1888 and 1891: THE INTERSTATE FAIR - HAMILTON NJ

 

Many of us in the over 60 age group remember the fabled, late, great N.J. State Fair which was located on Nottingham Way in the area of today's "Fairgrounds Mall"  and the Grounds for Sculpture. This area is one of the more historically interesting areas in Hamilton. Originally the site of the old N.J. Agricultural Fair, then the home of the Henry N. Smith "Fashion Stud Farm" along with Charles Fulkert's historic "Bromley Inn," this area was alive with many activities back in the last half of the 19th century. The graphics represent very early N.J. State Fair historic documents. The fair was popularly known back in the early 20th century as "The Interstate Fair."

BROMLEY; ONE OF HAMILTON'S VINTAGE COMMUNITIES

I will be presenting two "on screen" Power Point type programs at the October and November meetings of the Hamilton Township Historical Society. The Society meets the first Monday of every month (except July and August) at 7 P.M. in the lower level Room #2 of the Hamilton Township Public Library. The October meeting will be a thumbnail history of the John Abbott II house, and the story of the founding of the Society which is celebrating its 70t anniversary. The November meeting will be another on screen presentation featuring Bromley, the New Jersey State Fair, and the Henry N. Smith "Fashion Stud Farm" which was once located in the Bromley area adjacent to the Fairgrounds. Both presentations are free and the public is cordially welcome.

1913: NEW JERSEY STATE FAIR POLICE OFFICERS

This fall I will be presenting an on-screen presentation featuring the N.J. State Fair and the Bromley area of Hamilton. Above is a recent acquisition to the Hamilton Library's Digital Local History Collection. I have also included a set of passes to the fair from the 19th century.

1911: THE NEW JERSEY STATE FAIR

In the early years it was known as the Interstate Fair. Indeed, over the years it has been known as "the fair," "the state fair," "George Hamid's State Fair," and I'm sure there are numerous other names that come to mind. We just called it "the fair." What a sad day it was when the fair left Hamilton Township and set up came in South Jersey. We lost a wonderful attraction that spanned the calendar year from January to December, with July 4th fireworks, the annual September fair, and of course, nationally televised auto races. 

2011:CHECK OUT THIS INCREDIBLE SITE!

TomKrawiec's Trenton Makes Music and Trenton Speedway

http://trentonmakesmusic.home.comcast.net/~trentonmakesmusic/speedway

My high school classmate Bob Shinkle sent this link to me. Bob and I spent our younger years within hearing distance of those race cars as they sped around the track at the New Jersey State Fair on Nottingham Way. Those of us old timers who remember those 1940's stock cars ripping around the New Jersey State Fair raceway will love this series of photos posted by webmaster Tom Krawiec. There are photos of a number of what I call "Rocky DiNatale" stock cars, not to mention the old midget racers, and of course the more recent Tom Petty, etc. more modern cars. Tom also has a very detaile site which features local music and musicians. Well Done, Tom, and thanks Bob for forwarding this to me.

1931: THE NEW JERSEY STATE FAIR 1925 SEASON

We lost a local treasure here in Hamilton Township when "the Fair" closed down shop and moved to South Jersey. National television coverage of the many auto races, thousands of attendees, and other fabulous features pulled out of town and left us. Of course, today the Grounds For Sculpture has taken over a large part of the land, along with UPS and a few housing developments. But in its golden years from 1888 until the 1960's, Hamilton Township and the city of Trenton had a jewel that was largely unappreciated.

Ralph Lucarella said...

HI TOM....I'D LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS ABOUT SPADER IN THAT CARTOON. HE WAS EVERYWHERE SELLING PEANUTS FOR A NICKEL A BAG. ON HOLIDAY PARADES HE PROUDLY WORE HIS UNIFORM AND MARCHED IN STRIDE WITH EVERYONE EVEN WHEN HE WAS VERY ELDERLY. I SAW HIM OFTEN AT WETZEL FIELD BALL GAMES AND EVERYONE IN THE STANDS WOULD BE EATING HIS PEANUTS. REGARDS.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

1940: 55,000 ATTEND THE N.J. STATE FAIR

The heyday of the Interstate Fair ended in the 1960's when the powers that be decided to close up shop and move to south Jersey. We who remember that wonderful annual affair still recall the excitement that the weekly visit gave to local citizens, and indeed, citizens from all neighboring states. Daring air shows, Lucky Teter, Joey Chitwood, Lucky Lucy, auto races, fireworks, amusement rides, all went on to another location. The photo was published over the headline, "FAIR CROWD HITS 55,000."

Ralph Lucarella said...

HI TOM... THE STATE FAIR WAS SOMETHING I ALWAYS LOOKED FORWARD TO. I THINK THE WHOLE IDEA OF THE FAIR CHANGED WHEN GEORGE HAMID TOOK OVER CONTROL. THE FAIR WAS HELD TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE EFFORTS OF MANY PEOPLE WHILE HAMID TURNED IT INTO A MONEY MAKING AFFAIR. THE BIG DAY WAS WHEN WE GOT THE DAY OFF FROM SCHOOL TO ATTEND. I NEVER SAW SO MANY KIDS LOST IN THE CROWDS WHILE THEIR PARENTS WERE WORRIED SICK. MOST PEOPLE WENT TO EAT ALL THAT FOOD WHICH WAS AVAILABLE ON THE MIDWAY AND I ALWAYS HAD STOMACH THE NEXT DAY. THE FAIR AND THE MANY CARNIVALS WE HAD IN THOSE DAYS ARE MEMORIES I'LL ALWAYS ENJOY. BEST REGARDS.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Michael said...

We Kuzma kids were fortunate to have an Uncle who had a Model A Coupe with a Rumble seat. He would pack us all(5) into the coupe,and drop us off in the Dirt entrance beside the Bromley Inn. I can still see Pete Barruda (sp)at work doing his paintings of clowns on Homasote boards. Several hours later, at an appointed time, 5 very tired Kuzma kids piled back into the Model A for our ride back to South Trenton. The excitement still reverberates thoughout my body, and I visualize the Midway with the Carnys hawking thier wares, and the mysteries of the Carnie. Fond memories, and best regards Mike Kuzma

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Tom Glover said...

HEY MIKE.....WHAT ABOUT SEAT BELTS? HOW WELL I REMEMBER THE THRILL OF RIDING IN A RUMBLE SEAT! TOM GLOVER

Friday, October 29, 2010

 

omad said...

Lucky Teter is the name that reminds me most of the fairs. A year ago was riding with my teen age grandson and I said "you drive like Lucky Teter" and he, of course, said "what the heck is that". When I explained he laughed for the next half mile. Don't think my shoes ever got clean from walking the midway after a rain.

Friday, October 29, 2010

1890: Hamilton's N.J. State Fair

The local press had a very annoying habit. The Mercer Automobile Company and the New Jersey State Fair were always listed as a Trenton venue, with nary a suggestion that the location of these very famous entities was actually in Hamilton Township.

In my humble opinion, one of the tragedys of local history in the 20th century was the loss of the New Jersey State Fair, or as it was initially known, the Interstate Fair. Every September for nearly a century, thousands of people journeyed to the grounds between Nottingham Way and East State Street to enjoy the extensive midway, the huge grandstand and the numerous events hosted there each year. Many residents will recall the midget auto races, Lucky Teter and his successor, Joey Chitwood and their "Hell Drivers," numerous aeronautical events, and many other events.