TRENTON'S CITY HALL - AN HISTORIC ARCHITECTURAL TREASURE

 The above Duke University R.C. Maxwell Trenton collection is a cut and past of a circa 1923 view of State and Broad as it looked back in the 1920's. This mansard roof edifice was built back in 1837 at the intersection that was then known as Greene and Second Street.

Few people realize that the building came into the possession of Anthony R. and John L. Kuser who ultimately sold it to Benjamin Lissner whose family owned another store in the area. I am looking for the transition from the time the Lissner brothers purchased the building and how it ultimately became the legendary "Yard's" Department Store. 

1952: MY THS CLASS OF 1952 FRIENDS ARE HAVING A REUNION!

1952: It was a very good year! Trenton High's class of 1952 will be hosting their 65th reunion and here is the announcement I have put together for them; requested first by my Facebook buddy Mike Kuzma )who is my Trenton History authority ) and ultimately from Ms. Estelle Scannella who has taken on the awesomely complicated task of organizing the reunion. That intriguingly lovely gal in the photo immediately above was the object of my affection back in my teen years as she made frequent trips to Art and Bonita ("Betty") Sneath's 129 Hartley Avenue home. Ahh, such sweet memories!

1947: WEST STATE STREET APPROACHING BROAD

Another high definition view of downtown Trenton as it was in 1947. To we old timers, the store signs in view bring some very pleasant memories. Note that these photos are owned by the Duke University Hatman collection of R.C. Maxwell photographs and may be used ONLY for historical research and non commercial purposes. As required, the Duke Library Call number is placed ON THE PHYSICAL photograph.

1930' and 1940's "Golden Agers" will remember this very fondly!

From my Hamilton High Class of 1951 classmate, Bob Shinkle. This treasure from the past when good grooming was a clean shave. As you can see by the column I wrote many years ago, Burma Shave signs were all the rage back when I was a boy

I'm sure that Burma Shave actually saved some lives.  People laughed and then were more careful! It was a REAL "service" to America, even though it was an advertisement and it was one of the

RARE "really useful" ones!

To My Old-As-Dirt Friends and Relatives who qualify as "old as dirt."

For those who never saw any of the Burma Shave signs, here is a quick lesson in our history of the 1930's and '40's.

Before there were interstates, when everyone drove the old 2 lane roads, Burma Shave signs would be posted all over the countryside in farmers' fields.  They were small red signs with white letters. Five signs, about 100 feet apart, each containing 1 line of a 4 line couplet' and the obligatory 5th sign advertising Burma Shave, a popular shaving cream.

Little Bo Peep

  Has lost her Jeep

    It struck a truck

      When she fell asleep

           Burma Shave.

A man, a miss,   A car a curve.      He kissed the miss,         And missed the curve.                  Burma Shave. DON'T STICK YOUR ELBOW OUT SO FAR   IT MAY GO HOME    IN ANOTHER CAR.       Burma Shave TRAINS DON'T WANDER   ALL OVER THE MAP    'CAUSE NOBODY SITS      IN THE ENGINEER'S LAP.         Burma Shave SHE KISSED THE HAIRBRUSH   BY MISTAKE     SHE THOUGHT IT WAS       HER HUSBAND JAKE.          Burma Shave DON'T LOSE YOUR HEAD   TO GAIN A MINUTE     YOU NEED YOUR HEAD       YOUR BRAINS ARE IN IT.          Burma Shave DROVE TOO LONG   DRIVER SNOOZING     WHAT HAPPENED NEXT       IS NOT AMUSING.         Burma Shave BROTHER SPEEDER   LET'S REHEARSE     ALL TOGETHER       GOOD MORNING, NURSE.          Burma Shave CAUTIOUS RIDER   TO HER RECKLESS DEAR     LET'S HAVE LESS BULL       AND A LITTLE MORE STEER.         Burma Shave SPEED WAS HIGH   WEATHER WAS NOT     TIRES WERE THIN       X MARKS THE SPOT.         Burma Shave THE MIDNIGHT RIDE   OF PAUL FOR BEER     LED TO A WARMER       HEMISPHERE.          Burma Shave AROUND THE CURVE   LICKETY-SPLIT     BEAUTIFUL CAR       WASN'T IT?          Burma Shave NO MATTER THE PRICE   NO MATTER HOW NEW     THE BEST SAFETY DEVICE       IN THE CAR IS YOU.         Burma Shave A GUY WHO DRIVES   A CAR WIDE OPEN     IS NOT THINKIN'       HE'S JUST HOPIN'.         Burma Shave AT INTERSECTIONS   LOOK EACH WAY     A HARP SOUNDS NICE       BUT IT'S HARD TO PLAY.         Burma Shave BOTH HANDS ON THE WHEEL   EYES ON THE ROAD     THAT'S THE SKILLFUL       DRIVER'S CODE.         Burma Shave THE ONE WHO DRIVES   WHEN HE'S BEEN DRINKING     DEPENDS ON YOU       TO DO HIS THINKING.         Burma Shave CAR IN DITCH   DRIVER IN TREE     THE MOON WAS FULL       AND SO WAS HE.         Burma Shave PASSING SCHOOL ZONE   TAKE IT SLOW     LET OUR LITTLE       SHAVERS GROW.         Burma Shave AND MY PERSONAL FAVORITE… SPRING HAS SPRUNG   THE GRASS HAS RIS'     WHERE LAST YEARS'        CARELESS DRIVERS' IS…           Burma Shave Do these bring back any old memories? If not, you're merely a child. If they do - then you're old as dirt. LIKE ME! I loved reading them.

1928: The Chambersburg "Red Sox!"

Back in my younger years, the mostly Italian residents of 'the Burg" were New York Yankee fans. Indeed, Joe DiMaggio made numerous trips to Chambersburg for dining at one of the many wonderful restaurants.

1923 AND 1925: SPLENDID PHOTO OF THE TRENTON STATION AND PLANS TO UPGRADE

Above is a beautiful photo of the "Clinton Street Station" as it appeared in 1925. The original was quite dark and the station structure on the left was completely lacking in detail, but thanks to Photo Shop a quick tweak and sharpening give an exquisite view of the newly reconstructed station. Below is a sketch of the new layout. I always thought it was a strange arrangement if one entered from Walnut an crossed over the tracks with a pedestrian walk way.

1951: THANK YOU HAMILTON TOWNSHIP FOR A COMPLETE EDUCATION!

On August 10th 2017, my Hamilton High School classmates from the class of 1951 will celebrate our 66th class reunion with a luncheon from noon to 4 PM at Hamilton's beautiful Stone Terrace (former Italian American Sportsmen Club). Even though 66 years is a very long time ago, the influence Louise Baird had on me as a man shines even brighter in my life as I recall the wisdom which she passed on to those of us who were gifted with residency in her Hamilton High room 300 music courses, Beethoven? Brahms, Sousa? Hammerstein? Berlin? Kahlil Gibran? Shakespeare? Keats? Macaulay, Burke? Yup! They are all firmly imprinted in the impenetrable makeup of the man I have tried to become.

1964: ST. STAN'S 1964 CYO BASKETBALL CHAMPIONS

I have a number of photos showing St. Stanislaus sports championships from the 1930's and early 40's. This one from JoeWojciechowski is a later version; all of which proves that St. Stan's sports program was quite successful

1977: WHEN I WAS A BOY IT WAS COLONIAL VOLINTEER FIRE COMPANY

With the closing of the old Baron AA site on Cypress Lane after a controversial existence, the township of Hamilton moved the Hamilton Senior Center to the sumptuous Baron AA building and grounds.

1938: WHEN SOUTH WARREN WENT "WAY DOWN SOUTH."

Here's a beautiful photo of South Warren Street highlighting the legendary "Casa Lido" along with Capitol Motor before it moved to Sourth Broad Street in that ultra modern circular showroom. This photo is posted so that those who want to see the photo in full screen. 1) left click the photo, 2) Right click "VIEW IMAGE," 3) If (IF) the "+" appears, click again and you will have the maximum magnification. On my little 17 inch laptop, it fills my screen and I am on South Warren Street, 1938.
NOTE ALSO THAT THERE IS A "NO COMMENTS" at the bottom of the screen. I need and welcome your comments. Please click on that link ant speak up!

1884: Independence Day, July 1884!

 

A fascinating look back to the 4th of July in 1884 Trenton!

1938: THE LEGENDARY CASA LIDO ON SO. WARREN STREET

This splendid view of SouthWwarren Street bring back many warm memories. Note that Capitol Motors is also on the immediate right in the photo, before they moved to that ultra modern circularly constructed show room on So. Broad street near the Roebling complex.

1946: STATE AND WARREN INTERSECTION TRENTON

I originally posted this photo and incorrectly identified it as State and Broad St. Thanks to fellow Trenton historians Mike Kuzma and Gino Formaroli, the error which is attributed to advanced age-related senility, i herewith corrected. How could I ever not noticed that Woolworth's, Kresge's, Grant and Kitty Kelly were not in the photo? As my kids ised to say, "DUH!"