The above photo of Len Beckett's wrecker is a masterpiece of auto antiquity. Combined with the ad I found in my Hamilton library  Local History newspaper collection, this post represents a valuable historical automobilia addition to the Hamilton Library's Local History digital database.

rayfromvillapark said...

Hi Tom, What a magnificent photograph. I'm trying hard to identify this wrecker, but I can't see enough of the details surrounding the front end to make a guess. So many cars look alike during that era. It is probably from about 1912 to 1916. You will notice, I said "cars". This vehicle started out as a touring car or roadster, and ended up as a wrecker. Garage owners did this regularly, using the larger more powerful cars, which would have a heavier chassis and great pulling power with low torque and a low ratio rear end gear. The car was used up by the original owner and could be purchased for a good price. Then converted to a wrecker. Sometimes, the boom was home made and sometimes commercially made, like a Holmes or Tow Chief unit. This looks commercial, because of the cranking mechanism. Notice, the large fire extinguisher on the running board.
The gas station, is the same Gulf station, in the photo you published a few days ago. The car behind may be a Buick Touring. The more I look at this photo, the more I want to say Packard. Anybody care to wager a guess? Love this photo. rayfromvillapark

Thursday, May 31, 2012 

Anonymous said...

Tom:

I was about to say the same thing Ray noted; this is the same STATION mention a few weeks ago.

I capitalized STATION, since the adv. got past the copy editior with the spelling of staiton.
As noted, "never closed" must have effected them when preparing the ad.

Mike Kuzma

Thursday, May 31, 2012 

GREAT COMMENTS, RAY AND MIKE.

TOM

It is now and will continue to be my policy to post the most detailed photos on this website that I can find. Whenever I receive one of those washed out 1960' and 70's faded color photos, I do my best to bring them back to their original glory. One of the projects on which I am working now involves a rather lengthy series of Photo Shop enhancements from the incredible Duke University Library R.C.Maxwell Collection. 

The incredibly clear photo above shows the results of my experimentation. Unfortunately, many of the very old newspaper photos which were published before offset printing was perfected must be accepted as presented. I have succeeded in improving most of those poorly exposed photos. I am currently working on a "Trenton Landmarks" series done by the Trenton Times some 85 years ago.

 Anonymous said...

Thanks, Tom for publishing the Broad St scene showing Goldy's Hardware and Feed Store. This was my great grandfather Mabury Goldy's store and then my great uncle Leon Goldy owned it. I remember visiting there when I was little!
Lakeside Girl

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

 

 Anonymous said...

Gee you have to wonder how many streets have those old trolly tracks beneath the macadam? Or how many of the original Belgian cobbles remain; the last I remember were dug from the New York and Mulberry area in around 1986 or so?

Ed Millerick

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

 

 Anonymous said...

Ah Tom, your photo captured the heart of the most diverse ethic neighborhood in all Trenton.
To the left I think is the terminus of Roebling Ave. When you cross over So. Broad you begin Watson which was only a block long to Adeline St.
Rosen's was a nice store and later became Louie Rosen's ( my jr. 4 classmate) dental office in the early 60's. Beyond Rosen's was the Chambersburg Building & Loan, later known as Old Borough S&L, than the Post office, sundry stores, and the 2nd precient Police Station.

In a report I made as a Trenton City Planner, I reported that you could be birthd South Broad St. between Dye, and Liberty, and have all your life's needs taken care of in the short span. Everything from Hospitals to Undertakers!!!

Always remembered the European Spice Store, where you could get any National ingrediant needed for those special dishes from the old Country.

Regards

Mike Kuzma

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

 

 SJBill said...

Stanley's Radio was a bit different from most radio shops - he built the radios from the metal chassis: punched the holes for the tube sockets, he had custom designed front panels, and associated hardware> After mechanical assembly he wired the box sold them directly to the consumer.

He was excellent at making corrosion resistant shortwave marine radios, two of which were purchased by my father over the years. After the purchase, Mr. Stanley would drive to the boat (at Barnegat) and match the transmitter to the antenna and lead length to complete the deal. He was a real craftsman.

Just up the block was Deutz Jewelers. Mr. Deutz used an eye loupe that was fixed to his well worn eyeglasses. At one time he repaired the broken mainspring of my Hopalong Cassidy watch. I believe he charged me a dollar or so, which was a large sum for a five year old kid(1951). I could have more wisely spent the money on 20 single-dip ice cream cones from Kovach's Mercer Confectionery on S. Clinton.

On the opposite side, Hooper's Paints later modernized a bit and became an outlet for M.A. Bruder (just this side of the TPD 2nd Precinct HQs.

The luncheonette at Roebling and Broad later became Kiraly's Hungarian Restaurant. IIRC, Aristocrat Ice Cream was a brand made by the same company as Dolly Madison. Good stuff, but not nearly as good as hand dipped or packed Breyers.

What a neighborhood we had - very friendly and prosperous. Great businessmen (except for Broadway Records).

Thursday, May 31, 2012

 

What great comments! They add so much to the character of that area. Many times I passed that area as our L9 Liberty Street bus went to and from the city of Trenton to the end of the line at my neighborhood.

Tom Glover 

1942; ANOTHER PRISTINE PHOTO OF TRENTON

Still another exquisite photo of North warren Street at Princeton Avenue. Levin's Department Store has been quite prominent over the last view days, as I seem to be uncovering a number of photos from the Battle Monument area.

 Anonymous said...

Hush! Crypto applies to all hands! Seeing that "Ever-Ready Razors is cause for me at least to break radio silence. I saved at least one of the "old fashioned" double edge razors since I was getting tired of tossing the increasingly more and more expensive disposable types. To my shock, I located a pack if those "old boys" in one if the major brand pharmacies (Walgreen's perhaps?) and they are certainly a bit cheaper but aside from being a tad heavier, hold an edge for at least twice as long. I don't think we will "sink ships" over this but the "Navy" in me will not allow a Toshiba product in the house since they (Toshiba) and a Norwegian Company sold out the technology that gave the "Ruskies" the technology to "mill" silent submarine propellers back in the late 70's. All Toshiba got was a slap on the wrist and two years to fill warehouses before the "import ban" took effect.

Ed Millerick

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

 

1942: WAR TIME TRENTON

Here is a  photo of West State and Warren Street from the year 1942. This is a closeup view showing the Trenton I knew as a young man; a Trenton that was alive and vibrant with busy shoppers and heavy auto traffic. I have enlarged this very detailed photo from the Duke University Library's R.C. Maxwell collection. One can actually take a "virtual tour" if one stands on the sidewalk next to that Plymouth auto in the foreground which has a "Fort Dix" pass above the license plate.

rayfromvillapark said...

Hi Tom, Can't help myself. That's a 1941 Plymouth. Look closely, it appears as though there is a Dodge 4x4 army truck crossing State, on Warren. Like a command car type. Best regards, rayfromvillapark

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

 

 Tom Glover said...

THANKS FOR THE CORRECTION, RAY. I HAVE CHANGED IT FROM DODGE TO PLYMOUTH. GLAD YOU CAN'T HELP YOURSELF....YOU'RE HELPING ME TO KEEP HONEST.

TOM

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

 

1930's: ORIGINAL HOME OF DELORENZO TOMATO PIES?

This is a contemporary "Google Street View" of the building at 439 South Broad Street.
It is my understanding that DeLorenzo's Tomato Pies got their start in this building at 439 South Broad street in Trenton. I will need confirmation of refutation on this unverified post. Rick, Al, John, Can you guys help me with this? Also wasn't "Pat" one of the the early 1940's DeLorenzo guys I remember as a young boy of 16 or 17?

 Anonymous said...

Tom:
A few years ago, I commented about Rick DeLorenzo's family having a "Tomatoe Pie" restaurant in this building which was Officially beyond the boudnaries of "Mill Hill" This is at the corner of Ferry and South Broad a just below what was the "famous/infoamous Eagle Tavern" Across the street was the Hamilton Hotel, and in the same building as Delorenzo's on the 2nd floor, Sam Guidotti had a fine dining establishment where I took my wife on our first "dinner date" in 1959. It was named Armondo's.
We attributed that particular block, and corner as part of our everloving " South Trento".

Fond regards

Mike Kuzma

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

 

Thanks, Mike. I removed the Mill Hill reference.

Tom

 Lee Belardino said...

Tommy
I know that you place that picture on Broad street but I could swear thatit on Hudson and Mott. My granfather had a grocery store down aways near those trees on 412 Hudson.The older guys hung out in front of Delorenzo, watching the girls pass by and chasing us kids away. We payed $.35 for a pie when we could afford it.I think thats the place.
Lee .

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

 

 JoeB said...

Tom/Lee:
That picture is on S Broad and Ferry Street. The original place was on Hudson and Mott a couple of doors down from your Grand Father store Lee. They moved from Hudson and Mott to S Broad and Ferry, then when they moved from S Broad and Ferry, Chickie opened on Hudson St and Rickie opened up on Hamilton Avenue.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

 

THANKS FOR THE HISTORY, GUYS.

TOM GLOVER

1930'S? KEMP FUNERAL HOME 315 CENTRE STREET IN A ROW HOME

GARY SZABO WROTE:

Tom . . . I came across this photo of Elmer Kemp's first funeral parlor located on Centre St. in Trenton which he opened in 1915. I'm told he purchased the McGalliard estate on White Horse Ave. in 1948 and operated as a funeral home which he until his death in 1960. Ward Kingston then purchased the business which continues as the Kingston and Kemp Funeral Home today.

Gary Szabo

Thanks for the photo, Gary. Those old tax photos were always taken hastily with the negative and the ever present writing of the house numbers being superimposed in white on the final product. I don't normally post these tax photos due to the quality of the photos. However, this one is an interesting view of the Kemp Funeral Home on Centre Street in Trenton. Thanks to a bit of "Photoshopping," I removed the street numbers and straightened out the original which was lopsided vertically by 2 or 3 degrees starboard. Gary, it's input like yours that add to the historic value of this website. I never knew that Kemp started in a row house at 315 Centre Street in Trenton. Many thanks.
(By the way, I try to veer away from those Trenton tax photos, most of which are residential structures in the city before they began to implement the re-development process. Additionally, the focus on most of them is usually out of focus. This one is an exception. This one is definitely an exception as it is a commercial entity.)
Thanks again.
Tom Glover

 Anonymous said...

Tom:
I too am surprised to read that Kemp had a funeral home in the 3oo block of Center st. It was on this block that I began my public school education at the Skelton School in 1938, while the new Parker school was being constructed.
Ed Douress had a funeral home on that block for many many years. He was the first to run a livery of Funeral cars, and hearses from that location in addition to being the "Undertake of choice" for Sacred Heart parish, just up the St. I ushered at Sacred Heart with Ed Douress, and Barry Orpen our City Councilman back in the day.

Nice photo editiing job.

Mike Kuzma

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

 

1915: JANES-BRENNER JEWELERS

As you can see by the graphics, the Janes-Brenner company once held forth at 127 North Broad Street, in the building shown in the photo. The earliest material I could find was 1915. However, their business filed for bankruptcy a year later in November 1916. Thanks for the Duke University Library's R.C. Maxwell collection for thisvery rare photo.

little known Trenton Jeweler.

1942: TRENTON'S TOMATO DEPOT: STOKELEY

I worked on Joe Bertothy's cornfields back in the 1940's. Joe had a small area set aside for the fabled Jersey tomato (4 or 5 rows) and his output was not enough to truck over to the Stokeley plant on Lalor Street. However, many of us veteran Trenton area residents remember seeing the huge line of farm trucks laden with tomatoes as they were being unloaded at the Stokeley receiving doc. The aforementioned veteran Trentonians will also recall how the baskets being transported via those trucks were tilted to the centerline of the truck to assure proper weight distribution. Ahh, those memories. I remember Bobby Soffel, Don Slabicki and I sitting in a tomato patch on a warm summer day, each with a salt shaker, imbibing in a snack of a ripe Jersey tomato. We would pick the ones closest to the ground, wipe off the dust and dirt, and enjoy. MMM-mmm GOOD!

1935: CHAMBERS STREET TOWARD CEDAR LANE?

This photo is unidentified in the R.C. Maxwell Collection. However, As I looked carefully, I thought that this was a view of Chambers Street in 1935. The moving force behind my speculation was the white church on the right side, still standing today. Repeat: This is speculation on my part and subject to correction by a more knowledgeable visitor.

 

JBill said...

Excellent, Tom! You're headed noth on Chambers towards Cedar Lane with the cross street being William St.
A few "new" trees are present in today's field of view. The buildings on the right have changed very little. Even the telephone poles are in the same spot.

Tuesday, May 29, 2012 

Blake Bolinger said...

Is that a Jersey Maid Ice Cream sign hanging on the building to the right? Blake

Tuesday, May 29, 2012 

Anonymous said...

Tom - The little white church on the right side is the firwst home of Memorial Baptist Church. It began as a mission church from Calvary Baptist Church in Trenton. The church founders were meeting in people's homes in the Broad St Park area. The building became available when the Baptist Church in Windsor closed and was moved there in parts onto this site. The congregation decided to build in Hamilton in 1957. The current church is alive and well at the corner of S Broad St and Highland Ave in Yardville Heights. Thanks for publishing this picture of our old church and all the work you do to restore these old photos! Lakeside Girl

Wednesday, May 30, 2012 

Mack said...

I remember it concrete like this when I was very young.. Great pic..and yes Cedar approaching as you say :)

Thursday, May 31, 2012 

YES, BLAKE. THAT IS A JERSEY MAID ICE CREAM SIGN. ONE OF MY FAVORITES WAS THEIR CHERRY VANILLA.

TOM GLOVER

1951: MARINE SGT. RAY SYPNIEWSKI SGT LEN GLOVER

Memorial Day, Armed Forces Day and Veterans' Day take on a new meaning for me in this year of 2012. I have always had a special place in my heart for the American military from the War of 1812 up to the current situation in the middle east. Today I am posting two very personal clippings from my Local History database.

It has always been a puzzle to me why we haven't given formal recognition to a boy with whom I grew up back in the 1940's. Ray Sypniewski was the first U.S. casualty of the Korean war in Mercer County and Hamilton Township to return home in a casket; giving his life in the Korean war. The Sypniewski family and the Glover family will not forget this American hero who made the ultimate sacrifice as a member of Company D of the Second Battalion, 5th Marines. May God rest his soul and know we will never forget his sacrifice.

My "big brother" Len passed away two weeks ago, and has gone to be with the Lord in that special place he promised all of us. A day or two before he passed on, he and I were talking and he wondered if God would ask him about all those innocent men, women and children he killed during his 36 missions over Nazi Germany in a Consolidated B 24 Liberator. The memory was with him through all these years. May God rest his soul; Ray and Len: WE WILL MEET AGAIN!

JoeZ said...

TOM: A VERY TOUCHING STATEMENT, HE SAVED THE LIVES OF MANY TO ALLOW THEM TO LIVE IN PEACE AND NOT FEAR THE EVIL THAT ONCE ENCIRCLED THEIR LIVES. GOD BLESS AND MAY HE REST IN PEACE.

Tuesday, May 29, 2012 

1920's EAST STATE STREET

These photographs require a bit of detective work. The original is not labeled as to place and date. However, the autos in the photo date it to the 1920's. A search of the newspaper database comes up with Max Haber operating a shoe shop at 15 East State Street, so I am going to make a leap of faith and surmise that this pristine R.C. Maxwell photo shows the store fronts along East State street from number 15 on the extreme left. Don't miss Karl Weidel's establishment, and be sure to examine the exquisite architecture as you pan to the roof tops of the buildings in the photo.

Anonymous said...

Tom:

I'm going to go along with your assuption, since the "Arcade Billiards/Bowling alleys is where I worked as a kid in the 40's setting pins for two cents a game.
The term "Arcade" came from the Arched passageway noted in the photo that had shops, and led to steps that took you down to the Front St. Entrance. Travers book store was in the vicinity of the Weidel building who in later years moved around the corner to South Warren St. just below the First Mechanics bank building at State and Warren.

Great photos, and another great job.
Be well

Mike Kuzma

Saturday, May 26, 2012 

RALPH LUCARELLA said...

HEY MIKE, FROM ONE PIN SETTER TO ANOTHER, I SET PINS FOR THE SAME 2 CENTS AT CARABELLI'S IN BROWNS MILLLS DURING THE EARLY 30'S. LATER ON WHEN WE INSTALLED AUTOMATIC PIN SETTERS AT OUR HAMILTON BOWLING LANES IN THE 50'S, IT WAS A COMPLETE CHANGE IN THE BOWLING BUSINESS. IT TOOK THE GAME OUT OF CONTROL OF THE KIDS. I RECALL THE ARCADE AND ALL THE EARLY BOWLING ALLEYS. THANK GOD FOR AUTOMATION.

Sunday, May 27, 2012 

SJBill said...

Here's anpother. I set pins at Heil's for both sets of owners: John and Jake Heil, and then for Joe and Leo Derrico.

Joe was a Junior Four and THS grad, and played ball for the Philadelphia A's Minor League system.

Tuesday, May 29, 2012