today are known as "Golden Age" comics. On a very personal basis, I must confess that I had Volume I Number I of the Superman comic back in 6th grade as I recall. Each year as final exams were given and we were waiting dismissal for the summer, many classroom teachers allowed us to bring in whatever we chose to wile away the hours. Ronny Doyle and I chose comic books. Ronny was an avid "Batman" fan, and I was a Superman, and Captain America fan. On this particular day, Ronny and I decided to trade our duplicates. His for mine and vice versa. Well, don't you know, Ronny had the very first issue of Superman. As I recall I traded him 2 or 3 of my "Detective Comics" featuring Batman and Robin. I also cringe as I recall a huge baseball card collection I had back during those years. We used to "flip" cards and my library grew and grew. I had Joe DiMaggio rookie card, and right up to the early 1950's Yankee cards including Phil Rizzuto, Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford were all part of a stack that filled a shoe box; I could go on. WHO KNEW?

JoeZ said...

Tom: We could have been worth millions, I saved all those cards and then Mom got rid of them somehow. As Frank Sinatra would say "That's Life."

Friday, March 18, 2011

1848: "LIFE IN TRENTON FIFTY YEARS AGO"

"Life in Trenton 50 Years Ago" was a popular column. These are just a few of the hundreds of clippings I have salvaged from old and very damaged Trenton newspapers. They give a very interesting insight to life as it was lived in a growing city of Trenton. There will be similar future posts from this era which will give an interesting insight to the Trenton of old,

1917: THE BILLY SUNDAY TABERBNACLE

As you can see,they broke up the Tabernacle real estate. Many areas in the Greenwood, Hamilton, Chambers street area were owned by Samuel K. Wilson. I have been researching this man who was responsible for many homes in many neighborhoods.

1915: RECLAMATION OF THE MASON'S "TEMPLE"

A note from Tom: I have always been historically confused as to the "MasonIic Hall" and the Douglass House.According to a 1915 engraving, the old Masonic Hall is at the foot of Barracks Street in Trenton. The confusion come into the fore where I am confused as to the similarity of the Douglass House. I see a similar structure at 163 E. Front Street at the foot of Montgomery Street (Next to the playhouse) but I can't be sure. Perhaps Mike Kuzma or another downtown Trenton visitor can enlighten me.)

Thanks to the local Masons, this historic treasure was never thrown into the recycle bin, and what an historic treasure it is! It stands today as a proud reminder of the historic city of Trenton and to the Masonic Lodges that know the value of historical structures.

Mike Kuzma said...

Tom:The house on Front St. at So. Montgomery is in fact the "Douglas house" that was located across from your Uncle Charley's domain the Memorial Building in Stacy Park. It was moved years ago to allow the widening and reconfiguring of Rt. 29.After Swimming in Uncle Charley's Pool; (LOL) the reflecting pool in front of the W/M we would cross over at the Douglas house, and head home across the Assunpink Creek Bridge to Bloomsbury St. Down past the Princeton Worsted Mills, and the Trent house to our houses on Fall St. Fall St. was aptly named, since it was at the Glacier "Fall line" where the rocks ended just above the Railroad bridge where beyond that the river was no longer navigable.As always, best regardsMike Kuzma

THANKS, MIKE; YOU'RE THE BEST.

TOM

1936: GEORGE CASE'S PORK ROLL - A PROUD TRENTON TRADITION

Back in the distant past, (1955-1958 to be exact,) when I was in the U.S. Army cloak and dagger gig, the talk was usually girls, army gripes, and food. On the latter subject, Tom Glover, RA 12480163 had many conversations with my bunk mates when it came to our respective tastes in food. Lloyd Hodgkins, one of my best buddies from Jefferson Maine told of Maine Lobsters. Jimmy Herndon from Ada Oklahoma regaled us with his breakfast that always included home mad grits. Sam Steckbeck from Lebanon Pennsylvania told of his love for good old fashioned Lebonan-made Lebanon Balogna. Tom Glover? Well he was sure that Sam's Lebanon Balogna was excellent, but it could never compare to a DeLorenzo Tomato Pie or a long canvas wrapped roll of Case's Pork Roll. To my amazement, none of those guys ever heard of Tomato Pie nor Pork Roll! Well, to make a long story short, a roll of that Trenton-made pork came to Detachment "D" in Aviano Italy by air mail, and with a bit of coaxing to our cook after one of our midnight shifts, we succeeded in partaking of a Trenton made Case's Pork roll breakfast with our choice of eggs on the side. Did my buddies agree that the Trenton made delicacy was the best......even better than old fashioned bacon, run of the mill sausage, Philadelphia Scrapple, and yes, even steak? Let's just say they went back for seconds!

By the way: I can't tell you how many times I had to explain what a Trenton made DeLorenzo tomato pie was! Those guys had no idea that there was anything other than what they called a "pizza!" To this day there are those who don't know the difference, even as I explained that the pizza is a cheese-encrusted flat disk, usually very little tomato that tastes like a cheese sandwich with a just a touch of tomato. On the other hand, a tomato pie was made only by those culinary artists who knew how to blend just the right amount of tomatoes and cheese on a very thin and tasty crust! I told those guys that only in Trenton would they find restaurants who serve original Trenton Tomato Pies!

Ralph Lucarella said...

HI TOM....I DON'T BELIEVE IT WAS GEORGE CASES'S PORK ROLL. GEORGE WAS THE BIG LEAGUE BALL PLAYER BUT IT WAS IN HIS FAMILY. IT COULD HAVE BEEN CLIFF CASE. I LIVED IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD FOR YEARS AND WE ALL LOVED THE PORK ROLL. BETWEEN THEM AND THE TOMATO PIES, TRENTON STOOD ALONE IN PRODUCING TWO OF THE BEST TASTING FOOD PRODUCTS AROUND. BEST REGARDS.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

HI RALPH:

ACTUALLY IT WAS GEORGE CASE SENIOR (GEORGE JR'S. DAD) WHO WAS THE MOVER AND SHAKER AT THE "PORK PACK" FACTORY. AS I RECALL, THE FORMULA ORIGINATED FROM A FARMER IN BELLE MEAD N.J. IN THE LATE 19TH OR EARLY 20TH CENTURY. CLIFFORD CASE CAME ON LATER IN TIME.

omad said...

Here's the skinny on this one === Pork roll is a type of sausage-like meat product commonly available in and around New Jersey and Philadelphia. In North Jersey it is usually called Taylor Ham.[1] The product, as it is made today, was developed in 1856[2] by John Taylor of Trenton, New Jersey, though several firms produce their own versions. Got this from Wikapedia. When I first left NJ and moved out west, the two things I insisted my son bring when he came out to ski were Pork Roll and Tastycakes. HI OMAD: TAYLOR (JHN TAYLOR) WAS A SEPARATE ENTITY WHO ALSO MANUFACTURED PORK ROLL.

Sally Logan Gilman said...

Hi Tom: We also load up on Tastykakes and pork rolls when we come to Trenton. My sons and grandson love the pork roll but the Butterscotch Krimpets are an acquired taste -- but that means more for me. We also bring back Krispy Kreme doughnuts from Acme Mrkt. on Route 1. They box them for us and have them ready when we stop by before heating north. Oh how I miss all my favorites from NJ. Regards

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Anonymous said...

Hi Tom, how about fresh versus smoked pork roll to separate the men from the boys. If you are not a Trenton native you may be aware of Taylor since they now ship to retirement venues. A fellow on an auto site gave himself away with his avatar of Taylor's logo. He wondered how I knew where he had roots. Sadly, I think the old fashioned pie is going to fade. Much of what we loved had to be in the quality of the cheese and such. The big companies dominate the market anymore.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Mack said...

Hi Tom::) NOW I know why my Grandma always called it prepared Ham. Thats what it was once called:) ALSO: The BREAKFAST only theme of Pork Roll did not exist in my house and I have only come across that after starting the blog. We might have pork roll for lunch or supper as well:)

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Bob said...

Stop with the food! It's driving me crazy. There were so many small places that knew how to make a great tomato pies in the Trenton area. Taylor smoked pork roll was the best, especially with baked beans and home fries. And I lived on Tasty products all through high school and college. Whenever I get down there I stock up but now it's time to start having them shipped to me, hell with the expense. And yes, it has be difficult to explain tomato pies and pork roll to people in Mass and Maine.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Aww, c'mon Bob. Go back and read your comment above. You're making me crave a Taylor Provision Pork roll and egg sandwich for lunch today, a DeLorenzo's take out tomato pie for dinner tonight, topped off with a TastyKake "TandyTake" peanut butter delight. Thanks for being a visitor......I hope you return often,

Tom Glover

Omad said...

Nothing like food to bring out lots of discussion. My son, who lives in Morris County, is a true Pork Roll devotee and has his three boys all addicted to it. I'm a little confused, is Charlie Gaudette, Nancy's dad, also Mike Kuzma's uncle? Nancy and I are still in regular contact, especially since I moved back to NJ from Seattle.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

No Omad,Nancy ( "Dell") is my cousin, daughter of my Uncle Charlie and Aunt May. I lost contact with Nancy. I had a computer replacement and lost all my email addresses when Verizon fouled up when I signed on to Verizon WiFi., and cancelled Verizon DSL. In cancelling Verizon DSL, I lost all my email contacts. I assumed that Verizon WiFi was the same as my Verizon DSL and they never told me they were the same name but a different company! The bottom line, I lost all of my email contacts and had to start from scratch. Nancy and I were in regular contact, and I assumed that Nancy lost my email address as I lost hers.

Tom

1906: THE HISTORIC MASONIC HALL

The beautiful and very historic old treasure is alive and well today.Thanks to those who appreciate true antiquity. There are numerous Masonic clippings in my "MASONS and SECRET SOCIETIES" folder in the Local History Collection.

1915: THE PANTALEONE FAMILY OF CHAMBERSBURG

From the "CHAMBERSBURG" folder in the Hamilton Library Local History Collection:

Some months back I published the full page 16 page of the Trenton Evening Times "CHAMBERSBURG" section which included the above extract. The Pantaleone family were noted musicians right up to the present era. Eddie Pantaleone was a part of a musical group known as "Valhalla," and were quite popular locally in the 60's and 70's. Most recently Eddie and his family lived on Greenwood Avenue just a bit west of So. Olden Avenue. Their dad, was a professional music teacher. Dr. and Mrs. Raffael were very prominent members of Chambersburg back in the early part of the 20th century. Their Pantaleone home was at 504 Hamilton Avenue, right next to Trenton Engine House #7.

omad said...

Yep, in that really nice looking house right across from where I lived until I was 10. In the middle of the block where the fire house was, during WWII, the Army had their motor pool that serviced the military stationed in the old Trenton High School down the street. The soldiers all came into our restaurant for many of their meals and became friends.

Friday, March 11, 2011

1915: MILL TRENTON'S CENTRAL METHODIST CHURCH

The church was located on South Broad and Market Streets in the Mill Hill section of Trenton. Unfortunately, all references to the edifice places it only as "So. Broad and Market Street;" which leaves it open to speculation as to which corner the church was located. The Court House is on one corner, the old bank is across the street, Joe's Mill Hill Tavern on another corner, and a high rise (Luther Towers?) on the other. Until I am corrected, I will place the old church on the corner currently occupied by the Luther Towers. Any old-timers out there who can verify my position?

Stephen said...

Tom, I checked old copies of the Trenton Times from 1966-1971 time frame. You are correct in your placement of the church. The church membership disbanded in 1967 and the site was sold to the City of Trenton as part of Urban Renewal Plans. The church was razed in June 1968. Initial plans anticipated a 14 story commercial building at the site but in 1971 the Kingsbury Apartments were built. A few years later, Luther Arms were bulit on adjacent property.

Wednesday, March 09, 2011

NO STEPHEN, THE CHURCH WAS NOT RAZED. IT IS STILL THERE ON MARKET STREET IN MILL HILL, BUT NO LONGER AN M.E. FACILITY.

TOM GLOVER

Anonymous said...

Tom: Central Methodist was located as you suggested. I would pass this church while walking up the Market St. hill from my home in "Jewtown" in route to mass at Sacred Heart Church. Fr. Frederick Halloran was the pastor at Sacred Heart. He stood at least 9 feet tall ( at least to a 8 year old kid he did) and when he spoke, the church shook. When anyone came in late for the 9:15 Sunday Mass, he would stop the Mass, and roar "If you can't get here and be seated before Mass has started, than walk down to Central Methodist on the next corner, they have plenty of seats there". As the chief Real Estate Officer for the City of Trenton, I bought the church, and had it demolished in the name of "Irving Renewal" All the best Mike Kuzma

Thursday, March 10, 2011

1937: WHEN TRENTON WAS A SEAPORT

Many of the you't realize that Trenton once hosted ocean-going vessels at the Trenton Marine Terminal on Lamberton Street in South Trenton. The above photo shows a huge British cargo vessel being loaded with scrap iron and steel which is en route to Japan. The Marine Terminal is long gone. Over the years, attempts have been made to deepen the Delaware from Philadelphia up to Trenton, but the efforts have been abandoned. It is my assumption that the project was never attempted due to the expense. The deepening would have been a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project.

Anonymous said...

Wonder if this ship was bringing anything illicit into town? A few years before this photo, opium was found hidden in a hollowed out portion of the base of Raby Castle's mast.

Monday, March 07, 2011

Mack said...

Hi Tom:) I always heard it was Art Hollands dream to dredge the river and make the city a seaport, but the money could not be located on a county state or federal level to do it:)

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Mike Kuzma said...

Tom: In addition to the "Marine Terminal" smaller ships, and barges would dock at the "Basin" located just below the Pennsylvania RR Bridge. These ships and barges hauled sand, and silicone for use in the famous Trenton "China" industry. These companies were lost to Ohio in the 1950's. As a kid in South Trenton, I swam and boated the Delaware from the RR bridge to "Duck Island" below the Marine Terminal. Does anyone out there other than me remember when the high retaining wall of stone was built on the Morrisville Side? This was done in the 30's, and I think as a WPA project. I attemped to post this a few days ago, but ran into problems. Regards Mike Kuzma

1935: WILLIAM G. COOK SCHOOL

COOK SCHOOL WAS A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF ARCHITECTURE WITH IT'S VERY UNIQUE STRUCTURAL DESIGN. HERE ARE LOCAL "WILBURITES" FROM THE WILBUR AREA PTA OF COOK SCHOOL ALL DECKED OUT IN THEIR HILLBILLY HOEDOWN GEAR.

1934: FROM THE "RESTAURANTS - EATERIES" FOLDER

Most Americans were still in the throes of the Great Depression. Even so, many found the time to take a Saturday night fling and go out dining and dancing at one of the many venues available. I find these advertisements to be a fascinating look back at the Trenton area of my mother and father's day. Should this blog survive the years long after I have gone to my reward, I believe succeeding generations will also find these ads to be of historic interest.

Ralph Lucarella said...

HI TOM....NOT ONLY WERE MOST DINNERS 25 CENTS BUT SOME PLACES WERE OFFERING CHICKEN DINNERS FOR FREE. I WAS JUST A TEENAGER IN 1937 BUT WENT TO THESE RESTAURANTS WITH MY OLDER FRIENDS FOR THE FOOD. IT MAY HAVE BEEN A PERIOD OF GREAT DEPRESSION BUT THERE WERE MANY CAFES AROUND TO VISIT. BEST REGARDS.

Saturday, March 05, 2011 JoeZ said... Tom: Love these ads not only for the entertainment that was held but the food and liquor prices mentioned. Unbelievable.

Monday, March 07, 2011