1869 - Trenton State Prison

I find it incredibly interesting to read articles published more than 100 years ago which relate to those places which exist today. Like the preceeding post on this site, this article is gives an interesting insight into the prison system of the 19th century.

1869: Grafitti - An Age Old Problem

Even back in 1869 the city was plagued with those anti social types who degrade public property. Were I in a position of authority, those who are caught "tagging" would be sentenced to six months of 8 to 5 daily community service removing their art work with a toothbrush....but I guess that would be considered cruel and unusual punishment.

My Mary Lou

She was the love of my life back there in 1942. Her name was Mary Lou. She lived at 129 Hartley Avenue and I was next door at 131. Here she's posing with her brother Chuck. She broke my heart when she moved to California in 1943, and another case of "puppy love" thrust me into deep depression. I think Walt Disney said I was "twitterpated." I was sure she would go out to Hollywood and marry Lon McAllister or Jimmy Lyden, or Mickey Rooney, or Peter Lawford, or one of those fancy pants Hollywood kids. Love Hurts!

1934: The Horse-Drawn Milk Wagon

Mr. Bennet was our milkman. I do recall when that rubber-tired milk wagon was delivering milk to our home at 131 Hartley Avenue back in the 1930's. Can you imagine getting up at 3 or 4 o'clock in the morning on a cold, windy, and snowy winter morning and delivering milk door to door? On some of the colder mornings, the milk outside our front door froze, popped the cardboard cap, and we picked up what looked like a frozen popsickle!

1957: Here comes another 50th!

Following is an announcement of the 50th reunion of HHS '57Mark your calendar. Thanks to Lynn Hammer, HHS '57.

=========================================================
Lynn writes:

The Hamilton High School class of 1957 will hold their 50th reunion on September 22, 2007 at the Knights of Columbus in Hamilton.

Anyone who wishes to help on the reunion committee, or update their address, can email HH57Reunion@aol.com or call Jerry DePew at 587-5047.

===========================================================

1957: Here comes another 50th!

Following is an announcement of the 50th reunion of HHS '57Mark your calendar. Thanks to Lynn Hammer, HHS '57.

=========================================================
Lynn writes:

The Hamilton High School class of 1957 will hold their 50th reunion on September 22, 2007 at the Knights of Columbus in Hamilton.

Anyone who wishes to help on the reunion committee, or update their address, can email HH57Reunion@aol.com or call Jerry DePew at 587-5047.

===========================================================

1957: Here comes another 50th!

Following is an announcement of the 50th reunion of HHS '57Mark your calendar. Thanks to Lynn Hammer, HHS '57.

=========================================================
Lynn writes:

The Hamilton High School class of 1957 will hold their 50th reunion on September 22, 2007 at the Knights of Columbus in Hamilton.

Anyone who wishes to help on the reunion committee, or update their address, can email HH57Reunion@aol.com or call Jerry DePew at 587-5047.

===========================================================

1957: Here comes another 50th!

Following is an announcement of the 50th reunion of HHS '57Mark your calendar. Thanks to Lynn Hammer, HHS '57.

=========================================================
Lynn writes:

The Hamilton High School class of 1957 will hold their 50th reunion on September 22, 2007 at the Knights of Columbus in Hamilton.

Anyone who wishes to help on the reunion committee, or update their address, can email HH57Reunion@aol.com or call Jerry DePew at 587-5047.

===========================================================

1957: Here comes another 50th!

Following is an announcement of the 50th reunion of HHS '57Mark your calendar. Thanks to Lynn Hammer, HHS '57.

=========================================================
Lynn writes:

The Hamilton High School class of 1957 will hold their 50th reunion on September 22, 2007 at the Knights of Columbus in Hamilton.

Anyone who wishes to help on the reunion committee, or update their address, can email HH57Reunion@aol.com or call Jerry DePew at 587-5047.

===========================================================

1957: Here comes another 50th!

Following is an announcement of the 50th reunion of HHS '57Mark your calendar. Thanks to Lynn Hammer, HHS '57.

=========================================================
Lynn writes:

The Hamilton High School class of 1957 will hold their 50th reunion on September 22, 2007 at the Knights of Columbus in Hamilton.

Anyone who wishes to help on the reunion committee, or update their address, can email HH57Reunion@aol.com or call Jerry DePew at 587-5047.

===========================================================

1957: Here comes another 50th!

Following is an announcement of the 50th reunion of HHS '57Mark your calendar. Thanks to Lynn Hammer, HHS '57.

=========================================================
Lynn writes:

The Hamilton High School class of 1957 will hold their 50th reunion on September 22, 2007 at the Knights of Columbus in Hamilton.

Anyone who wishes to help on the reunion committee, or update their address, can email HH57Reunion@aol.com or call Jerry DePew at 587-5047.

===========================================================

1873: First Baptist Hudson River Excursion

Here's another First Baptist clip for your collection, Alan Wildblood. By the way, if any viewers of this website have any info on the Wildblood family let me hear from you. Additionally if there is a subject which is of interest, contact me and your email address will be added to my "PATRON REQUEST" database. As I uncover material in your area of interest, it will be posted and you can copy the material to your computer and print it out, etc.

1870: A Tear Sheet of Local Trenton Ads

I find these old ads to be completely fascinating. As I recall, the population of the city of Trenton back in the 1870's was somewhere in the neighborhood of 30,000 inhabitants. Wild dogs were running in the streets, the butchers in the local center of town markets were driving cows through the streets of Trenton on their way to be slaughtered at the markets which were situated in the center of the city.

1870: An Exercise in Ecumenism

Hey, Alan Wildblood, here's an interesting clip wherein the Methodists in the Trenton of 1870 requested and received authorization to use the First Baptist Church baptist font for some of their parishioners.

1911: Hurley Tobin Company

Many folks will recall this venerable old store, once an "Anchor" store in downtown Trenton. Hurley Tobins was where I saw the radio of my dreams back in the 1940's; a gorgeous silver radio. The brand name of escapes me but trust me, it was a winner and very expensive.

1870: Druggists Proliferated in Trenton

That mortar and pestle is probably made of pewter. During the latter part of the 19th and early part of the 20th centure there were MANY druggists in the city and surounding area of Trenton. One wonders if this is the predecessor to Adams and Syckles, West State Street in Trenton.

1870: A Visit to Trenton's Cook's Carriage Works

Before there was "Fitzgibbon and Crisp" there was Cook's Carriage Works up there by the Battle Monument. This interesting historic story of a carriage maker brings forth images of one horse shays, farm wagons, and their majestic steeds.

1935: Tillie the Toiler

Along with Dixie Dugan, Freckles and her Friends, many viisitors to my site will remember Tillie the Toiler and her boyfriend, Mack. Here's a paper doll cutout that was part of the Sunday comics back in the 1930's.

Dawn in 1870 Trenton

I found this article to be a fascinating look at the city of Trenton as it was in 1870. It is filed in the "Whimsical" folder in the local history collection.

1869: IRONIC! St. Mary's Cathedral

"....if not destroyed by fire..."

This article was written with the intention of observing the fact that many churches are built with construction features which will render them good for hundreds of years. How ironic that the beautiful original St. Mary's was burned by that animal back in the 1950's. Does anyone doubt that there is ever-present evil in this world we live in?

1952 HHS 55th Reunion

This from Chuck Taylor Class of 1952:

I wanted to let it be known that I no longer live in Hamilton Township and can be reached to receive alumni news. If any classmate would like to be in touch to inform me of class reunions, etc., I would welcome hearing from them.

Chuck Taylor

(contact Chuck at: chuckfay@verizon.net)

1952 HHS 55th Reunion

This from Chuck Taylor Class of 1952:

I wanted to let it be known that I no longer live in Hamilton Township and can be reached to receive alumni news. If any classmate would like to be in touch to inform me of class reunions, etc., I would welcome hearing from them.

Chuck Taylor

(contact Chuck at: chuckfay@verizon.net)

1952 HHS 55th Reunion

This from Chuck Taylor Class of 1952:

I wanted to let it be known that I no longer live in Hamilton Township and can be reached to receive alumni news. If any classmate would like to be in touch to inform me of class reunions, etc., I would welcome hearing from them.

Chuck Taylor

(contact Chuck at: chuckfay@verizon.net)

1952 HHS 55th Reunion

This from Chuck Taylor Class of 1952:

I wanted to let it be known that I no longer live in Hamilton Township and can be reached to receive alumni news. If any classmate would like to be in touch to inform me of class reunions, etc., I would welcome hearing from them.

Chuck Taylor

(contact Chuck at: chuckfay@verizon.net)

1952 HHS 55th Reunion

This from Chuck Taylor Class of 1952:

I wanted to let it be known that I no longer live in Hamilton Township and can be reached to receive alumni news. If any classmate would like to be in touch to inform me of class reunions, etc., I would welcome hearing from them.

Chuck Taylor

(contact Chuck at: chuckfay@verizon.net)

1952 HHS 55th Reunion

This from Chuck Taylor Class of 1952:

I wanted to let it be known that I no longer live in Hamilton Township and can be reached to receive alumni news. If any classmate would like to be in touch to inform me of class reunions, etc., I would welcome hearing from them.

Chuck Taylor

(contact Chuck at: chuckfay@verizon.net)

1952 HHS 55th Reunion

This from Chuck Taylor Class of 1952:

I wanted to let it be known that I no longer live in Hamilton Township and can be reached to receive alumni news. If any classmate would like to be in touch to inform me of class reunions, etc., I would welcome hearing from them.

Chuck Taylor

(contact Chuck at: chuckfay@verizon.net)

2006: Those Wonderful Volunteers

THANKS TO ALL THOSE VOLUNTEERS WHO GENEROUSLY GAVE THEIR TIME TO MAKE THE 2006 HAMILTON CHRISTMAS WINTERFEST A SUCCESS. WE TEND TO TAKE THESE EVENTS FOR GRANTED, AND THOSE WHO VOLUNTEER THEIR TIME AND ENERGY SHOULD KNOW THAT THERE ARE MANY OF US IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY WHO APPRECIATE THEIR HARD WORK.

2006: Kuser Farm

Here's a spectacular digital photo of the beautifully decorated Kuser Mansion. The beautiful old "Country Home" of Fred and Teresa Kuser has witnessed 114 seasons and with the beautiful restoration now in progress, will be there for many more!

2006: Jersey Valley Model Railroad

Breathes there a man or boy who isn't completely enchanted with the incredible realism of model railroading? Jim Peoples and his crew of artisans in the Jersey Valley Model Railroad Club have been working for years in the basement of the Kuser Farm mansion, bringing the most incredibly fascinating and BEAUTIFUL railroad scenery. It literally boggles the mind! The details are incredible. Tiny miniatures are laid out in perfect scale. One wants to go into the scenery and take a trip back to yesterday. FASCINATING!

Fred Wildbood, Tobacco Store

This exquisite photo is from my friend, Alan Wildblood who is a researcher par excellence. How I would love to enter the front door of that old shop and buy a few cigars! Alan is a Trentonian whose career carried him to Germany. If anyone has any information on the Wildblood family, I'm sure Alan would appreciate hearing from you. Contact him at www.wildblood.org.
An email from Alan describes in detail the photo.
Alan writes:

The tobacco distributor, which the family called a "sponge store," was on North Clinton Avenue at Oak Street. The number was 236 in 1900, but before 1920 it was renumbered 346. The enterprise was the forerunner of Lee Wildblood Company, Potters Tools, established 1898. Frederick Wildblood and Hannah née Walklett, from Burslem, Staffordshire, married in England. Their immigrant son Arthur Wildblood became Trenton Potteries plant superintendent nearly across the street from the store. My father, Harold, was born in the old East Trenton homestead in 1913. He was a 1930 "general business" graduate of Trenton High School - THS, not TCHS, I have a spoon from the cafeteria to prove it - and Rider College night school. Young Harold had to hide his typewritter from grandmother Hannah and type softly because she thought the newfangled gadget was the devil's tool. Fred and Hannah are buried in Greenwood Cemetery. They are my great-grandparents. Their son Lee, who died in 1962 at 341 Hobart Avenue, was my grandfather. Sponges were used in the manufacture of sanitary ware to clean the work in progress.

Alan

1944: Goldberg's Toyland

"Toyland, toyland,
dear little girl and boy land.
While you are within it,
you are ever happy there.
Childhood joyland,
dear little girl and boy land,
Once you've passed its portals,
you can never return again..."

Thus wrote Victor Herbert many years ago. There's a special place in my memory for the visits I made to that magic place known as Goldberg's Toyland. I dare say many over 70 viewers share this sentiment.

Christmas, 1898

This delightful engraving from Trenton's venerable "Daily State Gazette" shows just how timeless the wonderful season of Christmas is as the little guy in the graphic fell asleep waiting to see Santa.
"...the stockings were hung by the chimney with care..." They would be filled with an orange, or perhaps an apple, maybe some walnuts or some other austere treat, and if the little boy came from an affluent family, perhaps a toy under the tree.

1908: Still "Boiling the Pot in 2006

How well I remember taking one of those Christmas shopping trips "uptown" with Mom Glover when I was a boy. Center city Trenton was the mecca for shoppers all over Mercer County. During the Christmas rush, Trenton Transit buses were lined up end on end bringing people to and from a thriving metropolis. The Christmas seasons I remember of downtown Trenton still lives in my memory as I recall Christmas carols echoing through the State and Broad area, the aroma of coffee, hot dogs, hamburgers, bakery delights, and the exhaust from those buses formed an unforgettable aromatic experience. Many viewers of this post will remember Santa standing by that big black kettle, and dropping a few coins for the less fortunate among us. We were indeed a kinder and gentler nation back then.

1946: The Tuskegee Airmen

It was a shameful period for the American military during the second World War. The thousands of black men who served our country were treated as inferior to their caucasion brothers. Here three soldiers, including a Trentonian by the name of Elwood Driver, receive a welcome to Tuskegee Air Field in Alabama. It took nearly a half century for the military to be fully integrated.

1869: Fascinating Ads from the Past

One of the more interesting segments of my local history project at the Hamilton Library is found in the fascinating advertising to be found in the newspapers of the Victorian era. The engraving as seen in the William E. Brooke ad is an example of the art as it was practiced before offset printing of photographs came to the fore. There are literally thousands of ads, and I will be adding more in future posts.

FYI

Many people have told me that they save my "Sentimental Journey" columns and send them to friends and relatives out of the local area. My column is in the "People" section of the Times EVERY OTHER SATURDAY. Tell your out of town friends and relatives who have computer/internet capabilities that they can find my column published online on those weeks when it appears in the paper. The internet site http://www.njo.com is the site where the Times and the Star Ledger post archives, but it is somewhat difficult to get to the 14 day archives. I find it easier and much quicker to go to Google, and in the "Search For" block, enter this string:
TOM GLOVER HAMILTON TRENTON
you will find my column if it is a week when my column is published, along with other activities in which I have been involved over the recent past.

FYI

Many people have told me that they save my "Sentimental Journey" columns and send them to friends and relatives out of the local area. My column is in the "People" section of the Times EVERY OTHER SATURDAY. Tell your out of town friends and relatives who have computer/internet capabilities that they can find my column published online on those weeks when it appears in the paper. The internet site http://www.njo.com is the site where the Times and the Star Ledger post archives, but it is somewhat difficult to get to the 14 day archives. I find it easier and much quicker to go to Google, and in the "Search For" block, enter this string:
TOM GLOVER HAMILTON TRENTON
you will find my column if it is a week when my column is published, along with other activities in which I have been involved over the recent past.

FYI

Many people have told me that they save my "Sentimental Journey" columns and send them to friends and relatives out of the local area. My column is in the "People" section of the Times EVERY OTHER SATURDAY. Tell your out of town friends and relatives who have computer/internet capabilities that they can find my column published online on those weeks when it appears in the paper. The internet site http://www.njo.com is the site where the Times and the Star Ledger post archives, but it is somewhat difficult to get to the 14 day archives. I find it easier and much quicker to go to Google, and in the "Search For" block, enter this string:
TOM GLOVER HAMILTON TRENTON
you will find my column if it is a week when my column is published, along with other activities in which I have been involved over the recent past.

FYI

Many people have told me that they save my "Sentimental Journey" columns and send them to friends and relatives out of the local area. My column is in the "People" section of the Times EVERY OTHER SATURDAY. Tell your out of town friends and relatives who have computer/internet capabilities that they can find my column published online on those weeks when it appears in the paper. The internet site http://www.njo.com is the site where the Times and the Star Ledger post archives, but it is somewhat difficult to get to the 14 day archives. I find it easier and much quicker to go to Google, and in the "Search For" block, enter this string:
TOM GLOVER HAMILTON TRENTON
you will find my column if it is a week when my column is published, along with other activities in which I have been involved over the recent past.

FYI

Many people have told me that they save my "Sentimental Journey" columns and send them to friends and relatives out of the local area. My column is in the "People" section of the Times EVERY OTHER SATURDAY. Tell your out of town friends and relatives who have computer/internet capabilities that they can find my column published online on those weeks when it appears in the paper. The internet site http://www.njo.com is the site where the Times and the Star Ledger post archives, but it is somewhat difficult to get to the 14 day archives. I find it easier and much quicker to go to Google, and in the "Search For" block, enter this string:
TOM GLOVER HAMILTON TRENTON
you will find my column if it is a week when my column is published, along with other activities in which I have been involved over the recent past.

FYI

Many people have told me that they save my "Sentimental Journey" columns and send them to friends and relatives out of the local area. My column is in the "People" section of the Times EVERY OTHER SATURDAY. Tell your out of town friends and relatives who have computer/internet capabilities that they can find my column published online on those weeks when it appears in the paper. The internet site http://www.njo.com is the site where the Times and the Star Ledger post archives, but it is somewhat difficult to get to the 14 day archives. I find it easier and much quicker to go to Google, and in the "Search For" block, enter this string:
TOM GLOVER HAMILTON TRENTON
you will find my column if it is a week when my column is published, along with other activities in which I have been involved over the recent past.

FYI

Many people have told me that they save my "Sentimental Journey" columns and send them to friends and relatives out of the local area. My column is in the "People" section of the Times EVERY OTHER SATURDAY. Tell your out of town friends and relatives who have computer/internet capabilities that they can find my column published online on those weeks when it appears in the paper. The internet site http://www.njo.com is the site where the Times and the Star Ledger post archives, but it is somewhat difficult to get to the 14 day archives. I find it easier and much quicker to go to Google, and in the "Search For" block, enter this string:
TOM GLOVER HAMILTON TRENTON
you will find my column if it is a week when my column is published, along with other activities in which I have been involved over the recent past.

FYI

Many people have told me that they save my "Sentimental Journey" columns and send them to friends and relatives out of the local area. My column is in the "People" section of the Times EVERY OTHER SATURDAY. Tell your out of town friends and relatives who have computer/internet capabilities that they can find my column published online on those weeks when it appears in the paper. The internet site http://www.njo.com is the site where the Times and the Star Ledger post archives, but it is somewhat difficult to get to the 14 day archives. I find it easier and much quicker to go to Google, and in the "Search For" block, enter this string:
TOM GLOVER HAMILTON TRENTON
you will find my column if it is a week when my column is published.

1952: Here Comes Your 55th!

C'mon you guys, admit it! We all have memories of that first girlfriend, or the "crushes" ).....the ones that got away, if you will.) At one time or other, we were all afflicted by with that male hormonal malady at some time in our youth. I still recall a case of "puppy love" with which I was afflicted in 1943 with the then love-of-my-life, Shirley Whitebread....then, hmmm, let me see, there was Madelyn Lear, Barbara Connelly, Joan Tart, Charlotte Wilson, Millie Long, Shirley Gress, Madeline Bencivengo, Mary Pyrah, Jackie Hamilton, Valle Brewer, and, oh, of course, the love of my life with whom I have spent 53 years of married life, Judy Britton, HHS '51!

1952: Here Comes Your 55th!

C'mon you guys, admit it! We all have memories of that first girlfriend, or the "crushes" ).....the ones that got away, if you will.) At one time or other, we were all afflicted by with that male hormonal malady at some time in our youth. I still recall a case of "puppy love" with which I was afflicted in 1943 with the then love-of-my-life, Shirley Whitebread....then, hmmm, let me see, there was Madelyn Lear, Barbara Connelly, Joan Tart, Charlotte Wilson, Millie Long, Shirley Gress, Madeline Bencivengo, Mary Pyrah, Jackie Hamilton, Valle Brewer, and, oh, of course, the love of my life with whom I have spent 53 years of married life, Judy Britton, HHS '51!

1952: Here Comes Your 55th!

C'mon you guys, admit it! We all have memories of that first girlfriend, or the "crushes" ).....the ones that got away, if you will.) At one time or other, we were all afflicted by with that male hormonal malady at some time in our youth. I still recall a case of "puppy love" with which I was afflicted in 1943 with the then love-of-my-life, Shirley Whitebread....then, hmmm, let me see, there was Madelyn Lear, Barbara Connelly, Joan Tart, Charlotte Wilson, Millie Long, Shirley Gress, Madeline Bencivengo, Mary Pyrah, Jackie Hamilton, Valle Brewer, and, oh, of course, the love of my life with whom I have spent 53 years of married life, Judy Britton, HHS '51!

1952: Here Comes Your 55th!

C'mon you guys, admit it! We all have memories of that first girlfriend, or the "crushes" ).....the ones that got away, if you will.) At one time or other, we were all afflicted by with that male hormonal malady at some time in our youth. I still recall a case of "puppy love" with which I was afflicted in 1943 with the then love-of-my-life, Shirley Whitebread....then, hmmm, let me see, there was Madelyn Lear, Barbara Connelly, Joan Tart, Charlotte Wilson, Millie Long, Shirley Gress, Madeline Bencivengo, Mary Pyrah, Jackie Hamilton, Valle Brewer, and, oh, of course, the love of my life with whom I have spent 53 years of married life, Judy Britton, HHS '51!

1952: Here Comes Your 55th!

C'mon you guys, admit it! We all have memories of that first girlfriend, or the "crushes" ).....the ones that got away, if you will.) At one time or other, we were all afflicted by with that male hormonal malady at some time in our youth. I still recall a case of "puppy love" with which I was afflicted in 1943 with the then love-of-my-life, Shirley Whitebread....then, hmmm, let me see, there was Madelyn Lear, Barbara Connelly, Joan Tart, Charlotte Wilson, Millie Long, Shirley Gress, Madeline Bencivengo, Mary Pyrah, Jackie Hamilton, Valle Brewer, and, oh, of course, the love of my life with whom I have spent 53 years of married life, Judy Britton, HHS '51!

1952: Here Comes Your 55th!

C'mon you guys, admit it! We all have memories of that first girlfriend, or the "crushes" ).....the ones that got away, if you will.) At one time or other, we were all afflicted by with that male hormonal malady at some time in our youth. I still recall a case of "puppy love" with which I was afflicted in 1943 with the then love-of-my-life, Shirley Whitebread....then, hmmm, let me see, there was Madelyn Lear, Barbara Connelly, Joan Tart, Charlotte Wilson, Millie Long, Shirley Gress, Madeline Bencivengo, Mary Pyrah, Jackie Hamilton, Valle Brewer, and, oh, of course, the love of my life with whom I have spent 53 years of married life, Judy Britton, HHS '51!

1952: Here Comes Your 55th!

C'mon you guys, admit it! We all have memories of that first girlfriend, or the "crushes" ).....the ones that got away, if you will.) At one time or other, we were all afflicted by with that male hormonal malady at some time in our youth. I still recall a case of "puppy love" with which I was afflicted in 1943 with the then love-of-my-life, Shirley Whitebread....then, hmmm, let me see, there was Madelyn Lear, Barbara Connelly, Joan Tart, Charlotte Wilson, Millie Long, Shirley Gress, Madeline Bencivengo, Mary Pyrah, Jackie Hamilton, Valle Brewer, and, oh, of course, the love of my life with whom I have spent 53 years of married life, Judy Britton, HHS '51!

Veterans' Day 2006 at Hamilton's Veterans' Park

Following are a few of the photos I took at the solemn ceremony honoring our Veterans, November 11, 2006 at Veterans' Park, Hamilton Township.

Click on the image to enlarge

Veterans' Day 2006 at Hamilton's Veterans' Park

This solemn ceremony brought tears of respect and unbridled emotion to every patriot in attendance.

Click on the image to enlarge

Veterans' Day 2006 at Hamilton's Veterans' Park

These are my dear friends from the Air Force Association, these patriots are very active in all facets of veterans' affairs.

Click on the image to enlarge

CAPE MAY SPLENDOR RIGHT IN HAMILTON!

Here's a photo taken just this afternoon (November 10) of the restoration in progress at Hamilton's Kuser Mansion. The stately old girl is being brought back to her former splendor, and the workers are now painting the "gingerbread" highlights of that beautiful old mansion. Fred and Theresa Kuser and Edna And Fred Kuser are smiling down on us from above. Well done, Hamilton Township!

(Click on the image to get a better view of the gingerbread highlights being added to the house.)

Ray Sypniewski: Tribute to a Hero

I am proud to say that Ray was one of my childhood buddies in our Hartley Avenue neighborhood. Ray was the very first casualty of the Korean war from the Trenton/Hamilton area. He was also a Hamilton High alumnus. As Veterans' Day 2006 approaches, let us say a remember Ray Sypniewski, and all those brave men and women of our armed forces who made the supreme sacrifice.

Ray Sypniewski: Tribute to a Hero

I am proud to say that Ray was one of my childhood buddies in our Hartley Avenue neighborhood. Ray was the very first casualty of the Korean war from the Trenton/Hamilton area. He was also a Hamilton High alumnus. As Veterans' Day 2006 approaches, let us say a remember Ray Sypniewski, and all those brave men and women of our armed forces who made the supreme sacrifice.

Ray Sypniewski: Tribute to a Hero

I am proud to say that Ray was one of my childhood buddies in our Hartley Avenue neighborhood. Ray was the very first casualty of the Korean war from the Trenton/Hamilton area. He was also a Hamilton High alumnus. As Veterans' Day 2006 approaches, let us say a remember Ray Sypniewski, and all those brave men and women of our armed forces who made the supreme sacrifice.

Ray Sypniewski: Tribute to a Hero

I am proud to say that Ray was one of my childhood buddies in our Hartley Avenue neighborhood. Ray was the very first casualty of the Korean war from the Trenton/Hamilton area. He was also a Hamilton High alumnus. As Veterans' Day 2006 approaches, let us say a remember Ray Sypniewski, and all those brave men and women of our armed forces who made the supreme sacrifice.

Ray Sypniewski: Tribute to a Hero

I am proud to say that Ray was one of my childhood buddies in our Hartley Avenue neighborhood. Ray was the very first casualty of the Korean war from the Trenton/Hamilton area. He was also a Hamilton High alumnus. As Veterans' Day 2006 approaches, let us say a remember Ray Sypniewski, and all those brave men and women of our armed forces who made the supreme sacrifice.

Ray Sypniewski: Tribute to a Hero

I am proud to say that Ray was one of my childhood buddies in our Hartley Avenue neighborhood. Ray was the very first casualty of the Korean war from the Trenton/Hamilton area. He was also a Hamilton High alumnus. As Veterans' Day 2006 approaches, let us say a remember Ray Sypniewski, and all those brave men and women of our armed forces who made the supreme sacrifice.

Ray Sypniewski: Tribute to a Hero

I am proud to say that Ray was one of my childhood buddies in our Hartley Avenue neighborhood. Ray was the very first casualty of the Korean war from the Trenton/Hamilton area. He was also a Hamilton High alumnus. As Veterans' Day 2006 approaches, let us say a remember Ray Sypniewski, and all those brave men and women of our armed forces who made the supreme sacrifice.

Circa 1929 Enterprise Volunteer Fire Co.

Edith Rommel and Edith Marlin for this vintage photo of Bromley's Enterprise Volunteer Fire Company. Any further information on the actual location of the structure shown in the photo would be appreciated.

1909: In the Beginning: Hamilton Volunteer Fire Co.

In the year 2009, Hamilton Township's venerable old Hamilton Volunteer Fire Company will celebrate 100 years of selfless service to the citizens of Bromley and the surrounding areas of Hamilton Township.

1983: Colonial Volunteer Fire Company

Here's a reprint of an old article I wrote back in 1983 on the fire company of my youth. Colonial was located on Liberty Street and Newkirk Avenue before moving to their sumptuous quarters on Kuser Road.

1943: "Let's buy a bomber!"

The girls at Cathedral High School in Trenton succeeded in raising enough money to buy four Jeeps for the U.S. war effort during World War II. Afer that incredible success, they wondered if they could be as successful in raising funds for the purchase of a bomber aircraft!

(See the next post for details on the four Jeeps the gals purchased)

1943: Those Cathedral Girls!

The senior class at Hamilton High School raised enough funds to purchase a Jeep for the U.S. Government's war effort back in 1943. Those girls at Cathedral High eclipsed that incredibe feat by purchasing four Jeeps for our soldiers.
Absolutely fascinating!

1896: The Rothschild Factory

Hamiltonians who are familiar with that huge red brick building on the corner of Nottingham Way and Johnston Avenue will remember the building as being the home of Atlantic Products Corp., manufacturers of golf and luggage bags. The building was originally constructed as a textile mill for the Rothschild Company. The building has fallen into disrepair and is an eyesore today. However, I understand that in the near future there is a possibility that the building will be restored to its original splendor and become still another 19th century treasure.

1900: DeLaval Comes to Trenton

I believe the new De Laval factory was built on farmland owned by the Boyd family. It was big news back there in 1900 when the industrial giant moved into the city.....or did they move into Hamilton township? I don't know where the city line begins, but it is a close call.

1986: How Technology Has Changed!

The headline says it all"
"VIDEO BUSINESS BOOMING"
How well I remember going to the video rental store and spending quite a long time deciding which VHS tape I would rent. In the intervening years since 1986, there has been a tremendous change in the way we view movies. Do you remember "Sir Video?"

1901: A Horseless Carriage Passes Through Trenton

It made headlines back in the infancy of the horseless carriage when Mr. and Mrs. Decker set off on a journey down the east coast. Mrs. Decker was the driver. The couple left New York City at 10 O'clock in the morning and arrived in Trenton a little after 1 P.M. The vehicle appears to be a curved dash Oldsmobile.