1904: 'TRENTON THEN AND NOW

This intriguingly fascinating photo taken at the intersection of Hamilton and South Clinton Avenue looking east (1904) will challenge those of us who are familiar with that very urban location in this year of 2017. It is a 20 page pamphlet published by the "Republican County Committee" revealing the many improvements that their organization took credit for accomplishing during the years when they were in office. Schools, fire houses, streets and roads, burying wires in order to remove the countless poles and wires, etc. It took a bit of Photoshop magic to digitize, brighten and finish this photo. It is one of many others that will be published by the Hamilton Library Local History Collection.

1938: THE LEGENDARY CASA LIDO ON SO. WARREN STREET

This splendid view of SouthWwarren Street bring back many warm memories. Note that Capitol Motors is also on the immediate right in the photo, before they moved to that ultra modern circularly constructed show room on So. Broad street near the Roebling complex.

1940: NORTH BROAD ENTERING THE STATE STREET INTERSECTION

How I love these vintage R.C. Maxwell photos that bring our Trenton past so beautifully into view!
Here's an enlarged zoomed in photo of that very familiar downtown Trenton intersection as it appeared 76 years ago.

1920: SO. BROAD ST. AT E. FRONT STREET

These incredible R.C. Maxwell - Duke University Library photos allow for clarity which I find particularly fascinating. Here's a closeup of the intersection of So. Broad and E.Front Street with the Methodist Church tower just partially visible. Below is a GoogleEarth view of the intersection as it appears today. What a difference in the transformation of that intersection after these 95 years!

. Over the past year or so since I discovered this incredible collection of Trenton area photos, I note that there are a number of these R.C.Maxwell Trenton area photos that are being posted with no credit as to the source which is in violation of U.S. Copyright "fair use" laws. In keeping with this law, and as required by the Duke University Library R.C. Maxwell Collection, I insert the copyright information on the actual photos which I post on various internet locations. This  effectively prevents me from being in violation of the aforesaid law. Posting with no credit physically printed on the photo allows for copying and re-posting elsewhere on various websites.

2014: R.C. MAXWELL'S TRENTON

The graphic above is the title page of my on screen presentation which features the incredibly historic and equally incredible exquisite photos of Trenton as it looked during what I call "Trenton's Golden Years." 

"R.C. Maxwell's Trenton" will be one of the on screen programs which will presented at the Hamilton Township Public Library by the new and improved HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF HAMILTON TOWNSHIP in future months. After years of bypassing the illustrious history of Hamilton, Trenton, and the Mercer County area, the society has found that universally interesting programs will bring citizens to the meetings. Gone are the historic but far from local subjects of the past Einstein, Molly Picher, etc.) Come join us; you will love our new direction!

1936: E. STATT.E ST. APPROACHING BROAD ST.

 

Here's another nice enhanced view of downtown Trenton, 1936.Note the cars parked on the street! A real "no no" when I was a young driver back in the 1950's. This photo an exquisite detailed view of the center of the city as it looked 77 years ago.

1923: A CLOSEUP VIEW OF STATE AT BROAD STREET

This is a closeup view of the city of Trenton that was taken long before most of today's generation were alive. I was particularly intrigued with Mr. Sultanof's pickup truck and the view into the interior of that old car behind it. The clarity on the R.C. Maxwell photos, like most of them is superb.

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!

1922: THE ROARING TWENTIES IN TRENTON NJ

This exquisite  R.C. Maxwell-Duke University Library photo taken from the area of Trenton's City Hall has remarkable detail. I have brightened up the dark areas and balanced the overall contrast in this photo with PhotoShop. It was originally scanned in color in the Maxwell Duke library  instead of gray scale. Converting to gray scale allowed for enhancement as seen in the photo.

1948: INTERSECTION OF "OLD LIBERTY STREET" AND CHESTNUT AVENUE

This pristine view of the intersection of Liberty Street and Chestnut Avenue at Lalor Street is a familiar scene to those who traveled the streets of the Trenton of yesteryear. The intersection hasn't changed much since then, to today there would be no R.C. Maxwell sign visible. Our automobile historian Ray Paskiewicz will identify that "torpedo" auto with the fender skirts we see on the right in the photo. At first glance it looks like it could be a Buick, but I am not a reliable source of identity on this particular view. Ray? He could see a red tail light on a 1937 Ford and identify the car!

1940: SOUTH WARREN ST. AND THE CURTIS BOWLING LANES

I'm sure Ralph Lucarella and other "vintage" visitors to this page will recognize the Curtis Bowling building on the left in this photo. I didn't realize they were located there and it was quite a surprise to me. How I would love to hop into that beautiful Oldsmobile in the foreground! It probably had less than 7,000 miles on the odometer! I would also add that I am completely disoriented. What is that tall building in the far distance?

*****

Facebook has developed into a universally popular meeting place for millions of computer users. In addition to our popular www.glover320.blogspot.com website which has over 700,000 visits, the decision has been made to move on to Facebook for additional visitors who are dedicated Facebook users.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tom-Glovers-Hamilton-Library-Local-History-Scrapbook/529296263810111

WHEN YOU CLICK ON THE ABOVE LINK. MAKE SURE YOU ARE AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE. YOU WILL SEE EITHER "SHOW" OR "HIDE" ON THE UPPER RIGHT OF THE PAGE.
IF IT SAYS "SLOW," CLICK ON "HIDE"TO GET TO THE MAIN PAGE.

1937: NO. BROAD APPROACHING ACADEMY ST.

Like my friend "RayfromVillaPark," I love these downtown scenes of Trenton and especially the old cars as they existed back in the day. It would be a rare thing to see cars parked end on end along the North Broad Street curb without parking meters. Ray, here are some fine specimens for you to check out. I know you share my fixation with old cars, but you have that extra auto knowledge to identify many of these classics that our fathers and grandfathers drove around the area.

1947: SOUTH BROAD AT THE RAILROAD CROSSING

In this photo, you are on your way into downtown Trenton. The John A. Roebling main office building is behind you on the right side of the street. Hmmm.....gas prices are going up again: 16.9 cents a gallon...where will it end?

1941: NORTH BROAD AT "FIVE POINTS;" BATTLE MONUMENT AREA

What a gorgeous photo! To the far left is "Levin's" Department Store. Many North Trenton residents will find this to be a very familiar photo. The are has been completely transformed over the years, and this picture is familiar only to those of us who remember the Trenton that was.

1935: SOUTH BROAD AND DIVISION STREET IN THE BURG

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the corner building also house 

"State Sales," an office equipment outlet?

How very interesting to see these pristine R.C. Maxwell Duke University Library photos! In this photo, it is a clear picture of that area of Chambersburg during the Great Depression; fascinating!

 

 RALPH LUCARELLA said...

HI TOM.....THAT FORD WITH THE RUMBLE SEAT COULD REALLY TELL SOME TALES. IN 1935 I WAS SELLING PAPERS ON STATE AND MONTGOMERY STS.MY COUSIN ROSIE LIVED ON DIVISION ST AND I WAS INTO PLAYING BASEBALL. IN 1936 I WASA SELECTED TO PLAY WITH THE SCHROTHS BY JAKE MILLER AND THAT MOVED PENROSE, THE SHORT STOP AT THS, TO THIRD BASE. THAT YEAR I MET MY GIRL FRIEND AND BASEBALL SEEMED TO FADEAWAY. BEST REGARDS.

Thursday, November 21, 2013

 

***********

As usual , Ralph, your memories of your years in Trenton add much to the posts. You are a treasure who can safely say,  "Been there-done that."

1939: HERE ARE TWO VIEWS OF NO. WILLOW ST. IN THE BANK-SPRING STREET AREA

How that area has changed! I recently found myself detoured from Hamilton Avenue due to a very large traffic jam at the Arena on Hamilton Avenue. I took a Route 29 detour and exited on Perry Street and out of curiosity wanted to see the area as it is and at the same time remembering it as it was. Negotiating the one way North Warren Street area and ultimately ending up in the Bank Street, Spring Street, North Willow Street area was a sobering realization of just how the face of the city of Trenton has changed over the past 50 or 60 years. The top photo is the original from border to border. The lower has been extracted and enlarged in order to get a closer view atof the 

Mike Kuzma wrote:

Tom:
To put things into perspective, the large building on the left just past Spring St. is where the Carver YMCA originated. Many of the fine young African American athletes of the day honed thier skills there. Prominent among them were the Groom brothers, Ronnie, Mel, and the other escapes me.
The railroad crossing you see in the distance is the old Reading Belvedere line emenating at the terminal across from the Battle Monument.
I was a "used tire" customer of Callen tire. You can see the bridge over the canal feeder just up on the right. The "Restuarant" became the home of Benny Taylor's "Night Club" His wife Gloris and I worked together at the NJ DCA.

Fond Memories

Mike Kuzma

Your insight and experience as a veteran Trentonian adds a lot to the posts on this site, Mike. Much obliged!

Tom

Thursday, November 21, 2013

1935: THE NEW STOCKTON STREET BRIDGE

It is very difficult to envision the city of Trenton as it was back in the 1920's and 1930's. Indeed, the dramatic changes in the city from the time of the renewal project coupled with the devastation which resulted in the riots of the 1960's has transformed the city into a far different and more complicated area than when this bridge was completed. Old buildings were torn down, burned out during the riots, and the rebuilding process over the past fifty years has resulted in countless glass-encrusted "skyscrapers."

1928: APPROACHING STATE AND BROAD STREET FROM NORTH BROAD

Some of these R.C. Maxwell posts may be seen in former posts. For copyright reasons, I am including the source of the photograph along with my identifying text. A reminder that these photos are being presented as "Fair Use" for research and historical exhibition.  U.S. Copyright laws state that they may not be used for commercial purposes (e.g.: selling on Ebay or other outlets)

CIRCA 1920'S "NORTH WILLOW NEAR SPRING STREET"

THANKS TO BILL KLEK FOR THE MAP SHOWING THE LOCATION OF TONY'S PLACE, AND ALSO TO SJBILL WHOSE EMAIL WAS SENT ALMOST THE SAME TIME AS BILL KLEK'S MAP.
 THIS IS NO LONGER A "MYSTERY PHOTO;" THANKS TO THESE GENTLEMEN.
MORE TO COME.
 
This is a mystery photo. Going via Google Earth to this area identified as "Willow Street Near Spring Street" proved to be a fruitless search. However, in looking over the area via Google, one realizes the incredible changes that have been made in the Trenton of old. Even though it is un-dated and the location not exactly confirmed, it is fascinating to see this old structure which was once located in today's Spring-Church-Passaic Street area.

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!