1909: EARLY ITALIAN CHAMBERSBURG IMMIGRANTS

The situation back in 1909 was similar to our 2010 unemployment picture. It is difficult to imagine a hard working laborer being forced to accept a wage cut from $1.50 to $1.25 PER DAY! So it was with this incredibly brave and hardy Italian Americans who struggled to feed their families. There are undoubtedly visitors to this blog who have relatives who were subjected to the dismal economic condition of the area back those 102 years ago.

1930: HAPPY NEW YEAR - DEPRESSION AND ALL

No matter how bad the times were in the early years of the Great Depression, local citizens still found the time to ring in the new year of 1930; just days after the stock market crash.

1933: THE HEART OF THEGREAT DEPRESSION

Admittedly, we haven't yet sunk into the depths which we acheived back in 1933. However, the message above was published as a full page message of hope to my mother and father, and to many others whose parents and grandparents experienced the Great Depression.

1931: Sears Toyland Opens During a Depression Year

1935: The Trenton Free Public Library During the Great Depression

Like today, libraries all over the country are hosting patrons who are coming to research employment opportunities in an era when the country is in a deep recession. The above posts are particularly interesting at this time, due to the financial problems being faced by the Trenton Public Library, with the threat of branch closings and other serious austerity measures.

1933: THE GREAT DEPRESSION

Exactly one week after I was born, this editorial cartoon appeared in the Trenton Evening Times. All over America, poverty became a reality to many families.

1930: THE GREAT DEPRESSION

Throught good economic times and bad, the Rescue Mission is there for those unfortunates who lack work and need assistance. The great depression hit very hard on nearly all of America's non-wealthy population. Men who just weeks before had secure jobs, ended up selling apples on the street. Many families even today, have stories to tell about the hardships they faced.

1931: IN THE THROES OF THE GREAT DEPRESSION

THE GLOVER FAMILY WAS ON "RELIEF" BACK THERE IN THE EARLY 30'S. MY DAD LOST HIS TRUCKING BUSINESS DUE TO THE LACK OF HIS CUSTOMERS NON PAYMENT OF BILLS. "GILLS EXPRESS" WAS FORMED BY MY FATHER BACK IN THE 1920'S TO SERVE THE MANY POTTERY INDUSTRIES IN TRENTON. WHEN THE MARKET CRASHED, EVERY INDUSTRY EXPERIENCED FINANCIAL PROBLEMS. ACCORDING TO THE STORIES I HEARD, MANY OF THE UN-PAID ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE WERE FAR GREATER THAN THE ACCOUNTS PAYABLE. RESULT: THE PHONE COMPANY CUT OFF THE LIFELINE OF GILLS EXPRESS, THEN CAME UNEMPLOYMENT AND ULTIMATE DESPAIR. I REMEMBER GOING TO COLONIAL FIRE COMPANY'S SECOND FLOOR ONCE A MONTH OR SO, FILLING OUR BAGS UP WITH DRIED PEACHES AND APPLES, FLOUR, SUGAR, AND OTHER ITEMS WHICH CONSTITUTED OUR RELIEF "DOLE."

1934: DEPRESSION YEARS - COLEMAN DRUGS

JUST LOOK AT THOSE PRICES! REMEMBER, THOSE WHO WERE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAVE A JOB WERE PROBABLY MAKING 15 OR 20 DOLLARS A WEEK.

1931: RELIEF THEN, WELFARE NOW

THE GREAT DEPRESSION WAS A VERY SAD TIME IN AMERICA. MILLIONS OF CITIZENS SUFFERED, AND POVERTY WAS QUITE COMMON. THE GLOVER'S WERE VICTIMS OF POVERTY, AND WERE ON THE RELIEF "DOLE," AS IT WAS CALLED. I REMEMBER GOING TO COLONIAL FIRE HOUSE WHEN THE FIRE HOUSE WAS ON LIBERTY STREET AND NEWKIRK AVENUE. ON THE SECOND FLOOR THERE WERE BURLAP SACKS OF DRIED FRUIT, FLOUR, SUGAR, NAVY BEANS, AND OTHER STAPLES. THE LINES WERE LONG, AND THE NEED WAS GREAT.