1891: Trenton Police Purchase a Station

Before they moved to the Coalport area on North Clinton Avenue, the Trenton Police Dept. maintained two precinct stations. Precinct 1 ("P-1")on Chancery Lane in Trenton, and Precinct 2 ("P-2")on So. Broad St. in the Chambersburg section.

1922: Which Auto Dealer Sold Which Auto

Here's a modified chart I imported from the "AUTOMOBILIA" file at the Hamilton Library's Local History Collection. It's interesting to note the number of manufacturers there were back then. Back then there were no Toyotas, Hondas, BMW's, etc.

1922: No Happy Medium in Education

NOTE: THE SIZE OF THIS POST MAY RENDER THE TEXT UN-READABLE ON SOME MONITORS. IF YOURS HAPPENS TO BE ONE, MY APOLOGIES.

I note that the local school system takes a majority of the taxpayer's money from the local tax bill. With the unbelievable amount of money it takes to educate just one child today, and with all the assitants to the assitants to the assistants on the educational payroll in this year of 2006, and with a number of school systems requesting laptop computers for every student, one gets a striking contrast with the unhealthy situation of the school system in Trenton in the 1920's. Back then, excessive fiscal austerity was carried on to the detriment of the school system. There are a number of Ms. Lawson's columns on this subject, and another will be forthcoming,

1891: Before their was a Trenton Public Library

Here's an article from the last century describing some of the strange persons and strange behaviors experienced by the librarians of old.

1944: Trenton Transit

This bus was a familiar site to all the old time Trenton area residents. I am indebted to Rose Marie Buker and her husband, the late Leon Buker, for this photo, along with a comprehensive collection of Trenton trolley and bus files. Leon was a veritable walking encyclopedia when it came to the Trenton mass transit industry.

1916: Hamilton School Real Estate Values

Another document rescued from destruction, this one is a real eye opener. First, notice the many schools listed which are no more. Secondly, look at the assessed values and the insurance coverage alotted to each school.

1909: Rosalie Kuser School

Even though the name has been truncated, you should know that the formal name of today's Kuser School was "Rosalie Kuser School." You will note that the original building, which was a twin of Klockner School, looks different from the Kuser of today. Due to an influx of families into the Colonial Gardens area back in the 1920's. Accordingly in 1924, two wings were added to each side of the school. The original facade exists to this day.

1935: Lawrenceville Grammar Schools' Graduates

Back in the mid 30's, as seen in this photo, rural Lawrenceville combined eighth graders from Slackwood, Lawrenceville and Eldridge Park into one large class. Here is the class of 1935. Do you know anyone in the photo?

1914: Hamilton Township Library Book Purchase

Still another document that was destined for the trash bin. Sorry folks, I have a very hard time with those who arbitrarily relegate historically significant material to the trash can. This receipt from John Wanamaker's Philadelphia store is a most unusual source for books. It would be assumed that Wanamaker was not a supplier of text books; only novels, non-fiction, etc. as listed in the graphic.

Howell Living History Event for 2006

For the many in our society who long for a return to rural farm living, here's the 2006 schedule for the Howell Living History Farm.

Saturday Hours: 10am - 4pm, programs from 11am - 3pm (A calendar of Saturday events is available at the farm or on this website.)
Sunday Hours: Noon - 4pm, April through November for self-guided tours only
Weekday Hours: 10am - 4pm February through NovemberTuesday - Friday (The Farm is closed on Mondays)
Holidays:Closed on Mercer County holidays; Easter
Cost: Free admission & parkingFee for Children's Crafts, Maze Reservations: Required for groups only
Telephone:
(609)737-3299
FAX:
(609)737-6524
E-Mail Address:
pwatson@howellfarm.com

1902: Sacred Heart's Father Angelo on Heaven

Newspapers placed a great importance on religion in the last century. There were many page devoted to the sermons, banquets, and other articles of interest to those of all faiths. Father Angelo's concept of heaven is refreshing.

(Please disregard the mis-spelling of "unknown" as shown at the top of the graphic.)

1930: Another Street View

Here's another street scene from the Trenton of long ago.

1935: Pennington High School Hi-Y

I'm sorry to say the caption in this clip doesn't identify the boys in the Hi-Y club at the school. Hamilton High also had a Hi-Y club.

1930: I wish I had one!

I would love to be tooling around town in that gorgeous "Tudor" Ford Model "A." It was a simple and easy to repair vehicle and one of the most popular of all time. I wonder what it would cost to re-release the Model A with hydraulic brakes, shatter-proof glass windows, sealed beam headlights, steel belted tires, and directional signals? I think I would buy one.

1930: Calhoun and West State Street

This is one in a series which will be posted now and then on "Tom Glover's Hamilton." I find street scenes from the past to be fascination. As I see the photo, the car on the far right is coming down Calhoun Street approaching W. State St. The site of the Glen Cairn Arms is on the far left, on the far side of Calhoun. If this should be erroneous, I would hope you will correct me.

1935: Homedell Reception Grade

Notice that it was "Reception Grade," not Kindergarten. Kuser School had its Mary Kelly, and Homedell Elsie Davis. You must admit they are working on a very ambitious project!

1935: Rider College

Here's the Rider College staff preparing for the Varsity letter banquet. Frank Donlon was a dear friend in later life, during my tenure as President of St. Anthony's Holy Name Society. He was a true gentleman, and kept his interest in sports up to the end.

1932: Mary McClain

Each year as I began a new session in grammar school those many years ago, the teacher would look at me and say something like, "You're a Glover, aren't you?" And of course I would have to answer in the affirmative. I would bet a Tom Mix Ralston Straight Shooter decoding ring that the McClain girls experienced the same annual classroom situation as they started a new grade! The family resemblence is obvious.
In my extensive White Horse file, I have numerous references to the McClain family. They were right up there with the Gropp, McGalliard, and Parent families in their involvement in civic activities. Julia McClain was the subject of numerous columns I have written, recalling her as my 6th grade disciplinarian teacher. Veronica McClain Larkin was also a teacher and also a disciplinarian at Kuser Annex when I was there in the 1940's. I recall numerous other McClain names, including Charles, and there will undoubtedly be future posts on this distinguished White Horse family. A side observation: Julia and Veronica, along with Ruth Parker, Emily Reynolds, Jim Coursen and all other faculty who demanded self control and discipline would have a very hard time in today's scholastic environment. These card-carrying members of "the old school" were quite firm with the student body.

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1945 Knights of Columbus 355

These are the folks who have their meeting place over in the Columbus Avenue area. They are still an active and viable organization in this year of 2006.

It was called "the theater of the mind." I am, and for many years, have been a collector of old radio programs. Modern technology now allows me to convert my old "analog" reel to reel radio shows to "digital MP3 format," which is a hi tech term for audio files that are compressed and stored for playback. It is hard to believe that 10 hours or more of old radio programs can be transferred to a player no larger than a package of cigarettes, and with absolutely no moving parts. The graphic accompanying this post is from a column I wrote many years ago. I have fond memories of the radio listening days of my youth. Once again, in this year of 2006, I am once again listening to those old favorites, as well as those great old "remotes" from various places around the country......"From the Flamingo Room in the Regency Hotel in downtown Chicago, it's the music of Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians with the sweetest music this side of heaven...."

1937: Yardville 4-H

Back when Hamilton Township was known as
a rural community dominated by farm after farm
after farm, the 4-H club was an extremely popular
organization.

1934: Hamilton High Instrumental Music

Here are the members of the student body who participated in an instrumental music program in Westfield, New Jersey. The lady identified as Mildred Verdier is Mildred Verdier Brearley, a very prominent and active member of various Hamilton township organizations.

MORE ON SHILOH BAPTIST CHURCH

Years ago, one of my columns involved the fictional newspaper reporter "Lawson Tattler." Lawson's assignment was to interview the movers and shakers from the Mercer County area in the long ago. Here, he sat down with Rev. J.B. Randolph, the founder of Trenton's historic Shiloh Baptist Church.

1945: Local Heroes

Today they're known as "The greatest generation," but to my mind they are "Heroes from the Greatest Generation." Here are two local boys with two non area residents posing for the newspaper photographer. Thank you fellows, without you we wouldn't enjoy the freedoms we Americans have.

Kuser School circa 1938

Hey! That's my brother Bud up there.....first boy on the left in the back row! And wow, do I remember some of those names. I'd really like someone from HHS 1945 to tell me the year of this Kuser School photo.

Advertising Matchbook - Yardville's Sunny Brae

Even though I filed it in the "YARDVILLE" folder at the Library, it should really be filed in the "WHIMSICAL" folder. However, considering the fact that the average local isn't familiar with the "Sunny Brae" area now that Yardville has evolved into a little metropolis, I thought it should be in Yardville's folder.

1941: It's "Freezie!"

When I was a boy growing up in the Newkirk-Liberty-Hamilton-Cedar Lane area, Frese's Deli was located right next to the Colonial Fire Company on Liberty Street and Newkirk Avenue. Freezie's was a local legend to those of us who lived in the neighborhood, along with mom and pop Hogan on Hamilton and Newkirk, "Skeetses" as we called them on Hamilton and Atlantic, and Mozers on Hamilton and Kuser Road. Frese and Mozer carried "horse caps," those extra loud caps we used if we were lucky enough to own a cap gun. I was not one of the lucky ones, but I spent many happy hours tearing off one little "horse cap," putting it on a rock, and hitting it with another rock. Ahh....the memories just keep on coming!

1904: A Frightening Reality in the past

There were numerous cases of Smallpox in the area
back in he early part of the 20th century. One seldom hears about that horrible disease today. Infantile Paralysis and other common diseases like measles, Scarlet Fever, mumps, and diptheria are also seldom heard about in our modern society. Modern medicine has succeeded in conquering these very serious illnesses.

1893: The D & R Canal

There is something completely captivating in the very interesting stories of the fabled Delaware and Raritan Canal. There are numerous stories yet to be uncovered, but be assured they will be found in the millions of pages in the Hamilton Library Local History Collection. By the way, you will note that there is a typographical error in the article, referring to a "freset;" it should reade "freshet."

Recalling a KKK visit to Hamilton

I wrote this column a number of years ago while I was hearing of Ku Klux Klan activities being resurrected down in the south.
As you read the column you will note that the reception from the various neighborhoods was anything but cordial.

1921: China and the Opium Trade

The epidemic of Illicit drugs will always be with us. As you can see by the clip from the library's "CRIME-MORALS-SOCIAL VALUES" folder. It is a never ending source of amazement to me at the age of 72, to look back an realize that I was never aware of the drug menace. I can honestly say that the only time I heard about drug addiction was when some of our boys in the military who were severely wounded and placed on drugs, became addicted. I never heard of any of my friends or relatives having a drug problem.

1937: Colonial Fire Company's New Pumper

Back in 1937, the boys at the Colonial Fire Company decided to purchase a new fire truck. I wonder if it was the "Diamond T" which I recall as a youth. I remember the thrill of sitting in the driver's seat of that scarlet beauty. Quite a thrill for a boy of ten!

1943: WARTIME TRENTON

It was really frightening on the local scene in the early years of World War II. Mock air raids, talk of a fifth column, enemy submarines reported off the Jersey coast, and numerous other wartime happenings brought apprehension to many citizens. Certainly the prospect of the local police to be issued gas masks had to stoke the fear that we could be subjected to a gas attack.

1902: Christ P.E. Church

It was in this church back in 1923 that my mother and father entered into the bonds of marriage. Dwindling attendance and internal squabbles among various members of the clergy and congregation led to the demise of the beautiful little church on Hamilton and Whittaker Avenues in Trenton. The building is now in use by another denomination.

1903: Jewish Persecution

As you can see by this clipping from the "JEWISH" folder, persecution was a way of life for the Jewish people throughout the centuries.

2006 HHS MARCHING UNIT (SHARP!)

I would have expected no less than excellence from my alumni Marching Band. These lovely ladies are the standard bearers for Hamilton High West's Marching Band. They and the HHS band made an impressive spectacle as they participated in the 2006 St. Patrick's Day Parade.
Unfortunately, the clarion bells of St. Anthony were chiming as the band played our National Anthem, but that didn't stop us from singing with them. Great job, fellow Hornets!

White Horse VFD Carnival 1920

Each year, the guys and gals of the White Horse Volunteer Fire Department hosted their annual carnival. This one is from 1920, and features the music of "Ernie Krickett and his Radio Orchestra." Fascinating!

1942: Betcha didn't know this!

Did you know that the Tasty Baking Company introduced those great butterscotch "Krimpets" back in the early 1940's, but they were then called "Krimplets." (12 cents back then). How about this one? Bet you didn't know today's popular "Cheerios" got their start as "Cheerioats." Yep, mom always told me wisdom comes with age!

1918: Deutzville Mothers' Club

Here's an original Deutzville document from the WWI era. We seldom hear or read anything about Deutzville, that little community on the far reaches of Hamilton. I am changing all that. Here's a request to use the Deutzville School for club activities by the Mothers' Club of the school Additionally, my March 18th Trenton Times column will touch on the history of that great little community.

1937: A True Hamilton High School "Hornet"

Phil DeAngelo sent me an email while he was viewing my website with Joe Kildea. Phil, I run across your name VERY FREQUENTLY in the files of Hamilton High School. You were a mover and shaker!

Demolition of Maple Shade School

For a sentimental old Hamiltonian like me, a photo like this is a very sad image. After over 100 years reposing on the White Horse-Mercerville Road, the authorities decided that the historic old building that was Maple Shade Gramar School was irrelevant. There are images of the various Maple Shade schools in the Local History Collection at the Hamilton library. Maple Shade School joins Rowan-Willey, Groveville, Farmingdale, DeCou, Deutzville, Edgebrook, Washington, and Friendship, schools as historic schools of the past. Please town fathers and mothers, be sure to see that Kuser and Klockner, stay with us; they are both historic treasures!

1937: Homedell Playground

An earlier post depicted another scene from the playground at Homedell School. In the 1930's and early 40's, Hamilton Township had an extensive program with outdoor activities on the grounds of the schools. Unfortunately, this photo graph doesn't identify the children in the picture.

A Bird's Eye View of Bromley Ca. 1939

If there is anything that fascinates me, it's an aerial view. This one is particularly interesting because it is just up the street from my Bromley home. Donny and Harry Bargholz, Bill Doninelly, Alice Schmidt, Bob Shinkle, and all my friends from the area will probably find the photo of interest. Greenwood Cemetery and Greenwood School are seen in the image, as is the Municipal Building. Note the beautiful layout of the Waverly Place, Park Lane area.

1935: Lalor School Students Build An Airplane

What a great photo! These Lalor students built the "Miss America" airplane and even had the foresight to construct a hangar! Take a close look and you will even see a propeller on the plane.

1947: The Kent AA

This clip would be found in the Hamilton Local Collection "AMERICAN-ITALIAN" folder, and also cross referenced in our "NOTABLE PERSONS" file, due to the prominence of the Guerio name in the Hamilton-Trenton-Mercer area.

1935: What Are You Doing Saturday Night?

Look at all the restaurants, bars and other places of entertainment which was available to those folks who were still in the throes of the "Great Depression." Hey, I would bet that some of our older viewers have visited one or more of the spots listed!

2006: Well Done, Hamilton Students!

There is currently a truly wonderful art display at the Hamilton Township Public Library. There are works of art on display that are indeed works of art! The students and their teachers deserve much credit for exposing our young school students to art and culture. As you will see in the graphic, Hamilton's musical accomplishments will also be presented to the community on April 10th and 27th at Steinert High School.

1940's The Trenton Times

Before their move to their Perry Street Coalport area location, the Trenton Times was situated in this building on South Stockton Street in downtown Trenton. It was here that local journalistic legends like Bill Dwyer and John Cleary hung their hats.

1943: Hamilton's own "Ike" WIlliams

There he is, local boxing legend Ike Williams. He was a real "contenda" back in his generation. I remember passing by his house on the curve linking Central Avenue with Park Avenue in the Forrest Valley section of Hamilton. He had one of the first "ranchers" I had ever seen.

Circa 1910 Yardville

The building in the foreground is the old Yardville Public School. Today it is an apartment complex. A number of the over 80 generation remember attending school there. The other building in the photo is the OUAM (Order of United American Mechanics) building. A lively social center in years gone by.