1950: THE PERRY STREET TERMINAL

You're on the other side of 50 years of age if you remember this very prominent landmark from Trenton's golden age when those yellow and green Trenton Transit buses moved in and out all day long. It was here that U.S. Army Pvt. Glover, Thomas L. waited for a Trailways bus on a warm Wednesday morning to take him to Fort Devens, Mass. where he was to begin 9 months of hush hush training at the New England HQ of the Army Security Agency.

1950: THE TRENTON WE REMEMBER

I will never forget the thrill of a trip "downtown" from our rural Hamilton home. Catch the L-Liberty Street bus at Cedar Lane and South Olden Avenue, wait on the porch of "Bee Bee's Tavern" in wet or cold weather, waiting for th Trenton Transit bust of reach what was then the end of the line. Then mom pays the driver a dime, he deposits it in a coin type receiver on his hip and we're on our way. Up South Olden to Liberty Street, Liberty Street to South Broad Street and all the way into town. What memorable trips they were!

1950: SOUTH BROAD FROM SECOND STREET

Once again, the detail on this R.C. Maxwell photo is pristine and very detailed. Closer inspection will show the old and very familiar Gould's Auto Parts, along with one of those very familiar Trenton Transit "Fageol" Twin Coach buses.

1896: FROM THE LATE LELAND "LEE" BUKER; TRENTON TRANSIT HISTORIAN

My dear friend, the late Leon "Lee" Buker was the recognized local history expert when it came to Trenton's mass transit system. Going back to the days of the horse drawn trolley to the electric trolley to the fleet of Trenton Transit's familiar cream and green buses, Lee had diligently kept scrapbooks and photos of the glorious past of the transit system in Trenton. Future posts will show the old "trolley barn" on Lalor Street, the huge electric generator that powered the trolleys, and many other fascinating photos from this incredible man's years as an employee of the Trenton Transit company. Above is just one of the ephemeral and historic relics which were preserved by Lee for the edification of this, and future generations.

2013: RAY PASZKIEWICZ'S INCREDIBLE MODEL BUILDING TALENT

The above vignette shows the incredible talent of model builder and regular glover320 website contributor, Ray Paszkiewicz. Ray has crafted these incredible models with equally incredible detail. Look closely at each photo. You will think you are looking at a real on the road Trenton Transit bus. Exquisite craftsmanship, Ray.

RAY WROTE:
Hi Tom, You opened the door with the latest Maxwell photo of the Trenton Transit bus on East State St. When I visited you last, at the Hamilton Library, I asked if you could publish photos of a model I manufactured, about 10 years ago, of this bus. It is in 1/43rd scale, approximately 9 inches in length, and is as close to the real vehicle, as is possible to do in this scale. I did a lot of research to get the graphics
correct, as the pictures enclosed will show. My favorite destination board, is Hiltonia, as I rode this bus, from
Villa Park, as a kid. You will see Kerns Beverages advertising on the front, and Ballantine Beer and Sunbeam Bread on the side flanks. I also, made a second bus that ran through Trenton, either North or South, from the Perry St. Bus Terminal. I have enclosed a photo of my Public Service Coordinated Transport of New Jersey bus. This Battleship Gray bus was a familiar sight in Trenton. A third vehicle,
paying tribute to Trenton,  is a 1949 Diamond T 201 wrecker, Tex Wrecking Service, 10 East Front St, with the famous Trenton Export telephone prefix. You can see just the rear of one of their wreckers, in a Maxwell photo you published at the corner of Front and Warren. I obtained a photo of their trucks, from the
Trentoniana Collection, at the Trenton Library. to get my graphics correct. As I mentioned to you, I visited Lee Buker, when I was doing my research for the bus. I am sending 3 emails to get in all of the photos. Thanks, Ray
Paszkiewicz

REMEMBERING LELAND "LEON: BUKER'S TRENTON TRANSIT

How my friend, the late Leon Buker would love to see the collection he labored over and carefully preserved for so many years being on display for posterity! Thanks to Tom and Rosemary Buker, much of Lee's collection has become an integral part of the Hamilton Township Public Library's "TROLLEYS-BUSES-RAILROAD" folder in the Local History Collection. The colored graphic on the left is only a small part of Lee's incredible collection of Trenton Transit bus and trolley memorabilia. The photo of the old familiar Trenton bus terminal (AKA "Union Bus Terminal" will be forever remembered by Tom Glover. The very last time I was at that terminal was in 1955 when I waited for a "Trailways" bus to take me to my new assignment as a cloak and dagger operative at Fort Devens, Massachusetts.

Tom,
My brother and I spent many a hour playing against the brick wall waiting for my dad to get his assignment. Saw many Trailways, Greyhounds, Royal Blue Coach, and Public Service buses running in and out of the terminal and of course your favorite bus. "LIBERTY ST." Thanks for the posting.
Tom Buker

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Anonymous said...

What always amazed me (as a kid), was how they managed to squeeze the bus from the rear lot and between those brick buildings out onto Front Street, as the buses got larger and larger, like the Greyhound and Trailways I think it was a combination of luck and/or skill.

In the early 1950's we still didn't have a car and used my Uncle Tom's Airstream Trailer down at Holgate at the tip of Long Beach Island. Our trip for a week at the shore involved a few bus rides and took almost the entire day. We would take Trenton Transit (S-Colonial), to the Cathedral and then over to "The Terminal" where we would get a bus to Philadelphia. Often it was a hot ride with no AC but there was one refreshment/potty stop by Route 72 in Lebanon. Then it was on to the end of the line at Beach Haven leaving about 5 miles to go to Holgate and with no bus or cab service you were left with an outstretched thumb. Back in the 50's, the stretch between Holgate and Beach Haven was essentially deserted; just dunes and grass till you got to Lindhal's Trailer Park (that still survives today). Holgate had the Coast Guard tower for coastal defense against Kraut subs and such from WWII. During the big storm of (62?) the owners perished when they left the safety of the tower, but essentially is was not much of a "resort" with a single bar, one hot dog stand and a small sit down small burger place and of course the obligatory boat repair shop. Aside from that, just a few dozen trailers and a one street of houses. To go fishing for snappers off the Beach Haven dock, well Dad was quite resourceful and we rode into town on the milk truck, bottles clanking (standing room only), and returned on the "summer school bus" in the afternoon. Tom, seeing that old photo sparked the memory. Then there were the fires, at times you could barely see the road. Hard to imagine but it took all of the day to make that "journey" back then. When LBI was so quiet and heaven to a city kid. The only "entertainment" aside from snapper blues and splashing were the cheap comics, old ones and for 10 cents you got a pack of 12 with the covers torn off. Thanks ...

Ed Millerick

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Tom Glover said...

VERY INTERESTING RETROSPECTIVE, TOM AND ED. .ALL THESE COMMENTS ENHANCE THE GRAPHIC VERY NICELY.

TOM GLOVER

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Publish Post

2012: LELAND "LEON" BUKER'S TRENTON TRANSIT

During my many years of living in the local area, two persons stand out as true Trenton "Mass transit" historians: my classmate, John Hoschek and my very dear friend, Leon Buker. Mrs. Buker and son Tom have graciously decided to share the incredible lifetime collection of Trenton Transit memorabilia. I have put together a slide show displaying some of Lee's wonderful collection. Fellow senior citizens and local history buffs, click on this link and go back to your younger years:

http://smilebox.com/play/4d7a45774d54677a4d54513d0d0a&blogview=true&campaign=blog_playback_link

RALPH LUCARELLA said...

HI TOM....BILL THORNTON WAS A NAME WE KNEW WHO WAS WITH TRENTON TRANSIT FOR MANY YEARS BEFORE TAKING OVER THE MANAGEMENT OF THE WHITE HORSE BOWLING LANES FROM CHARLEY FOX. HE ALSO WAS AN IMPORTANT OFFICER WITH THE AMERICAN BOWLING CONGRESS AND WAS A BIG HELP WHEN WE BUILT THE HAMILTON BOWLING LANES ON ROUTE 33 IN 1955. REGARDS.

Saturday, April 14, 2012

1982 (PEN AND INK) 1983 "THE WAY WE WERE:" I REMEMBER TRENTON TRANSIT-I REMEMBER TRENTON

The above article was written back in 1983 when Trenton Transit was celebrating an anniversary. As I once again look at my pen and ink drawing of Trenton Transit "L-9," when my eyes were those of a 50 year old! Hopefully when I get my next eye exam, I will once again be able to etch in those very fine pen and ink lines with my Staedtler pen. All of my old time Trenton natives each has his or her memories of the Trenton Transit bus that covered their neighborhood. I hope this post will spur a few visitors to remember their experiences with this vintage transportation company. Trenton was a real treat to those of us "hicks" from rural Hamilton who took a memorable ride to downtown Trenton before the advent of malls.

Speaking of memorable downtowns: At the advancing age of 77, I still harbor incredibly clear memories of the Trenton of my youth. Recent news of the Roman Catholic Diocesan Bishop leaving the city of Trenton for the suburbs has caused quite a controversy in some quarters. To me, it is quite understandable that His Excellency moves to the suburban Lawrenceville. My understanding of that decision lies in the fact that I Live within 2 blocks of the city of Trenton, Numerous people comment that the area of Bromley which has been our home for 50 years, like the Western section and nuerouse areas of Trenton, is no longer the area it was when we purchased our Atlantic Avenue home back in the early 1960's. On the other hand, when I received the news that the immensely popular annual St. Patrick's Day parade was being moved to Hamilton Township, I looked at it as another nail in the coffin of a grand old town that is trying so valiantly to move up to its former glory. Politics aside, Judy and I will be active supporters of that group of loyal Trentonians who will continue the custom of a Trenton St. Patrick's Day parade, even though it may not be as huge as the original parade. Additionally, it will be a pleasure to once again greet one of my favorite Priests, Father Danny Cahill, a dear friend of the Glover family when he was an Associate at St. Anthony's parish.

The above are my personal opinions, and mine alone.

1940's: LELAND BUKER'S TRENTON TRANSIT

My friend of many years, the late Leland "Leon" Buker was a long time employee of the Trenton Transit Company. Indeed, Lee bled Trenton Transit's trademark cream and green colors. If these posts survive the years, as I suspect they will, future generations will be vitally interested in mass transit as it was experienced during the 20th century. Lee Buker's extensive collection of Trenton Transit memorabilia is ensconced safely in the Hamilton Township Public Library's Local History Collection, thanks to Rosemary and Tom Buker.

TENTON TRANSIT PASSES

At one of my Kuser Mansion on-screen presentations a few years ago, this graphic was brought to the viewing audience. As usual, that familiar story of the back window on the bus comes up. We all did it, and the driver usually knew it, figuring if we had to resort to that much effort to save a dime, we were in the lower poverty level!

1940'S LEON BUKER COLLECTION

There are a number of pages in Lee's scrapbook which I have re-arranged and enhanced in the graphic above. Perhaps one of the buses in this, and future posts will be the bus you rode when you journeyed to "downtown Trenton!"

Thcomment below from Tom Buker, Leon's son, without whom, (along with Leon's wife "Ro" Buker), there would be no Hamilton Library Leland Buker Collection:

Tom,
Great to see the old bus pictures. I rode and played on all except the charter bus. Who needs day care when your pop is a bus driver. Happy New Year.
Tom

1949: CIRCA 1949 PHOTO OF THE TRENTON TRANSIT GARAGE

IT WAS LOCATED ON EAST STATE STREET, JUST OFF OF NORTH OLDEN AVENUE. NOTE THE ADVERTISING FOR MARKS' HARDWARE STORE ON THE BRICK BUILDING IN THE BACK GROUND. AS I RECALL, THAT'S A "FAGEOL" TWIN COACH EXITING THE GARAGE. IF I'M WRONG, I KNOW TOM BUKER WILL CORRECT ME.

1979: THANKS TO THE LELAND BUKER FAMILY

WHAT MEMORIES WE TRENTON AREA NATIVES HAVE OF THE TRENTON TRANSIT COMPANY. ANY TIME THE DISCUSSION COMES UP, I FIND THAT MOST FOLKS HAVE AN INTERESTING TALE TO TELL OF THEIR EXPERIENCES WITH BUS TRAVEL IN THE MID AND PRE-MID 20TH CENTURY. OF COURSE, THE MOST PROMINENT AND TIRING MEMORY IS BOARDING THE BUS, SHOWING THE DRIVE YOUR WEEKLY BUS PASS, AND THEN PASSING IT OUT THE WINDOW TO YOUR BUDDY. IT SEEMS EVERYONE DID IT.

WITH THOSE LARGE REAR VIEW MIRRORS, I'M SURE THE DRIVER WASN'T FOOLED. RATHER HE WAS COMPASSIONATE AND LOOKED THE OTHER WAY.

1979: FROM THE LEON BUKER COLLECTION

Many thanks to Tom Buker and his mom Rosemarie for numerous memorabilia relating to the the transit history of the Trenton area. Leon (Leland) Buker was a driver for the Trenton Transit Company and also a renowned Trenton transportation historian.

1938 STATE AND BROAD, TRENTON CIRCA 1938

BE READY FOR AN INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE. WHEN YOU CLICK ON THIS PHOTO, YOU WILL BE MAGICALLY TRANSPORTED TO THE INTERSECTION OF STATE AND BROAD STREET IN DOWNTOWN TRENTON IN THE 1930'S. WHAT A GREAT PHOTO!

THIS PHOTO WAS BEFORE MY TIME. THE TELL TALE TRENTON TRANSIT BUSES WERE THE CLUE FOR ME. THEY ARE 1930'S BUSES. THIS GREAT PHOTO CAME TO ME VIA MY DEAR FRIEND, THE LATE LELAND BUKER. LEE HAD AN INCREDIBLE MEMORY AND WAS A TRUE HISTORIAN ON THE TRENTON TRANSIT SYSTEM.

IF YOU LOOK CLOSELY, YOU WILL SEE THE S.P. DUNHAM SIGN, STOLL'S, AND F.W. DONNELLY ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STREET.

1944: "L-9" Liberty Street ; A Busload of Memories

I drew this pen and ink sketch back in the 1980's to illustrate a story in "The Way We Were," a column I wrote for the late, lamented Mercer Messenger. That bus was the source of many pleasant memories for me. Mom Glover and I made many visits to downtown Trenton before the shopping malls and the desertion from downtown caused by societal changes and the loss of business. The "L-9" in this view is at the corner of Liberty Street and South Olden Avenue, heading back to Cedar Lane and the end of the line. "Steve's Barber Shop" is seen in the engraving, next to "Carty's" luncheonette. Remember them? The "L-9" started its daily runs from the end of the line at Cedar Lane and Olden, some 3 blocks from my Hartley Avenue home. Her journey to downtown Trenton took her along South Olden Avenue to Liberth Street, left on Liberty Street to South Broad Street, then through State and Broad Streets to the old Perry Street Terminal, and retracing her route back to Cedar Lane and Olden.