I find these two photos to be very interesting. Returning WWII GI's were undoubtedly very familiar with the landscape shown above. From the notorious Hotel Leonard to lower extracted photo showing the little shops that lined up as a mini mall back in 1947, I would bet that many old Trentonians will see familiar memory.
As a kid, and having never stayed in one, a hotel was an exciting place or at least what from what I had seen in the old Hollywood movies it was. I remember asking Dad in the early 50's if we could stay in the Hotel Penn? He painted a picture of n'er-do wells, shady characters and hoodlums "on the lam" as being the clientele. I wanted to go in at least for a sandwich but got hustled up the street to that luncheonette across from The YMCA.
Ed Millerick
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Ed:
Your Dad was very charitable with his description of these two hotels.
If you remember the buses from Ft. Dix unloaded all those poor lonely soldiers from Ft. Dix right in front of these two hotels.
Of course there were always plenty of women the majority of which were not so young or pretty.
My first job with the City of Trenton in 1959 was as a Health Inspector. My assignment took me into hotels and rooming houses.
Having inspected these two, I can confirm what your Dad had told you.
Merry Christmas
Mike Kuzma
Saturday, December 24, 2011