1947: SOUTH BROAD STREET AND ROEBLING AVENUE

Another Trenton photo that will warm the heart of all of us natives who have lived here for 60 or more years ago. This photo has been enlarged and formatted to center attention on the intersection as it looked back in 1947. A Google Street View shows the brick building on the right as it looks today. However, the lot on the corner is now occupied by the Mundo Travel Agency in a building that was constructed at a later date.

rayfromvillapark said...
Hi Tom, What a great photo of South Broad St. I like the Volk's Tire sign. Recapping tires was a normal thing to do 60 years ago. I never ran a recapped tire on any car I owned, but it did save a few bucks, if you were adventurous. Another relic, the Workingman's Store. I think there may have been another one at Broad and Liberty. The 1947 Oldsmobile 98 Sedanet, big as life in this photo, is one of my favorite 40's models. GM's fastback style was smooth as silk, during this era. This body style was popular from 1941, until 1950. The last, being the 1952 Chevrolet. rayfromvillapark
Monday, June 25, 2012

Anonymous said...
Tom:The vacant lot you refer too, was developed by my Jr.4 buddy Johnny Apai's dad. Mr. Apai and his partner Varga built a very modern photo studio. Varga did no last long, and the Apai's ran it for years, with Johnny taking up his Dad's trade and becoming a preeminent photographer himseld.You know he was good when he took a head shot of me that made me look younger and thinner! LOLThe furniture store on the left, ultimately became home to "Victory Furniture" run by the twin brother's Alex and ??.You can see Tal Brody's (The Trenton basketball star) parents hardware store with the sign saying "glass". As Real Estate Officer for the City of Trenton, we bought this building to enlarge the firehouse there. The old Mercer Trust ( Trenton Trust) building with the columns, last I rememenber became a night spot.These waning years are made much happier though your efforts to bring us these memmories.Thanks so muchMike Kuzma
Monday, June 25,

2012: THIS IS THE BEST VIDEO I HAVE SEEN

CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW, AND BE COMPLETELY AMAZED FOR 3 MINUTES OR SO AS MOVIE STARS RITA HAYWORTH, FRED ASTAIRE, GENE KELLY, PHIL SILVERS, AND OTHER MOVIE STARS FROM THE 30'S AND 40'S ACTUALLY DANCE TO THAT FABULOUS "BEE GEES" HIT SONG, "STAYIN' ALIVE." WHAT AN INCREDIBLE VIDEO! THANKS TO "ET7," AND MY ARMY CLOAK AND DAGGER BUDDY CARL O'HAIR FOR SENDING IT TO ME. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY GOING TO MY "NOSTALGIA" FOLDER!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mz3CPzdCDws

rayfromvillapark said...

Hi Tom, This was cleverly edited, to make every scene seem to fit right in with the music. To tell you the truth, I had forgotten that Rita Hayworth, was such a prolific dancer. We are so used to seeing Fred Astaire, with either his sister, Adele, or Ginger Rogers. Both, the best! Gene Kelly didn't take a back seat to anyone, he was an athletic dancer. Frank Sinatra, was the bandleader, in one of the scenes. Some of the famous ones, were the Nicholas Brothers, The Hine Brothers, Sammy Davis, Jr., Bill Robinson,Donald O'Connor,Savion Glover, and I'm sure more that don't come to mind at the moment.rayfromvillapark

Monday, June 25, 2012

JoeZ said...

Tom: I had a brief video of this once on my blog, love Fred Astaire's dancing. There were a number of great dances and songs in a movie called "Sun Valley Serenade."

Monday, June 25, 2012

1937: WEST STATE AND WILLOW STREET

Keep clicking on this photo and you will be standing on West State Street in the year 1937. The clarity of focus on this photo is absolutely incredible.

rayfromvillapark said...

Hi Tom, Exceptional photo, with extreme clarity. I find a few things interesting, that can be deducted by close examination of this photo. It is the middle of winter, and the 1936 Chevrolet parked to the left, has a grille cover, to keep the cold air from interfering with the warmer air circulating around the engine, while at speed. There are still trolley rails, in the street, even though the trolly's stopped running at the end of 1934. It took a few years to remove them. There is a cop to the far right, operating the go-go, stop-stop, sign by hand. You can see the tips of his shoes just encroaching into the photo. There is even an umbrella for him to stay out of the bad weather.To the left, in the background, just beyond the Weinmann's Hotel and Bar sign, is an esthetically beautiful bank building, that some moron, OK'd to be torn down, for a parking lot and drive-in bank window. This building was a feat of architecture, not found since. Perhaps, another example of this kind of structure, is the bank building still standing at Broad and Hudson Sts. At least I hope it is still there. I don't remember the name of either bank. The Hotel Stacy Trent, was our finest hotel. I had the pleasure of attending a wedding reception there, during the 1950s. Many thoughts from one photo of our hometown! rayfromvillapark

Monday, June 25, 2012

2012: THE CARRIAGE HOUSE AT KUSER FARM

I was delighted to see the scaffolding put up at the carriage house at Kuser Farm Park. Over the years since the property came into the possession of the Township of Hamilton, I have watched that great old complex losing it structural integrity. As all visitors are aware, I have a unique love for this historic Hamilton Township farm. It was one of my unfulfilled dreams to use the second floor apartment in the carriage house for my local history headquarters, but unfortunately, it turned out to be one of the many "pipe dreams" I have experienced in my life time. Back in the late 1940's Fritz Kuser offered me and my future wife no charge occupancy of the second floor apartment. This structure, and the adjoining buildings which once housed a pigeon loft, stables, and a workshop, were also falling into disrepair. And now, along comes Chuck Easton and his highly qualified craftsmen who are bringing this beautiful structure back to it former glory. I saw Chuck during our recent Armed Forces Day ceremony at Veterans' Park in May, and he told me the welcome news that the windmill soon be brought back to restored condition. Two Glover prayers have been answered!

1933: THE CASA LIDO-A CITY OF TRENTON LEGEND

RALPH LUCARELLA said...

HI TOM....AS I RECALL, THE PONTANI FAMILY ALSO OWNED THE LIQUOR STORE ON HAMILTON AVENUE NEAR CHAMBERS FOR QUIT SOME TIME. REGARDS.

Saturday, June 23, 2012

Omad said...

Is this the same liquor store owned by the Lucidis in the
1940s? They were three doors down from our restaurant.

Saturday, June 23, 2012

Anonymous said...

I just assumed that such names were associated with the town from which the family had it's origins, perhaps a coastal fishing village? Or, perhaps to give a simple place in Trenton some "zing" or flair. As a kid I was always puzzled that the Hudson Beer Garden was nothing like the Hanging Gardens of Babylon? Where were the toga draped young ladies playing harps amid trays of grapes, figs and other exotic fruit?

Ed Millerick

Saturday, June 23, 2012

omad said...

LOL Ed

Saturday, June 23, 2012

Anonymous said...

Tom:

Descendants of the Pontani family might be able to tell you the origin. The Pontani brothers run a Jewelry store at five points in Mercervill where the old Exxon Station was.

Regrards

Mike Kuzma

Saturday, June 23, 2012

The Pontani family brought their exquisite Italian cuisine to center city Trenton ad immediately found that the new restaurant found favor with citizens from far and near. As the success piled on, the restaurant hosted many local service clubs, civic associations, and just plain citizens. Local talent also found a performing audience at the late great Casa Lido. I would be interested to learn why they chose "beach house" as the name of the restaurant, given the fact that the nearest beach to Trenton is some 35 or 40 miles east.

1920's: (Ca. 1925) THE WEST END HOTEL

This photo had me searching all over for the actual west Hanover Street intersection. My problem was with the name "West End" which I automatically figured was in the section known as "West End" in the Cadwalader, Prospect, area. However, my research has found that the hotel was located on the corner of Calhoun and West Hanover Street. Note the pristine clarity of the photo.

Anonymous said...

Tom:

We natives always considered anything from Calhoun St. to the Ewing line was "Cracker Hill" AKA "The West End" The name craker hill came from the ritzy houses, with such high taxes, that cracker's and tea was the main meal.Last time in Trenton 12 years ago, this building was still standing and being used as a local bar. Fond memoies are what keeps us going.

Regards

Mike Kuzma

Friday, June 22, 2012

Anonymous said...

Tom, to help with the date, the Ben Hur flick of my day, and you oldsters of the tribe must really know how the term flick came about and in one year I spent as a projectionist fighting the flicker was the first in the order of battle, was in 1959. There in the corner of the Hotel sign is a poster for Ben Hur and Wiki lists silent releases of the movie in 1907 and again in 1925. Seems the date in question was the 1925 release. This of course makes me wonder if I had any potential to pull my weight in your old unit of "crypto spooks" ... I did my time in a recon unit but only as a mech fixing stuff. They wouldn't let me near any of the "fun" stuff. ;(

Another thing was that pack of Fatima "cigs" at 15 cents a pack back in the roaring 20's. Our barracks in the late 60's back them, well a quarter would buy you an Olympia Beer or a pack of smokes. Only two vending machines in the barracks! We only made perhaps $85 a month back then but consider the price difference of only a thin dime in 1925. it sure helped in making the most of it for sure!

Was that a Fire Department call box on the pedestal?

Ed Millerick

Friday, June 22, 2012

THANKS FOR YOUR INPUT, ED. I HAVE CHANGED THE APPROXIMATE DATE FROM THE 1930'S TO THE 1920'S WITH A CIRCA 1927 PER YOUR INPUT. AND YES, THAT IS A FIRE BOX. MAXIMUM ENLARGING OF THAT PHOTO WILL SHOW IT CLEARLY.

TOM

1944: WHITE HORSE CIRCLE

That Plymouth (?) looks like it has a bale of hay on its roof, but on closer observation it seems to be on the roof of the vehicle following. The bake shop in the photo is probably Emil's which was located there in the 1950's, but I bow to any visitor who can correct me in the event that is not Emil's bake shop.

Anonymous said...

Though a "youngun" I agree with Ray for the Chevy looks to be about a 1947. Gee, that old Plymouth has seen better days and those bales of hay appear to be just held through the slide back sun roof that some cars sported back then. And heck Maw, those dents sure don't bother me and I'm too old to impress the gals now? You have to wonder if he bought a few bales from the Riding Academy run by a fellow named Carne Rose that would only be a block or two from the circle. They were going strong in the 50's.

Ed Millerick

Friday, June 22, 2012

Tom Glover said...

THANKS, GUYS. I SHOULD HAVE NOTICED THAT CHEVY. I HAVE CHANGED THE DATE TO CIRCA 1947. NOT A SENIOR MOMENT, MORE LIKE TRYING TO ENHANCE THE PHOTO AND OVERLOOKING THE CHEVY. RAY: WAS THE 1946 CHEVY SIMILAR TO THE ONE IN THE PHOTO?

TOM

Saturday, June 23, 2012

Anonymous said...

Tom - I believe that's Foy's Drug Store sign shown in the photo. The White Horse Diner stood where the parking lot for Ivy Tavern is now located.
Lakeside Girl

Monday, June 25, 2012

It is indeed Foy's, across from the Colonial Cemetery. I have added one of their ads from 1945.

Tom

rayfromvillapark said...

Hi Tom, Your going to have to update the date again. Everyone is correct, regarding the 1947 Chevrolet, however to the very far left, coming up to the circle, is a 1949 or 1950 Chevrolet. They are so close in appearance, that at that distance, it could be either year. I'm inclined to say 1950. Also, the 1949 Mercury going north, further establishes the later date. Thanks to Lakeside Girl, for identifying Foy's Drug Store. Couldn't remember the name. As far as your question, regarding 1946 and 1947 Chevrolets; the same body was used, from 1941 to 1948. In 1942, the front fenders extended into the front doors, and that design remained through 1948. Add a t-bar to the grille of the 1947 and change the hood emblem from red to blue, and you have a 1948. A quick way to identify a 1946, is that the hood emblem has two vertical wings off the top. While the '47 and '48 are horizontal in design. This has got to be boring to most of your readers. You really have to be into automobiles, to think any of this is pertinent to our conversations. I have been hopelessly connected to automobiles all of my life and these photos of Trenton, another one my interests, just energizes me.

rayfromvillapark

Monday, June 25, 2012

How the heck did I miss seeing that Chevy coming up S. Broad St.? You are right, Ray. I am opting for 1949 Without seeing a 1950, I am going to date it as 1949. thanks for your efforts. As to your automotive expertise, please keep up your valuable dating abilities on old cars. You have an incredible store house of automotive knowledge stacked up in your aging brain......not only that, it is also a HEALTHY mental exercise which we all need!

Tom

1938: THE STACY AND THE RKO STATE THEATRES

How I love these R.C. Maxwell area photographs! Here's an excellent view of E. State Street with the marquees of the Stacy and RKO State theatres in view. Note that my spell checker has questioned the "res" rather than "ers" spelling. The former was in vogue back in the 1930's and I'm staying with it.

RALPH LUCARELLA said...

HI TOM.....HE STATE THEATRE WAS VERY POPULAR WITH US KIDS CAUSE IT WAS THE ONLY MOVIE HOUSE WITH 3 FLOORS. FOR A DIME WE SAW A STAGE SHOW, OTHER FEATURES AND A FEATURE PICTURE. WE CALLED IT HEAVEN AND THEY EVEN FEATURED LOCAL PEOPLE ON THE STAGE. I RECALL SEEING YOUNG TERRY, A LOCAL PRIZE FIGHTER AND LEWIS MACK IN ONE OF THEIR STAGE PRODUCTIONS. IMAGINE SEEING THEIR SHOW AND LATER HAVING A HOT DOG AND ROOT BEER, ALL FOR 25 CENTS. GOD BLESS THE OLDEN DAYS.

Friday, June 22, 2012

1940: REMEMBERING LONG'S DRUG STORE

Ray, I completely missed that Perry Street sign! Thanks for the correction.

Long's was a prominent drug store back in the 30's and 40's. As I recall, Long's had stores on the corner of Greenwood and Olden, E. State and Olden, and as seen in the graphic above, Perry Street and what is probably North Montgomery.

Sally Logan Gilman said...

Aha, I spy a Tastykake sign -- one of my childhood favorites. My big love is the Butterscotch Krimpets -- wrapped, of course, in wax paper. I cannot get them in New England so I must rely on my memories of the wonderful snack cake. Thanks for the photo, Tom. Regards

Friday, June 22, 2012

Anonymous said...

Sally:

Don't give up hope. Tasty Kake ( the cake that made mother stop baking) was sold within the past few years, and they now are distributing throughout the East coast, if not the entire country.
We can get them everyday in the supermarkets in Virginia and nearby North Carolina.
Still enjoy my "Krimpets" but devour my "peanut butter "tandy Takes"

You can also go on line and have them ship you an assortment.
I did that for Tony Ponticello who moved to Vegas in the 50's.

Good luck in your search.

Mike Kuzma

Friday, June 22, 2012

Anonymous said...

I lived a block or so on Olden by the rear entry to the Trenton Transit Yard. About 1950 the pharmacy was run by "Mister Rhoades" and for a sick child there was always, depending in the malady one contracted of course; a special treat. I can still taste that ice cream cone with dark and savory almost black "Bing Cherry" ice cream which remains my favorite till this day. Or perhaps a fountain coke with a spritz of cherry. Somehow that tall man with the dark wavy hair and thick glasses made the pains go away with his mastery of the scoop (in hot water) and a quick stir and swirl of a fountain concoction. Not to take away his skill as a pharmacist of course.

Sally, imagine being thousands of miles away from home and there on Guam in the base "PX" was a 12 pack of Tastykake chocolate cupcakes. I was with a fellow from the New Brunswick area and the moment our eyes saw those boxes with three cakes per pack we were "back in the world" each buying a quart of cold milk and there under a palm tree we sat in the shade and with grins from ear to ear, we each polished off the box of Tastykakes with that ice cold quart of milk. We, for those few golden moments, we were home and it could have been a July day on "the stoop" hanging out as young teens. Hardly a word was spoken during our sweet overindulgence. Contented smiles of course.

Friday, June 22, 2012

rayfromvillapark said...

Hi Tom, I believe the location of this photo is the corner of Perry St. and Montgomery. My reason for this deduction, is the sign below the window on the second floor of the drug store, which says Perry St. There is a traffic light at Montgomery. I like the fact that the kid on the bike is waiting for the light to turn green before proceeding across Perry, which has the green, as the picture was taken. It appears that the drug store is actually closed and out of business, as the property is for sale. In fact, the second floor appears to be vacant. Also, as a coincidence, Ralph Lucarella, mentioned Vaudeville acts at the State theater, commenting on another photo, you just published, and what do you know; there is a sign in this drug store window, mentioning 4 Vaudeville acts, at the State Theater. Too bad, I can't make out a date. Great Tastykake sign! Didn't we all love those. The Junior's mentioned on that sign, had vanilla icing with bits of coconut on top. By the way, the drug store on the corner of Greenwood and Olden, during the 1950s and 60s, was Coleman Drugs. Buzz Coleman, son of the druggist, was a friend of mine. I haven't seen him in 50 years. These photos sure stir up memories, as do your comments. rayfromvillapark

Saturday, June 23, 2012

Anonymous said...

Indeed, with that "eagle eye" spotting the Perry Street sign affixed to the second floor window sill, out went the comments of Mister Rhoades mastery of the fountain "arts" at that location. But the Tastykake memories are forever!

The question now is where did Perry Street meet up with Chambers? Was there a name change when the Lincoln Homes were constructed? So often the street names are changed to reflect or memorialize something significant in the culture, a road is extended or added?

Perhaps someone who had close ties with the US Post Office in those times now we must know such a (wink-wink), person, a fellow Ralph comes to mind for some reason?

Ed Millerick

2012: TOM GLOVER'S SUMMER CONCERT SERIES

TIME IS GROWING SHORT! NEXT WEEK I WILL BE GOING TO THE KUSER PARK GAZEBO AND DOING A "DRY RUN" TO CHECK OUT THE AUDIO FOR THE UPCOMING SUMMER 2012 CONCERT SEASON.

Above is a photo of the 4 x 8 foot sign which Hamilton Township's extremely talented sign shop installed at the corner of Leonard and Newkirk Avenue announcing my 7th year of musical sing along concerts at Kuser Farm Park. I will be keeping this graphic on the top of this blog during the ensuing weeks. I hope to see a number of visitors to this website at one or more of these uplifting fun concerts. If you do attend, please be sure to say hello. My computer music repertoire has continued to grow over the past year and I will be doing many new songs including songs of faith and inspiration. The graphic below shows my initial appearance at the Kuser summer concerts back in 2006. It was a success, but there was an unforeseen glitch. The days get much shorter at the end of August, and unknown to me and the township, the lights were set to go out at dusk. So, halfway through the two hour event, the lights went out; the only light left burning was a single overhead light in the center column of the gazebo. With the main lights around the interior of the gazebo off , I was singing in the dark with only the night light and my computer screen emitting light. I asked those in attendance if they wanted me to call it a night and they responded with a resounding "no!" So as they say,"the show must go on". It did, and the next hour of darkness was enjoyed by all as we sang all those familiar oldies. As you can see on the sign in the photo below, those who preceded me were all paid professional musicians. I didn't expect, nor did I get the large attendance one would expect from professional talent. However, the 40 or so who did attend had a wonderful time and wanted my assurance that I would be back in 2007. I was, have been, and will continue as long as I am able, and as long as the township wants me.

Sally Logan Gilman said...

Hi Tom: Good luck with your upcoming summer concerts -- your audience is lucky to have you. I'll be with you in spirit. Best wishes for a summer of song. Regards

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

JoeZ said...

TOM: GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR UPCOMING CONCERTS, FILL THE HOUSE. IF YOU CAN PLEASE SEND ME THE WEBSITE FOR THE R.C. MAXWELL PHOTO'S AT DUKE, I CAN ONLY LOCATE A FEW. THANKS.

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Tom Glover said...

SORRY, JOE. FOR COMPLICATED LEGAL COPYRIGHT REASONS, I AM SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL POSTS WHICH I POST ON THE HAMILTON LIBRARY WEB SITE, INCLUDING MY SOURCES.
TOM

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Lee Belardino said...

Tommy
sounds like a great line-up. Wish with all my heart I could attend.Beats the heck out of anything going on.Attendees are lucky.
Lee

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Tom Glover said...

LEE:
YOU DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH I WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOU AT THE SUMMER CONCERTS. WE COULD MAKE BEAUTIFUL MUSIC TOGETHER. YOU'LL BE WITH ME EVERY TIME I SING ONE OF OUR CHOIR SONGS FROM HHS.

"TOMMY"

Wednesday, June 13, 2012