1909: THE JERSEY DEVIL ALSO KNOWN AS THE LEED'S DEVIL AND THE "WOZZLEBUG."

When you have been writing for over 32 years and when 20 of those 32 years involved digital computing, it is a very rewarding experience to dig back and bring preserved and digitized photos and news articles to still another generation. I would bet that there are few in the younger generation who are familiar with the "Leed's Devil," also known as the "Jersey Devil." I know I wasn't until I found these absolutely fascinating articles as I pages through the millions of pages in my 100 year collection of Trenton newspapers. Enjoy and imagine!

1940: THIS IS THE TRENTON I REMEMBER

Sorry folks, I just can't get enough of these photos of the Trenton I remember from my youth. I have modified the original of this photo to zoom in on the thriving intersection of State and Broad when the "Parisian" occupied the corner where Yard's would ultimately locate. Such pleasant memories of the Trenton we all know and love.

EARLY BIT OF HISTORY OF TRENTON'S LEGENDARY ST. FRANCIS HOSPITSL

Here's a vintage look back at Trenton's legendary St. Francis Hospital. In the very beginning times were really rough on the Sisters who managed the hospital which served everyone; especially those in need and too poor financially to pay for excellent treatment. Check out the lower right of the engraving and you will see Sister Hyacynthia's greenhouse where she carefully grew and cultivated food for the patients. What a blessing S.t Francis has been over the years! I thought I heard or read somewhere that the Sisters of St. Francis are giving up the hospital and going back to their Mother house.

1946: ROUTE 130 AT ROUTE 33 IN ROBBINSVILLE

This exquisite Duke University R.C. Maxwell photo shows a rural view of the Hamilton Square "cut off" from Route 130/33 as it looked in 1946. How that area has changed! Robbinsville has made incredible changes from the old rural potato shipping station of the last century and into the first of the 20th century.

1940's: TRACY'S LEGENDARY "FIVE AND DIME"

This was originally a black and white photo which happens to be a place I hold dear to my heart. I, and many others were regular visitors to this charming place where one could find anything from knitting needles to dish cloths to curtains and curtain rods...and let's not forget their toy department. This photo led me to the decision to revive my love of coloring books when I was a boy, and I used my photo enhancing software to hand color the old black and white and bring a delightful memory back to life in living color. I even had the option to give myself the green light in the foreground!

1891: THE PROSPECT STREET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

 Above photo is from "TRENTON ILLUSTRATED;" an 1891 folio of exquisite engravings showing the city of Trenton in that era. Below is a postal card from the TRENTONIANA collection at the Trenton Free Public Library and digitized by Mr. Tom Tighue.

It is difficult in this year of 2016 to envision that neighborhood which bordered an area known ad "Berryville." It was also in the Cadwalader, Hiltonia, Berkeley Street area where our more affluent Trentonians resided.

1902: SPRING STREET: "THE RESIDENCE" A HOME FOR THE MORE AFFLUENT ELDERLY WOMEN

It was known as "The Residence" and as you can see on the accompanying map, crudely identfied as "The Old Ladies' Home."Judy and I spent many evenings visiting that home when our Hamilton High vocal music teacher found that she was no longer able to live alone and took a room in that exquisite example of early 20th century architecture. Here is a news photo showing the building when it was in its early years. The Roebling family played a large part in the establishment of this home for aged women which would have been a much more acceptable description than is shown on the map.