1923: THE "NATATORIUM" AT WOODLAWN PARK

Few people are familiar with the term "Natatorium" which was the strange description they appended to the swimming pool that was to become the Woodlawn Pool and ironically, would survive the closing of Hamilton's Woodlawn  Park.

WOODLAWN PARK: THE EARLY YEARS

My home is on the site of the old Woodlawn Park and I have devoted many hours to researching photos relating to this very elusive site. The " WOODLAWN PARK" folder in the Hamilton Local History Collection is expanding nicely. There are a number of clippings that have yet to be formatted in order to present a very clear and pristine series of photos and articles. Stay tuned.

2013: Hamilton's Late, Great Woodlawn Park

I am also writing a once a month column in the Trenton Times' "PULSE" supplement which is delivered to households in the Hamilton area of Hamilton Square, Robbinsville and the outliying areas of Hamilton.
Click on this link to read my recent submission.

http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2013/03/rediscovering_the_wonders_of_h.htmlhttp://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2013/03/rediscovering_the_wonders_of_h.html

1925: WOODLAWN PARK GRAND OPENING

Along with Camp Olden, I consider Woodlawn Park to be one of the more elusive Hamilton Historic sites. Advertising for Woodlawn Park is plentiful; but over the years, I have failed to find anyone except Mr. Frank Yeager, who loaned me the originals for the photo article I wrote a number of years ago. If you use the "SEARCH BLOG" spot on the top left of my home page an type in Woodlawn Park, you will find a number of other graphics relating to that very popular amusement park.

Ralph Lucarella said...

HI TOM...HERE AGAIN I'M GOING BACK TO THE 20'S WHEN I RECALL TED LEWIS AND HIS ORCHESTRA PLAYING AT THE PARK. AND I REMEMBER MY SISTER ROSE ENTERING A CONTEST FOR BLACK BOTTOM DANCERS. IT WAS A VERY POPULAR PLACE IN THOSE DAYS, ESPECIALLY THE ROLLER COASTER AND THE SWIMMING POOL REMAINED OPEN AFTER THE PARK CLOSED DOWN, REGARDS.

Friday, February 04, 2011

1925: WOODLAWN PARK STARTS THE 1925 SEASON

So little is known of this treasure which once reposed on land bounded by Greenwood, Connecticut and South Logan Avenue along the Trenton-Hamilton border. In its day it was the focal point of many citizens who came out to the suburbs on those hot summer inner-city days to partake of the many rides, and to watch a movie, or listen to a concert. The area in which Woodlawn Park was once located is now the location of Greenwood Village, and the homes along Massachusetts, Atlantic and Connecticut Avenues.

1928 (CIRCA 1928) A COWBOY PERFORMER AT WOODLAWN PARK

Unfortunately, I can't make out the facial features of that cowboy. Could it be Tom Mix in casual wear? I imagine this photo was taken by one of those early Kodak cameras with a fixed lens setting. The final product tiny 2 x 2" contact prints. These photos do not lend themselves to enlarging due to the fact that the original image is blurry. However, we still get the spirit of the "back lot" at Woodlawn Park. Thanks again to "Beb" Peters, long time Hamilton Hartley Avenue neighbors, and still very close friends.

1928: MARATHON DANCERS FROM WOODLAWN PARK

I consider these postcard photos treasures in my collection. As popular as Woodlawn Park was back in the 1920's and 30's, finding original photos from the place are as elusive as finding definitive information on Hamilton's Camp Olden. For those who are not familiar with "Marathon Dancing." Couples entered the contest. Let the dancing begin! The winning couple was the couple who continued dancing, and had to stay on their feet as long as they were physically able. Many experienced marathon dancers could actually nap while still maintaining an upright dancing position.

1926: WOODLAWN PARK OPENS FOR THE 1926 SEASON

Perhaps it's due to the fact that my Atlantic Avenue home sits on the land once occupied by Woodlawn Park is the reason for my interest in any and all historic material dealing with that once popular entertainment venue. I will be posting photos of some of the marathon dancers who performed at Woodlawn, and also numerous photos and articles as they are uncovered. Stay tuned...

1934: WOODLAWN PARK

Here's a relatively rare and pretty vibrant photo of "The Whip" at Woodlawn Park in Hamilton. The entrance to the park was off So. Logan Avenue. It was located in the area of Greenwood, Connecticut, and down to the Quincy Avenue area.

1935: WOODLAWN PARK

IN ITS HEYDAY, WOODLAWN PARK WAS ONE OF THE MORE POPULAR CENTRAL JERSEY AMUSEMENT PARKS. THE MAP SHOWS THE LOCATION IN THE BROMLEY SECTION OF HAMILTON. NOTE THAT MY STREET, ATLANTIC AVENUE WAS NOT CUT THROUGH TO GREENWOOD AVENUE AT THE TIME, IT IS SAID THAT RED SKELTON GOT HIS PROFESSIONAL START AT WOODLAWN PARK. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO VERIFY THE CLAIM. PHOTOS OF WOODLAWN PARK ARE EXTREMELY HARD TO COME BY. YEARS AGO, MR. YEAGER, WHO LIVED ON CONNECTICUT AVENUE GAVE A PHOTO TO COPY OF A PORTION OF THE PARK. HOWEVER, THERE ARE NO OTHERS IN MY COLLECTION.

1940's Woodlawn Pool

Thanks to HHS '51 classmate Alice Schmidt Mullen for this photo of the Woodlawn Pool. Woodlawn opened up in 1923 as a "Natatorium," and was a feature of the Woodlawn Park which was located between South Logan Avenue, Connecticut Avenue, and Greenwood Avenue. The Lasek family were the most recent proprietors until just recently when the pool closed down. The property is now occupied by new homes. Thanks again, Alice....you're the best.

1922: WOODLAWN PARK ON THE ROAD TO SUCCESS

BACK IN ITS HEYDAY WOOD'LAWN PARK WAS A FAVORITE SPOT FOR PEOPLE ALL OVER MERCER COUNTY AND THE SURROUNDING CENTRAL JERSEY AREA. MY HOME IS ON PROPERTY WHERE THE PARK WAS LOCATED. I HAVEN'T SEEN ANY ARTICLES TO VERIFY THE FACT THAT THE LATE "RED" SKELTON GOT HIS START AT WOODLAWN.

1922: WOODLAWN PARK OPENS FOR THE SEASON

DIGITAL CAMERAS AND LOCAL HISTORY:

PERFECT TOGETHER!
THIS PAGE WAS DISCOVERED THIS MONING AS I WAS GOING THROUGH THE TRENTON "DAILY STATE GAZETTE." WITH THE OPENING OF THE SEASON OF 1922, I HOPE TO FIND SOME INTERESTING GRAPHICS FROM THIS VERY ELUSIVE HISTORIC ENTITY.

1921: the Genesis of Woodlawn Park

My Atlantic Avenue home is on the plot of land once the location of Hamilton's Woodlawn Park. Here's an article that goes to the coverage of the Committee meetings to discuss the acceptance of rejection of Hildinger's request to create a park on the site bounded by Greenwood, South Logan, Connecticut, and D'Arcy Street in Hamilton.

1934: The "Whip" at Woodlawn Park

It is a sad truth that there is very little in the way of photos of Hamilton Township's Woodlawn Park. Woodlawn was a very popular amusement park during its heyday. It as located between South Logan and Connecticut and Greenwood Avenue.