TOM GLOVER'S HAMILTON LIBRARY SCRAPBOOK: LOCAL HISTORY WITH A PERSONAL TOUCH.

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

1955: WHAT A GREAT TRENTON CATHOLIC YEARBOOK!

The embossed cover of this beautiful edition of Trenton Catholic Boys' High School yearbook, "The Immaculata," is a true treasure. I would guess that it would cost one arm and at least one leg to be able to duplicate that deeply embossed cover which so clearly shows a teacher priest and one of his students. On the other side of the graphic is a scan I did from this yearbook, showing a typical group of guys my age who are taking a break and probably discussing that special Saturday night dance. What an incredible privilege it was to have grown up during the 1950's when all those girls we chased were chaste!

RALPH LUCARELLA said...: HI TOM....THE 1950'S WERE A BIG ERA FOR THE LUCARELLA FAMILY. MY OLDER BROTHER LOU AND I BUILT THE HAMILTON BOWLING LANES ON ROUTE 33 AND MY YOUNGER BROTHER JOSEPH (CHUCK) GRADUATED FROM MEDICAL SCHOOL TO BECOME A HEART SPECIALIST. WE'RE VERY GRATEFUL TO HAVE MANY PEOPLE HELP TO MAKE ALL THAT HAPPEN AND OFF COURSE THE FACT THAT I'M STILL AROUND AT 93 YEARS OLD IS FABULOUS. REGARDS.; Thursday, October 18, 2012

1955: TRENTON CATHOLIC BOYS SCHOOL YARD

Here's a view that I would bet most Trenton Catholic alumni will savor as a bittersweet memory, providing a trip back to those wonderfulo high school years.
One of the distinct disadvantages of city schools, unlike suburban schools was the lack of a grassy athletic field. This didn't stop those guys from the "Gollden Wave" from always being in the forefront of scholastic activities. As an alumnus Hamilton High School, I can assure you that an athletic event between Trenton Catholic and Hamilton High would be a hard fought competition; whether football, baseball, soccer or basketball.

RALPH LUCARELLA said...
IT'S ME AGAIN TOM....TRENTON CATOLIC MAY NOT OF HAD A LARGE SCHOOL YARD BUT THE CLASS OF STUDENTS MORE THAN MADE UP FOR THE LACK OF FACILITIES. THE LONG TIME MAYOR OF TRENTON AND DEAR FRIEND, ART HOLLAND, WAS ONLY ONE OF MANY OUTSTANDING STUDENTS THAT WENT ON TO EXCELL IN MANY SPORTS. ONE OF MY FRIENDS, FRED SORRENTO, BECAME A PRIEST AND TAUGHT THERE FOR YEARS. MANY OTHERS WENT ON TO COLLEGE AND ARE AMONG THE BEST IN SPORTS. TRENTON CATHOLIC WILL BE REMEMBERED FOR A LONG TIME. REGAREDS

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Legends never die, Ralph. I had countless alums from Trenton Catholic. All of them were trained to be gentlemen and all of the one I knew were.

Tom Glover

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

1940: NOTTINGHAM WAY APPROACHING GREENWOOD AVENUE

On the left is the fence that once surrounded Greenwood Cemetery. This photo was taken across the street from the Bromley Inn. I am completely puzzled by the lay of the land as a drive would stay on Nottingham Way toward Trenton. The Harter nursery was on the left as you passed Greenwood Avenue. I am puzzled by the large mansion which appears to be in the middle of Nottingham Way. This is less than a quarter mile from my neighborhood, and I can't explain that building. Any ideas?

Anonymous said...: Tom:
The gas station was just before the Hamilton Municipal complex, and later was used as a Real Estate Office/Travel agency.
If you were raised Off of
So. Olden Ave. near the oft mentioned Kuser Farm, you were one hell of long quarter mile away. More like 3-4 miles. Example; Newkirk to Liberty to Hamilton to Ward to Greenwood.
No wonder you grew old fast. Those short walks were too long for your little legs! LOL
Mike Kuzma; Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Tom Glover said...: MIKE: I WAS RAISED ON HARTLEY AVENUE ACROSS FROM KUSER FARM, BUT HAVE BEEN LIVING ABOUT 1/4 MILE FROM THE INTERSECTION IN THE ABOVE PHOTO ON ATLANTIC AVENUE IN HAMILTON FOR 60 YEARS.

TOM; Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Anonymous said...: How many of the readers of this column have ancestors buried in Greenwood Cemetery?

Warren Rue; Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Tom Glover said...: MY MOM, DAD AND OLDER BROTHER ARE BURIED THERE.

TOM; Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Candy Frenking Jens said...: behind the gas station, running between Greenwood and Nottingham, was Howe's Nursery, an offspring of the main nursery in Pennington. Bill Howe Jr. and the Kusers were related, I believe (his wife a Kuser?).

PS: Was in Trenton last Sunday and got lost! Well, tried to use streets that had changed, for sure!; Wednesday, October 17, 2012

1939: CASS STREET AT THE RAILROAD CROSSING

Wow, how this area has changed! This photo will be familiar to those of us who journeyed to South Trenton in the 30's, 40's and 50's. Today the "Riverline" jitney rides those tracks.

SJBill said...: That strip of land between the two railroad tracks was the former Delaware and Raretan canal bed. After being filled in, there was a dirt lane that lead towards Lalor Street. A short paved section began at Stokely's. This route was one of many "short cuts" that we used to avoid traffic, and just be a kid. Along the way were the old old vacant pottery buildings. The windows facing the tracks were broken out allowing us to explore what seemed like ancient ruins on the inside.

The Columbian Carbon company Mapico plant was off the creen to the left.

The Wilson and Stokes coal yard was off the screen to the right (I think it may have been the old Army camp site at one time).

Up the road a piece (on the right) you can see the concrete security wall for State prison before the guard towers were sheltered.

I'm not sure what the bulding was that has the old Trenton Lager sign. It may have been one of the many coal yards in the area.

Let's all go back a block to Quinn's and have a shot and a beer on me. It's great seeing the old neighborhood, back in the era that my Dad went to Junior Four. He was probably exploring the area like I did twenty years later.; Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Tom Glover said...: THANKS FOR A REALLY NICE ADDITION TO THIS POST, BILL. MUCH APPRECIATED. I WELL REMEMBER THE COLUMBIAN CARBON PLANT. I MADE MANY VISITS THERE AND ALSO TO THEIR PLANT IN MONMOUTH JUNCTION.
TOM GLOVER; Wednesday, October 17, 2012

1940: THE BROMLEY INN DURING ITS HEYDAY

I have always been fascinated by that beautiful historic building on Nottingham Way. I put together a Maxwell "cut and paste" photo of that structure as it looked when it was well maintained and in fine condition. the inn was a very popular venue for local residents who went there for formal ceremonies, wedding receptions, and as can be seen by the Hamilton Library files below the photo, open air concerts.

1955: STOY'S DAIRY - EWING

How well I recall this old Ewing dairy. Each day on my journey to 1812 North Olden Avenue, I passed by this then-popular dairy. This photo has been borrowed from a 1955 edition of the Trenton Catholic Boys' High School "Immaculata" yearbook.

SJBill said...: Products of the Detroit Industrial Vehicle Company - Divco milk trucks, a true American classic. Our milkman, Red Helmlinger drove his while in the standing position, there were no seats.

Every morning at dawn the streets were alive with the racket of four cylinder engines, noisy gears and banging milk bottles, left on the front stoop, every other day.; Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Tom Glover said...: HOW WELL I REMEMBER THOSE DIVCO TRUCKS. OURS WAS CASTANEA. THIS DIVCO DID HAVE A SEAT OR THE DRIVER COULD STAND IF HE CHOSE. I WILL BE POSTING A PRIOR DONUT DIVCO ON THIS SITE WHEN I GET TO IT.

TOM GLOVER; Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Monday, October 15, 2012

1894: COMMUNITY UNITES TO HELP POOR ITALIAN IMMIGRANTS

Wouldn't it be wonderful if all immigrants formed an organization to assist the more downtrodden and poor Italian immigrants learn our language and customs through a library type environment with assistance from those who are more established and fluent in English. Many of the Italians who came to Trenton in the latter 18th and early 19th centuries worked at back breaking day jobs and took the time to attend English language classes at night.

Ron Bound said...: Tom, what a great writeup, and how great to see them want to make things better for others. If only it were that way today.; Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Bob Chianese said...: You should notice though that the are fighting over the characterization of Italians by one of their own--the new Club is on the ropes with the first announcement of good intentions!; Wednesday, October 17, 2012

1956: BODNAR'S SERVICE STATION

Here's a really nice photo of Bodnar's Service Station back in the 40's when a gallon of gas could be had for a bit more than a dollar a gallon. I will need an old timer familiar with this establishment to tell me if this was the place at the intersection which is today an open parking lot, or the site of the used car dealer who currently occupies the southeast corner.

RALPH LUCARELLA said...: HI TOM....MY SISTER LAW WAS MARRIED TO JOE BODNAR IN THE 40'S AND SHORTLY AFTER JOE PASSED AWAY. I BELIEVE THE PROPERTY IS NOW USED AS A CAR LOT. BODNARS WAS VERY ACTIVE AS A SERVICE STATION AND AN OUTLET FOR RETREAD TIRES IN CHAMBERSBURG. REGARDS.; Monday, October 15, 2012
Tom Glover said...: THANKS RALPH. I KNEW THERE WOULD BE AN OLD TIMER WHO KNOWS HIS WAY AROUND THE BURG. MANY THANKS. GREAT TO HEAR FROM YOU AGAIN..

TOM GLOVER; Monday, October 15, 2012
Anonymous said...: Steve Bodnar was a friend of mine for many, many years. While he operated this station, I owned the property diagnolly across the St. which once housed a apartment building that burned down to the ground. This was across the ally from the "Alexander Marval Slaughterhouse which I owned at the same time. On the other corners was the "Treasure Chest" bar/go go joint. and the fourth corner had a store front on it that back into the J.A. Roebling storage yard. A infamous piece of history is associated with the car lot that operated on this site after Steve Bodnar's passing.
It was at this car lot that John Muhammed Malvo purchased the former police Car which he outfitted to kill, and maime those poor people as the "DC Sniper"

He was convicted in Chesapeake VA, and executed a few years ago.

Mike Kuzma; Monday, October 15, 2012
SJBill said...: Mike, Sir,

During this era the bar was Gliba's, way before it became the Treasure Chest. The place was one of the neighborhood bars frequented by Roebling workers. Gliba's was frequented by Hungarians.

The three brothers that ran the gas station were Frankie, Johnnie and Joe Bodnar. Margie Bodnar, married to Joe, were dear friends, and they lived up the block from us, maybe next to Joe Kovach's Mercer Confectionary (until 1956, we lived at 809 S. Clinton, and moved to 811 in 1957).

Now back to the gas station. This image was taken just after Bodnar's built the three car bay and before the new gas pumps that allowed cars to be filled on both sides of the island at the same time.

The first two bays had hydraulic lifts where Johnie and Frankie did mechanic work, wheel alignment and brake work. I learned how to hone corroded brake drums on my 57 Chevy from Frankie in the second bay.

The third bay housed a car wash machine, that was 90% manual. Willie, and African American gentleman, ran that bay. He used the machine to wash cars, and he moved them outside to give them an incredible Simonize job. Us kids were always welcome at teh station, where were underfoot in most other places.

I truly miss all involved. They were all gentlemen.; Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Anonymous said...: Yes, Bill I remember Gliba's as I walked past it on the way to visit Female classmates from Jr.4 in the Burg.I like most oldsters mispoke and said Steve, when I met Frankie Bodnar, with that slicked back blond hair, and always neatly dressed be it on the dance floor or in the garage.

Regards

Mike Kuzma; Tuesday, October 16, 2012
JoeB said...: Tom:
Before Bodnar's that station was owned and operated by a Frank Chiacchio who was the brother of Chico's Harley Davidson Dealer on S. Broad St. across from the hobby shop.; Wednesday, October 17, 2012

1956: THE LIBERTY FOOD STORE - 1435 LIBERTY STREET

A familiar site to those of us who are "fugitives from the 1050's." I stopped in here a number of times back when I was a teenager. The building was also a supermarket before being taken over by St. Francis Hospital for their "Life" program.

Ron Bound said...

If this is 3-4 blocks North of Chambers on the right side, I think that is where Mom shopped, after we moved to Hamilton Township and Redfern St in early 54. Looks familiar.

Monday, October 15, 2012

Tom Glover said...

IT IS, RON. IT IS BETWEEN CHAMBERS STREET IN THE AREA OF THE CEMETERIES IN THE BERNADINE AVENUE AREA.

TOM

Ron Bound said...: Tom, thanks. We still didn't have a family car in those days. Mom had some sort of cart she could use to carry home some grocery bags. I finally got a car in 56. Left my 54 Mercury with Dad when I enlisted in 59. His first car.; Wednesday, October 17, 2012

1956: CARL AMOROSO CLASS OF '56 TCBHS

He's a fellow parishioner at Trenton Sacred Heart Church with whom I became acquainted with some 10 years ago. Carl founded the locally known Amoroso Flower Shops in the city of Trenton. The above is a composite vignette of that late lamented high school whose sports teams frequently removed the sting from my Hamilton High "Hornets."

Anonymous said...

Although Carl presently runs the florist shops, they were "founded by his grandparents. After they died, his sister Ann who lived on Lalor St. next to the greenhouses, and shop there with her husband Ray Bystricki opened up the 2nd shop on South Broad across from the Court house in what was originally Jahos brothers Men's clothing store.
Carl took over after Ann, and Ray passed away.
Carl is a fine young man who knows the trade well

1938: FROM THE "NEIGHBORHOODS" FOLDER

I would have been right at home were I to be in one of those "Our Gang" ("Little Rascals") 1930's movies with Spanky MacFarland and his depression era playmates. With my tattered poor boy clothing and my beloved dog "Sniffy," I am posing on the dirt sidewalk of our home at 119 Hartley Avenue in Hamilton. In the very background of the photo is 131 Hartley Avenue, where we moved in 1940. Hartley Avenue intersects with Newkirk Avenie at Kuser Farm Park. Today, there is a paved sidewalk completely around the block and Hartley and Newkirk Avenues are no longer gravel streets, but paved with modern asphalt.

RAlph LUCARELLA said...

HI TOM.....AS A KID MY FAVORITE SHOW WAS MICKEY MAGUIRE, WITH MICKEY ROONEY. THEY WERE ALWAYS PLAYING STINKY DAVIS AND THE RICH KIDS AND ALWAYS WON. MICKEY ROONEY, BY THE WAY, IS STILL WITH US AND STLL ACTIVE. I RAN INTO HIM IN FORT LAUDERDALE SOME TIME AGO AT THE GULFSTREAM RACE TRACK. AT THAT TIME I ALSO WAS LIVING NEAR JOHNNY WEISMUELLER, REMEBER HIM? MICKEY ROONEY IS ABOUT MY AGE AND WAS MARRIED TO SOME BEAUTIFUL GIRLS. BEST REGARDS AS ALWAYS.