TRENTON LANDMARKS: FORT RAWNSLEY

I am currently working on long forgotten Trenton and area landmarks. One of them is the FASCINATING story of South Trenton's "FORT RAWNSLEY." This historic edifice was an extremely popular gathering place back in the 12800's, and many a politician stood on that balcony and spoke to the public that gathered there at the triangular intersection of South Warren, Fadtory, and Lamberton Streets. That extract above is from the 1882 map of the city of Trenton and parts of Hamiton.

1909: OLD TRENTON LANDMARKS ARE DISAPPEARING

Did you ever wonder what Trenton would look like today if our forefathers weren't so eager to replace incredibly historic structures in center city Trenton in their pursuit of "progress?" I have started a folder in the Hamilton Library Local History digital database entitled "LANDMARKS-TRENTON." Many of those old columns are very painful to read.

1914: HISTORIC PLAQUE ON THE HISTORIC TRENTON BELL TELEPHONE BUILDING

That great old Bell Telephone building is a very familiar site to those of us who recall the buildings in the city of Trenton of the mid 20th century and before. Today, the cityscape is completely different as large, glass encrusted office building replace many of the old Trenton landmarks. The Bell building has survived.

1921 - THE EMLEN HOUSE

Not all Trenton historic homes have been the victim of the wrecker's ball. Above is a 1921 photo of the Emlen House at 312 West State Street. It was a circa 1796 farmhouse back in the colonial era of Trenton and obviously the home of a member of the Emlen family. On the right is a Google Earth cut and paste of the home as it is today. Note that a gable has been added over the years, but the structure generally has remained original except for the stone siding.:

1915: TRENTON INNS AND HOTELS IN EARLY YEARS

These little known historical articles are what will make this local history website invaluable now, and in future years as scholars, historians and other people who are delving into the historical heritage of Trenton, Hamilton and indeed, in Mercer County. My catch phrase, "Local History With a Personal Touch" melds very conveniently with the scholarly and historic past of our area with history that is buried incredibly deeply into those old newspaper files in my collection.

1906 AND 1912: ANTHONY A. SKIRM - PERRY STREET

One of my more interesting folders is labeled "LANDMARKS." There are photos of buildings that were once dotted all around Trenton. Many of them were incredibly historic, and many of them made we wonder why in the world the town fathers would ever destroy them. Unfortunately, many of the photos in the folder are very poor reproductions from the years before offset photography was perfected.

1885: A LOOK AT OLD TRENTON INNS AND TAVERNS

Trenton was short changed when it comes to the early town fathers' efforts to preserve the treasures that once graced the town. The article above lists a few of the historic inns and taverns which once dotted the landscape. My old newspapers tell of the wanton destruction of many historic buildings that were every bit as historic as the "old town" section of Philadelphia.

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.