1950'S: DRIVE IN THEATERS-"HOW DO I MISS THEE? LET ME COUNT THE WAYS!"

OK, before you comment on how you popped 3 or 4 (or more) kids in the trunk and got free admission to your local drive in theater, let me remind you that every time the subject of the now nearly extinct Drive Ins comes up, some one in the group is sure to re-tell that tired old legendary but true story. But what fun it was to go to the drive in! Especially with that special someone who didn't mind sitting close and sharing.......uhh, her popcorn! How did we ever survive with that tinny speaker that hung on our car door?

Anonymous said...

If my memory serves, two thing happened that made survival difficult for one drive in. The Dix Drive In opened just about the same time as did the Bordentown Dump. As a kid I remember my sister checking the weather if her husband wanted to go to the Dix. I started driving in the mid 60's and being from North Trenton it was a coin toss between the Ewing or Lawrence but I think in the long run the Lawrence was better. That Everly Brothers song "Wake Up Little Susie" will always have a bit of special meaning for me. Skip

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Whoa, Skip.....'sounds like you were "in trouble deep!"

Tom Glover The Lawrence" was our drive in of choice back before U.S.1 became the traveler's nightmare.

Gary Lippincott said...

The Trenton Drive-In, Glenn Munson would borrow his brother Gerry's Chevrolet Corvair (trunk in the front)we could only stuff two in there. I know guys that used to go in the trunk on $1.00-a-carload night, just to do it.

Monday, August 01, 2011

Mack said...

I did a recent post on my Blog with a list of 6 local drive-ins in 1964. I noted they were showing movies in december. That seems kind of rough with our weather even with possible action going on unrelated to the movie :)

Tuesday, August 02, 2011

1897: TRENTON POLICE FORCE

I am continually adding files to the hefty "POLICE-TRENTON" AND "POLICE-HAMILTON" folders in the Hamilton Township Public Library Local History Collection. Among the stack of "hard copy" in the library vertical file is the interesting article above detailing the ethnic makeup of the 1897 Trenton Police Department.

Tom:
You never cease to amaze me with the information you dig up, and disseminate through this column.
I grew up next to Police Chief McChesney's family on South Warren St. next to the William Trent house. I did not know the chief, but his lovely wife was a kind and dear neighbor back in the 40's.
He had two son's Wallace who was a giant of man @ 6'7",and Graham a mere runt at 6'4". They often said they took after the father, who struck an imposing figure in his uniform. Once again it has happened. I'm in Louisville this week, and prior to leaving Virginia, I mentioned the McChesney's and here you publish an article.

Warm Regards From The Colonel

Mike Kuzma

1928: HAMILTON POLICE TO GET PAY INCREASES

Rookie Hamilton police officers receive $1,700 per year with a $200 increase after a year. Maximum pay reached at $2,200.00. This article gives a good idea of the economy during the latter 1920's. Don't even try to compare it with today's salary scales in all professions.

1932: OPENING DAY FOR THE FIRESTONE SERVICE CENTER, WEST HANOVER STREET, TRENTON

If you pass by that intersection today, you will get a real jolt and realize that the Trenton of the pre 1950's is very hard to remember. I do remember the Firestone Service Center as I passed that intersection many times in the 40's and 50's while going to Ufert's Auto Store a block away. It was an impressive establishment, and well accepted by the local motorists. Today, all that remains is a parking lot.

Ralph Lucarella said...

HI TOM....FIRESTONE'S WAS AN OUTSTANDING STORE ALONG WITH MANY OTHERS IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD IN THOSE DAYS. I WORKED THAT SECTION WHILE I WAS WITH THE POST OFFICE AND KNEW ALL THE PEOPLE . REGARDS.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Sids04 said...

I remember delivering parts there in the 80's when I worked for Keats Ford. That was such a cool building. Ufert's was also a regular stop for me as well.

Saturday, July 30, 2011

1945: AUTO HISTORIAN, GOOD FRIEND, AND REGULAR VISITON RAY PASZLIEWICZ. JR.

Ray is a regular well spring of knowledge when it comes to local. and national automobile history. I remember ray back in the 1970's (?) when he had a beautiful 1941 (?) Chevy in beautiful condition. Ray, will you pleas fill me in on the question marks. As I pile on the years, many memories remain but many also fade.

1873: Baseballs and Baseball Bats for sale

Here's a very interesting graphic which gives a good idea of early baseball. The photo on the right shows what a typical baseball player of the era wore as a uniform. The gentleman and his team are unknown, but it definitely is circa 1870's-80's.

Ralph Lucarella said...

HI TOM...IT SEEMS STRANGE THAT THEY SOLD SPORTING GOODS AT A STATIONARY STORE. I CAN SEE THAT THE HATS WERE AMONG THE FIRST TO CHANGE. THE LARGE PEAK WERE HELPFUL IN THE SUN. IT ALSO INDICATES HOW LITTLE SPORTING GOODS WERE DURING THAT TIME. BEST REGARDS

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

2011: RALPH LUCARELLA: WWII PATRIOT AND VALUED CONTRIBUTOR TO THIS BLOG

I dug deep into the "WWII" folder in the Hamilton Library Database and came up with this vignette graphic of Ralph Lucarella. As any regular visitor to this website will attest, Ralph is a valued visitor who adds very valuable historic insights to our Hamilton Library Local History blog. I "Photoshopped" the original photo which was too light on the lower right of the photo. A bit of contrast added to that particular spot brought the exposure up to the same level as the upper portion. Ralph, I would appreciate it if you verify that I have you as a Navy Vet. I wanted to say the "SeaBees" but wasn't sure. I also tried to read the name on the side of the hood on your Jeep, but the contrast was too light to identify it. Details from you on the above graphic will be appreciated. (When, Where, What your Navy job was, etc.)

4 Comments

Close this window Jump to comment form

JoeZ said...

Tom: I second your very words. God Bless Ralph.

Monday, July 25, 2011

Ralph Lucarella said...

HI JOE AND TOM....MY SON SENT OTHER PHOTOS TO MACK SHOWING ME WITH MATES ON THE ISLAND OF ESPIRITO SANTOS IN THE CORAL SEA. I WAS ASSIGNED TO THE FLEET POST OFFICE WHEN I WAS DRAFTED FROM THE POST OFFICE DEPT. WE WERE WITH MOSTLY THE MARINES AND ARMY AND OUR ADDRESS WAS NAVY 140. MOST OF THE INVASIONS IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC ASSEMBLED AT OUR BASE AND WE HAD THE DUTY TO SEE THAT THE GOT THROUGH. THE LARGEST INVASIONS INVOLVED THE ARMY, NAVY AND MARINES. I USED MY JEEP TO PICK UP MAIL FROM THE SHIPS COMING IN FROM THE USA.

Monday, July 25, 2011

Ralph Lucarella Jr said...

Anybody interested in seeing some more pics of my Dad in WWII can find them here. http://www.kodakgallery.com/gallery/creativeapps/slideShow/Main.jsp?albumId=704937012209&ownerId=46925330509

Monday, July 25, 2011

Tom Glover said...

HI RALPH JR. I TRIED TO OPEN THAT KODAK GALLERY.COM LINK WHICH YOU SENT, BUT A BLACK SCREEN WITH A ROTATING WHEEL JUST KEPT SPINNING SPINNING AND THE SCRAPBOOK DOES NOT OPEN AT LEAST ON MY TWO COMPUTERS. ANYWAY, THANKS FOR KEEPING DAD'S HERITAGE IN FRONT OF THE PUBLIC. HE'S ANOTHER OF OUR WWII HEROIC PATRIOTS. TOM GLOVER

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

1933: TRENTON-MADE CUBAN CIGARS AKA HENRY CLAY AND BOCK COMPANY

READ FROM THE BOTTOM UP

Like the Previous Horsman Doll post from the BUSINESSES-TRENTON South Trenton folder comes this comprehensive article from the Trenton Chamber of Commerce "TRENTON" magazine. Since the arrival of the dictatorship down in Cuba and the Castro regime took over, Cuban Cigars have become a rarity in America. The Henry Clay and Bock Company is long gone as is the cigar factory. The fabulous building is still there, now an apartment complex.

John E. B Good said...

I live in Miami, Homestead--last stop before the Keys. Cuban cigars are not a rarity here! Cigar stores are very popular hangouts for the aficianados.

Sunday, July 24, 2011

John E. B Good said...

Thanks for the Cigar Factory and Doll Factory history. I grew up on Reed Ave. off Lalor. My grandmother was Mary Manziano, nee Episcopo, who lived at Ferry and Center Sts. Her father had an ice cream concession at White City as well as a store in the neighborhood.

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Mack said...

Great stuff Tom:)

1930: MILL HILL'S NEW HOTEL MERCER

I wonder what it was 81 years ago when Trenton was in the throes of the Great Depression, but was still a vibrant capital city where drive-by shootings and gang warfare were unheard of. The "BING" graphic gives the general location of the Hotel Mercer. As can be seen in the accompanying article from the Trenton Times, it was identified as being at 196 - 200 South Broad Street; an area which has since been developed.

1960: HORSMAN DOLLS: ANOTHER TRENTON INDUSTAIL JEWEL CLOSES

Back in the 1950's and 60's I was in almost daily contact with Bill Jacobs who was the maintenance manager at the Horsman Dolls plant over on Grand and Elm Street in South Trenton. Bill was one of those "make do" type maintenance guys who could repair a broken sewing machine, replace an electric motor, or any of the other tasks necessary to keep the then viable doll factory running efficiency. Then along came the imports, higher wages and benefits demanded by unions, and the viable little factory began to tremble, then fall. The graphic above is a vignette which I "Photoshopped: The very rare and valuable "twin" Horsman dolls are on Ebay by a sophisticated doll hobbyist for nearly $500. The "BING" photo shows the location of what once was the Horsman factory which was taken over by a coat manufacturer. On the left is a 1960 article wherein the union attempts to purchase the inventory and assets and move down south where the economy is more financially beneficial. The Horsman Doll Company was originally known as the Horsman Art Doll Company and was taken over by the Regal Doll Company.

John E. B Good said...

My grandmother worked there. She was a great seamstress. Any items you could post about the nearby cigar factory?

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Tom Glover said...

HELLO "JOHNNY BE GOOD." TALK ABOUT A COINCIDENCE! I WAS WORKING IN THE LOCAL BUSINESSES FOLDER WHERE I FOUND THE HORSMAN DOLL INFO. THE NEXT ITEM ON MY AGENDA WAS THE HENRY CLAY AND BOCK CIGAR FACTORY AND I JUST FINISHED WORKING ON IT WHEN I SAW YOUR COMMENT. THE CIGAR POST IS ABOVE. THANKS FOR VISITING. I HOPE YOU RETURN OFTEN. TOM GLOVER

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Ralph Lucarella said...

HI TOM.....THE CIGAR FACTORIES, HORSEMAN DOLL AND SWITLIK PARACHUTES PROVIDED MOST OF THE FEMALES IN THE CHAMBERSBURG AREA AND ELSEWHERE GOOD STEADY JOBS DURING THE DEPRESSION YEARS OF THE 1930'S. IT WAS MORE DIFFICULT FOR THE GUYS TO FIND WORK AT THAT TIME AND MANY DEPENDED ON THE GIRLS TO HELP OUT. I RECALL JOINING THE CROWD LOOKING FOR WORK DURING THAT TIME. I GOT MY BREAK TAKING THE POST OFFICE EXAM AND FINISHING PRETTY HIGH. I WORKED NIGHTS FOR 2 YEARS AND FINALLY GOT PROMOTED TO LETTER CARRIER IN THE EARLY 40'S. IT WAS QUITE A TIME FOR ME BUT EVERYTHING WORKED OUT WELL. AFTER THAT ERA, I COULD WRITE A BOOK AND YOU PROABLY WOULD'NT BELIEVE IT. BEST REGARDS

Saturday, July 23, 2011

1944: THE "SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' WAR MEMORIAL BUILDING, TRENTON

That statuesque old structure was falling into dis-repair a few years ago but has since been brought back to its original beauty. My Uncle Charles ("Charlie") Gaudette was the Superintendent from the earliest years. It was here that I, and many of my contemporaries marched into that grand old structure to the stirring graduation classic, "Pomp and Circumstance" by Sir Edward Elgar.

Sally Logan Gilman said...

Hi Tom: I got my high school diploma at a ceremony at the Memorial Building. Trenton High Class of 1955 had a large number of graduates and there was more than enough room in the beautiful building for the students and all their friends and families. I'm glad they have taken good care of it. It is truly a work of art to be appreciated and cared for. Regards.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Ralph Lucarella said...

HI TOM....THE WAR MEMORIAL BUILDING WAS A WECOMED ADDITION TO THE STACY PARK AREA. IT STILL LOOKS GREAT AND ALONG WITH THE STACY TRENT HOTEL AT TIME, IT GAVE TRENTON A SOMEWHAT SOPHISICATED APPEARANCE FOR THE CAPITOL CITY OF NEW JERSEY. REGARDS.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

omad said...

I remember the lovely Villa Victoria concerts we sang in and your cousin Nancy, who was a very good friend. The world was so simple then and the "War Memorial" was like being in Radio City to us.

Friday, July 22, 2011

1930: COMMUNITY NEWS FROM SELECTED TOWNS AND VILLAGES

I could spend hours perusing the weekly page in the Trenton Times which details the activities of the many persons, places and things that happened in those long ago years. Many of the mini articles have names of folks I know; I'm sure many visitors will also find familiar names.

Sally Logan Gilman said...

Hi Tom: Names make news. It's always been that and thankfully, it will always be true.

1987: WE WERE GUESTS AT THE 1ST ANNUAL VILLA PARK REUNION

What a wonderful, relatively clean Trenton community! I often venture into Villa Park as I go to pickup one of Ricky D's tomato pies. Back in 1987, I had written an article on the Quintin connection and other Villa Park historical bits and pieces. Judy and I were invited as guests to that wonderful community get together. Not being a VP native, I could only identify those very close friends who are in the photo.The late Bob McLaughlin was my across the street neighbor for over 45 years. Bernice Kelly Cunningham was a dear friend of ours. Indeed, due to their physical similes, folks often mistook Bernice for my dear wife Judy, and vice versa. Don Cunningham and I spent many July weekend retreats over at San Alfonso Retreat House in West Long Branch when I was a communicant at St. Anthony Parish, directly across Olden Avenue in Hamilton but has always been considered to be a "Villa Parker's" church. I know there are VP'ers who follow this blog, and believe that many of the others in the photo can be identified. I know "Chuddy" Whalen is in there somewhere, but I don't want to mis-identify him. The "Fran and Frank "C" entry is lacking a last name, and I may be an expert on ancient memory, I often draw blanks as I have on Fran and Frank's last name. Frank was our mail man for many years, and I wanted to write "Christiano," but I am not sure. Perhaps I will get some help on that also. As to my offer of now antiquated photo negatives referred to in the caption, who needs them now that we have Photoshop!

Ralph Lucarella said...

HI TOM....WE WERE ONE OF THE EARLY RESIDENTS OF VILLA PARK IN THE EARLY 20'S. WE BOUGHT A HOUSE ON BERT AVE. FOR $4,400.00, A BRICK AND STUCCO SEMI DETACHED WITH A DRIVEWAY. WE LOST THE HOUSE DURING THE DEPRESSION OF THE 30'S THROUGH FORECLOSURE. THE GOVERNMENT PAID US $1,700.00 FOR OUR EQUITY AND WE BOUGHT A HOUSE ON FRANKLIN ST FOR THAT AMOUNT. VILLA PARK HAD MANY PROMINENT PEOPLE AT THE TIME. IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD WERE BILL DEARDEN, STATE COMMISSIONER OF MOTOR VEHICLES, POLICE CHIEF O'ROUKE AND MANY TEACHERS AND PEOPLE FROM ST. FRANCIS. WE WERE LUCKY TO FIND A HOUSE NEARBY FOR $1,700.00. I MENTION THIS TO REMIND US OF WHAT IS HAPPENING TODAY WITH FORECLOSURES. BEST REGARDS.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

JoeB said...

Tom: Frank and Frannie last name Chiorello.

MANY THANKS, JOE. YOU TURNED MY DIMMING MEMORY SWITCH BACK ON! NOW I REMEMBER.

TOM GLOVER

1987: HAMILTON HIGH CLASS OF 1966 TO CELEBRATE 20TH REUNION

Even though this would have been more appropriate for a 1966 Mercer Messenger article, the reunion committee from the class of 1966 at Hamilton High West announced a reunion to be held at the Holiday Inn in Bordentown. There's my friend Ronnie Steward, a die hard friend of our U.S. military Vietnam veterans in the photo. Ronnie was also an excellent play by play sports announcer on the late, lamented TKR Cable until Cablevision took over and ceased featuring Hamilton Township persons, places and things in their laughable slogan, "TV THAT'S CLOSE TO HOME." Yes dear visitors, there was a time before the cable giants came along that local television was king. In Hamilton today, "TV THAT'S CLOSE TO HOME" largely for those who are close to the home of Wall Township's Cablevision facility: Monmouth, Middlesex, and other north Jersey counties. Hamilton does receive a relatively miniscule bit of coverage, but no where near the community oriented coverage provided by TKR, and Hamilton's first cable franchise, HAMILTON CABLEVISION.

TO MY FELLOW HORNETS FROM THE CLASS OF '66 - PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF AND WHEN YOU PLANNING TO CELEBRATE YOUR 45TH. I WILL GLADLY POST IT.

1981: STEINERT HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS' SOCCER TEAM HAS A 20-1 SEASON

Thirty years ago! This was one red hot Steinert soccer team. As I recall, Ms. Gmitter made many articles in the local press as this team went on to a 20-1 victory run. I had to "Photo Shop" the image of "Cinder;" his dark features were indistinguishable in the original Mercer Messenger photo.