1884: STRANGE BUT TRUE: DESTROYING HISTORY

Reading over the millions of pages of past newspaper articles dealing with the incredibly interesting past of the city of Trenton and its Revolutionary War involvement, I am completely dumbfounded that the dunderhead town fathers of the past 150 years gave such little reverence to the countless historic sites that once dotted the most historic Revolutionary War city in the whole northeast. What in the world ever possessed them to destroy these historic structures just to satisfy their quest for "progress?" Incredibly short sighted and stupid. It is a fact that there are an unfortunate few in high places whose interest in preserving these treasures are not impressed by our historic sites. The recent attempt to bury the old mill behind the State House is a prime example.

1909: PROGRESS vs. HISTORY; PROGRESS WINS

One of the nightmares of those of us who treasure historic buildings is typified by the photo and the article above. That beautiful old building would be a local treasure today had the town fathers in Trenton had a bit of feel for local history.It's interesting to note that even the historical society found no historic significance to the edifice! Even though the structure dates back to Colonial times, note the gas street lamp in the photo.

1946: DOWN GOES ANOTHER TRENTON LANDMARK

THOSE OF US WHO TREASURE HISTORY WINCE WHEN WE HEAR OR SEE THE DESTRUCTION OF OLD HISTORIC LANDMARKS. TO MANY DEVELOPERS, HISTORY TAKES A BACK SEAT TO PUTTING UP STILL ANOTHER GLASS ENCRUSTED OFFICE BUILDING. THE PHOTO ABOVE SHOWS THE BEGINNING OF THE END OF THE MAGNIFICENT WASHINGTON ROEBLING MANSION. EVEN TODAY, MANY OF THE BEAUTIFUL OLD MANSIONS THAT LINE AREAS OF GREENWOOD AVENUE STAND IN BOARDED UP DISREPAIR. IT IS A SAD TRUTH THAT RESTORATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THOSE LOVELY OLD ARCHITECTURAL TREASURES IS FISCALLY PROHIBITIVE IN TODAY'S SOCIETY.