1936: TOO HOT FOR YOU? TAKE A DIP IN THE CANAL!

When I was a boy, we went to Yardville's "Lakeside," the Delaware River near the intersection of Lalor and Lamberton Street, "The Gravel Pits" over in Falls township, and if we had the cash, to the Woodlawn Pool on Connecticut Avenue. Here we see a group of swimmers having a great time swimming in the Canal.

1936: SWIMMING IN THE CANAL

It was a very popular venue for those kids in pre-home air conditiong years. Here we see a pretty clear news photo of a group of locals enjoying the canal on a hot and humid Central Jersey day.

1979: "THE CANAL;" A MAGNET FOR ALL KIDS IN THE WESTERN SECTION

 
THE CONTINUATION PAGE OF THE POST WAS ADDED THIS MORNING, THANKS TO "ANONYMOUS," WHO NOTED THAT IT WAS NOT INCLUDED. 
PLEASE PARDON THE SENIOR MOMENT AS I INDULGED IN STILL ANOTHER BRIEF, BUT ANNOYING SESSION OF "MINI DIMENTIA!"
 
Even as the folks over in the Cadwalader-western section of Trenton had the Canal, so too did we country "hicks" have our on summer-winter hangout. Way back when I was a boy, and I mean WAY back, I and my buddies found winter and summer activities over at Kuser's Pond on Newkirk Avenue. In the spring, the first harbingers of that lovely season was the sound of croaking frogs on that once beautiful lily pond enhanced body of water. We caught tadpoles and watched them grow "tails," and put them back to grow up. And we avoided the many "sewing bugs" which were known by more intellectual persons as Dragonflies. Legend had it that we had to stay away from those sewing bugs; they were known to sew a kid's lips up tight. We also had one of our favorite summer harvest of what we neighborhood farmers called "punks;" known by others as cat tails. I still recall the incredibly delightful aroma of a lit up punk as it burned through its fluffy interior and kept the mosquitoes away. In the winter, it was sledding or skating on the ice with a bonfire on the bank along Newkirk Avenue. I know my many visitors from the western section will have many wonderful memories of their young ventures into the canal and its various other waterways. Let's hear from you! Unfortunately, Kuser's Pond has been drained; the victim of a city dweller moving to Newkirk Avenue and complaining about the mosquito population and occasional basement water. The pond was drained and mother nature's bad habits cured by what they call a "French Drain." So too is that wonderful spot above; now being driven over by thousands of vehicles a year as they traverse Route 29. Progress: Isn't it a wonderful thing?

1920: HARRY PODMORE ON THE D & R CANAL

Always a fascinating subject. The area history is full of romantic stories of life on the canal as the boats plied the waters with cargo of sand, coal, bricks, cobblestones, and other early commerce.

1936: Filling in the Delaware and Raritan Canal

Sometimes I wish I was around when the D&R was in operation. There's something completely fascinating watching those canal boats as they wended their way through towns along the way. Today's Trenton "Freeway" is now the route taken by the canal as it snaked through the city of Trenton.