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Wednesday, March 18, 2015

1943: SO. BROAD AT THE ROEBLING RR CROSSING AND THE BRIDGE TAVERN

 
The photos above are from the same R.C. Maxwell catalog number. Note the beautiful photo of the old Bridge Tavern where countless J.A. Roebling workers probably gathered after a grueling 8 or 10 hour day, How that landscape has chanted over the years!

9 comments:

SJBill said...

The tracks immediately in front of the camera (not the Camden line crossing) was a little switcher route that wound its way from US Steel and Wire (off the image to the left) all the way down to US Steel American Bridge, by the river. Each evening, the engine would cross S. Broad and pick up carloads of wire spools. The brakeman would use road flares to stop traffic and allow the train to proceed. Well, to kids in my neighborhood, these flares were wonderful lessons in chemistry and pyrotechnics. Those of us that didn't get caught and sent to Jamesburg or Yardville went on to become socially responsible professionals in the tech industry.

BTW, the Bridge Tavern was a gorgeous building. There were at least two more watering holes with that name: one on Bridge Street, and the other down on Lamberton Street below Lalor.

Tom Glover said...

Great post, Bill!
I remember that train when I went to St. Paul's Episcopal church on Centre Street. That train came mere inches away from the side of the church, passing by our Sunday School room. You could nearly reach out and touch it.

rayfromvillapark said...

Hi Tom, As I have mentioned in the past, this building was demolished in 1949, to make way for the new Capitol Motors, Chrysler-Plymouth dealership. At the time, the most advanced piece of architecture for the purpose of selling automobiles, in the city. rayfromvillapark

Michael said...

Tom:
I remember this spur well, it ambled across Broad St, and passed over 2nd st, Center St. lamberton St., across Union St. our vacant playground on which Kerney Homes A Trenton Housing Auth. project of which I was once manager was ultimately constructed. The line bordered our project just before the start of Federal St.
When it crossed Lamberton St., it was abutting the building in which my grandfather ran his watering hole, just up the block from "Dory's Bar on the corner of Federal St. The Bridge tavern was on the corner of So. Broad and 3rd street and was classic in it;s architechure.

Regards

Mike Kuzma

Tom Glover said...

Mike: Once again, your extensive memories of your years as a prominent Trentonian place you in the category of "Mr. Trenton: been there, done that." Thanks again.

SJBill said...

Mike, Sir,

Did Dory's become Winnies Tavern, across the street from the Prison, at Federal and Third?

Upstairs in the residence, I know someone who played his first game of "Spin the Bottle," just saying, back when he was a 7th or 8th grader at Junior Four.

SJBill said...

Before I forget, behind the Bridge Tavern, beside the filled-in canal bed, there was a residence, I believe for a lock keeper or some such attendant, that was vacant in the '50s and early '60s before it was demolished. We knew every inch of "The Tracks" from above Perry Street to down to Fieldsboro.

Tom Glover said...

Bill: You and Mike really do add a lot to this website. Without your vast experience of growing up in the area, both of you lend an incredible number of little known facts about specific posts. You two are a necessary asset to this website as was the late Ralph Lucarella. Thanks much!

Tom

Michael said...

Bill, Sir:
No Dory's tavern is still on the corner of Lamberton (500 block) and Federal sts. It was diagnally across from Pisanko's bakery. George Pregg So. Trenton Councilman lived on Federal a few doors behind the bakery, along with Marior POLLICK the prettiest girl in Trenton. Joe Stallings General and Starter Exchange was across the alley from these homes.
Regards, and good memories
Mike