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.
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Tuesday, July 25, 2017
Saturday, July 22, 2017
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!
Thursday, July 13, 2017
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.
Wednesday, July 12, 2017
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.
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Tuesday, July 11, 2017
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.
Sunday, July 09, 2017
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.
Saturday, July 08, 2017
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
Tuesday, July 04, 2017
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!
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!
Monday, July 03, 2017
Sunday, July 02, 2017
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.
Saturday, July 01, 2017
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!"