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Showing posts with label TRENTON HIGH SCHOOL. Show all posts
Showing posts with label TRENTON HIGH SCHOOL. Show all posts

Monday, November 23, 2015

1940: TRENTON CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL




He who opens a school door, closes a prison. ~Victor Hugo
They were our nemesis all through my years at Hamilton High School. They were also the epitome of good sportsmanship. No one was more disappointed than I when I heard that the building had to be razed. In my uninformed mind, the red brick structure could be preserved and an interior renovation with new material being brought into play to re-design the interior with classrooms, and add the more modern rooms necessary to the back of the interior restored building. However, I ultimately found that it was beyond preserving. Thus another local Trenton landmark goes the way of the passenger pigeon. Even though I am a Hamilton High graduate, I followed their activities during my school years as did many non Trentonians who were interested in their annual Sports Night, Operettas, and other social outreach programs served up by Tornadoes from the golden years.

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

1950: A BUCOLIC VIEW OF TRENTON CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL

Just stop in your busy day. and take a minute to look at those two bucolic views of the beautiful campus of Trenton Central High School as it was before society's fashionistas decided to wrap up the good grooming package and throw it into the trash can. Girls in skirts and blouses, boys in dress shirts with a tie, or a sport shirt, and creases in their trousers. How I yearn for those years of my youth when good grooming was the order of the day! Even if you were from a poor family as in my personal case, my mom would never let me go to school unless I looked "presentable," as she used to say. Today we see the boys with knees torn out of their jeans, not from actual wear as was the case when I was a boy, but they are actually fulfilling a "fashion statement" dreamed up by a twisted member of the clothing industry who has the unique talent of starting a trend in what I call "rebellion dress code modification." Even a number of female Hollywood personalities are joining in the idiotic trend. It was probably the same genius who decided to get the boys to buy jeans that look like they are worn and torn. "Don't wear that baseball cap in the conventional way, wear it backwards. Only old fogies wear their baseball cap with the peak and logo on the front..." "let those jeans down around your thighs and expose your underwear; you will be cool....you will really be noticed...." "Girls, isn't that blouse a bit prudish? Look at how all those Hollywood gals are revealing more and more of their lovely physical attributes. Why not you? 
Note: The above rant is my personal observation and opinion and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of those who are fast approaching majority status.
Tom Glover
Active Member "Old Fogies Club"

Friday, May 16, 2014

1940: TRENTON CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL ELEGANCE

 
Even as the city of Trenton had an era I call the "Golden Age," so too did Trenton Central High School; that magnificent red brick structure on Chambers Street in Trenton that will soon be a memory. Thanks to Mr. Wayne Moore, TCHS '50 for sending me his "Bobashela" yearbook from way down in Frederick, Maryland where the Moore family now resides. It was just plain wonderful to see the photos of the school during the years when it was well maintained. Also wonderful to once again take a look at a vanishing period in our history when dress codes resulted in well groomed boys and delightfully clad fashionable young girls. 
Sally Logan Gilman said...

Hi Tom: Nice to see something that brings back wonderful memories. I graduated from THS in 1955 and it was indeed a lovely school with well-dressed students. Thanks so much for running the shots. Regards
Monday, May 19, 2014
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Monday, March 17, 2014

1932 TRENTON HIGH TO OPEN TOMORROW

Please, Facebook users, when you find a graphic that interests you, give credit to the originator of the graphic. Most instances of non credited posts are done without realizing that crediting the source of a graphic is important. There are an increasing number of graphics being posted by those who give proper credit to the Trenton Public Library Trentoniana collection and I would hope that you do the same. I posted the above graphic on this website back in 2012. We have a treasure of old Trenton Times newspaper photos on this website, and it takes a lot of time and tweaking to ready them for posting. THANK YOU in advance!

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

1929: TRENTON SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL BOBASHELA

That majestic and beautiful building that was once located on Hamilton Avenue and Chestnut Avenue also became the victim of the wrecking ball. I often wonder if citizens back then were as interested in saving that historic edifice and utilizing it for other purposes. A recent news story in the local press quoted a high profile Trentonian calling for the demolition of the current Trenton High School on Chambers and Greenwood Avenue. From my uninformed viewpoint, and not being an authority on architecture, but assuming that a brick structure is a sturdy structure, ignorant citizens such as I wonder if the interior of the building can't be stripped, leaving the sturdy brick structure in place, and re-building from the inside out with rafters and  roof replaced, thus maintaining the historically significant building, and adding an addition if there is not enough room for the current student population. Please note these are my personal observations and I hasten to add that I know little or nothing about the condition of the brick foundation of that beautiful old building. Also note that I am not qualified to assess the viability of destroying the old and replacing with a new structure. Any time an historic building is endangered, I and many others wonder if all options are legitimately considered.

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

TRENTON CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL: A TRENTON TREASURE

This is a re-run of an April 2012 post where I put together a little slide show with news photos of students who attended that beautiful center of learning over the years. Click on the link below. Note: Use the "II" pause control under each graphic to read the accompanying captions. The music accompanying the program is one of my very favorite Bing Crosby songs,
"WAY BACK HOME."

http://smilebox.com/play/4d7a45784e4467334e6a633d0d0a&blogview=true&campaign=blog_playback_link

USE THE "II" PAUSE ICON AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE TO PAUSE AND READ THE CAPTIONS. THE ">" ICON WILL RESUME THE PRESENTATION


Tom: thanks for the great Trenton High School production you created. It was Top Notch. I was of the Class of 1943 , and we are having a luncheon at Freddie's in W Trenton on May 11, and one in October. Fewer and fewer are attending, but we had a wonderful class and school- with terrific memories. Thanks again for the production.

Jim
Thank you for visiting my website, Jim, I hope you return often. Thanks also for the nice comment on theTCHS presentation. Trenton High a truly great school.
Ron Bound said...

Tom, thanks. Great to see the old school. Went there in 54, before moving from the Burg, to Hamilton Township, and then finishing at HHS 56. 2 great memories, and a bunch of great teachers.

Tony S said...

Splendid review. How would I like to see a similar montage of the class of 1957. Thanks for doing this. I loved this school and the years I was lucky enough to be there.

Mack said...

God Bless my ole school :))


Wednesday, August 01, 2012

1952: 60TH REUNION IN OCTOBER

Mike Kuzma: So sorry I got THS '62 mixed up with this graphic I should have used for the class of 1952, not 1962. Above is the graphic I meant to post with the announcement of your 60th reunion at John Henry's on Kuser Road. (The old Italian American Sportsmen site.) I await your formal announcement of the affair, and will post same upon receipt. Interestingly, I will be singing for Hamilton High's class of 1952 at the Mercer Boat Works in the Fall. I will be singing the music of the early 50's when music was music.

Tom:
Thanks not only for the "plug" but also for making me ten ( 10 ) years younger.
I was with the THS class of 1952, not 62. But I appreciate the help both in plugs, and age dimunition!!! LOL
Had I paid attention in class, and not got too big for my pants, I would have finished with my class, and accepted a free ride to Roanoke College. Instead, left school a year too soon, Service, work, and stuggle. Good thing I had the parents I had, and receive a great work ethic from them.
When the offered me an Asst. VP title at the old Trenton Banking Co. and then recinded it when they learned I had not graduated from High school. It motivated me to finish school at night, and the right to be included with my original class.

3 years ago, when in Roanoke on a land buying venture, I stopped by the College, and nearly cried for screwing up the way I had. What a beautiful place,where I "shuolda" been.
After retiring from State Government, I began accumulating credits, and at this point have more than enough for an associate's degree.
At the rate I'm going, I'll need a walker to get me across the stage for the graduation. But you never know, I just might do it.
Thanks for the correction.
Mike Kuzma

Sunday, April 22, 2012

TRENTON CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL: A TRENTON TREASURE

I have put together a little slide show with news photos of student who attended that beautiful center of learning over the years. Click on the link below. Note: Use the "II" pause control under each graphic to read the accompanying captions. The music accompanying the program is one of my very favorite Bing Crosby songs,
"WAY BACK HOME."

http://smilebox.com/play/4d7a45784e4467334e6a633d0d0a&blogview=true&campaign=blog_playback_link


Tom: thanks for the great Trenton High School production you created. It was Top Notch. I was of the Class of 1943 , and we are having a luncheon at Freddie's in W Trenton on May 11, and one in October. Fewer and fewer are attending, but we had a wonderful class and school- with terrific memories. Thanks again for the production.

Jim
Thank you for visiting my website, Jim, I hope you return often. Thanks also for the nice comment on theTCHS presentation. Trenton High a truly great school.

Saturday, April 14, 2012

1905: DR. WILLIAM WETZEL'S WETZEL FIELD



Many of us have fond memories of attending Wetzel Field on Trenton's Morris Avenue and either watching a long forgotten "INDUSTRIAL LEAGUE" baseball game, perhaps a city-wide baseball championship game, or heard your great grandfather recall being at the game where Babe Ruth socked a ball completely out of the expansive ball park. This page presents a very interesting early history of what was once the home field of the Trenton High students who attended the original Trenton High School on Chestnut and Hamilton Avenues.
Anonymous RALPH LUCARELLA said...

HI TOM....I'M ONE OF THE GREAT GRANDFATHERS WHO SAW EVERYTHING YOU MENTIONED BELOW. I SAW AND PLAYED IN MANY OF THE LEAGUE GAMES AT WETZEL AND WAS THERE WHEN THE BABE HIT ONE OUT OF THE PARK. WETZEL FIELD WAS MY SECOND HOME DURING THE 30'S AND EARLIER WHEN IT WAS ALSO A PLAYGROUND. I ALSO RECALL WATCHING MY BROTHER LOU PRACTICE FOOTBALL ON THE TRENTON HIGH TEAM IN THE 20'S; LOU GEHRIG WAS ALSO WITH THE BABE WHEN HE WAS THERE. BEST REGARDS

Saturday, April 14, 2012

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Tom Glover said...

RALPH:

THIS POST IS ONE OF THE MANY REASONS I COUNT YOU AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THIS WEB SITE.

TOM GLOVER

Wednesday, January 04, 2012

1895: THE ORIGINAL TRENTON HIGH SCHOOL


It is really wonderful to find alumni who are taking the time to form a high school alumni association. We made an effort to form one for Hamilton High School back in the 1980's but it was one of those "suppose we give a party and no one comes? No one did. The operating word here is apathy. However that's not the case with the folks from Trenton Central High School. The article and engraving above is from one of my old scrapbooks and is believed to be from the Trenton Times. This is the first Trenton High School which was located on Mercer Street in Mill Hill.

ATTN: ALL TCHS ALUMNI:

THE FOLLOWING EMAIL WAS RECEIVED FROM MR. KARL J. FLESCH
There will be a Recommitment Ceremony on 1/18 to mark the dedication of TCHS 80 years ago to the day. Guests are invited to attend to hear about building and dedication of the school. A small tour will follow. RSVP:

http://www.tchsalumniassociation.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=131&Itemid=233

1932: TYPICAL CLASS ROOM IN THE NEW TRENTON CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL

This is a graphic from the newspapers of early January, 1932 heralding the opening of the new Trenton Central High School. The room in the photo is typical of the seating arrangement in my high school and grammar school years. Usually 5 rows with the center row facing the teacher's desk. In the numerous visits I have made to local schools, the desk arrangement is much more informal; the old conventional 5 row arrangement no longer the rule.

Tuesday, January 03, 2012

1932-2012: HAPPY 80TH TO TRENTON CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL

Would you believe there are those in our community who want to demolish this building (except for part of the front with the clock tower.) Not being an architectural engineer, but experiencing the process of stripping a building down to its bricks and mortar and rebuilding from the inside out is done all the time, providing that the structure is sound. Let's celebrate the 80th birthday of this venerable old institution by making a commitment to restore it to its original glory and forget about building one of those glass-encrusted monstrosities in the back yard of the property.
Anonymous RALPH LUCARELLA said...

HI TOM...I ATTENDED TRENTON HIGH IN THE YEARS 1935,36 AND 37. I VISITED IN 2009 AND FOUND EVERYTHING THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL AS I LAST REMEMBER IT. I BELIEVE IT TO BE AMONG THE BEST HIGH SCHOOLS IN THE COUNTRY AND CAN'T UNDERSTAND THE TALK OF THOSE CHANGES.

Tuesday, January 03, 2012

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Anonymous Anonymous said...

Tom, these buildings were let go on purpose. This is the work of the EDA, Schools Construction Authority and a few other names they went by. The State "Cow-Tow's" to the party donors who are architects, contractors, engineers or consultants and vendors at the expense of our now bankrupt state. And yes, I have been a fly on the wall.

Ed Millerick

Tuesday, January 03, 2012


Blogger Mack said...

Great post Tom:) Heres to the red and the black....

Wednesday, January 04, 2012

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Anonymous Omad said...

Visions of Sports Night dance in my head when I see the pictures of the gym and theater. My friend's older sister was able to get us tickets as she was prominent in the week's event. We were only in 8th grade and were in awe of the participants. Begged my parents to let me go to THS, but a Catholic education was what they had for me.

Wednesday, January 04, 2012

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Anonymous Sally Logan Gilman said...

Hi Tom: I loved my time at THS and hate to think of anything happening to it. The gym was the greatest and during Sports Night the center of everything that was high school. I was on the Red Team and there was a lot of competition between the two sides. We rehearsed all the many numbers until they were perfect. The show was top notch and attracted Paul Whiteman who was one of the many "big names'' who came to our show. Regards and the best in 2012.

Wednesday, January 04, 2012

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Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sally, I believe Paul Whiteman is buried in the cemetery that is on that curve at the church on Scotch Road. It is an almost "cabin" looking and it's very attractive place of rest. After making the turn past the church it can be seen on the left.

Ed Millerick

Wednesday, January 04, 2012


Wednesday, October 19, 2011

1938: TRENTON HIGH GIRLS MAKING GOWNS


Trenton High School has a magnificent historic heritage. The photo grouping above shows just one of the many such articles and photos that are being digitally preserved in the Hamilton Library's Local History Collection under database folder, "TRENTON CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL." I have yet to meet anyone locally who doesn't share my view that this beautiful edifice should be restored and preserved as a viable high school and at the same time preserved as the historic local treasure that it is. On the "other side" are those who prefer a glass-encrusted ultra modern structure which will in no way improve the performance of the students.

Sally Logan Gilman said...
Tom: I graduated from THS in 1955 and on one trip back to Trenton, I took some photos around the outside. I'm so glad I did. It was a beautiful building and I cannot imagine not taking care of it and treasuring it. Also, I love the new background on your website. It is so polished and colorful. Regards
Thursday, October 20, 2011

Wednesday, January 05, 2011

1929: THE NEW $2,500,000 DOLLAR TRENTON HIGH SCHOOL IS APPROVED

Trenton High School is one of Trenton's few remaining historic treasures. There has been talk of demolishing that historic red brick structure and replacing it with a newer building. As I page through thousands of pages of local Trenton newspapers from the 1930's, 1940's and 1950's, I find countless uplifting articles and photos of THS students who went to school to learn, participate in the many extra-curricular activities including the annual operetta, sports night, and other activities. Pride and discipline were just two of the pillars that contributed to the school's educational excellence. I have searched in vain for negative articles relating to incidents or cases where police were regular visitors to the school to restore law and order; that search was in vain.
(THE ABOVE OPINION IS SOLELY THAT OF TOM GLOVER)
Anonymous Sally Logan Gilman said...

Hi Tom: First off, Happy New Year. You would be hard pressed to find any negative articles on TCHS in the good old days. I graduated in 1955 and am still proud and grateful for the education I received there. It had everything any student could want. Sports Night, of course, was the big event but there were other wonderful offerings to round out an education. The building is a true historic gem.
Wednesday, January 05, 2011
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Blogger Ralph Lucarella said...

HI TOM....IN 1929 I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED TO HEAR THAT A NEW HIGH SCHOOL WOULD BE BUILT ON CHAMBERS FIELD. THIS WAS WHERE WE WOULD SEE BARNUM AND BAILEY'S CIRCUS AND CATCH CANDY THAT WAS DROPPED FROM PLANES. AS A KID I DID'NT FEEL WE NEEDED A NEW SCHOOL, THE ONE AT HAMILTON AND CHESTNUT SEEMED FINE. AS I GREW OLDER I REALIZED IT WAS PROBABLY THE BEST THING THAT TRENTON COULD HAVE DONE. THAT ENORMOUS FIELD TURNED OUT TO BE A GREAT ASSET TO THE KIDS GOING INTO HIGH SCHOOL FROM ALL SECTIONS OF THE CITY AND ADDED TO THE ADVANTAGES OF LIVING IN THE CHAMBERSBURG AREA. IT WOULD BE A BIG MISTAKE TO CHANGE THE SCHOOL IN ANY WAY. REGARDS.
Wednesday, January 05, 2011

Saturday, July 24, 2010

1946: TRENTON CATHOLIC BOYS' HIGH SCHOOL

The little vignette above and the "God's eye view" of Immaculate campus in the next post will surely warm the heart of the numerous members of "the Golden Wave" who visit this blog. This photo was edited and combined to make a vignette of various locations around the campus. Click on the graphic and come back to Trenton Catholic Boys' High School 1946. with me!

Tuesday, June 08, 2010

1937: TRENTON HIGH'S "GREATEST GENERATION"


The writings at the top of this graphic were scanned in from a brown with age clipping in my scrapbook. I can't seem to place the source nor the date when I wrote it. However, it details the events surrounding a reunion those Tornadoes had and supports my stand that the Greatest Generation was and is alive and well. The lower graphic is a repeat of a former post on this blog.

Tuesday, June 01, 2010

1937: HERE ARE TRENTON'S BEST IN BASKETBALL 1937

The Rossi name in Trenton-Chambersburg is legendary. I leave it to my faithful visitor and buddy Ralph Lucarella to fill us in on additional info on those stars whose photos appear in the above graphic.

Saturday, May 15, 2010

1934: Gazette "All City Baseball Awards"

These are some of the giant of local sports from the 1930's and 40's. I can't recall specific names but I would bet that my best buddy Don Slabicki and I saw one or more of these players at Wetzel Field during our nightly visits to that grand old ball park as young teens. And to Ralph Lucarells, one of my favorite old time visitors to this site, I would venture a guess that you were on first name basis with most of the guys in the article above. Please continue to enhance these graphics with your first person retrospectives, Ralph. Your comments are very much appreciated, add to the local color, and take us back to times we all love to re-visit.

Friday, May 14, 2010

1934: TRENTON HIGH vs CATHEDRAL

There's that recurring name "Jiggs" Corrado again. I remember the "grownups" talk about him when I was a boy. There were "Jiggs" in my memory bank: Corrado and Arena....and don't miss George Case, a local Trenton boy who went on to be a hero with the Washington Senators. In later life, many older visitors will remember Case's Sporting Goods store.