The top graphic above is a closer view of the Wilson store that stood on the southeast corner of State and Broad for so many years. I tweaked the darker with contrast and brightness controls to bring out as much detail as possible from the pristine original seen below. This is center city Trenton 90 years ago; truly a "todelin' town," to borrow a line from Frank Sinatra.
Hi Tom, Glad to see you are posting. Our loved ones are always close by, in our thoughts and memories.
ReplyDeleteIt's all in the details. The photo is dated, December 7th. If you look closely, in front of the United Cigar store, there are two Salvation Army, or DVUF, Santas with a chimney collection box. The one Santa is standing on a wooden platform, to keep his feet warm. There is a broom leaning up against the lamp post, to clean up after them? Also, across the street, the early stages of the newspaper stand that would eventually occupy the whole corner. The papers are laying on the sidewalk. Unusual, set up. Very neat photo. rayfromvillapark
Tom:
ReplyDeleteIf my memory, and eyes serve me correctly, isn't that "Spader the Peanut man" in the bowler hat speaking to another geneleman behind where stands the faux santas'?
Spader was famous, and a local ledgend in this area of downtown Trenton.
Mike Kuzma
HEY MIKE, YOU MENTIONED SPADER THE PEANUT MAN. IN ALL THE PARADES HE PROUDLY WORE HIS MILITARY UNIFORM AND WALKED ALONG WITH ALL THE REST OF THE PARADE. THERE WAS'NT A GAME AT WETZEL FIELD THAT YOU DID'NT SEE HIM SELLING HIS ROASTED PEANUTS FOR 5 CENTS A BAG WITH HIS TOP HAT AND BIG SMILE. BEST REGARDS AND MERRY CHRISTMAS.
ReplyDeleteI took a second look at the signs and it seems the Fouratt's was a brand of Victrola and then high above there is a Pan Dandy sign that caught my interest. It seems that was a commercial washing soap. Of course you old timers know that but with these pictures Tom posts, there is many an itch I have to scratch.
ReplyDeleteEd Millerick
Just a little history:
ReplyDeleteFouratt's was a music shop that sold both records and record players. The proprietor was Elmer E. Fouratt Jr.
His dad was a rubber worker that lived on North Olden and on Klagg Ave before that. He arrived in the US before 1900, along with a brother William.
The store near Broad and State (as my Grandfather used to call it - who am I to argue) was the second location. In the 20s' the original shop was located down the street a bit at 234 E. State St. past what is now the Bell Telephone building.
Mr. Fouratt Jr. likely walked to work, living in Wilkinson Place, just a few blocks away.