1931: 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF ROEBLING ARRIVAL IN TRENTON

The front page says it all, but there is a continuation of this article (Page 2) which has yet to be digitized. It is a multi-column continuation, and will require substantial time to format into legible content. Almost every old time resident of the Trenton area had a relative or friend who worked at the John A. Roebling plant on South Broad Street in Trenton. During my time at a ball and roller bearing company, I was on a first name basis with Paul Toth who was the Purchasing Agent in the 40's and 50's. I also remember C.G. Benninghoff, one of the upper management personnel.

1941: John A. Roebling Galvanizing Plant,,Hamilton Township

The above graphic shows an aerial view of the area described in the 1941 article from the Library's "ROEBLING" file regarding a fire at the Roebling Galvanizing plant. This post is in response to Mr. Dave Briegel, who was looking for information on the Roebling-Hamilton connection. I would guess that this is the "Lalor Street Plant" that you referred to, Dave.

From Dave Briegel:

I live off of Lalor. A debate has been going round. Can anyone help! There was for a time, a John Roebling "Lalor Street Plant". I believe it to have been on the Hamilton side of Lalor across from the current Lalor Plaza Shopping Center along the railroad siding. Another local believes it to have been on the site of the shopping center. My recollection tells me that the shopping center site was a pottery, not Roebling.
We are aware of the Buckthorne Plant of Roebling which now is the Metro Center of Nexus Properties off Jersey Street on the Trenton side.
Can anyone help! And if so, does any kind of map,.... exist that could provide a visual.

AGAIN, WITH THANKS TO DAVE BRIEGEL:

Tom,

Thanks for the lead regarding Lalor Street Plant of Roebling and Sons. With your info, an aerial photo from a Roebling catalogue, and a drive down Hewitt Street, I believe the issue to have been settled. In fact if you drive down Hewitt Street you will still find the concrete foundation wall, a few red brick courses, and a stairway identified as a "North Side Warehouse". And from the aerial photo, a railroad siding appears to have entered the plant at Lalor between two buildings which are now enhabited by a moving company.

Thanks in advance!

2010: HEADS UP: ROEBLING: A VERY INTERESTING TOUR

Thanks to Patricia Millen, Curator at the Roebling Museum for this press release which will be of interest to those interested in Trenton history:

For Immediate Release

April 12, 2010

Contact: Patricia Millen

Roebling Museum

609-499-7200

E-mail: patricia.millen@ roeblingmuseum.org

Roebling Museum to Host Roebling Heritage in Trenton Tours

Fundraising bus tour to view Roebling sites in Trenton and Roebling

Roebling, Florence Township, NJ

Join historians and docents on Saturday, May 8 at sites in Trenton and Roebling relating to the legacy of John A. Roebling and the Roebling Sons’ Company. Visitors will view the Roebling collections at the Trenton City Museum, the statue of John A. Roebling in Cadwalader Park and admire the Roebling stained glass windows and iconography at the Trinity Cathedral. Bus riders will tour by the sites of the former Roebling family homes in Trenton and the sites of the historic mills; with a final stop at Riverview cemetery to view the Roebling graves.

Tours leave from the Roebling Museum in Roebling promptly at 10:30 am and 1:30 pm. Tours last approximately two and one half hours. Tickets include entrance to the Roebling Museum and a walking tour brochure of the National historic landmark Village of Roebling. Snacks and water for the bus riders is provided. Price is $30 per seat; $25 for members of the Roebling or Trenton City Museum. (Not recommended for children under 12) Advanced reservations strongly suggested by calling to reserve your seat; remaining tickets will be sold the day of the trip based upon availability.

The Roebling Museum is dedicated to telling the story of John A. Roebling’s Sons Company located in Roebling and Trenton, the village of Roebling and the innovations and technological achievements of the family that changed the industrialized world.

The museum is located on 100 Second Avenue in Roebling. Parking is available at the back of the museum at 1495 Hornberger Avenue beyond the Light Rail Station. Visitors may take the Light Rail; the museum is a short walk from the Roebling stop. For more information call the museum offices at 609-499-7200—and visit the WEB site @ www.roeblingmuseum.org.

2009: MARK YOUR CALENDAR - ROEBLING MUSEUM

Many thanks to Ms. Patricia Millen of the Roebling Museum in Roebling N.J. for this heads up on a very interesting event relating to our own Mercer Automobile Company. Mr. Tim Kuser, an whose family along with the Roeblings, manufactured the legendary Mercer auto, will be the featured Mercer expert.
This is a very significant local historical event.

1946: DOWN GOES ANOTHER TRENTON LANDMARK

THOSE OF US WHO TREASURE HISTORY WINCE WHEN WE HEAR OR SEE THE DESTRUCTION OF OLD HISTORIC LANDMARKS. TO MANY DEVELOPERS, HISTORY TAKES A BACK SEAT TO PUTTING UP STILL ANOTHER GLASS ENCRUSTED OFFICE BUILDING. THE PHOTO ABOVE SHOWS THE BEGINNING OF THE END OF THE MAGNIFICENT WASHINGTON ROEBLING MANSION. EVEN TODAY, MANY OF THE BEAUTIFUL OLD MANSIONS THAT LINE AREAS OF GREENWOOD AVENUE STAND IN BOARDED UP DISREPAIR. IT IS A SAD TRUTH THAT RESTORATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THOSE LOVELY OLD ARCHITECTURAL TREASURES IS FISCALLY PROHIBITIVE IN TODAY'S SOCIETY.

1934: BEFORE THERE WAS WASHINGTON ROEBLING MANSION

THIS EDIFICE WAS DEMOLISHED TO MAKE WAY FOR WASHINGTON ROEBLING'S MANSION. CAN YOU IMAGINE THE AREA BEING AS RURAL AS SHOWN IN THE PHOTO?

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THIS IS A RESPONSE TO A VISITOR WHO PREFERS ANONYMITY, I RECEIVED AN EMAIL REQUESTING THE LOCATION OF ROEBLING'S "RICHMOND HILL."

"OMAD:"
"RICHMOND HILL" WASN'T A SECTION OF TRENTON. IT WAS THE NAME OF THE WASHINGTON ROEBLING ESTATE. IT WAS LOCATED ON WEST STATE STREET BEYOND THE SCHOOL OF INDUSTRIAL ARTS. THE PROPERTY EXTENDED ALL THE WAY TO THE RIVER (STACY PARK AREA). I'M NOT SURE, BUT I THINK IT IS NOW THE LOCATION OF STATE BUILDINGS.

1946: ANOTHER LANDMARK BITES THE DUST

Publish PostIT HAPPENED ALL OVER AMERICA, AND TRENTON WAS NO EXCEPTION. AS I PAGE THROUGH MY NEWSPAPER COLLECTION, I SEE MANY REFERENCES TO "OLD LANDMARKS" BEING TORN DOWN TO MAKE WAY FOR A COMMERCIAL OR GOVERNMENT BUILDING. TAKE A CLOSE LOOK AT THE CONSTRUCTION ON THAT OLD ROEBLING CHIMNEY; THEY DON'T BUILD 'EM LIKE THAT ANY MORE!