1903-1909-1926 TRENTON'S HISTORIC "OLD BARRACKS"

It has always been a complete mystery to me why our town fathers back in the 19th and into the 20th century failed to capitalize on the incredible history of one of the most historic cities in America. As I page through millions of local history pages, I see countless articles and photos of the destruction of incredibly historic buildings; all in the name of "progress."  However, one of our Trenton treasures still exists and thanks to the wonderful folks who staff Trenton's historic "Old Barracks," a priceless treasure has survived.  

1903: THE OLD MARKET ON NORTH GREENE STREET

Once again, I draw on a splendid engraving of the old market that once ran up the middle of North Broad Street to Academy Street. A partial view of Trenton City Hall can be seen on the far right, under my "1903" date addition. There are currently 71 articles and photos in the "MARKETS-TRENTON" folder and more will be added as they are encountered as I journey through millions of pages of old Trenton newspapers. 

1903 AND 1909: ST. MICHAEL'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

I really love those old engravings that were published in the newspaper before the advent of photographs. Above is a pristine scan and enhancement of historic St. Michael's Church on No. Broad Street. We all know the history of that incredibly historic edifice and the part it played in the battle of Trenton. I was baptized and confirmed in this church back in the late 1930's. My father's British roots obviously the main reason. 

1927: A VERY PLEASANT "DRIVE BY"

Google Earth has opened a whole new world for those of us who are interested in travelling to locations referred to in old newspaper articles. Such is the case with the graphic herewith that shows the wonderful beautification effort completed by Mrs. Martha Hunt of 104 Spring Street in Trenton. I have modified the Google Earth view and removed the text which was overprinted on the street view. As you can see, 104 Spring Street is much the same as it was structurally, but those charming window shutters are no more, and the wooded gateway to the alley has been replaced by a chain link fence and gate. I really love those sloping Mansard roofs that were so much in evidence in earlier years. 

2014: TOM GLOVER'S SUNDAY KUSER PARK GAZEBO PROGRAM

When you're out in those wide open spaces at Kuser Park, there will never be a standing room only crowd coming to my Sunday afternoon music/nostalgia presentations. The reason is obvious:For many years, professional musicians performed here. That was before the recreational financial expenses had to be curtailed. It all happened back during former Mayor Glenn Gilmore's administration, when the cuts were made. We were left without the wonderful music of my friend Dick Chimes and his Polish Polka band, Bob Smith and his Lamplighters, The Daisy Jug Band, and many other wonderful talented musicians. With all the humility I could muster, I volunteered to fill the void with my non professional music. My offer was accepted, and the standing room only crowds that had been attending the music from the aforementioned professionals, diminished to a precious few. But how those few enjoyed our little Sunday sing alongs! This year, assuming that Hamilton Township wants me back, it is my intent to return for my 8th (or is it 9th?) summer. This year, I am going to extend the season, and also experiment with outdoor computer projection in order to see if bright daylight will be too much for screen legibility with words to the songs projected on a movie screen. Stay tuned!

1986: BURMA SHAVE; A MADISON AVENUE CLASSIC

How we loved to read those rural highway signs back in the 1940's when "BURMA SHAVE" was a very popular product. With the proliferation of tasteless, sometimes vulgar but mostly immature 18 to 49 year olds manning the desks of the advertising agencies, it is a refreshing look back at how a product can endear we consumers. Burma Shave was one such product. Here's an article I wrote years ago for the late, great MERCER MESSENGER, Wayne Davis, Editor

1909 1902 THE LALOR FARM AND LALOR PARK TRACT

The area in which Liberty Street and Chestnut Avenue meet is the general area of the Lalor Park Tract as illustrated in these old graphics from the early part of the 20th century. I have inserted an extract from my map collection to give a better idea of the neighborhood. This and the post that follows deal with the Lalor family and their extensive real estate from the Broad Street Park Boundary to The D&R Canal, and inland to include Hancock Street, Woolverton Avenue, Home Avenue and streets on the East Side of Lalor Street.

TOM GLOVER'S "RINGS 'N THINGS"

This article I wrote many years ago proves that a young boy's hormones begin to stir at a very early age. My very first girl friend was in the third grade "Glee Club. Her name was Shirley and we were a natural pair way back in 3rd grade when we sang together. The article here jumps ahead a few years when little Tommy Glover was fascinated by two Madelyns; Madelyn Lear and  Madeline Bencivengo. It would have been appropriate had I entitled this piece, "Unrequited Love." Look it up.

1869: THE LENTEN SEASON IN YEARS PAST

We Roman Catholics take the Lenten season very seriously. Here's an 1869 article on the season of

 Lent as observed in 1869. When I was a member of Trenton's Sacred Heart Parish during the time 

when Father Mick Lambeth was Pastor, I was one of the 4 or 5 Lectors to do a reading during a 

Tenebrae service. It was the first time I ever heard the word or witnessed the service in other churches.

1983: WE CALLED IT "CRUISING."

THIRTY YEARS! Yes, it's been 30 years since I penned this two parter recalling one of the most looked forward teen age events, Cruising the Trenton area on a Thursday night when all the downtown Trenton stores are open for business, and when Trenton was light years different from the Trenton of today. The streets were teeming with downtown shoppers, and it was just plain harmless fun for those of us newly licensed drivers to cruise around town and ogle the lovely ladies who were exiting their respective stores and offices as the 9 o'clock closing hour approached. C'mon back with me to 1952; you're gonna go cruisin' with me and my best buddy, Don Slabicki. 

This Sunday, March 23, Page 2 TRENTON TIMES, take a nostalgic trip to Fort Dix as Tom Glover recalls the first 8 weeks of basic training in his three year tour of duty in the U.S. Army. A short story that will be familiar to any and all Uncle Sam's veterans.

2014: GOOD NEWS FOR HAMILTON LIBRARY CARD HOLDERS

Library Director Ms. Susan Sternberg  announces a much needed and free community service to those who hold a Hamilton Township Public Library membership card. The details are above. There are many Over these many years since I have been into computing, When I am at my local presentations and ask how many in the audience are into computing, I find that there are MANY who use it for email only. The above classes will get you going full steam ahead. There are untold treasures to be found when one becomes proficient in computing; furthermore, it is NOT a complicated process. Check it out via the details above.

2014: Bill Klek and daughter present Kuser School with a Kuser Replica of the school

outer 

o

What talent! Not only is Bill Klek an expert at scale modeling, he is also one of my valued researchers helping me in my never ending quest to find additional little known historical bits and pieces of Hamilton's Camp Olden. The photo shows Principal Roberto Kesting's receiving the incredibly beautiful model of the best grammar school in the whole U.S.A. (of course I am quite prejudiced) which was built by Mr. Bill Klek. Roberto and Bill Klek's daughter Emma pose proudly with the incredible keepsake.In a previous version of this photo, Bill Klek emailed me and advised me that I had mistaken Roberto for him in the photo. This is the correction. Sorry for the goof.

1800's - 1900's:SEGREGATED TRENTON SCHOOLS

The history of the African-American community is and has been one of the subjects that has some very interesting historic facts. One of those subjects relates to the segregation of the African-American population not only nationwide, but locally here in the Trenton area. I have been researching material on local schools for a presentation for the Hamilton Township Historical Society which I will be making in the fall of this year. Along with such intriguing names as Friendship School, Edgebrook, etc. there are the schools which were set aside for the black children who lived in Trenton at the time. Thus far, I have found that there was a segregated school for the "colored" in the mid 1850's on Trenton's Hanover Street. Bellevue Avenue was originally known as Higbee Street. The teacher's log book shown above was from the time when the "Bellevue Avenue Public School" was located there. It is believed that this school was not a school for black students. The Lincoln School, then the Nixon School succeeded it and were schools for black children. Note that this is SPECULATION on my part, and subject to correction if someone should have information that will further enlighten those who are interested in researching the subject. 

 RALPH LUCARELLA said...

HEY MIKE, THIS IS RALPH, LETTING YOU KNOW I,M STILL AROUND. I'M GONNA BE 95 YEARS OLD IN AUGUST AND LIVING UP IN THE MOUNTAINS OF NORTH CAROLINA. IT'S A CRIME THAT MY BROTHER CHUCK PASSED AWAY SO YOUNG OR ELSE HE WOULD HAVE GONE ON TO BE SOME DOCTOR. BASEBALL WAS THE BIG THING IN BOTH OUR LIVES UNTIL THINGS CHANGED ALL THAT. I OFTEN RECALL THE HAMILTON BOWLING LANES ON ROUTE 33 IN 1954 AND WHAT MY BROTHER LOU AND I DID WE WENT OUT TO INDIANAPOLIS IN 1948 TO SEE CHUCK HELP WIN THE AMERICAN LEGION WORLD SERIES. MAY GOD BLESS HIM AND MAY HE REST IN PEACE .

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

 

 Anonymous said...

Ralphie:

Glad to hear from you, and learn you are still with us.

Chuck was 2 years ahead of me in school, and I knew him as a super nice, and very accomplished guy.
I was in Jr. 4 when the Schroths won the championship. Ronnie Holford, Andy Greener and Gino Silvestro as I recall were his teamates. They too were friends of mine. I also knew his wife, and her twin sister.
All great people in a far better time of our country.
Where are you in No. Carolina. I'm in Virginia, about a half hour from the State line with NC.

Be well, and Cent Anni.

Mike Kuzma

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

 

1916: THE STRAND THEATER

E-mails and guest book entries such as this from Ms. Judy Bingley Staed make this project a personally rewarding endeavor not only for me, but for the many visitors to this blog. Judy captures the moment as she recalls her trips to the movies with her mom back in those innocent, less complicated, and bittersweet times. Thank you Judy; and please thank your friend who put you in touch with this blog. I am humbled. Judy wrote:

****************

Dear Mr. Glover,

I want to thank you and express my appreciation for all the endless photo and fact finding you have done in reference to Trenton in days past. Your work is so valued by so many. Again, thank you.

Just recently I have begun thinking of Trenton and the "old days." I friend of mine directed me to your website. What a wealth of information it is.

I was raised on Hoffman Avenue near Stuyvesant Avenue. Many were the nights as a small child when my mother would take my hand and off we'd go to the Strand Theater. My dad didn't care for movies and so I made for some company for Mom on these outings. Off we'd go down Hermitage Avenue. It was only a short walk to the Strand.

I remember clearly seeing The High And The Mighty and also Dial M For Murder at the Strand during those very young years in my life. There were so many more movies, however, that Mom took me to see.

Those years evolved into my teens and the Strand was almost like a second home. Every Friday night I'd go to the movies there and after the movie cross Hermitage to Tanzone's where friends and I would have a true Trenton "Tomato Pie."

I have been fortunate to see pictures on your website of the Strand in 1916 and also 1930. I have wondered though if you have ANY pictures of the Strand from the 1950's. I would so love to see one.

Thank you, Mr. Glover, for memories restored and renewed, and most certainly for the opportunity for me to recapture in thought some of the sweetest days of my youth.

Sincerely,

Judy Staed

==========O============

 West End Sal said...

Tom:

I share Judy's love of The Strand -- It was wonderful place where we would go on Saturdays followed by a trip across the street to The Arctic for the best ice cream in the world. The theater was a short walk from Carteret Avenue. I have downloaded a picture of the Strand from your website so it is as close as my desk drawer. Thanks for all you do, Tom

1932 TRENTON HIGH TO OPEN TOMORROW

Please, Facebook users, when you find a graphic that interests you, give credit to the originator of the graphic. Most instances of non credited posts are done without realizing that crediting the source of a graphic is important. There are an increasing number of graphics being posted by those who give proper credit to the Trenton Public Library Trentoniana collection and I would hope that you do the same. I posted the above graphic on this website back in 2012. We have a treasure of old Trenton Times newspaper photos on this website, and it takes a lot of time and tweaking to ready them for posting. THANK YOU in advance!

"PASTIMES FROM PAST TIMES:' AN ON-SCREEN PRESENTATION

Above is a press release from today's Times of Trenton announcing a program I will be doing for the public
at the March meeting of Hamilton's Baha'i community; The on screen presentation will bring memories to many who will be attending. There will also be a short musical interlude during the presentation. Hope to see a few of my local visitors at the program. The program will be held in the LOWER level of the Hamilton Library in room No. 3.

CHARLES CONRAD ABBOTT: AN HISTORIC HAMILTON LEGEND

THE DINING ROOM TABLE: NOT JUST FOR DINNER

For many in my generation, the dining room was our "rec room." It was here that we found the old and very heavy and sturdy dining room table. Along the wall was the "sideboard" of equally sturdy and heave wood,  and in the Glover home, an old piano that my father bought from Henry Liedtka for 3 dollars as I recall the story,  back during the depression. It was here that I and my brothers and sister did our homework, played rummy, catch five, snap, war and countless other card games while listening to the old Gulbranson Radio over in the far corner. Here too that we sat around the table while Pop Glover regaled us with the popular songs of the day. Mom Glover always asked me to sing "When Mother Nature Sings Her Lullaby" and "I Come to the Garden Alone." Our dining room was reserved for dining when relatives came. Our kitchen was our normal dining room. It was here where I added my love of music that was simultaneously being cultivated in me over at Kuser School in Miss Ruth Margerum's third grade. 

1941: I'M SO OLD I REMEMBER THE ST. LOUIS BROWNS!

Well, maybe I don't remember their 1941 team but I sure do remember how they fought for last place in the American League with Connie Mack's Philadelphia Athletics. Bing Crosby keeps the St. Louis Browns alive for posterity in his role as a Priest in "Going My Way," where he appears a number of times in a St. Louis Browns warmup jacket. The "Brownies" went down in history when out of frustration at all their losses, they hired a "little person" who really stymied the opposition pitchers. 

1986: SENIOR CITIZENS: KEEP THAT GRAY MATTER ALIVE!

One of the numerous nemeses that confront senior citizenship and the aging process is senility, loss of memory, and Alzheimers disease. It has been my impression over the past ten years or so to note that many of my contemporaries have thus far avoided those dreaded "old age" maladies. For me personally, I believe that keeping active with reading, writing, and other mental gymnastics that keep the brain focused goes a long way to postpone the inevitable. Such is the case with the 22 year old article I wrote in a column from that year. So for the relative few senior citizens who are on the computer, see how many of the things referred to in the article you can recall. 

2014: ERROR IN TOM'S "SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY" C0LUMN

If you are a reader of my "Sentimental Journey" column:

There is an error in tomorrow's edition (Sunday March 9 - page 2) which I failed to find until after press time. I erroneously wrote that the old Sacred  Heart School was on Cooper Street. It was on Lamberton Street. I knew it was on Lamberton Street and have no idea why I wrote Cooper Street. Let's call it another of my senior moments. The correction won't appear until at least Monday morning.

2014: TOM GLOVER AND HAMILTON'S CAMP OLDEN PARK

Bob Butera and Vince Mercandetti: Two gentlemen who were in contact with me in the summer of 1992 after I had written an article relating to Hamilton's Camp Olden; a subject I had been researching for years. It all began in early 1990's when I began paging through thousands of pages in my 100 year collection of daily Trenton newspapers, I came upon the story of the "The Potters' Company," and the very intriguing story which involved Henry and Joseph Lawton and another Trentonian, John Beech. When the article on the left in the graphic was published in July, 1992, these two pioneers of the Camp Olden Civil War Roundtable contacted me for more information which was the fruit of my research. Little did I know that Mr. Joe Seliga was researching the same subject as I. I naturally wondered if any of my research was involved in his research. It would have been nice to compare notes. The bottom line: Then-Mayor Jack Rafferty was approached and the founding of Camp Olden Park became a reality. 

1940's: DID YOU EVER PLAY "BUCK-BUCK?"

Today many of our younger generation are clicking on their Ipods, Ipads, Iphones, an Wii units and getting intellectual entertainment; not physical. Before all these 21st century electronic gadgets, we spent hours and hours outdoors, only coming home for lunch and back out again until dinner and in those long days of "Daylight Savings Time," back home until the street lights came on. I dare say there are many in my generation who played that rough and tumble game of Buck Buck, along with many other outdoor activities.

1995: WARTIME HAMILTON-WARTIME TRENTON

The Alice Mount in the article above was the fictional Hamiltonian whose name was the name of my Mom, Alice Mount Glover. Even though the keeper of this diary is fictional, the persons, places, and things written in this fictional diary are accurate accounts taken from the newspapers of the era, along with the memories of her then ten year old son, "Tommy" Glover. 

We all had a teacher or teachers who had an influence on our lives long after we left the hallowed halls of grammar and high schools. For me, there were three: Miss Louise Baird, Miss Julia McClain, and Miss Ruth Margerum. Miss Baird and Miss Margerum were the two teachers who cultivated my lifelong interest in music, while Miss McClain encouraged me to focus on my natural talents of reading and writing way back in the 6th grade at Kuser School. These teachers instilled in me an incredible interest in these fields that has remained with me at the age of 80 plus. Did you also have a teacher or teacher whose influence is with you to this day? I'd be interested to know what school, and what teacher and how you were influenced.