2014: AUGUST 26 LAKESIDE REUNION!

Ms. Nancy Johnes Fell and Ms. Eleanor Goldy Guear, presenters of this historic community reunion event even had the presence of mind to consider we seniors who do not like to drive at night! As you can see by the press release in the graphic, the folks who are or were Lakeside Park residents and friends, will be flocking to the huge room on the lower level of the Hamilton Township Public Library to meet, greet, and remember their life experiences in this lovely suburban community that was established way back in the early part of the 20th century. I have posted an article from 1944 with the names of many of the more prominent citizens and pioneer families of Lakeside Park. It will be very interesting to see how many on that lengthy list will be there or have relatives of those listed. I hope to see you there! 

MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW AND NOTE THAT

RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED! 

1913: THOSE GREAT LAKESIDE CARNIVALS!

Over the years, I have been fascinated as I read articles and see a photo or two of that annual Lakeside carnival that was so popular in earlier years. The article above gives a good idea of how seriously those Lakeside carnival participants worked to bring a splendid pageant to those in attendance. The residents added to the annual affair with lanterns and other lights decorating their homes in that bucolic little village of "bungalows;" as the early real estate ads called them. I recall all those happy summer hours I, and many of my contemporaries spent in that natural spring fed lake. It is sad that today's lake is merely there as a natural resource and  no longer a summer swimming retreat.

My son lives in Medford Lakes in Burlington County. They carry on the tradition of carnivals on the lake with highly decorated boats, each competing for the grand prizes offered in various categories. This year, Ken is the captain of his group and the are hard at work burning the midnight oil getting ready for the big night when their decorated vessel will take to the water.

2012: GROPP'S LAKE, LAKESIDE, LAKESIDE PARK, YARDVILLE A HEADS UP

Here's an exciting entry into local Hamilton history. My friend Nancy Johnes Fell has put together a volume based on a journal which was written by her father, Robert Teunon Johnes. Those who are familiar with Charles Teunon, whose articles I have posted and/or referred to over the years, will recall that he was one of the developers of today's Lakeside Park as a "bungalow community" back in the early 20th century. The very interesting reminiscences which Nancy's father wrote in his journal are historic treasures. As seen in the graphic, copies are available from Nancy, and and are also available in the Local History workshop at the Hamilton Library. Call in advance to be sure I am in the office:

609-581-4060 Ext. 4016.

RALPH LUCARELLA said...

HI TOM....LAKESIDE WAS A GODSEND DURING THE 30'S AND 40'S. I LEARNED TO SWIM THERE AND MADE GOOD USE OF THE DIVING PLATFORM ALONG WITH THE REST OF THE BEACH AND THE STORE. OUTSIDE OF THE CANALS, GROPP'S LAKE WAS ABOUT IT WHEN IT CAME TO COOLING OFF AND ENJOYING THE WATER. IT WAS NEARBY THE CITY AND EASY TO GET TOO. BEST REGARDS.

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Ron Bound said...

Love this picture. When the AF sent me back to NJ, we bought a house on the other side of Gropp's Lake. When I left in 1970, I wanted to keep the house, to come back to and maybe retire in, in 79. When I came back the lake was a swamp, when the damn burst. Sad site to see it as a swamp.
Ron Bound HHS 56

Thursday, June 28, 2012

1940's: Eleanor Goldy Guear's Lakeside Park Memories

Each community has one or more old line citizens who have a wealth of local history relating to their respective neighborhoods. I have my Kuser Farm-Colonial Gardens area, and I have had contacts with a number of others whose families go way back in local history. I try to encourage these folks to put together an online and more concentrated history of their area with a blog of their own. Unfortunately, scanning, enhancing, re-formatting and posting digital graphics along with very limited computer knowledge have combined to give knowledgeable local neighborhood historians "a bridge too far," as we said during World War II. The Goldy family and the Johns (Johnes) families are good examples. On the plus side, we have Jimmy Colello's Broad Street Park, Gary Lippincott's Groveville, and Mike McNicols' "Chambersburg" blogs filling a much needed gap. Perhaps the situation will change in the future when some of the newer generation comes of age with the knowledge of computing they gained in school. It is so important that those of us who are old timers in our respective neighborhoods recall the persons, places and things we remember and chronicle them either via the written word or via the computer. I am not the only person who regrets not delving into their own family background. I will never understand why I didn't log Mom Glover's memories of growing up in the early part of the 20th century. She was a member of the Mount family and qualified as a member of the D.A.R. As that old Pennsylvania Dutch saying goes, "Ve get to soon old, and too late schmart." Amen!

1914: CHARLES TEUNON'S LAKESIDE PARK BUNGALOWS

Here is a fascinating set of graphics from the very early years of the settlement of Lakeside Park. I have been crowned the un-official "Historian" of Hamilton Township. However, in that rather dubious and un-official position, I must admit that my knowledge of local history will never be as complete as I would wish. For example: as familiar as I am with the Lakeside Park area, there are historic Lakeside Park articles and photos which are puzzling to "historians" such as I. The photo of the lake in the above Donaldson photo shows what my un-informed eye tells me is we are looking at the lake from the vantage point of Lowrie's Mill on the "Bordentown" side of the bridge. The bridge can be seen along South Broad Street, and the trolley house next to it. I yield to my more knowledgeable Lakeside Park-Yardville heights visitors to add comments in order to clarify (or disavow) my assumptions.

NOTE FROM TOM: WITH OVER 8,000 POSTS (PAGES), I AM SORRY TO SAY THAT THERE WILL BE DUPLICATE POSTS. BELOW (HIGHLIGHTED IN GREEN) IS ONE OF THOSE DUPLICATES INCLUDING THE ACCOMPANYING COMMENTS. I HAVE RE-POSTED BOTH PHOTOS; THE ORIGINAL, AND THE HORIZONTALLY REVERSED VERSION. LIKE MOST FOLKS, I DO MAKE MISTAKES!

Many Trentonians found Lakeside Park to be the ideal summer getaway back in the early 20th century. These "bungalows" could be had for a price which today seems incredible. I wonder if there are any Lakeside Park visitors to my website who can identify this house.
THIS EMAIL RECEIVED FROM "LAKESIDE GIRL."
Hi Tom - I believe this house is the former home of the Vogt family on the corner of Lakeside Blvd and Dancer Drive (formerly 6th Ave)Lakeside Girl.
THANK YOU, "LAKESIDE GIRL;" YOUR INPUT IS APPRECIATED.

waltsgirl29 has left a new comment on your post
"1914: LAKESIDE PARK: A BUNGALOW COMMUNITY":

This home faces Birch Street and is at the corner where Tettemer crosses it. The house looks the same today. Lakeside will always be "home" for me, so I love the wonderful old photos, thank you. My grandfather built on Tettemer and raised his family there. My father built on Lincoln Ave and raised us there. I raised my girls on Dancer Drive, sold the house to my daughter and in Jan. she will have a son to raise there.

THANKS TO BOTH "LAKESIDE GIRL" AND "WALTSGIRL" FOR ENHANCING THIS POST. YOUR INPUT IS REALLY APPRECIATED. (TOM GLOVER)

Friday, November 04, 2011

Tom - I think we settled this some months ago in your blog - my brother, George Goldy noted that the picture was probably reversed and you then published it in the reverse which make better sense and was correct.