1952: EXPLODED VIEW DOWNTOWN TRENTON STATE AND BROAD

What a familiar sight! Look at all the downtown shoppers milling around the busiest intersection in Mercer County back in the year 1952. You can see the news stand that was on the corner of State and Broad just outside the window of J.B.Wilson's Store. And of course, let's not forget that "Futuramic" Oldsmobile heading in our direction as it passes an oncoming 

Trenton Transit Bus No. 545.

1946: STATE AND BROAD ST.

Here's "Closeup" and touched up R.C. Maxwell photo of the J.B. Wilson Store at the corner of State and Broad Street back when Trenton was a viable center city shopping venue. How many of us strolled by that news stand that was there all during my years of going "up town?" Notice how the crowd is dressed! Ladies in beautiful "on the town" skirts and dresses, and gentlemen in sport shirts, slacks and other casual wear. HOW WE HAVE CHANGED!

1935: STATE AND BROAD FROM A ROOF TOP

What an incredibly pristine photo of South Broad Street from what may be the roof of the building that once housed the famous Ballantine Beer clock! That beautiful line of cars heading into and out of Trenton from State and Broad brings warm feelings to we older Trentonians than any other vestige of Trenton antiquity. This was when Trenton was a vibrant city. There were no glass encrusted sky scrapers and commercial establishments proliferated. Gone are the days.

1947: "THEY DO SELL NICE THINGS AT YARDS"

This and other State and Broad photos from the Duke University-R.C. Maxwell collection of photos is close to my heart. Back in 1950, I began dating the girl of my dreams and high school classmate, Judy Britton. Judy worked in "Infants Wear" at Yards, and often as a model for the Yard's Teen shop. Each Thursday night at 8:50 or 8:55 P.M., I would find a curb spot behind that Trenton Transit bus, or in some cases 3 or four lined up at the intersection, and wait for the stores to close. My favorite Trenton Police Officer at the time, Chet Hughes, got to know my car and my mission and he knew that it would only be there there for perhaps 5 minutes. I like to think he looked the other way when he saw that blue 1940 DeSoto, because I was never told to "move on;" which was a common warning to those of us who were "cruising" on a Thursday evening in bustling downtown Trenton.

1940: THIS WAS DOWNTOWN TRENTON

Once again, thanks to the Duke University Archives/Outdoor Advertising Assn Archives, this delightful photo of downtown Trenton taken from North Broad Street at the S.P. Dunham Building.

RALPH LUCARELLA said...

HI TOM....THAT'S A GREAT PHOTO OF STATE AND BROAD AND THE CAPITOL THEATRE WHEN THEY HAD VAULEVILL. I HAVE A FAINT RECOLECTION OF GETTING 50 CENTS WHEN I WAS A YOUNSTER FOR APPEARING ON STAGE WITH A COMEDIAN DURING HIS ACT. THAT WAS A LOT OF MONEY THEN AND MADE ME VERY HAPPY. ONE OF THE MANY CRAZY THINGS THAT WENT ON IN THOSE DAYS. REGARDS.

Friday, January 13, 2012

Anonymous said...

And "Of Mice And Men" along with "Private Affairs" on the Capitol's silver screen.

Tom, just what did Wilson's sell? At some point I remember a Wilson's House of Suede and Leather in the area but that does not appear to be the same.

Thanks .. Ed Millerick

Friday, January 13, 2012

Anonymous said...

Of course, the next photograph answered the question! Wilson's carried ladies hose and hats.

I seem to be either too quick on the trigger or slow on the uptake?

Ed Millerick

Friday, January 13, 2012

omad said...

In this pic I can't see that nifty outside magazine/newspaper stand that sat on the Broad St side of Wilson's. In my teenage years loved to just walk slowly along and look at all the covers. Once in a while buying Seventeen or Glamor and spending hours day dreaming about the clothes.

Saturday, January 14, 2012

1939: AN EXQUISITE VIEW OF DOWNTOWN TRENTON

Professional ethics and U.S. Copyright laws demand that we observe rules of use. You will note that I am crediting each and every photo which I "borrow" from the Duke University Library's R.C. Maxwell photo collection in the Outdoor Advertising Assn' archives. Each of these photos provide a wonderful view of the city of Trenton and its environs going back many years.

About the photo: The detail is so clear when brought up on my monitor and enlarged to the max, that the most miniscule details can be seen. As I gazed hypnotically into the scene, I was magically transported back to Trenton as it was when I was a 6 year old boy. What a wonderful trip! I hope you can experience that incredible journey back in time.

RALPH LUCARELLA said...

HI TOM...DOWNTOWN TRENTON WAS WHERE I WOPRKED FOR 3 YEARS WHILE I WAS WITH THE POST OFFICE IN THE 1940 AND 50 YEARS. IT WAS A TIME WHEN THE AREA WAS VERY THRIVING AND I GOT TO MEET MANY FINE PEOPLE. THEY RECEIVED 3 MAIL DELIVERIES A DAY AT THAT TIME AND LATER ON I DROVE A PARCEL POST ON THE SAME ROUTE. DURING MY YOUNGER DAYS IN CHAMBERSBURG I ALWAYS FELT LIKE IT WAS SOMETHING SPECIAL TO GO DOWNTOWN. BEST REGARDS.

Friday, January 13, 2012

Anonymous said...

And when I look up at that billboard I can hear his words as if it were yesterday; "Don't forget the three ring sign and ask the man for Ballantine, Ballantine's Beer and Ale". Mel Allen the voice of the New York Yankees in the 1950's.

Ed Millerick

Friday, January 13, 2012

Tom Glover said...

RIGHT YOU ARE, ED. WINS 1010 NEW YORK. MEL ALLEN AND CURT GOWDY ANNOUNCING THE GAMES. ALONG WITH THE THREE RING SIGN, THEY WERE ALSO SPONSORED BY WHITE OWL CIGARS. A HOME RUN WAS A "WHITE OWL WALLOP." I WAS AN ARDENT YANKEE FAN BACK THEN, BEFORE TV. (I STILL AM)

TOM GLOVER

Friday, January 13, 2012