1976: HAMILTON'S BICENTENNIAL PARADE

Another local custom became a victim what that old,  tiresome malady known as "White Flight." Before my Atlantic Avenue neighborhood became the victim of that dreaded malady, the various parades held in Hamilton Township were centered around the Municipal Building at 2090 Greenwood Avenue, and the Mercerville - Hamilton Square area. But one of the other venues was to change. One by one, families living too close to the city of Trenton joined the white flight community, moving to the east and south where the malady hadn't yet evolved. As a result, the parade that once followed the route described above was moved to the more affluent Hamilton Square area where the Nottingham Volunteer Fire Company has been parading for years. The trend continues. Plans are underway to move  Trenton's annual St. Patrick's Day parade off the streets of Trenton to the more affluent suburbs; in my opinion another case of white flight trumping tradition.

1913: THE LEGENDARY NOTTINGHAM GHOST STORY

Even as Ichabod Crane had that headless horseman thing up in Sleepy Hollow, so too does Hamilton have the story of the ghost who frequented (past tense*) the deep woods off of Cypress Lane and White Horse-Mercerville Road. This file comes from my "PARANORMAL" folder which has numerous ghost stories told through the years and certainly there will be more such stories added to that file as my research continues.

*Past tense due to the fact that few know of that legendary lost treasure which still could be buried somewhere in those vast, deep, dark, poison ivy, skunk and ghost-infested woods!

AN INTERESTING ASIDE:
MR. WEST, WHO WAS THE MAN WHEN IT CAME TO LOCAL HAMILTON HISTORY, REFERS TO THE LLOYD FARM AND LLOYD ROAD, AS THE ORIGINAL FARMER WHO OWNED THE KUSER FARM ON KUSER ROAD (TODAY'S HOMESTEAD). THERE IS AN SERIOUS CONFLICT OF HISTORY HERE. THE KUSER FAMILY CLAIMED IT WAS THE TIMOTHY LORD FARM, NOT THE LLOYD FARM. TO ADD A BIT OF MYSTERY, I FIND THAT THERE WAS A "LLOYD ROAD" WAY BACK IN THE EARLY PART OF THE 19TH CENTURY AND IT WAS LOCATED IN THE SAME GENERAL AREA. NOW YOU KNOW HOW FASCINATING AND SOMETIMES CONFUSING HISTORIC RESEARCH CAN BE!

Anonymous said...

I remember reading about another Hamilton ghost that allegedly was haunting the woods across the street from Grice Middle School. It might be the area where there is now a Rite Aid pharmacy (corner of White Horse Hamilton Square and Kuser roads). When I went to Grice, I think that area was all woods and kids who walked home in that direction would sometimes cut through those woods. I'm not positive, Tom, but I think that story might have appeared in Helen West's history book, which I haven't seen in probably 20 years.

1989 HAMILTON IN 1959

Taking a look back at the Hamilton Township of 61 years ago gives a very lucid look at the township before the impending population explosion of the 60's to the present took place. We were a smaller community bounded by the huge farms of the Simpkins, Stelle, Bertothy, Quigley, Allinson, and other extensive agricultural open land.

1905: HAMILTON SQUARE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH HARVEST HOME

It's times like these when we miss those old timers who have left us and gone on to their heavenly reward. I would like to know about "Wildwood Grove." Was it that little area behind the Baptist Church that I remember from th 1960's? Is there a Hamilton Square history person who can fill us in? If not, we'll keep looking! The article contains the names of MANY locally prominent pioneer residents of Hamilton Square.

1907:ANDERSON'S GENERAL STORE AND POST OFFICE

 

There are a number of little "itches" that plague those of us who are researching history. For me, one of them is the actual location of the Anderson General store. It is known that it was on Mercerville's "five points" at Nottingham Way, Quaker Bridge Road, White Horse-Mercerville Road, and Edinburg Road. However, there have been conflicting statements given to me over the years as to just where it was at that intersection. According to the current Hamilton Township history book published by the Historical Society of Hamilton Township, the store was located on the southwest corner of Nottingham Way at five points, opposite Bill's Olde Tavern. Once again, I have scanned this detailed photo in so that you can visit that old store....maybe even pick up a pack of "Sweet Caporal" cigarettes, or a bottle of "Lydia Pinkham's" for the little lady of the house.

An aside: Going bare foot as you see by the boys in this 1907photo, was a common occurrence in years gone by. Even back in the 1930's and 40's, we were often running around the neighborhood barefooted. (and boy did it hurt when we stepped on one of those straw colored burrs that grew along the path!)

1917: A REVEALING LOOK BACK AT THE TRENTON OF OLD

One of my favorite folders in the Hamilton Library Local History Collection is entitled, "TRENTON RETROSPECTIVES." It is a folder filled with many digital files written by John Cleary, Harry Podmore, Alfred Lawshe, and other notables from Trenton and the surrounding area who had similar interests to those which I share these 50 to 100 years later. Trenton is a grand old town as is my Hamilton hometown. Indeed, Mercer County and its many boroughs and townships is a wonderful place to live. All have a magnificent historical heritage. From Mill Hill to Lamberton to Milham to Wilbur, fascinating tales are being brought back from their dusty graves and posted here for future generations. Along with the incredible "TRENTONIANA" collection at the Trenton Free Public Library, history is being preserved. In the case of Hamilton Township, which was very lax in building a history. Lax that is until former Mayor Jack Raffetty came on the scene and authorized me to build a Hamilton Township Local History project. For me this a lifelong project. When I am no longer able to continue on this fascinating path, another person will pick up the torch and keep it lit. As of this post, there are over 4,000 "pages" and many more to come. Additionally, there are literally millions of pages in my collection of local Trenton newspapers dating back to 1868; enough to keep the next 3 or more generations busy!

1877 AND 1913: ST. ALPHONSUS R.C. CHURCH HOPEWELL

As the graphics database grows in the Hamilton Local History Collection, it becomes very convenient to meld two different graphics from different times into one complete mini history. Such is the case in the graphic above. The article describing the laying of the cornerstone of "The Hopewell Catholic Church" was published before graphics came on the scene. Thirty three years later, a photo of the church blends perfectly with the July, 1877 article, forming an interesting view of the earliest years of St. Alphonsus.

2009: The Wyckoff homestead, White Horse

Thanks to Andy Kusnirik Esq. for this beautiful photo of the Wyckoff homestead at 365 White Horse-Mercerville Road. Don't miss that gorgeous front porch!

Andy Wrote, (and thank you) Andy:

I believe you may find my law office located 365 White Horse Avenue of interest. The house (now an office) was built in the late 1800s early 1900s by the Wycoff family. Elmer Wycoff still lives in a house next door. He was born at 365 White Horse. His brother lives in a home next to him. Andy Kusnrik

1989: HAMILTON'S UPGRADED HISTORY BOOK

FOR 35 YEARS, HISTORY-MINDED HAMILTONIANS RELIED ON HELEN ALMY WEST'S HISTORY OF HAMILTON TOWNSHIP FORTHE LIMITED INFORMATION ON THE HISTORY OF HAMILTON. MS. WEST'S HISTORY WAS MORE OR LESS CENTERED ON HAMILTON SQUARE WITH LESS EMPHASIS ON OTHER AREAS OF THE TOWNSHIP. TOWNSHIP HISTORIAN EMERITUS BOB SIMPKINS AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF HAMILTON TOWNSHIP WORKED VERY HARD TO BRING A COMPREHENSIVE HISTORY AND INCLUDE ALL OF THE NEIGHBORHOODS. THE RESULT WAS THE HISTORY OF HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, "WRITTEN BY PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE." IT HAS PROVED TO BE A VERY POPULAR REFERENCE. THE HISTORY IS ON SALE AT THE HAMILTON LIBRARY IN TWO EDITIONS: A SOFT COVER VERSION FOR $15.00 AND THE HEIRLOOM HARD COVER AT $25.00.