1948: INTERSECTION OF "OLD LIBERTY STREET" AND CHESTNUT AVENUE

This pristine view of the intersection of Liberty Street and Chestnut Avenue at Lalor Street is a familiar scene to those who traveled the streets of the Trenton of yesteryear. The intersection hasn't changed much since then, to today there would be no R.C. Maxwell sign visible. Our automobile historian Ray Paskiewicz will identify that "torpedo" auto with the fender skirts we see on the right in the photo. At first glance it looks like it could be a Buick, but I am not a reliable source of identity on this particular view. Ray? He could see a red tail light on a 1937 Ford and identify the car!

1935: NOTTINGHAM WAY APPROACHING THE BROMLEY INN

LOVE THIS PHOTO! IN THE DISTANCE BEHIND THE R.C. MAXWELL ADVERTISING BOARD YOU CAN SEE THE BROMLEY INN. I AM GUESSING THAT THE CAMERA IS VERY NEAR THE ENTRANCE TO SUBURBAN PLAZA (BURGER KING, PAYLESS SHOES, ETC.)

1998: THERE WAS A REAL SCANDAL BREWING

There was a very substantial scandal brewing back in 1998 when the State Police raided the site of today's Hamilton Senior Center on Cypress lane and found slot machines, poker tables and other Atlantic City type gambling appliances along with a selection of liquor and other spirits. It turned out that there were many prominent local citizens who frequented the establishment. Fortunately for those prominent folks, the Clinton-Monica Lewinsky scandal was the front page news and helped to overshadow the situation. It turned out that politicians of both parties were involved and even some connected to the judiciary.

1940: SOUTH WARREN ST. AND THE CURTIS BOWLING LANES

I'm sure Ralph Lucarella and other "vintage" visitors to this page will recognize the Curtis Bowling building on the left in this photo. I didn't realize they were located there and it was quite a surprise to me. How I would love to hop into that beautiful Oldsmobile in the foreground! It probably had less than 7,000 miles on the odometer! I would also add that I am completely disoriented. What is that tall building in the far distance?

*****

Facebook has developed into a universally popular meeting place for millions of computer users. In addition to our popular www.glover320.blogspot.com website which has over 700,000 visits, the decision has been made to move on to Facebook for additional visitors who are dedicated Facebook users.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tom-Glovers-Hamilton-Library-Local-History-Scrapbook/529296263810111

WHEN YOU CLICK ON THE ABOVE LINK. MAKE SURE YOU ARE AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE. YOU WILL SEE EITHER "SHOW" OR "HIDE" ON THE UPPER RIGHT OF THE PAGE.
IF IT SAYS "SLOW," CLICK ON "HIDE"TO GET TO THE MAIN PAGE.

1977: THE GERTRUDE SIMPSON CENTER

Today it is the home of John Scarpati's magnificent Italian American organization. Formerly the home of the Colonial Volunteer Fire Company, this building on the corner of Liberty and Newkirk Avenue was given up when it was decided that the fire company had outgrown the building which was much to small to house the much larger contemporary fire fighting equipment. When the Baron Club scandal broke back in the 1970's, the property was acquired by Hamilton Township and it is the site of today's Hamilton Senior Citizen complex on Cypress Lane.

2013: ALONG WITH THIS WEBSITE, WE ARE NOW POSTING ON FACEBOOK

Facebook has developed into a universally popular meeting place for millions of computer users. In addition to our popular www.glover320.blogspot.com website which has over 700,000 visits, the decision has been made to move on to Facebook for additional visitors who are dedicated Facebook users.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tom-Glovers-Hamilton-Library-Local-History-Scrapbook/529296263810111https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tom-Glovers-Hamilton-Library-Local-History-Scrapbook/529296263810111

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OUR WONDERFUL VISITORS!

Christmas is a holy time; a time to reflect, a time to remember whose birth we celebrate, and of course a time for bittersweet memories. A Merry Christmas to all, And as Tiny Tim said, "God bless us all!"

2013:

This time of year always holds bittersweet memories for me. The "bittersweet ledger" for the year 2013 reminds me that it was the year when I lost two of my "Greatest Generation" brothers Len and Bud. The "sweet" part lies in my website and Facebook entries that bring back very precious memories of growing up the Hamilton Township and my memories of the entire Trenton area. Above is a memory of one of my dear friends from childhood to manhood; Jesse Anderson. Jesse, along with Don Slabicki have burned memories in my mind that surely will live through eternity. The graphic shows the Anderson family who lived in that little Sears Roebuck cottage on Ward Avenue adjacent to Greenwood Cemetery. Ironically, my Mom and Pop's grave site is within view of Jess's house.

1982 MY CHRISTMAS WISH FOR TRENTON

This was my Christmas wish for Trenton 21 Christmases ago. As might be expected, events have really changed things over these years.

1910: DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT TRENTON'S SACRED HEART CHURCH

By 1910, newspapers were starting to vastly improve their photographs. I have MANY old Trenton are photos that are so light or dark that it is difficult to see the photo. As can be seen in the photos above, the images are remarkably clear for that era.

1946: MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM OUR COMIC PAGE FRIENDS

1959: THE DOWNTOWN TRENTON I REMEMBER

Thanks to Mr. Tom Tighue for posting this view of downtown Trenton as it looked during the golden years. The photo is from the Wendy Nardi's TRENTONIANA collection at the Trenton Free Public Library. I had completely forgotten about that hanging decoration so prominent in this photo. What memories this photo brings back to me. Over the years, I have written countless "The Way We Were" columns recalling Christmas shopping trips to Trenton. A trip to Public Service to pay our phone bill, the guy with the hand cranked adding machine pulling the crank and handing Mom Glover the receipt, and then down to Goldberg's which was little Tommy Glover's idea of heaven on earth. A Tom Mix six gun with a bejeweled holster, an A.C. Gilbert Chemistry set, a raft of beautiful "Tootsie Toys," and A.C. Gilbert Erector set, not to mention an A.C. Gilbert "American Flyer" train set. Ahh....the memories are eternal!

1919: COMMUNIST PLAN TO TAKE OVER AMERICA - SCARY!

The "Reds," also known as Communists, were beginning to take hold in the years following World War I as far leftist Socialists and Communists demanded changes in the American way of life. Their remedy for "change" is list in the 6 phases of the plan to overthrow the American republic. This article is from the November 11, 1919 Trenton Times.

1893: ST. MICHAEL'S P.E. CHURCH A CRITICAL PART OF THE BATTLE OF TRENTON

 Just in time for Trenton's annual "Patriots' Day" celebration, here is a graphic of one of the major players in the battle of Trenton. Fortunately, St. Michael's P.E. church has survived the years and stands proudly on North Warren Street in downtown Trenton. LIttle Tommy Glover was confirmed in this church way back in his early youth. The magnificent landmark played a very critical part in the battle of Trenton. This engraving is from an October 1893 newspaper telling of the dedication of the Battle Monument.

1800's: TRENTON DESTROYS HISTORIC REVOLUTIONARY WAR LANDMARKS

The Hamilton Township Public Library's Local History Collection honors Trenton's upcoming "Patriots' Week" celebration with these two graphics which picture and give historic background information on two of the main players in the battle of Trenton. One must wonder what ever possessed the town fathers back then from destroying rather than preserving these two historic Revolutionary War structures. Those who are not history minded would dismiss those of us who are for historic preservation with the lame excuse that "progress" is more important than preservation. How sad!

1876: CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF THE BATTLE OF TRENTON

With the annual "Patriots' Week" looming on the horizon, I thought it would be interesting to read about the 100th anniversary of the battle of Trenton as told in the Daily State Gazette. This is a very large file; hopefully you will be able to find it legible.
Note: right click on the image and choose "open link in a new window." You will see a magnifying glass with a plus + click it and it will enlarge.

TO ENLARGE EVEN FURTHER, CONTROL AND THE + KEY WILL BRING IT UP LARGER AND AS IT DOES, THE TEXT WILL BE BLURRY. HOWEVER, ONE CAN READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE WITH THE INCONVENIENTLY BLURRY TEXT.

GERMAN CRAFTSMANSHIP: UN-RIVALED!

Allow me to bypass local history for a video that will amaze anyone who chooses to open it. What an incredibly beautiful "secretary" desk with incredibly beautiful craftsmanship! Just take a 2 minute or so look at this video and try to imagine the mind of the genius who designed and built this desk which was made by a German craftsman many years ago.It is absolutely incredible!

http://www.youtube.com/embed/MKikHxKeodA?rel=0http://www.youtube.com/embed/MKikHxKeodA?rel=0

1986: WBUD; WHERE ALL THE GOOD SONGS HAVE GONE

I posted this on Facebook, but they do not allow for large size graphics and the column I wrote back in 1986 would not allow for a legible read. Gone are the days of the old fashioned radio "disk jockey." William B. Williams on WNEW, Alan Freed on WABC, and locally on WBUD, Jack Pinto, Herb Brooks, Rusty Austin, Bernie Cosnoski, George Bannister. Jack Pinto and his little sidekick "Cheery the Gremlin" followed me to my 1812 North Olden Avenue job at the old Trenton Bearing Company for many years back in the early 1950's. How we teens waited for the noon day broadcast of Herb Brooks' "Big Top Ten!" THOSE WERE THE DAYS, MY FRIEND, WE THOUGHT THEY'D NEVER END. But they did. Ahh, the memories!

FROM THE "AUTOMOBILIA" FOLDER

I wanted so bad to own a Kaiser of Frazer! They were the new kid on the block on the late 1940's along with the fabled "Henry J" which Sears marketed as the "Allstate." Remember Balderston Chevy? Gilbert & Mott? You do? Hey, we're gettin' on in age!

1989: BIRDS' EYE VIEW OF MILL HILL

Lacking the ability to intelligently place the camera man's position in this photo, I am going to take a huge leap of faith and assume it is a photo of Mill Hill from the area of the Assanpink Creek looking toward South Broad Street. My perception tells me that the familiar twin spires of Sacred Heart Church at S. Broad and Centre Street to the far right where I believe I see the steeple of the German Lutheran Church, and the street to the extreme right appears to be Livingston Avenue. Please correct me if I am in error.

2013: MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM MY HOME AWAY FROM HOME

 

These photos I took this morning take me back to my young years growing up on Kuser Farm with my best friend Don Slabicki.  Sunday night movies, driving all over the property in one of the Kuser Ford cars, summer time in the woods, winter time sledding or skating on Kuser Pond. As I age, I frequently walk in areas of Kuser Farm where few people ever venture. For me, it is a spiritual thing, and I somehow feel closer to God. There's the wild cherry tree in the area where we set up a tent and camped out. The decayed trunk of a wild cherry tree reminds me that this is the remains of the same tree with a wood pecker hole where Don and I stashed our illicit packs of Herbert Tareyton, Lucky Strike, Regents, or Old Gold cigarettes.  The windmill, which thanks to the skill of Hamilton Township workers has been beautifully restored to it original splendor. The Kuser maintenance garages where Don and I christened a brand new Ford truck body that was so new the paint was still tacky. Edna Kuser's formal garden where Don and I spent hours of drudgery weeding the paths that made it a "formal garden." Memories like these are timeless; they live on and will certainly be relived in that place they call eternity, and I call Heaven.

1897: BROMLEY HOTEL -- NOT BROMLEY INN!

Even though we have become accustomed to hearing that historic and rapidly deteriorating building on Route 33 having its name changed years ago to the Bromley Inn, it all started out as the Bromley Hotel. Before he moved out to the Bromley section of Hamilton Township in the latter part of the 19th century, Charles Fulkert operated a saloon at the corner of Centre and Furman Streets in South Trenton. There are countless romantic articles telling of the weddings and other community events that were part of the history of this historic Hamilton landmark. Back in the years when Henry N. Smith's Fashion Stud Farm was in operation in the area behind the Hamilton-Enterprise Fire Company and all the way to the fair grounds area, wealthy horsemen from all over the country stayed in the sumptuous hotel. Later, many from far and near stayed there during those many Septembers of long ago when the Interstate Fair was in operation.

1932: A SPLENDID AND MAJESTIC NEW HIGH SCHOOL FOR TRENTON STUDENTS

 

Trenton Central High School......"In the beginning." Well maintained up into the early 1960's, then down hill from there. Anyone care to enumerate some of the reasons that Trenton landmark descended into a neglected state?

1937: SO. BROAD ST. APPROACHING LIBERTY STREET

I posted a few of these COPYRIGHTED Duke University R.C. Maxwell  photos on Facebook but alas, Facebook graphic size limitations took away from the ability to view these beautiful photos in full size, full screen, thus detracting from their artistic value. Hopefully, those Facebookers will see that the Hamilton Library Scrapbook is not only Hamilton Township, but with the dearth of Trenton related local history on line, we find that there are countless area visitors who no longer live in Trenton but love the town and its memories.

1939: E. STATE APPROACHING CHAMBERS STREET

This view of E. State Street, trolley tracks and all, gives one a glimpse of a once well kept neighborhood. Lew Long's drug store is seen on the left at the corner of Chambers and E. State. Long's moved a few times during that era. As I recall he had an E. State and Olden location as well as a Greenwood and Olden establishment.

1935: NOTTINGHAM WAY APPROACHING THE BROMLEY INN

This photo shows the Bromley Inn in the background, and a concrete Nottingham Way in a very sparsely settled area as it was 78 years ago when I was a two year old toddler! Note the open spaces on either side of the road, and the gas station on the left.

THE TROLLEY COMES TO BROADWAY

I often wondered why South Broad Street went from a rather narrow 2 lane thorofare when one left the city of Trenton at Chambers Street and then the road became a boulevard. I found the answer many years ago as in the column above.

1937: SOUTH BROAD STREET APPROACHING LIBERTY

The "Used Car" sign at the left in this photo was the Broad Street Chevrolet dealership which ultimately became Fred Bonderchuk's Bonderchuk Chevrolet dealership. All the Glover Chevys came from that legendary dealership. In the distance is the bank at the corner of Liberty and S. Broad Streets.

1937: NO. BROAD APPROACHING ACADEMY ST.

Like my friend "RayfromVillaPark," I love these downtown scenes of Trenton and especially the old cars as they existed back in the day. It would be a rare thing to see cars parked end on end along the North Broad Street curb without parking meters. Ray, here are some fine specimens for you to check out. I know you share my fixation with old cars, but you have that extra auto knowledge to identify many of these classics that our fathers and grandfathers drove around the area.

1926: GETHSEMENE BAPTIST CHURCH

This photo will be familiar to those of us who loved in the Greenwood-Wilbur-Bromley area over the years. the church still stands. A correction is due, thanks to my friend Alan Wildblood who corrected my former caption that the church is no longer a Baptist church.The building is still a Baptist church known as the Macedonia Baptist Church. The church is well attended, and based on my observation of the cars lined all along Greenwood and Garfield Avenues on Sunday mornings. Note that I have also changed the copyright title from GethsemEne to GethsemAne.

1934: THE ORPHEUM AND STACY THEATERS, E. STATE STREET

How I love this photo! The clarity is remarkable. Years ago, many professional photographers used the classic "Graflex" camera, and I would be that these Maxwell photos were produced by that camera. I have an intense interest in photos of old Trenton, and when theaters appear in the photos, I am completely fascinated. For those too young to know, the old Orpheum theater was replaced by the Mayfair; one of Trenton's first run theaters. I remember going there as a boy with my father to see "Destroyer" with Glenn Ford and Edward G. Robinson. I was completely overwhelmed with the blue mirrors that lined the walls as you entered that beautiful theater.

1909: THANKSGIVING YESTERYEARS: IT'S YOUR HERITAGE!

From the Hamilton Township Public Library Local History Collection, these historic treasures on the holiday as celebrated through the years. To my dear friend Eleanor Goldy Guear, included is the enlarged graphic you asked for as seen in miniaturized form on my home page. 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL MY FRIENDS AND VISITORS TO WWW.GLOVER320.BLOGSPOT.COM

PLEASE REMEMBER TO WHOM YOU GIVE THANKS; WE SOMETIMES FORGET.

1947: SOUTH BROAD AT THE RAILROAD CROSSING

In this photo, you are on your way into downtown Trenton. The John A. Roebling main office building is behind you on the right side of the street. Hmmm.....gas prices are going up again: 16.9 cents a gallon...where will it end?

1941: NORTH BROAD AT "FIVE POINTS;" BATTLE MONUMENT AREA

What a gorgeous photo! To the far left is "Levin's" Department Store. Many North Trenton residents will find this to be a very familiar photo. The are has been completely transformed over the years, and this picture is familiar only to those of us who remember the Trenton that was.

The Glover family Thanksgiving dinner, 1964. This photo accompanies my "SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY" column in today's Sunday Trenton Times (Page 2) wherein I recall my 80 year old memories of Thanksgivings as we lived them when it was widely accepted as a day to thank God for all he has given us. Unfortunately, this hallowed holiday is being turned into a commercial shopping orgy.

1935: SOUTH BROAD AND DIVISION STREET IN THE BURG

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the corner building also house 

"State Sales," an office equipment outlet?

How very interesting to see these pristine R.C. Maxwell Duke University Library photos! In this photo, it is a clear picture of that area of Chambersburg during the Great Depression; fascinating!

 

 RALPH LUCARELLA said...

HI TOM.....THAT FORD WITH THE RUMBLE SEAT COULD REALLY TELL SOME TALES. IN 1935 I WAS SELLING PAPERS ON STATE AND MONTGOMERY STS.MY COUSIN ROSIE LIVED ON DIVISION ST AND I WAS INTO PLAYING BASEBALL. IN 1936 I WASA SELECTED TO PLAY WITH THE SCHROTHS BY JAKE MILLER AND THAT MOVED PENROSE, THE SHORT STOP AT THS, TO THIRD BASE. THAT YEAR I MET MY GIRL FRIEND AND BASEBALL SEEMED TO FADEAWAY. BEST REGARDS.

Thursday, November 21, 2013

 

***********

As usual , Ralph, your memories of your years in Trenton add much to the posts. You are a treasure who can safely say,  "Been there-done that."

1939: HERE ARE TWO VIEWS OF NO. WILLOW ST. IN THE BANK-SPRING STREET AREA

How that area has changed! I recently found myself detoured from Hamilton Avenue due to a very large traffic jam at the Arena on Hamilton Avenue. I took a Route 29 detour and exited on Perry Street and out of curiosity wanted to see the area as it is and at the same time remembering it as it was. Negotiating the one way North Warren Street area and ultimately ending up in the Bank Street, Spring Street, North Willow Street area was a sobering realization of just how the face of the city of Trenton has changed over the past 50 or 60 years. The top photo is the original from border to border. The lower has been extracted and enlarged in order to get a closer view atof the 

Mike Kuzma wrote:

Tom:
To put things into perspective, the large building on the left just past Spring St. is where the Carver YMCA originated. Many of the fine young African American athletes of the day honed thier skills there. Prominent among them were the Groom brothers, Ronnie, Mel, and the other escapes me.
The railroad crossing you see in the distance is the old Reading Belvedere line emenating at the terminal across from the Battle Monument.
I was a "used tire" customer of Callen tire. You can see the bridge over the canal feeder just up on the right. The "Restuarant" became the home of Benny Taylor's "Night Club" His wife Gloris and I worked together at the NJ DCA.

Fond Memories

Mike Kuzma

Your insight and experience as a veteran Trentonian adds a lot to the posts on this site, Mike. Much obliged!

Tom

Thursday, November 21, 2013

1935: THE NEW STOCKTON STREET BRIDGE

It is very difficult to envision the city of Trenton as it was back in the 1920's and 1930's. Indeed, the dramatic changes in the city from the time of the renewal project coupled with the devastation which resulted in the riots of the 1960's has transformed the city into a far different and more complicated area than when this bridge was completed. Old buildings were torn down, burned out during the riots, and the rebuilding process over the past fifty years has resulted in countless glass-encrusted "skyscrapers."

1935: A GREAT DEPRESSION SATURDAY NIGHT

The above is a somewhat re-organized placement of the ads as found on the original page from the Trenton Times. It gives a good idea of the economic situation in the area as the financial ravages of the Great Depression began to subside and certain members of society had more money in their pockets to spend a night at one of the many local night clubs, restaurants and theaters. I added the 2 1935 Hudson "Terraplane" autos to enhance the spirit of '35.