1915: FAMOUS HOSTELERIES IN TRENTON'S HISTORIC PAST

One subject dear to my heart and at the same time a very fascinating study lies in the history of Trenton's hotels, inns and stage coach stops. The above article is an incredibly interesting look back at the Trenton of the 18th through the early 20th century. Dowling's Hotel in Mill Hill, the legendary Eagle Tavern, the United States Hotel, and COUNTLESS historic inns, taverns and hotels provide interesting insights into the Trenton of old.

TRENTON'S CITY HALL - AN HISTORIC ARCHITECTURAL TREASURE

 The above Duke University R.C. Maxwell Trenton collection is a cut and past of a circa 1923 view of State and Broad as it looked back in the 1920's. This mansard roof edifice was built back in 1837 at the intersection that was then known as Greene and Second Street.

Few people realize that the building came into the possession of Anthony R. and John L. Kuser who ultimately sold it to Benjamin Lissner whose family owned another store in the area. I am looking for the transition from the time the Lissner brothers purchased the building and how it ultimately became the legendary "Yard's" Department Store. 

1952: MY THS CLASS OF 1952 FRIENDS ARE HAVING A REUNION!

1952: It was a very good year! Trenton High's class of 1952 will be hosting their 65th reunion and here is the announcement I have put together for them; requested first by my Facebook buddy Mike Kuzma )who is my Trenton History authority ) and ultimately from Ms. Estelle Scannella who has taken on the awesomely complicated task of organizing the reunion. That intriguingly lovely gal in the photo immediately above was the object of my affection back in my teen years as she made frequent trips to Art and Bonita ("Betty") Sneath's 129 Hartley Avenue home. Ahh, such sweet memories!

1947: WEST STATE STREET APPROACHING BROAD

Another high definition view of downtown Trenton as it was in 1947. To we old timers, the store signs in view bring some very pleasant memories. Note that these photos are owned by the Duke University Hatman collection of R.C. Maxwell photographs and may be used ONLY for historical research and non commercial purposes. As required, the Duke Library Call number is placed ON THE PHYSICAL photograph.

1930' and 1940's "Golden Agers" will remember this very fondly!

From my Hamilton High Class of 1951 classmate, Bob Shinkle. This treasure from the past when good grooming was a clean shave. As you can see by the column I wrote many years ago, Burma Shave signs were all the rage back when I was a boy

I'm sure that Burma Shave actually saved some lives.  People laughed and then were more careful! It was a REAL "service" to America, even though it was an advertisement and it was one of the

RARE "really useful" ones!

To My Old-As-Dirt Friends and Relatives who qualify as "old as dirt."

For those who never saw any of the Burma Shave signs, here is a quick lesson in our history of the 1930's and '40's.

Before there were interstates, when everyone drove the old 2 lane roads, Burma Shave signs would be posted all over the countryside in farmers' fields.  They were small red signs with white letters. Five signs, about 100 feet apart, each containing 1 line of a 4 line couplet' and the obligatory 5th sign advertising Burma Shave, a popular shaving cream.

Little Bo Peep

  Has lost her Jeep

    It struck a truck

      When she fell asleep

           Burma Shave.

A man, a miss,   A car a curve.      He kissed the miss,         And missed the curve.                  Burma Shave. DON'T STICK YOUR ELBOW OUT SO FAR   IT MAY GO HOME    IN ANOTHER CAR.       Burma Shave TRAINS DON'T WANDER   ALL OVER THE MAP    'CAUSE NOBODY SITS      IN THE ENGINEER'S LAP.         Burma Shave SHE KISSED THE HAIRBRUSH   BY MISTAKE     SHE THOUGHT IT WAS       HER HUSBAND JAKE.          Burma Shave DON'T LOSE YOUR HEAD   TO GAIN A MINUTE     YOU NEED YOUR HEAD       YOUR BRAINS ARE IN IT.          Burma Shave DROVE TOO LONG   DRIVER SNOOZING     WHAT HAPPENED NEXT       IS NOT AMUSING.         Burma Shave BROTHER SPEEDER   LET'S REHEARSE     ALL TOGETHER       GOOD MORNING, NURSE.          Burma Shave CAUTIOUS RIDER   TO HER RECKLESS DEAR     LET'S HAVE LESS BULL       AND A LITTLE MORE STEER.         Burma Shave SPEED WAS HIGH   WEATHER WAS NOT     TIRES WERE THIN       X MARKS THE SPOT.         Burma Shave THE MIDNIGHT RIDE   OF PAUL FOR BEER     LED TO A WARMER       HEMISPHERE.          Burma Shave AROUND THE CURVE   LICKETY-SPLIT     BEAUTIFUL CAR       WASN'T IT?          Burma Shave NO MATTER THE PRICE   NO MATTER HOW NEW     THE BEST SAFETY DEVICE       IN THE CAR IS YOU.         Burma Shave A GUY WHO DRIVES   A CAR WIDE OPEN     IS NOT THINKIN'       HE'S JUST HOPIN'.         Burma Shave AT INTERSECTIONS   LOOK EACH WAY     A HARP SOUNDS NICE       BUT IT'S HARD TO PLAY.         Burma Shave BOTH HANDS ON THE WHEEL   EYES ON THE ROAD     THAT'S THE SKILLFUL       DRIVER'S CODE.         Burma Shave THE ONE WHO DRIVES   WHEN HE'S BEEN DRINKING     DEPENDS ON YOU       TO DO HIS THINKING.         Burma Shave CAR IN DITCH   DRIVER IN TREE     THE MOON WAS FULL       AND SO WAS HE.         Burma Shave PASSING SCHOOL ZONE   TAKE IT SLOW     LET OUR LITTLE       SHAVERS GROW.         Burma Shave AND MY PERSONAL FAVORITE… SPRING HAS SPRUNG   THE GRASS HAS RIS'     WHERE LAST YEARS'        CARELESS DRIVERS' IS…           Burma Shave Do these bring back any old memories? If not, you're merely a child. If they do - then you're old as dirt. LIKE ME! I loved reading them.

1928: The Chambersburg "Red Sox!"

Back in my younger years, the mostly Italian residents of 'the Burg" were New York Yankee fans. Indeed, Joe DiMaggio made numerous trips to Chambersburg for dining at one of the many wonderful restaurants.

1923 AND 1925: SPLENDID PHOTO OF THE TRENTON STATION AND PLANS TO UPGRADE

Above is a beautiful photo of the "Clinton Street Station" as it appeared in 1925. The original was quite dark and the station structure on the left was completely lacking in detail, but thanks to Photo Shop a quick tweak and sharpening give an exquisite view of the newly reconstructed station. Below is a sketch of the new layout. I always thought it was a strange arrangement if one entered from Walnut an crossed over the tracks with a pedestrian walk way.

1951: THANK YOU HAMILTON TOWNSHIP FOR A COMPLETE EDUCATION!

On August 10th 2017, my Hamilton High School classmates from the class of 1951 will celebrate our 66th class reunion with a luncheon from noon to 4 PM at Hamilton's beautiful Stone Terrace (former Italian American Sportsmen Club). Even though 66 years is a very long time ago, the influence Louise Baird had on me as a man shines even brighter in my life as I recall the wisdom which she passed on to those of us who were gifted with residency in her Hamilton High room 300 music courses, Beethoven? Brahms, Sousa? Hammerstein? Berlin? Kahlil Gibran? Shakespeare? Keats? Macaulay, Burke? Yup! They are all firmly imprinted in the impenetrable makeup of the man I have tried to become.

1964: ST. STAN'S 1964 CYO BASKETBALL CHAMPIONS

I have a number of photos showing St. Stanislaus sports championships from the 1930's and early 40's. This one from JoeWojciechowski is a later version; all of which proves that St. Stan's sports program was quite successful

1977: WHEN I WAS A BOY IT WAS COLONIAL VOLINTEER FIRE COMPANY

With the closing of the old Baron AA site on Cypress Lane after a controversial existence, the township of Hamilton moved the Hamilton Senior Center to the sumptuous Baron AA building and grounds.

1938: WHEN SOUTH WARREN WENT "WAY DOWN SOUTH."

Here's a beautiful photo of South Warren Street highlighting the legendary "Casa Lido" along with Capitol Motor before it moved to Sourth Broad Street in that ultra modern circular showroom. This photo is posted so that those who want to see the photo in full screen. 1) left click the photo, 2) Right click "VIEW IMAGE," 3) If (IF) the "+" appears, click again and you will have the maximum magnification. On my little 17 inch laptop, it fills my screen and I am on South Warren Street, 1938.
NOTE ALSO THAT THERE IS A "NO COMMENTS" at the bottom of the screen. I need and welcome your comments. Please click on that link ant speak up!

1884: Independence Day, July 1884!

 

A fascinating look back to the 4th of July in 1884 Trenton!

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.

1946: STATE AND WARREN INTERSECTION TRENTON

I originally posted this photo and incorrectly identified it as State and Broad St. Thanks to fellow Trenton historians Mike Kuzma and Gino Formaroli, the error which is attributed to advanced age-related senility, i herewith corrected. How could I ever not noticed that Woolworth's, Kresge's, Grant and Kitty Kelly were not in the photo? As my kids ised to say, "DUH!"

1946: WEST STATE STREET IN FRONT OF WEINMANN'S RESTAURANT

Who among my more "senior" visitors can ever forget Weinmann's Restaurant on West State Street? It was an upscale restaurant back in the 1930's and 40's. Further, who can remember that legendary statuette of the jockey standing at the entrance? Almost as legendary as the old "Toddle House" just up the street a ways!

1946: STATE AND BROAD STREET; A CLOSE UP LOOK

Note that this photo replaces the originaly June 30 post wherein I inadvertently identified it as "State and Broad St." Thanks to my regular visitors, Mike Kuzma and Gino Formaroli, for detecting my ever increasing episodes of age-related senility!.

This blog has been very well received and on behalf of the Hamilton Township Public Library Local history Collection, I am very grateful for the nine hundred thousand plus visitors who come here to view over 8500 pages (posts!) I have also decided to post on only one Facebook page, and that would be my page that has nearly 1,200 friends.

1946: STATE AND WARREN STREET

Another beautiful photo of a very familiar Trenton intersection. It almost seems one could walk along that sidewalk in this zoomed in photo.

1924: WHEN THE KKK CAME TO HAMILTON TOWNSHIP

Some years ago I wrote this interesting article recalling the day the Ku Klux Klan decided to lead a parade and picnic in and about Hamilton Township. There are hundreds of pages of Klan activity all over America in the 1920's. Indeed a number of very prominent citizens were members; many serving in a clandestine manner and not "outing" themselves in public.

1909 PANORAMIC VIEW OF TRENTON

This graphic is much too large to give a closeup, but I sure did try. Here's an attempt to segment and enlarge.

UNDATED STATE AND BROAD STREET

Here's an un-dated circa 1939 photo of center city Trenton showing traffic moving west on E. State Street at Broad Street. The clarity of this photo has been tweaked and enhanced and gives a beautiful view of the downtown Trenton main thoroughfare as it looked in the late 1930's

I am now writing for the monthly "HAMILTON POST;" a very popular community newspaper which is sent to every Hamilton resident via mail, and also available at the Hamilton Township Public Library. I have returned to my original byline, "The Way We Were" as used in the late great "Mercer Messenger" and "Hamilton Observer." Here's my May edition telling one and all that my singing partner and Hamilton High Class of 1950 classmate Jack Pyrah and I are back at the mike bringing "The Music We Grew Up With" to those who love to hear those great old songs from the past.

1930'S AND 1940'S: SCENES FROM TOM GLOVER'S CHILDHOOD

Never to be forgotten!

1945: ST. JOACHIM BASKETBALL CHAMPIONS

Here's the 1945 St. Joachim basketball team which has earned a spot in the Hamilton LIbrary's Local History "ST. JOACHIM" and "CHAMBERSBURG" folder. Quite a number of prominent Chambersburg names here.

February 3, 1917 President Wilson addressed Congress to announce that diplomatic relations with Germany were severed. In a Special Session of Congress held on April 2, 1917, he delivered a 'War Message.' Four days later on April 6, 1917, The Trenton Evening Times front page headline read, "WAR DECLARED, WILSON SIGNING THE RESOLUTION AT 1:13; ALL GERMAN SHIPS HERE SEIZED BY ARMED U.S. FORCES" Congress overwhelmingly passed that War Resolution which brought the United States into the Great War. I put this graphic together and embellished it with a figure of a WWI "Doughboys" to accompany Lady Liberty as she waved Old Glory.

2017: "BACK IN THE SADDLE AGAIN!"

As I enter my 23rd year as the Hamilton Local History archivist, you probably noticed that this site has been lacking in new posts over the past year or so. Let me explain. After years of coping with space problems, Interim Director Scott Chianese gave the green light to our ever talented Harry Meeks to construct shelving to accommodate the ever growing inventory of yet-to-be catalogued and digitized historical material. My workshop was overflowing with LARGE full cardboard boxes of donations, boxes from my personal collection, and other space stealing objects. It was a shameful scene that one would see if a grenade were lopped into the room. Now all of that has changed and thanks to those aforementioned problem solvers, I am able to breathe again and resume this website which will soon realize 1 million visits. Thank you for your indulgence and as we move forward, let me her from you via the "Comments" feature of this site.

1917: SPRINGTIME COMES TO MERCER COUNTY AND THE DELWARE VALLEY

This delightful catalog page from the Trenton Evening Times of April 11, 1917 brings back many familiar memories of tools that I remember very well from my younger years. The push mower with the steel wheels with horizontal treads, the very common high sided wooden wheel barrow, and in the photo I also see the roller that my buddy Don Slabicki and I so often used to roll the Kuser tennis court. The article indicates it was full of water which could be drained, but I seem to recall that the Kuser tennis court roller was oil filled. A fascinating page from an era when Hamilton was largely open farm land.

HHS '67: A REUNION TO REMEMBER!

This class can be included in the "Hornet Class with Class!" These folks are going all out with a 50th to remember down in Atlantic City! Further info on the reunion can be found at their website www.hhswreunion67.com. Have a great time, fellow Hornets!

1875: EVERT AND STEWART'S PENNINGTON RE-FORMATTED BY TOM GLOVER

This beautiful map of Pennington as it was in 1875 was scanned in at HIGH definition in order to bring the names of the citizens, merchants, and other landholders as it was way back in 1872.

1897: TRENTON'S CADWALADER PLACE - EXCLUSIVE NEIGHBORHOOD.

This interesting linkage of 3 different items from the "CADWALADER-WEST END" folder adds a bit of very interesting history of legendary "Cadwalader Place."