1971: A MERCERVILLE CHURCH EXPLODES

The Union Methodist Church was located on Quaker Bridge Road in Mercerville. I was on my way to New Brunswick when this explosion occurred back in April, 1970. It was an experience I will never forget. I was en route to my office in New Brunswick and at the intersection of E. State St. Extension and Nottingham way and the ground shook.

1914 AND TODAY: ST. JAMES PROTESTANT-EPISCOPAL CHURCH

I was baptized and confirmed in the Episcopal faith when I was 5 or 6 years old. The ceremonies were held at St. Michael's P.E. Church on North Warren Street in Trenton. My mother and father originally attended Christ P.E. Church on Whittaker Avenue in Chambersburg, where my mother and father were married in 1923. As a young teen, I attended St. James Church which was located on Greenwood and South Logan Avenues. During that time, the Rev. Gerald Minchin was the Pastor. The thing I remember most about St. James and the Episcopal faith was the beautiful old fashioned sacred hymns we sang. Most of the congregation participated and added a warm feeling to the solemnity of the service. I converted to the Roman Catholic faith back in 1962. I found it to be a lateral move that was quite similar in many ways to the Protestant Episcopal liturgy. However, my personal experience has been that there is much less emphasis placed on sacred traditional hymns in today's Roman Catholic churches when compared to those Episcopalians! I can't remember the last time I sang
"Faith of Our Fathers," "How Great Thou Art," "Abide With Me," "The Old Rugged Cross," and countless other old time classics. They are however, in a treasured "HYMNS" folder in my computer database.

RALPH LUCARELLA said...

HI TOM...MY VERY BEST FRIEND BELONGED TO ST. JAMES ON WHITTAKER AVENUE. I RECALL PLAYING BASKETBALL IN THE CHURCH LEAGUE, A VERY POPULAR LEAGUE IN THE CITY DURING THE 30'S AND HIS BROTHER SAM WAS OUR COACH. BEST REGARDS.

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Anonymous said...

Tom, on a light note, your post reminded me an old phrase that was used by physicians back "in the day", then being the 1940's and into the 1950's. The doctor would ask the woe-begotten patient to say the phrase "Protestant, Methodist, Episcopal" .. and it was used as a quite accurate determinant of the mid to late stages of syphilis. The disease had effect on those neural speech centers. That said, though I could never understand a word of Latin, I love it when they occasionally have it on the Catholic network on TV. It brings back the memories.

Ed Millerick

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

2005 - 2011: THIS IS MY FRIEND, THE LATE "HAPPY" GLOVER

Only those of us who are animal lovers know the joy of having a dog or cat as a pet. They give you unconditional love. Above is a photo of "Happy;"truly "man's best friend." I have had a pet dog all my life from "Sniffy," a little Fox Terrier when I was a young lad of 6 or 7. Someone stole him and I spent days walking the neighborhood calling him. Happy was a replacement for "Shadow," also a Husky, who lived to be 13 years old. Happy developed diabetes and I tried to stabilize her sugar level, but it was a lost cause. So here I am in the year 2012 and I won't have another dog. Losing them is like losing a child. I hope to be a candidate for heaven. If I am, I know I will once again unite with NELLIE, BLACKIE, SNIFFY,MACK, QUEENIE, WHISKEY, HUNDT, SNOOPY, SHADOW, AND HAPPY. There is most certainly a "Doggy Heaven;" the Lord made them as "man's best friend." They certainly were mine!

1970'S: HAMILTON SHOWS "SOUL"

I was devastated when word came that Fred and Edna Kuser's Kuser Farm was too much for the aging couple to maintain. My first indication came by a close neighborhood friend, Billy Dilts who at the time was working for Weidel Realtors. I just could not imagine Kuser Farm that the Glover family was so close to over the years being turned into an area full of "McMansions," with their vinyl clad siding and overpopulation. As it turned out, Maury Perilli, way back in earlier years was approached by fellow Democrat Edna Kuser about leaving their beloved home. Subsequently, former Mayor Jack Rafferty, succeeded in purchasing the land for the good of the public. The rest is history. Today we have a well maintained Kuser Farm Park, and even though some of the "outbuildings" are deteriorating, the mansion and grounds are in exquisite condition.

2006: TOM GLOVER'S KUSER MANSION PROGRAMS

As Township time permits, I will be doing onscreen historic presentations and music programs at Kuser Mansion and also at the Hamilton Township Public Library meeting rooms. These programs will be of interest to those who are interested in our local history and also those who like to sing along to music from an era when there was lovely melody, understandable lyrics, and no twangy guitars and strobe lights. Just laid back "easy listening," "easy singing" songs that lift the spirit. Above is a graphic from 2006 detailing one of my on screen presentations at the Kuser Mansion.

1890: CASE'S PORK ROLL: IN THE BEGINNING

GEORGE PRICE'S TRENTON SAUSAGE COMPANY PHOTO IS FROM THE "BUSINESSES, TRENTON" FOLDER IN THE HAMILTON LIBRARY'S LOCAL HISTORY COLLECTION. NOTE THE LOGO ADVERTISING CASE'S FAMOUS PORK ROLL.THE BUILDING IN THE LOWER GRAPHIC STILL STANDS ON SOUTH CLINTON AVENUE. AS YOU ENTER SOUTH CLINTON AVENUE FROM THE "BARLOW CIRCLE"ON THE TRENTON FREEWAY HEADING TOWARD HAMILTON AVENUE, THE BUILDING IS ON THE NEAR LEFT. FADED PAINT ON THE FRONT OF THE BUILDING IS STILL VISIBLE.

1926:" SPARE THE ROD AND SPOIL THE CHILD"

This very interesting article has been languishing in my "SCHOOLS-MISCELLANEOUS" folder for many years. As I go through some of these little known articles, I realize how much our society has changed over the years. I wonder if those who approved of the "capital punishment" via a rubber hose found a change in behavior of the student who was disciplined with that hose.

2010: WINTER SEASON

The photo above is a reminder that February and March can be a period of snowy winter weather. The photo below is one of my favorites. Robins have once again returned to Hamilton Township for the 2012 season. Last week, I woke up and found a flock of at least 40 of them on my front and back lawns. Assuming they would be all over the neighborhood, I looked for them on my way to the library and it appears they chose my location for whatever reason. There were none to be seen on the many lawns I passed on my way to the library, nor on the huge grassy area outside of my library picture window. I would guess that their "homing" instincts remembered my home as a bird-friendly location because they seem to flock to my yard in the waning days of February as they return to the north. The photo below shows one partaking of a drink of water at my bird bath. A few days earlier, at least 12 were flocked around a tray of water that I placed in the back your for them.

2005: VINCE MCKELVY: IRISHMAN EXTRAORDINAIRE

Vince is one of the more prominent members of Division 1 Ancient Order of Hibernians whose headquarters are on Kuser Road in Hamilton. For years, he has been the emcee and announcer of the annual St. Patrick's Day parade. The popular son of Erin is a fierce defender of the Irish heritage.

2011: COMING SOON TO A TOWN NEAR YOU: ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE

In only a few weeks,we will be joining in on that annual "wearin' o' the green" St. Patrick's Day Celebration. This year, as last there will be a Hamilton parade, and the traditional Trenton parade. Above is a photo of "Irish Billy Briggs" who passed away much to early in life. In years past, I still see him proudly singing the Irish National Anthem in front of St. Anthony of Padua Church on Hamilton Avenue in Hamilton Township. The Glover connection to Irish heritage is an interesting situation. My father was born in Longton, Stoke on Trent in England. My wife's Irish family heritage is Kelly green Irish, with Belfast being her grandmother's birthplace. When my father was alive, the subject of the British involvement was always discussed on St. Patrick's Day. My father was a hopeless left wing liberal. Whenever the subject of St. Patrick's Day came up, I can still hear the old man opining that the Brits "should get the hell out of Ireland."

1947: HAMILTON'S EXHORBITANT TAXES

NOW YOU CAN SEE WHY I CALL THEM
"THE GOOD OLD DAYS!" THIS FROM MY "NOSTALGIA" FOLDER.

RALPH LUCARELLA said...

HI TOM....I GOT TO KNOW MR. SUTTERLY THE HAMILTON TAX COLLECTOR VERY WELL WHILE WE HAD THE HAMILTON BOWLING LANES IN 1955. HE WAS ABOUT THE MOST HONEST AND CAPABLE PUBLIC OFFICIAL I EVER MET. HE HELPED MANY TOWNSHIP RESIDENTS AT A TIME WHEN THINGS WERE EXTREMELY TOUGH. HE ALONG WITH HUGHIE McGUIRE DID A GREAT JOB IN THAT DEPT. BEST REGARDS.

Sunday, February 26, 2012

1988: MERCER COUNTY 150TH ANNIVERSARY

I have learned something as I age that I wish I had known when I was a young man. Back then, summers seemed to be endless, and time seemed to go by at a snail's pace. Once I reached the "senior years" which in my case I felt was at semi-retirement in the early 1990's. Now, time is rushing by at an alarming rate. As most of us in our twilight years will admit, the phrase, "It seems like only yesterday" is frequently brought to mind. Such is the case with the article above, wherein my journalistic colleague and friend, Russ Roberts wrote of my appointment as one of the contributors to the historic 150th anniversary of the establishment of Mercer County. The article is really a chronology of how I came to be a writer; a gift of which I will always be grateful. But by golly, tempus does fugit!

1929: 2090 GREENWOOD AVENUE; AS IT WAS

This exquisite photo from 1929 shows the original open areas around today's Hamilton municipal building. Note the vacant lot on the Ward Avenue area, and also the very mysterious left foreground which shows rows of a garden, probably the nursery that was behind the property. The mysterious white "wall" looks to be some sort of protection from the weather.

1952: REMEMBERING "GREETINGS" FROM UNCLE SAM

Back in my teen years and a bit thereafter, young men were faced with the obligation to serve in the U.S. Military. It was known as "Universal Military Training" and each of us had the obligation to serve our country hanging over our heads. In retrospect, and considering the somewhat difficult problems many young men face in this year of 2012, I believe it would be a good idea to subject them to military training when they reach the age of 17, as we did. When we finally received those fabled "Greetings" from Uncle Sam, we fulfilled our obligations and ultimately ended up in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard. The above photo is from my "MILITARY" folder in the Hamilton Library Local History Collection. Don was sitting on the running board of a "Deuce and a half" GMC truck in 1952 in combat torn Korea. I am in my first few weeks of basic training at Fort Dix, February, 1955.

RALPH LUCARELLA said...

HI TOM....MY GREETINGS WERE A LITTLE DIFFERENT IN 1944. I HAD A WIFE AND CHILD TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT. THE DRAFT WAS NOT FAIR TO MEN WITH FAMILIES. IN SOME PARTS OF THE CITY SINGLE MEN WERE AVAILable WHILE IN OTHERS THEY WERE DRAFTING MEN WITH FAMILIES. AT ANY RATE I FIGURED WE ALL WERE GOING TO BE ENLISTED SOONER OR LATER. THANK GOD MOST OF MY FRIENDS SURVIVED THAT ERA.

Saturday, February 25, 2012


Tom Glover said...

JUST ANOTHER REASON YOU AND YOUR FELLOW WWII GUYS ARE KNOWN AS
"THE GREATEST GENERATION." YOU ARE!

TOM GLOVER

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Lee Belardino said...

Tommy some of us ended up in the air force which at that time was independent of the army.I believe we should reestablish the draft with no excuse for serving except medical. Military training is good for all Americans.
Lee

Saturday, February 25, 2012

1951: HAMILTON HIGH CLASS OF 1951

As we prepare to celebrate a somewhat belated 60th reunion, I put together a few of the photos I took at our 45th or 50th reunion. Yes, classmates, mental "blurring" is fast approaching my 78 going on 79 year old gray matter......I think the younger folks call it "senility." However, below is a link that SHOULD take you to a slide show that I put together with photos of only a few of the classmates who were in attendance.

http://www.photoshow.com/watch/ij4uY9RA
WHEN THE SLIDE SHOW OPENS, LOOK DOWN TO THE LOWER LEFT OF THE SCREEN AND USE YOUR CURSOR TO EXECUTE THE "PAUSE" ("II") FEATURE. THIS WILL ALLOW YOU TO VIEW WITHOUT THE SCREEN TRANSITIONING TO THE NEXT SLIDE. WHEN FINISHED, CLICK ON THE PAUSE ICON AND RESUME; THE NEXT SLIDE WILL APPEAR. REPEAT THE PROCESS.
YOU CAN VIEW THE PHOTOS FULL SCREEN BY CLICKING ON THE "SQUARE" ICONS ON THE LOWER RIGHT OF THE SCREEN.

ee Belardino said...

Tommy
I got chills watching your slide show I watched it 10 times and will do so again. I quickly recognized you and Judy and Bill Hollowell. I had to read the names to recognize the rest. I picture in my mind Sandra Holmes at the piano. In your Kuser article I of course recognized names of many of our classmates but one name stands out. Dewayne Klink. We were the only boys in 4th period music. We were miss Bairds pets.
Lee
Saturday, February 25, 2012

HI LEE: DEWAYNE ENDED UP A HOPELESS, STREET WALKING ADDICT. IN THE 1980'S, I WAS IN FREEHOLD VISITING ONE OF MY CUSTOMERS. I WAS ENTERING THE DINER ON MAIN STREET AND I SAW HIM ON THE SIDEWALK. I SAID SOMETHING LIKE, HEY DEWAYNE, HOW ARE YOU? I HAVEN'T SEEN YOU SINCE SCHOOL DAYS. HIS RESPONSE:

"GOT A BUCK?"

I GAVE HIM A COUPLE DOLLARS AND REALIZED HE WAS COMPLETELY OUT OF IT. NEVER HEARD FROM HIM SINCE.

1947: REMEMBERING MY CLASSMATES

With my Hamilton High class of 1951 having a belated 60th reunion luncheon at the end of March, I naturally turned to my comprehensive Kuser Annex/Hamilton High School folders. One of the advantages of this blog and the many I have maintained from both schools makes it quite easy to find appropriate graphics from both schools. Above is the commencement exercise for our freshman year at Kuser Annex. I have placed a gray highlight on those classmates who have passed away.

1919 AND 1922: MERCER MANOR

Just past the five points at Mercerville, and about a quarter mile up Edinburg Road, you will see the area known as Mercer Manor. It was laid out as a new community back during the time of President Woodrow Wilson, hence the street names. Twenty five dollars down and even less for your mortgage. How times have changed!

RALPH LUCARELLA said...

IN THE 50'S TOM, I BOUGHT A LOT ON THE CORNER OF EDINBURG RD AND HOOVER FOR $1,200. THAT WAS PRETTY CHEAP FOR THAT AREA AND BUILT A HOUSE THERE FOR $17,000. I LATER DECIDED I WANTED A BRICK HOUSE AND SOLD IT TO BUY THE HOUSE ON MARSHALL AVE. FOR $17,500. I HATE TO THINK ABOUT HOW MUCH THOSE HOUSES ARE WORTH NOW. REGARDS.

Friday, February 24, 2012

JOHN L. KUSER'S "STRAWBERRY HILL"

This delightful map shows the Pennington-Hopewell- W. Trenton area of John L. Kuser's beautiful estate at the foot of Bald Pate Mountain. Thanks to old time family friend "Beb" Bill Peters for the map.
I HAVE DIGITIZED THIS MAP AT A HIGH (300) DPI SO YOU CAN WANDER
DOWN THOSE BEAUTIFUL OLD COUNTRY ROADS AND VISIT THE BUCOLIC VILLAGES ALONG THE WAY.

2012: THESE BIRDS EAT BETTER THAN I?

I have a feeding station set up on my front lawn, and also at my Hamilton Library work shop. This exquisite photo of a Cardinal who is a regular visitor came out just right as I caught him at just the right angle.

Sally Logan Gilman said...

Tom: What a gorgeous photo -- you captured this cardinal in all his colorful glory. We are "birders'' too and have a suet feeder outside our kitchen window and delight in watching bluebirds feed on the little pieces of suet dropped by hungry woodpeckers. The goldfinch will be turning bright yellow soon and they are always a delight to see. Thanks for such a beautiful picture.

Friday, February 24, 2012

2007: MEMORIES ARE MADE OF THIS

Obviously, one's personal faith is a matter of choice. Mine happens to revolve around the photo above. It would be impossible for me to count the number of times I walked up those steps in my many years at Trenton's St. Anthony of Padua parish. When I took this photo 5 years ago, memories of my conversion to the faith back in 1962 came rushing to the fore. I recalled the countless Sundays I escorted my mother and father in law there during my early marriage; it was these steps I trod when Judy and I brought our three children for baptism, confirmation, and their first Holy Communion. Precious memories that I am sure each visitor to this page has stored in their deepest and most precious memories.

RALPH LUCARELLLA said...

HI TOM....IT'S OBVIOUS YOU ARE A LOYAL CHURCH GOER FROM WAY BACK AND ACTIVE IN THE AFFAIRS OF ST. ANTHONY. I WATCHED THAT PARISH GROW FROM JUST A FEW IN THE 20'S TO WHAT IT IS TODAY. I HAVE ALWAYS REGRETED I WAS NOT A REGULAR MEMBER BUT KNEW OF MY MANY FRIENDS IN VILLA PARK WHO WERE VERY ACTIVE THERE. I MAY NOT BE ONE OF THE BETTER CATHOLICS BUT PRAISED THOSE WHO WERE LOYAL TO ST. JOACHIM'S AND ST. ANTHONY'S ALL THROUGH THEIR LIFE. BEST REGARDS

Friday, February 24, 2012

I did indeed remain loyal through "thick and thin" through most of my earlier years at St. Anthony, Ralph. Unfortunately, the "18 to 49" demographic did me in.

2007: HAMILTON HIGH MARCHING UNIT

I took this photo way back in the 2007 Trenton St. Patrick's Day parade. It is my belief that young students such as these who involve themselves in community and cultural endeavors, grow to be better citizens. Just look at those smiles!

2007: ST. ANTHONY PARISH COMMUNITY ROOM

When I retire completely, I intend to write a book. It probably will be of interest only to "locals" but one of the chapters in the book will be devoted to the countless hours I spent as a parishioner, Lector, Music provider, Eucharistic Minister, Holy Name Society President, PTA President. I will be sure to include detailed stories relating my favorite "men of the cloth" at St. Anthony during my years there, the "Iron Mike," Monsignor Michael P. McCorristin, and then-Father Leonard Toomey, Father Liam Minogue, Father Danny Cahill, and my favorite Nun, Sister Dolora, who was instrumental in organizing my "Wings of Song" scriptural music singers.
My PTA and Holy Name Society tenure brings to mind the beautifully restored "church basement" we see in the photo above. Back in the 1960's when my 3 children attended St. Anthony Grammar School, the basement was in very poor condition with hard to clean asphalt tile flooring, water-stained walls, and dilapidated furniture. It was in this room that we hosted countless PTA and Holy Name Society events. Those who are my contemporaries will recall that the mirror finish on that floor and the beautiful NEW tables were not part of our experience. Indeed, a number of our tables collapsed while events were in progress. You'll have to wait for my book for the detailed stories, but I have a million of them, including the demise of our wonderful guitar singing group, Wings of Song" which was formed to entice the younger generation to Mass.

REED'S PRIDE CIGAR BOX FROM I.W. READ MERCERVILLE

This delightful relic of the past could very well have resided on the shelves of the Hooper-Chamberlain-McCabe general Store back in the early 20th century. It is a beautiful relic of the past and holds a special place in the Hamilton Township Public Library Local History Collection.

1899: CADWALADER PARK TO YARDVILLE ON THE TROLLEY

I am a hopeless romantic. Indeed, this incredibly interesting and fascinating 113 year old article from the Trenton Evening Times will find fellow romantics hoping that the trip will never end. As the writer describes the scenes along the 3 or 4 mile journey, we romantics can imagine the cows grazing in open fields, apple orchards, the White Horse Tavern and........well, you click on the graphic and draw your own mental images as you ride a 113 year old historic journey to the past!

THANKS TO OUR VISITORS!

THANKS TO OUR VISITORS!

TO THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE ASKED ABOUT MY SUMMER 2012 CONCERTS AT THE KUSER FARM GAZEBO, I WILL BE THERE AGAIN THIS YEAR. WE WILL BE WORKING ON THE DETAILS, BUT AS OF THIS VERY SPRING LIKE FEBRUARY22 SPRING-LIKE DAY, THOUGHTS OF GREEN GRASS, FLOWERS, AND WARM WEATHER AT BUCOLIC KUSER PARK BEGIN TO COME INTO FOCUS. I HOPE TO SEE MANY VISITORS AT ONE OF THESE SUNDAY PROGRAMS. DETAILS WILL FOLLOW HERE AND IN MY "SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY" TRENTON TIMES COLUMNS.

1882: AN EQUINOCTIAL STORM HITS CENTRAL JERSEY

From the "WEATHER RELATED" folder in the Hamilton Library Local History Collection, this very large article details the incredible damage a torrential rail storm cause to the Mercer County area back in 1892. Bridges were washed away, hundreds of building destroyed, and the above report details some of the disastrous results of the storm.

NOTE: THE SIZE OF THIS GRAPHIC WILL REQUIRE A LARGE LCD COMPUTER DISPLAY. IT WILL PROBABLY BE TOO SMALL AND BLURRY FOR THE OLD CRT (CATHODE RAY TUBE) MONITOR WHICH MANY STILL USE. IT IS BARELY LEGIBLE ON MY 19" LCD MONITOR.

1881 and 1890: THAT TROUBLESOME JACOBS CREEK BRIDGE

As one who has an intense interest in preserving the past, the Jacobs Creek bridge is a subject dear to my heart. There are those who would like to bridge over that historic creek with a concrete and steel monstrosity which in my opinion would destroy the bucolic country image of the original bridges that once spanned that historic site. The Jacobs Creek bridge has been prominent in the news recently, and it is nice to know that history will be preserved. Over the years the bridges that spanned Jacobs Creek in the Titusville-West Trenton area have fallen on hard times. Above is a graphic telling part of the story, including a new bridge which had to be built just about a decade later when the Mercer County area of New Jersey became the victim of one of those fabled "storms of the century." The September 25, 1882 extract is from a detailed Trenton Evening Times article describing the incredible damage that "Equinoctial" storm caused in the area.

2012: ENLARGING IMAGES

A number of visitors as well as a number of attendees at my history programs have made me aware of an incredible site for beautiful specimens of postcards; especially Mercer County and the Trenton area. My numerous on screen slide programs require large images that lend themselves to enlarging in my Photoshop software program. On screen graphic display is a somewhat tricky and perhaps confusing process. Recently, I posted the lithograph of Mercer Hospital from my classmate Alice Schmidt Mullen. It was scanned at 300 dots per inch which allows for exponential enlarging without losing too much detail. Many visitors are aware of www.usgwarchives.org who have an incredible archive of postcards from all over the U.S. These are all displayed at 72 dots per inch, which, as you can see by the graphic in the upper right loses its clarity when attempts are made to enlarge it from its original print size. (If you right click on the entire graphic and choose "open link in new window" enlarge the images, you will see that 300 dpi maintains acceptable focus and clarity, while the 72 dpi image blurs.

1945 HOMEDELL SCHOOL CLASS PICTURE

These are classmates of mine who joined me at Kuser Annex as Hamilton High School freshmen back in 1947-1948. Students from Homedell, Greenwood and Rowan-Willey all transferred to Kuser Annex. We are celebrating our 60th year (belatedly) on March 31 with a luncheon at the Mercer County Boat House.

This exquisite post card view of the original Mercer Hospital came to me via my Hamilton High Class of 1951 classmate, Alice Schmidt Mullen. Alice's great grandfather kept a scrapbook of these old postcard in a scrapbook. They are all un-used and in pristine condition. This, and other views sent to me by Alice will be included in an upcoming on screen presentation of local photos and views of the Trenton area from the distant past.

Bob Chianese said...

Tom:
You can find old penny postcards from all the states and cities at :http://www.usgwarchives.org/special/ppcs/ppcs.html.

This one of Mercer Hospital is included, as are many others from each county.

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Hi Bob....nice to hear from you again. I am aware of the usgwarchives.org site and have downloaded a number of their post cards. An excellent site. A number of visitors and attendees at my local presentations have suggested them as a wonderful source for Trenton area graphics which they are. I just posted an explanation of how the process works a few minutes ago. I need at least 300 dots per inch in order to enlarge many of the graphics you see on my website. Unfortunately, 72 DPI doesn't cut it. Thanks for the comment, and please return often to my blogs.

Tom Glover

2011, MAY 16: THESE RARE PHOTOS OF JEWISH AREA OF SOUTH TRENTON FROM MIKE KUZMA

I HAVE RE-POSTED THE ABOVE PHOTOS RECEIVED LAST YEAR FROM MIKE KUZMA, ONE OF OUR MORE KNOWLEDGEABLE TRENTON HISTORIANS WHO REMEMBERS TRENTON'S "GOLDEN YEARS." MIKE'S HISTORICALLY VALUABLE PHOTOS WERE AMONG THOSE DELETED IN THE CURRENT GOOGLE FIASCO.
Mike Kuzma is one of my many very interesting visitors. Above is a fascinating set of photos of the old area known as "Jew Town" in the earlier years of Trenton before the demolition of that area to make room for the state buildings. The Trenton Transit bus photo is also interesting.

Mike is a very knowledgeable guy on the city of Trenton of years past which he, and many of us who recall the Trenton when the city teemed with downtown visitors. Mike, you are definitely a candidate to form your own blog centered around South Trenton and environs; your area of expertise. You really don't need access to the graphics as I post on this blog. Your verbal reminiscences provide an interesting insight. You should impart your recollections of Trenton persons, places and things of the past in a free blog of your own; give it a try. And thank you for these photos which will be preserved in our digital "TRENTON, VIEWS OF" folder in the Hamilton Library's Local History Collection.

omad said...

Looking at State and Broad now, it amazes me how narrow the two streets were. In my mind they seemed so wide with all the busses and traffic. Mike, do you know whatever happened to the Alexander twins?

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Michael said...

Omad:

One of the twins passed away several years ago. For the life of me, I can't remember which one.
I think it was Jay. The only way I could tell these identical twins apart, was by a scar Jay had under his lip; the result of hit by his cousin Irwin Spiegel. I bumped into the surviving brother at the Walnut Street Theatre in Phila. many years ago, we Chatted and spoke of retirement, and fond memories of our growing up in South Trenton.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Michael said...

Omad:

Update for you. Emailed the twins cousin Herb Speigel, a professor at Mercer County College.
Herb tells me Richard the surviving twin is 78 tears od tomorrow May 16th, living in retirement locally ( which means Yardley perhaps) and taking a lot of cruises.

Hope this helps.

Regards

Mike Kuzma

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Anonymous said...

Two of the nicest guys I ever knew. We worked at Woodlawn Pool together for a summer and they were great. I always thought Dick was the more handsome one and Jay the most fun. They were 3 yrs older and I was probably star struck about them since they were also great swimmers. Thanx for that update. Been away from Trenton for over 50 yrs but still like to hear about old friends.

Monday, May 16, 2011

Ralph Lucarella said...

COULD YOU JUST PICTURE THE LETTER CARRIERS HAVING TO CATCH BUSSES TO THEIR ROUTES GETTTING ON AT STATE AND BROAD WITH BAGS LOADED WITH MAIL AND SMALL PACKAGES. THAT'S THE WAY IT WAS IN THE 40 AND 50'S, I DID APPRECIATE THOSE WHO GAVE UP THEIR SEATS TO THESE HARD WORKING PEOPLE. BEST REGARDS.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011