1931N.J. STATE FAIR WEEK IN TRENTON

This is a very large but very special graphic relating to the late, great New Jersey State Fair which was located in the area of today's Grounds For Sculpture. The "Interstate Fair" began way back in the 1880's and left the Hamilton area in the 1960's.
One of the incredibly wonderful miracles of modern digital technology allow me to set my camera to the "Macro" setting and snap a photo of the centerfold of a 1931 Trenton Times newspaper, The graphic above was foxed (tanned) with age and easily brought back to the original black and white with appropriate computer imaging software. The graphic above is an example of the unheard of abilities of digital cameras when compared to the old film camera with darkrooms, enlargers, and all the other cumbersome equipment required during the years of film photography. So, get your mouse or mouse pad ready and travel across the centerfold of the Sunday Times Advertiser advertising of Trenton's "STATE FAIR WEEK."

Ralph Lucarella said... 

HI TOM....STATE FAIR WEEK WAS AN EVENT WE ALL LOOKED FORWARD TO WHEN WE WERE KIDS. THE BIGGEST PROBLEM WAS NOT GETTING LOST IN THE CROWDS. A LOT OF PARENTS SPENT THEIR TIME THERE TRYING TO KEEP UP WITH THE KIDS. IT TOOK PLACE SHORTLY AFTER SCHOOL STARTED IN SEPT. AND THAT TOOK THE SHOCK AWAY OF STARTING SCHOOL AGAIN. REGARDS.

1946: JOHN L. KUSER'S GOLDSMITH MAID MONUMENT

John L. Kuser was the man responsible for memorializing "the Maid," as she was known in her championship years. Kuser had the monument placed in the grandstand area at the old New Jersey State Fairgrounds. Thanks to former Mayor Jack Rafferty's interest in local history, the monument to "Goldsmith Maid" (a champion trotting horse in the 1800's) was saved for posterity. Jack had the monument moved from the N.J. State Fairgrounds when the property was sold, and had it re-positioned at Kuser Park. Thanks also to Pat Rose's maintenance crew at Kuser Farm. The monument looked absolutely exquisite this season as brilliant red Impatiens flowers bloomed at the base.

Circa 1950's Midway of the N.J. State Fair AKA "The Interstate Fair"

This is an excellent photo from "Pro Photo Service," an organization which I am unfamiliar with. However, the photographer had an expert eye for composition as can be seen in the photo of the midway at the late and much lamented New Jersey State Fair. I have a HUGE collection of clippings relating to the fair. I also have an onscreen "ASTOUND!" presentation dedicated to that wonderful Hamilton Township venue dating back to the 1880's. The above photo is a 150 dot per inch scan. I also scanned it in 400 dpi, and when viewed using the "actual pixels" feature, you feel like you are walking amid the crowd!

1938: LUCKY TETER AT THE INTERSTATE FAIR

It tookan extra fifteen minutes to cut, copy, paste, color and enhance this interesting graphic. The lower right "LUCKY TETER AND HIS HELL DRIVERS" yellow graphic was placed next to the Trenton Times photo, and the grandstand graphic at the top of the image was imported from my "N.J. STATE FAIR" folder. I'm sure you will agree the final product is quite acceptable as a piece of historical interest.

1941: THE MIDWAY AT THE N.J. STATE FAIR

MANY THANKS TO RANDY RIGGS FOR THIS EXQUISITE PHOTO OF THE MIDWAY AT THE OLD STATE FAIRGROUNDS. THE OFFICES AND ENTRANCE TO THE GRANDSTAND IS SEEN IN THE VERY CENTER OF THE PHOTO. THERE'S A 1941 FORD IN THE CENTER OF THE PHOTO, RANDY, SO I CORRECTED YOUR VERY EDUCATED GUESS AS TO THE YEAR.
RANDY WROTE:

My dad took this photo on the backside of the Speedway, looks like after
the races were over for the day. My guess is 1940, based on the other photos
he took at the same time which I will be sending you. At the time, his sister
Evelyn was married to Walt Keiper, who was a local area race driver
(she later married Harold Tilton of Tilton Bakery).
Enjoy!
Randy Riggs

1945: TRENTON SPEEDWAY AT THE STATE FAIR

The fellow in the photo was my racing hero back in the 40's and 50's. Of course we kids never had the money to gain legitimate access to the fair grounds grandstand area. That's where our dear old Klockner Road came into play. There was a side street, I think it was Smith Street that dead ended right in an area that gave us access to the "back track" at the speedway. The only thing between us and the race cars was a cyclone fence. It was a very dusty enviornment, but we loved it!

1973: Al Martino: One of the best

There are few songs more beautiful than Al Martino's "Mary In The Morning." Along with Jerry Vale, Martino was a very under-rated male vocalist. He had a beautiful singing style.

1888: THE INTERSTATE FAIR: IN THE BEGINNING

It has been a long time since the New Jersey State Fair was in operation in a huge spread of land bordered by Nottingham Way, Ward Avenue, E. State Street, and Klockner. Each of us with silver in his or her hair can tell stories of their experiences with that wonderful fall event. The fair, also known in earlier years as the "Interstate Fair." The Henry N. Smith referred to in the article was the site of Smith's "Fashion Stud Farm."

1918: The late, great, New Jersey IInterstate Fair

I was quite familiar with the "fair" of the 40's and 50's, but I have no way of knowing whether the illustration above represents the Nottingham Way or E. State Street extension. I suspect it is the E. State St. entrance as it looked in 1918. Any old timers who can correct me will be appreciated.

1894: THE GRANDSTAND AT THE FAIR

WHAT A TREASURE IT WAS! THE INTERSTATE FAIR WAS THE NATIONALLY KNOWN ENTERTAINMENT CAPITAL OF NEW JERSEY BACK IN THE LATTER PART OF THE 19TH AND EARLY 20TH CENTURY. EVEN THOUGH THE GRANDSTAND HAD GONE THROUGHT MANY STRUCTURAL CHANGES WHEN I WAS A BOY, THE BASIC CONSTRUCTION REMAINED JUST ABOUT AS YOU SEE IT IN THIS 1894 ENGRAVING.

1907: The N.J. State Fair Under Fire Again

I often wonder what the generation of 1907 would think if they were to take a peek at the decadent trash being put forth by today's telelvision, motion pictures, other venues. The Midway and the saloons controversy referred to in the accompanying article seems very tame by today's standards.

1891: The Grandstand at the Interstate Fair

I indicated in an earlier post on Trenton's N.J. State Fair that it was a great loss to Hamilton when the property was sold and developed. This beautiful old photo of the first turn of the track was taken from the Nottingham Way side of the track. I and many others spent hours along the fence watching the midgit races back in the 1940's.

1929: The Interstate Fair

One of the very unfortunate losses Hamilton Township experienced was the loss of the N.J. State Fair. Many of us have fond memories of that old institution. Over the years, the "Fair" was the venue of Stock car racing, midgit racing, horse racing, "Lucky Teter," "Joie Chitwood's Hell Drivers." The "Fair" was an annual fall event which was attended by thousands of citizens from all over the area. The Hamilton Library's "STATE FAIR" folder includes material dated back to the establishment of the organization in 1888.