1935: THE NEW STOCKTON STREET BRIDGE

It is very difficult to envision the city of Trenton as it was back in the 1920's and 1930's. Indeed, the dramatic changes in the city from the time of the renewal project coupled with the devastation which resulted in the riots of the 1960's has transformed the city into a far different and more complicated area than when this bridge was completed. Old buildings were torn down, burned out during the riots, and the rebuilding process over the past fifty years has resulted in countless glass-encrusted "skyscrapers."

1840: "The Delaware Bridge at Trenton"

 What a fascinating engraving! Below is a Trentoniana article from 1856 announcing the repair work being done on the old wooden bridge.Below is a photo from the Trentoniana collection at the Trenton Free Public Library which shows what the caption says is the Calhoun Street bridge. Which begs the question: Is the lower photo a later photo of the same wooden bridge with modifications? Perhaps a Trenton Historical Society member or another local authority can enlighten us.  

THE TOLL GATE AT THE CALHOUN STREET BRIDGE

That toll taker who lived along Calhoun Street during the years when it cost 2 cents to cross into Morrisville and 2 cents more to return, saw a number of instances where some crossed without paying and others were caught in the act and punished. Toll gates are always an interesting subject. Elsewhere in the library files is a list of where some of Trenton and area toll gates were places. Some that come to mind are South Broad at Laylor, Hamilton Avenue at Nottingham Way, E. State and Nottingham Way.

1955: WHEN MOTHER NATURE DESTROYED THE YARDLEY BRIDGE

"Yardley bridge is falling down, falling down, falling down,
Yardley Bridge is falling down, my fair lady.."

This great photo of the destruction of the Yardley bridge was sent to me by my friend and fellow Sacred Heart parishioner Bill Kearney Sr. Bill managed to capture just the right angle to see the damage caused by that destructive area wide floods that hit this area back in August, 1955. I was over in Europe in the U.S. Army when the storm hit, but "AFN" (Armed Forces Network) radio gave it full coverage. A house from up river came floating merrily merrily down the stream and slammed into the bridge, taking out a major portion of the span. I have re-formatted the front page above, superimposed Bill's photo over a not too clear photo of the bridge as published in the Trenton Sunday Times Advertiser of August 21, 1955.

Anonymous said...

Hey, that's my Dad! I have the original framed and hanging in my house in Trenton's Island neighborhood. (Like I need reminders about floods!) This June 15, 2012, The Island Neighborhood is hosting a garden tour...the theme..Flooded with Flowers. Stop by...10-3 pm. Bill K., Jr.

Thursday, April 26, 2012

1840: "THE TRENTON BRIDGE"

How I love these old engravings! This one shows the old wooden bridge that once spanned the Delaware from Trenton to Morrisville. Included is the article telling of the fire that destroyed the bridge in 1884.

Teddy said...

Looks like they're cows grazing right at the edge of the water. Imagine seeing that today!

Thursday, February 16, 2012

1884: THE TOLL GATE AT THE CALHOUN STREET BRIDGE

The Calhoun Street toll gate at the bridge entrance in an 1884 photo.

1913: CANAL BARGE TAKES OUT THE LALOR STREET BRIDGE

Everywhere that a road crossed the old canal that used to traverse through the city of Trenton, one would find a bridge. Beside the bridge described above, there was another on E. State Street, and another on Mulberry Street. I have found no records regarding North Olden Avenue and other crossing points, but have no doubt that I will in the future.

1913: THE NEW RAILROAD BRIDGE AT YARDLEY

The new bridge replaced one which was built in the 1870's.

1931: TRENTON MAKES, THE WORLD TAKES

THIS IS ONE OF THE HISTORIC SITES OF THE CITY OF TRENTON. THIS, ALONG WITH THAT GREAT OLD "BROAD STREET BANK" SIGN WERE AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE MAGNIFICENT HERITAGE OF THE CITY OF TRENTON.

Calhoun Street at the Bridge - 1948

You are on the other side of 50 if you remember when Calhoun and West State Street appeared as in this 1948 photo. The old Trenton Filtration Plant is the building in the left background.