1946: STATE AND BROAD CLOSEUP

This graphic took quite some time to go through the Photoshop process of tweaking contrast/brightness, and zeroing in on the segment shown in the graphic. How I love these views of Trenton with the cars that were in style back when quality was the rule. I often wish I were a billionaire. I would manufacture an exact duplicate of one of those autos in the photo, exact except they would have 21st century electronics and steel bumpers and bodies. Egads, how you do dream, Tom Glover!

1946: THE TRENTON OF MY YOUTH!

Not only my youth but the youth of many visitors who remember when a shopping trip to downtown Trenton was to journey to a live and vital town with a large variety of stores. Yards, Dunham's, Stacy Sport Shop, Nevius Voorhees, Carlton Clothes, F.W. and R.A. Donnelly, A.S. Beck Shoes....how many can you remember? These were indeed the golden years of Trenton before the 1968 riots and the advent of shopping malls.

1923: FREIHOFER'S BREAD

You are a true old timer if you remember when mom had the table shown in the graphic. Prior to around 1939 in the Glover home, we preferred un-sliced bread. The reason was perfectly logical. During the Great Depression, an un sliced loaf of bread would have a longer shelf life without air being induced between the slices of sliced bread. How well I remember the scene above. The butcher knife and un-sliced bread: perfect together. This would also be the era when we poor financially embarrassed citizens would take that slice of bread, stab it with a fork, and toast it over our open fired kitchen coal or wood stove.

1934: SLACKWOOD TROLLEY HEADS OUT E. STATE STREET TO SLACKWOOD

How I miss our Transit Historian, the late Leyland "Lee" Buker. He was a walking talking encyclopedia on the Trenton Transit system from its earlies years and up to his unfortunate passing. I would wager that Lee would look at that photo and tell us who the operator of that beautiful old trolley was. Trenton Trolleys were being replaced by buses in the late 1930's

1936: NORTH BROAD AT STATE STREET

Note the very familar CAPITOL theater sign gleaming in the 1936 sunlight. I have to agree wholeheartedly with our auto expert Ray Paskiewicz; these autos in their original environment are absolutely beautiful

1936: STORE FRONTS ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF E. STATE STREET

Ray, look at those grand old autos parked along E. State Street! While you're there, don't miss the "five and dime" store whose storefront is partly shown. As a point of interest, the only sign I ever recall being where that Brock sign is located was the Ballantine Beer clock sign in the late 40's and early 50's. Looking at center city Trento scenes such as this brings back memories of a vital, viable and relatively safe center city Trenton.

1934:BRIDGE STREET APPROACHING LAMBERTON

I will leave it to a South Trenton native to tell me what the building in the far background is. Also, the name of the church whose spire is seen in the photo; another pristine and segmented R.C. Maxwell treasure.

1938: North Broad at Feeder St. and RR crossing

This is a segmented photo showing the Colonial Restaurant and an adjoining clothing store. Once again, a pristine photo with what I believe is a Willys Overland car. Subject to verification by our resident auto expert Ray Paskiewicz. Incidentally Ray, your email with other Maxwell views much appreciated. Unfortunately I can't get to the actual graphic with the description you gave. All Maxwell photos have an XXH typs prefix followed by a number. Additionally, I will probably run across some of those you listed. There are more Maxwell photos to be formatted, copyright noted and posted.
ONCE AGAIN, A NOTE TO NEWCOMERS: TO ENLARGE THE GRAPHIC, RIGHT CLICK ON IT, AND CHOOSE "OPEN LINK IN A NEW WINDOW." IT WILL ENLARGE. LOOK FOR A POSSIBLE MAGNIFYING GLASS TO ENLARGE EVEN MORE,

1936; STATE AND BROAD ST. TRENTON AT NIGHT

I recall the many times I ventured into downtown Trenton on a Thursday night to pick up my high school sweetheart and wife of 59 years as the stores closed down at 9. I was there almost every Thursday night waiting along E. State Street just past the bus stop for Judy to meet me as Yard's closed their doors for the night. The scene above is a bit earlier than my 1949 and 1950's journeys to the city, but chances are my favorite Trenton police officer at the time, Chet Hughes would look the other way as I spent a few minutes waiting. Pleasant memories!

1988: "THE MOONLIGHTERS" AT KUSER GAZEBO

When financial times were good, Hamilton Township paid a very substantial amount of money to contract with professional musicians to come to the Hamilton Gazebo for 8 summer weeks. Unfortunately, the financial crunch over the past 10 years or so has resulted in the elimination of professional musicians to perform each Sunday. Our citizens loved those weekly gazebo programs and when they were curtailed during the administration of Mayor Glen Gilmore, I offered to bring my non-professional music to the citizens. Needless to say, a Tom Glover replacing seasoned professionals was a dud for many, but on the other hand, a number of citizens loyally attended my programs over the past 7 years. My credo, taken from the Bible, "wherever two or more are gathered in my name" has been the hallmark of this Sunday program, "The Music We Grew Up With." With a bit more support from a few "town fathers," I do believe we could get this thing off the ground. In all those years, only two township officials visited this austere volunteer effort: Glen Gilmore and John Bencivengo. For those visitors to this blog who have been asking, I will be doing the programs again this year if the township wants me.

My recent column in the "HAMILTON PLUS" section of the Trenton  Times has garnered a large number of first time visitors.

To those newcomers:

When you RIGHT click on a graphic, choose OPEN LINK IN A NEW WINDOW and you will be able to enlarge the graphic to the maximum.

WELCOME! THANKS FOR VISITIING; I HOPE YOU RETURN OFTEN, 

QUESTIONS TO tglover320@optimum.net or
tomglover320@gmail.com

Sally Logan Gilman said...

Hi Tom: I've been a frequent visitor for years and just now, thanks to your instructions, I right clicked on the graphic and did the other thing you said and saw a nice, large image. You've told us this many times but this time it took. Finally. Regards

Friday, February 22, 2013

Tom Glover said...

Sally:
So happy that you know the method of enlarging graphics. You can now go back and read all the small print!

XO
Tom

Friday, February 22, 2013

 

My Kuser School buddy Harry Hall sent the link below to me, knowing I have always had an interest in automobilia. The link will bring you to a site that has the most incredible array of autos you could ever imagine. As I arrowed down through the gallery of incredible automobile beauty, I wished that I had the winning lottery number. I would gladly pay the price for that '49 Delahaye. This photo will be permanently esconced in the Hamilton Township Public Library Local History Collection in the "AUTOMOBILIA" folder.               

http://members4.boardhost.com/AllExperts/msg/1210806446.html

1937: E. STATE ST. AT THE RR CROSSING

I was more interested in the little details of this photo. White Owl cigar for a nickel, and look at that beautiful Buick on the R.C. Maxwell board; "It's Buick Again!" Ray Paskiewicz, am I wrong in dating that ford as a 1935? It seems I drove a station wagon belonging to Joe Bertothy a farmer Don Slabicki and I worked for back in the 1940's. It had the same grille.

1940: NORTH BROAD STREET LOOKING SOUTH

There's the Castanea Dairy Co. on the left of this photo, and a delightful view looking down toward State and Broad Street. The Capitol Theatre can be seen in the distance.

THIS PHOTO WAS PREVIOUSLY POSTED BACK IN JUNE 2012. THANKS TO RAY PASKIEWICZ FOR ADVISING ME. I AM RE-POSTING THE COMMENTS WHICH ACCOMPANIED THE JUNE POST:

rayfromvillapark said...

Hi Tom, Another tremendous photo, that brings back personal memories for me. Back in 1960, I started a new job, in the Engineering Department of Public Service Electric. Our office was in the middle of the block on Warren St, North of Perry St. There was an alley between Warren and Broad, just across from the Borden Castanea restaurant. Every day for six years, a group of us would take our morning break and walk over to that restaurant for coffee and a pastry. I wish I could remember the waitress's name. She was there all those years and was very friendly; service with a smile. You are close on the date. It is at least 1949. To the right, ahead of the La Salle, which is pulling away from the curb, there is a 1941 Studebaker and ahead of that car, is a 1949 Ford. Look closely at the tail light and the gas cap, below it. Only year of that style Ford, with the older gas cap. The following year, they had a flip up door, with a hidden gas cap. That's the newest car I can see. By the way, the old Chevy, heading south is a 1938 model.Very neat picture. rayfromvillapark

Saturday, June 02, 2012

Anonymous said...

Ray:

I too remember that Alley well.
It was Cobblestone paved, and ran next to Tut Petranto's "beauty supplies" In qoutes because those who knew Tut, knew the real business he was in. The alley came out on Warren St, wher Russ Pertanto ( Tut's nephew) had his optomotrist office.

In front of the Battle Monument, was the Sunoco Station that sat in the middle of the park of the monument. which had the Canal feeder runniing in front of it.
And who could forget peering into th E.L.Kerns modern Bottleing plant watching all those exotic flavors being pumped into the bottles with ELK head on it.
Red Cream was our family favorite, followed by the Ginger Ale.

Regards

Mike Kuzma

Saturday, June 02, 2012

Anonymous said...

Tom, though it was pretty much the year I was born in I'll agree on the dates of the cars. The Chevy Sedan Delivery and Plymouth appear to be 1948 and 1949. Our family did not have a car till about later 50's so I was a bit behind. Still remember the first car Mom had, it was a 1960 turquoise and white Corvair and no they did not spin like the Ford film and Motor Trend (also owned by Ford) said unless you got off the gas in the middle of a turn, and ran the wrong tire pressures; same as the 911 Porsche or any rear engine. Ford was poor engineering but great in the "Propaganda Department". PS .. to this day Ralph Nader has never even had a drivers license nor legally driven a car. Guess who funded "Unsafe at any speed"? Sadly, the damage was done, and GM gave up instead of fighting. Meanwhile, the Mustang that was on a Falcon platform won the battle. Carroll Shelby just passed away last week, a great racer and engineer, he gave us the only Mustang to handle well in addition to the classic Cobras.

Ed Millerick

Saturday, June 02, 2012

rayfromvillapark said...

Hi Tom, Upon further study of this photograph, I am confirming that this photo is from 1949. 1948 and 1950 New Jersey license plates are straw colored, with Black numbers and letters. 1949 plates are Black, with off White numbers.
The car that I thought was pulling away from the curb is actually terribly parked (try leaving your car like today), there is no driver. Also, I said it was a 1940 La Salle Series 52, but in reality, it is a 1940 Cadillac Series 62. I didn't notice the free standing headlight, and the parking light mounted on the fender. Both cars used the same body. For the record, the Sedan Delivery to the left, behind the Chevy panel truck, is a 1946 Chevy model, which used a lot of the passenger car components. The more you study these photos, full blown in size, the more you see! Incredible. rayfromvillapark

Saturday, June 02, 2012

1915: THE PANTALEONE FAMILY MUSICIANS

Recent changes in the demographic makeup of the Chambersburg area has become a very important part of my historical research for the Hamilton Local History Collection. The history of that section of Trenton is a fascinating chronology of the immigration experience. From what was once an area of orchards and cornfields, and eventually evolved into English and German residents, then the Italian incursion in the late 19th and early 20th century and up to today when the area has again undergone a sea change with an increasing Hispanic incursion. What a fascinating history! I remember when my brother Len was courting his wife to be back in the 1940's going with him one day to the Bucca home and as we drove the quaint steets of the "Burg" we would pass an occasional man or woman washing the front steps of their row home, or sweeping out the gutters and front sidewalks. How great it would be if today such diligence in cleanliness was the rule. The above graphic fascinates me in a personal way. Way back in the early part of the 20th century, Dr. Raphael Pantaleone was recognized as one of the most prominent and respected members of what was then known as "the Italian Colony." Dr. Pantaleone's boys in the above graphic went on to become very talented musicians. Back in the 1980's my son Tom, Joe Kildea, Joe Bogner and an incredibly talented Eddie Pantaleone formed the very talented group known as "Valhalla." These guys were destined for fame, but unfortunately they didn't know the right people and didn't have the financial ability to make the "big time." Young Eddie Pantaleone was a standout as the group's bass guitar player; indeed, Valhalla was an incredibly talented group of guys. Eddie's dad lived on Greenwood Avenue near South Olden and he too was a talented musician and guitar teacher.

1924: TRENTON TIMES GOES HIGH TECH!

In a recent post on this website, Ralph Lucarella, our resident "been there, done that" local Trenton area historian told of the times he went to watch the world series on the Trenton Times "Playograph." It must have been the wonder of the age! Just imagine watching a called strike, a base on balls, an error, a home run or any other play in a baseball game, all recalled within a minute or so as it happened many miles away! This 1924 Trenton Times photo and description of the affair is accompanied by a photo that shows the HUGE crowd watching the Playograph on the Trenton Times Stockton Street building. Today we have high definition LED and Plasma television that can see the stitching on a baseball. As that old Virginia Slim cigarette used to say, "You've come a long way baby!"

RALPH LUCARELLA said...

HI TOM...THAT PHOTO GIVES YOU SOME IDEA OF HOW POPULAR THAT ARRANGEMENT OF THE WORLD SERIES WAS AT CITY HALL. I RECALL BEING THERE WITH MANY FROM THE BURG AND ELSEWHERE. IT WAS JUST ONE EXAMPLE OF THE OLD TIMES THAT ALONG WITH VAUDIVILLE IN THE THEATRES AND THE LOW COST OF LIVING MADE THINGS SEEM EASIER. BEST REGARDS

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

1987: MY BROMLEY

The year 2013 Marks the 50th year that my dear wife Judy and I have been living in the Bromley section of Hamilton in our charming and austere 1939 Cape Cod home. Over the years, and due to the proximity to the Trenton city line, the Bromley area has become the victim of "white flight." Many neighbors around us saw some sort of threat to our "lily white" Woodlawn Park neighborhood. Having been born and bred in an integrated neighborhood where "white flight" was never a consideration, we stayed the course and intend to live out the rest of our years in the home we lovel; missing our closest and intimate across the street neighbors the McLaughlins. The "newcomers" who moved into the neighborhood after the white flight exodus have proven to be personable neighbors who go about the business of being good and friendly citizens.

Above is a little vignette I put together from various graphics from my "BROMLEY" folder in the Hamilton Library Local History Collection. 

Anonymous said...

What frightened me from buying a wonderful home on Hollywood Drive when I getting married in the 80's was not the mixed nature of the neighbord, it was looking at the neighbors homes and seeing bars on the windows and doors. Having lived through a few attempted break-in's and getting held up? I knew it was time to leave.

Ed Millerick

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

1915-1923 COLONIAL VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY

This was the fire company of my childhood. It was here that I and my 3rd grade Kuser School class went on a tour of that great old fire house which was then located on Liberty Street and Newkirk Avenue. I remember the fireman laughing when I asked him if that big bell hanging from a concrete arch was the Liberty bell. He told me it was from Trenton's City Hall. As can be seen in the two articles above, the need for a fire company was discussed back in 1915 and was really the beginning of negotiations for a fire company which 8 years later would become the Colonial Volunteer Fire Company; the name was chosen due to the fact that the new fire house would be built on land in the 1912   COLONIAL GARDENS TRACT.

1952: CHARLIE HOWELL RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN

Charlie and Inez Howell were regular visitors to Kuser Farm during the years my best friend Don Slabicki and I worked for the Kusers. Charlie was the consummate gentleman and Inez, like her sister Edna were among the most gracious and classy ladies I have met. One Sunday night at one of our weekly visits to the Kuser Farm theater, Don and I were setting up the chairs in the huge Kuser dining room/theater when Edna approached us and asked if we would chauffeur Congressman  Charlie through the Pennington area. What a fun day! We tooled the streets of Pennington as Charlie greeted citizen from the back seat of the convertible we drove. Don and I had only recently gotten our driver licenses but were already seasoned drivers having driven the Kuser Ford cars all over the expansive Kuser property in our early teen years.  

2013: A BIT OF LEVITY, PLEASE!

This email was forwarded to me by my brother Donny. I find it to be very funny and entertaining. Remember: We all make mistakes!

Those wonderful Church Bulletins!

These sentences (with all the BLOOPERS) actually appeared in church bulletins or were announced in church services:

-----------------

The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals.

-----------------

The sermon this morning: Jesus Walks on the Water.

The sermon tonight: Searching for Jesus.

-----------------

Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.

-----------------

Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say 'Hell' to someone who doesn't care much about you.

-----------------

Don't let worry kill you off - let the Church help.

-----------------

Miss Charlene Mason sang 'I will not pass this way again,' giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.

-----------------

For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.

-------------------

Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get.

-----------------------

Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days.

-----------------------

A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow.

----------------------

At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be 'What Is Hell?' Come early and listen to our choir practice.

-----------------------

Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.

-----------------------

Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.

-----------------------

The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility.

-----------------------

Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM - prayer and medication to follow.

-----------------------

The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.

-----------------------

This evening at 7 PM there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the Church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.

-----------------------

Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10 AM . All ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B. S. is done.

-----------------------

The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the Congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday.

-----------------------

Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM. Please use the back door.

--------------------------

The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the Church basement Friday at 7 PM. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.

--------------------------

Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church.

Please use large double door at the side entrance.

--------------------------

The Associate Minister unveiled the church's new campaign slogan last Sunday:"I Upped My Pledge - Up Yours."

Lee Belardino said...

Tommy
I couldn,t stop laughing.Funniest thing I have seen all year.Please tell your brother Donny a big thank you for the truly funny82 gaffes.Terrific.
Lee

Monday, February 18, 2013

SPECIAL POST FROM TOM

THESE GRAPHICS ARE FROM DIFFERENT ON SCREEN PRESENTATIONS I HAD PRESENTED AT KUSER MANSION OVER THE YEARS. I DREW THE TOP TWO GRAPHICS TO ILLUSTRATE "PASTIMES FROM PAST TIMES." THOSE OF US WHO LIVED DURING THOSE YEARS REALLY ENJOYED THE JOURNEY BACK TO OUR YOUNG YEARS. THE LOWER GRAPHIC REPRESENTS ANOTHER OF THE PROGRAMS WHICH MOVED US FROM CHILDHOOD IN THE 30'S AND 40'S TO THE 1950'S.

1979: KUSER FARM: WAS MY HOME AWAY FROM HOME

My oldest brother the late Bud Glover began working at Kuser Farm in 1939. He went into the WWII navy and in 1945 I started working there with my best friend Don Slabicki. When we both married and had family responsibilities, my "little brother," Donny and his best friend Ken Slabicki took our places until the early  1960's when they also had family responsibilities. As you might imagine, my memories of my life and times working with Edna and Fritz Kuser will be with me forever. When the township took over the farm, I and brother Bud lectured on many evenings to the many local folks who were interested. When brother Bud passed away in December of 2012, I was the remaining "old timer" who remembered life at the farm. Former Mayor Glen Gilmore was very interested in having me lecture regarding my experiences of growing up at Kuser Farm, and also memories of the area as recalled by a now 80 year old native of Hamilton. Unfortunately, recent events at Kuser Farm Mansion have been seriously curtailed due to fiscal constraints for tour guide presence at these after hours affairs.

1812 AND 1928: THE TRENTON STATE BANK

On many occasions, I have found that historical research is fraught with inconsistencies. The above two graphics give an example. The 1812 State Gazette article says that the bank opens "this day" (June 1, 1812). Over on the right, and many many years later, the  1928 captioned photo says the building was erected in 1813.It is possible that the article on the left was sent from a location other than the Bank Street location. However, it is my conclusion that the photo and caption are incorrect. Perhaps there will be further information uncovered as time goes by,

1869: REMOVING THE HISTORIC GREENE STREET MARKET

I have a fairly significant digital collection of columns relating to the various markets that once dotted the little town of Trenton. One of them has been written about many times by various writers over the years, including yours truly. The Greene Street Market was located at today's State and Broad Streets and was placed right in the middle of North Broad Street to around Academy Street. In the years markets were in style, farmers from miles around loaded their horse drawn wagons and headed into Trenton to sell fresh fruit, vegetables and other products in demand. There was always stalls set aside for butchers, bakers, and yes, probably even candle stick makers. 

HAMILTON SQUARE BAPTIST CHURCH

Those of us who are history minded are always excited to read and see any and all information on churches that have survived the ages. One of those churches is pictured above; the Hamilton Square Baptist Church on Nottingham Way in Hamilton Square. This beautiful old edifice is steeped in history. The well preserved graveyard adjoining the property has tombstones with the names of many  local citizens of the past. The 1967 directory of members of the church has many familiar names to me, and I'm sure to many other.

1909: TRENTON'S NEW CITY HALL UNDER CONSTRUCTION

The venerable old structure has withstood 100 plus years of rain, snow, wind and hurricanes. Here's a Daily State Gazette photo of the construction site as it was back in 1909 when construction was in the foundation stage.

TRENTON'S HISTORIC MILL HILL

 

There are MANY really informative files in the Hamilton Library Local History Collection in the "MILL HILL" folder. I always liken the small neighborhood to Philadelphia's "Old Town." This beautiful neighborhood has always fascinated me. Each week as I journey to Sacred Heart Church via Market Street, for just a block or two, Trenton as it was in early years comes into clear focus, even though the more recent buildings lend a suggestion of the original Mill Hill. The neighborhood is an incredible area historically. Washington's Retreat is an historic treasure. As I have opined many times over the years, one of the best sources of history lies within the pages of our newspapers. One of the folders I have relied on for valuable information is the "REMINISCENCES" folder wherein articles such as those above are retold by old time residents of the area. As can be seen in the Bill Dwyer extract above, he too saw the value of picking the brains of we "old timers." John Cleary's articles, Elma Lawson, and other historical sources from the past are a treasure trove of local history that seldom sees the light of day.

1935: THE ATLANTIC AND PACIFIC TEA COMPANY

 I have created an "AMERICANA" folder in the Hamilton Library's Local History Collection. It will recall many of the very popular places and things from the past as I recall them during my 80 years in Hamilton and the Trenton-Mercer County area. I, and many other seniors over the age of 75 remember when "Supermarkets" were strategically placed throughout the area. Ours was on Hamilton Avenue between South Olden and South Logan Avenues.The exquisite engraving above is a very accurate representation of the early "Supermarkets" long before bar code readers and plastic bags.It was here that we got to order  "Bokar", "Red Circle," and "Eight O'clock" coffee which was ground on site as we waited for the operator of the coffee grinder to bag it and add it to our order.

1938: POLITICS IN HAMILTON TOWNSHIP

"The more things change, the more they stay the same" is a time honored saying that has been around for years. It supposedly comes from a French intellectual from the very distant past, and the veracity of the saying has endured over many centuries. However, as can be seen in the article above, it certainly does apply to American politics, local and national. The above article details the outcome of the November, 1938 election wherein the Republican party regained the reins of local government in Hamilton Township. I have highlighted the paragraph where "housecleaning" will be the order of the day. As a non-political observation, house cleaning still exists today. My problem with that concept is that qualified and competent people should not be considered fodder for political "house cleaning."