2012: MIKE RUSNAK'S WHITE HORSE TAVERN

Through many years of his adult life, the late Mike Rusnak quietly collected and assembled historical photos and articles relating to the DeCou Volunteer Fire Company which was among his "first loves," and the Fairview Park-DeCou and White Horse area of Hamilton Township. Mike was also a ready contributor to the local press with his poignant political positions. Bottom line: Michael Rusnak was a true un-recognized historic asset to our community. Mike's photos and articles on history and operation of the DeCou Volunteer Fire Company are a very welcome addition to the Hamilton Township Public Library's Local History Collection. Were it not for Mike's daughter Karyn Rusnak Benton, these irreplaceable moments in time would be in the recycle bin.

1935: MICHAEL RUSNAK - SCHOLAR AND ACTIVIST

Ladies and gentlemen visitors to this site. I introduce the late Mr. Michael Rusnak, pioneer resident of the "Fairview Park" (DeCou) section of Hamilton Township. There are many local citizens who go through life proving to be very productive to the community in which they lived and loved, and are never formally recognized. I could never figure it out. It may be due to the fact that these talented persons somehow pose an intellectual or professional or political challenge to those who avoid recognizing these citizens. Such was the case with Mike Rusnak. He was a very intelligent and productive Hamiltonian and like many then and now, never received the recognition which he deserved as a community standout. Mike was a local activist who had an interest in local politics and politicians. Mike's daugter, Mrs. Karyn Rusnak Benton has donated his very comprehensive collection of local letters, photos and other historic memorabilia relating to the DeCou section of Hamilton, the DeCou Volunteer Fire Company, Hamilton High School, and numerous other bits and pieces of history that will posthumously recognize Mike Resnak as the valuable citizen he was. I will be posting many of Mike's historic items and at the same time saving them digitally in the "MIKE RUSNAK COLLECTION" where it will repose along with the transportation collection of the late Leland Buker. Historians are extremely grateful when a survivor of a family decides not to throw away valuable historic material. Mike was a regular "LETTERS TO THE EDITOR" contributor throughout his years of living here in Hamilton Township.

1942: DE COU VILLAGE: IN THE BEGINNING

I received a note from "Denis and Pat" requesting information on the DeCou area of Hamilton. I have a number of projects on the runway, including material on the DeCou School and the DeCou Volunteer Fire Co They will be posted as time permits. Denis or Pat are also interested on contacting fellow alumni from the Hamilton High class of 1957.

1899 and 1934 DeCou and Fairview Park

A while back, I was asked why that area we know today as DeCou was known as Fairview Park. I could only speculate that before the area developed, it provided a beautiful view of forests and trees. The article above tells of selling building lots in that area. The photo below is from a 1934 ad announcing the establishment of Colonial Memorial Park.

1926: TROUBLE AT FAIRVIEW PARK - AKA DECOU

Fairview Park in Hamilton is the neighborhood we know of today as the DeCou section. As can be seen in the above news articles, a controversy was raging about mis-spent funds and other chicanery which resulted in the dissolution of the Fairview Volunteer Fire Company,.

1880: NEIGHBORHOODS: DE COU'S BUILDING LOTS

My "NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT" folder has many interesting real estate ads for various areas in Mercer County. Above is a Hamilton Township ad for De Cou's Building Lots, which I presume is somewhere within the Google earth map adjacent to the ad. The ad states the location as being in the Clinton, Broad and Chambers Street area.

1876: FROM THE LIBRARY'S "NOTABLE PERSONS" FOLDER

THE DECOU FAMILY ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF TRENTON AND HAMILTON TOWNSHIP HISTORY. THE FAMILY FOLLOWED THE QUAKER PERSUASION, AND WERE FIERCE PROPONENTS OF THE ANTI SLAVERY MOVEMENT IN THE 19TH CENTURY.