1907: Thanksgiving Service at First Baptist Church

The Trenton area Baptist converged on the Centre Street church to celebrate the Thanksgiving, 1907 holiday.

1870: C.C. Havens on the 2nd Battle of Trenton

Circa 1985: McGalliard Christmas Tree Farm

Here's an interesting story about the first Christmas tree farm in the area....no, make that in America! I have never been able to substantiate that historical statement, but even if it turns out to be untrue, William McGalliard's White Horse Christmas tree farm and the establishment thereof makes for fascinating reading. I would say it is safe to say the the McGalliard Christmas tree farm was the first in the local area.

1877: "Happy Holidays?" NO! MERRY CHRISTMAS!

One thing that has changed over the past 35 or so years is the seperation of God and state. In order "not to offend," many in the print press and broadcast media refrain from printing or broadcasting anything which acknowledges the fact that the holiday of Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. It was not so in years past. As you can see by this 19th century editorial the writer (and most of his contemporaries) had no problem using the now forbidden reference to the Nativitiy as the "birth of our Saviour."

1909: A Dunham's 1909 Christmas

Articles such as this is what makes historical research so fascinating. Not only does it give a pretty interesting view of "Christmas Past," it also provides an interesting view of the merchants in downtown Trenton may decades ago.

1942: WE MOBILIZE FOR WWII

Did you ever wonder what would happen if American had to mobilize as it did in World War II? Our heavy industry is gone, our steel mills are gone, and most "raw material" is being imported. Scary thought!

1915: Thompson Yardville "Smithy"

"Under a spreading Chestnut tree, the village smithy stands. The smith a mighty man is he, with strong and sinewy hands.." (Longfellow)
This old invoice takes us back to the days when a blacksmith shop was in almost every neighborhood. As can be seen by the invoice, James Thompson took over the blacksmith shop of Mr. Pancoast. I'm still looking for a Pancoast ad.

1916: Farmingdale School

This graphic speaks for itself! Mr. Bradshaw's bill for painting 4 rooms in the Farmingdale School, and obviously doing some window replacement. 30 dollars per room!

1989: Christmas at Kuser Farm

This vignette photo was extracted from a feature I did back in 1989 for the late, lamented "Mercer Messenger." Seventeen years ago...How time does fly!

1875 Groveville

Groveville and Yardville are very interesting historically. Over the years, Groveville has managed to maintain that small village look. Anyone Jim Humphrey, Fire Captain at the Groveville Volunteer Fire Company dropped me an email telling me of the Groveville F.D. website. You can reach it a www.grovevillefire.com. It is a very interesting site. You can contact Jim at humph19@comcast.net.

1886: Nottingham Taxes

You think your taxes are high? Just read this article of the taxing situation in 1811 Nottingham Township, and you will see how well of we really are here in the Hamilton Township of 2006!

1870: Hendrickson's "Harvest Home"

The Hendrickson family is one of Ewing's older families. One of the Hendrickson's had a farm in the area of today's Prospect and Olden Avenues.

1873: John Raum's History Book

Anyone who has an interest in local history will be familiar with John Raum's History of Trenton. I have a very worn copy which one day I hope to digitize into an "E-book." Raum details each and every facet of the History of Trenton from the earliest years and right up to the 1870s.

1879: Immaculate Conception Neighborhood Developing

One of the more interesting subjects in the Hamilton Library's Local History Collection deals with the development of the suburban areas. Back when this article was written, the Chambersburg area was considered the suburbs. From cornfields and fruit orchards to paved streets, the borough of Chambersburg has a fascinating past.

1879: Pastor Lucas's Daughter - First Baptist ChurchA L

A large crowd of parishioners of Trenton's First Baptist Church attended the funeral service for Pastor Lucas' 21 year old daughter

1934: Interesting Ewing History

This HUGE file, a full page from the Trenton Times, will give you an idea of the full page newspaper collection at the Hamilton Library's Local History Collection. Due to the size of the page, the the page was reduced the size to fit the screen. It will be legible only on larger monitors. These pages have yet to be catalogued, but will be in the future. This fascinating feature article details much very interesting Ewing history.

1873: St. Francis Hospital Fund Raiser

Back when St. Francis Hospital was in its infancy, Franciscan Sister Hiacinth was looking for money in order to keep her hospital running. In these days of 900 to 1,000 dollar per day hospital stays, it seems unbeliveble that the Sisters of St. Francis treated ALL patients: those who could pay for the service and those who were destitute.

1873: The Circus Comes to Trenton

This great old broadside ad for P.T. Barnum's "Greatest Show On Earth" conjures up memories of the circus coming to town via the railroad, unloading the train and marching in a procession to the circus grounds. I know that the area off Greenwood Avenue near the Junior Two school was the site of carnivals and circuses, but I
suspect that there was another location closer to the city of Trenton back in the 1870's.

2006: Hamilton Historical Society Wassail Party

Sunday, December 11,2006: Once again it was time for the annual Hamilton Township Historical Society's annual Wassail Party. 40 or 50 true lovers of our historical Hamilton Heritage flocked to the little John Abbott II house on Kuser Road to partake of a few very fleeting hours journeying back to Hamilton's Colonial past. I will be posting photos from this memorable event; an event gone un-noticed by many local residents.

2006: Hamilton Historical Society Wassail Party

This beautiful time keeper rests comfortably in a corner of the John Abbott II house. It is a true treasure of antiquity.

2006: Hamilton Historical Society Wassail Party

Upon entering that old farmhouse, one is transported back to the earliest years of our country's history. Here is a digital photo of the hearth and just two examples of truly antique furniture.

2006: Hamilton Historical Society Wassail Party

I was completely enthralled by the lovely Miss Julia Cuddahy, a local student at Steinert. (I think Julia told me she was in the class of 2009 at Steinert High School, but I'm not sure). Thank you Julia, for being you, and thanks to your Mom and Dad for attending with you. You do indeed make a lovely Colonial Nottingham Maiden!
It is so very refreshing to see our younger lads and lasses as they also lend their youth and vigor to our historical preservation efforts. Thanks also to Chris, who gave of his afternoon to play the Abbott House organ. He is a multi-talented musician, being comfortable playing an organ, piano, harp, and probably other instruments, all self taught!

2006: Hamilton Historical Society Wassail Party

Historical Society members Gordon Kontrath and Bill Ford toast the Colonial and Civil War era, Gordon with his pewter stein, and Bill has the old fashioned porcelain cup.

1873: Remember the "Original Trenton Cracker?"

Adam Exton's cracker factory was a thriving industry back in the 19th and early 20th century. The manufacturing complex still stands on Centre Street, and the building is being renovated and will ultimately be made into apartments. My friend Billy Powers from DeSantis Mason establishment is busily re-pointing and repairing the red bricks on the building. Centre Street holds a special fascination for me. The antiquity of the area as it is today still maintains a bit of the old Centre Street as it was in the 1800's and early 20th century. Of special fascination to me is the old Centre Street Theater building, now a pharmacy. However, the old cement "Centre Street Theatre" is still proudly displayed on the top front of the old building.

1873: Trenton Advancing From Village to City

This post and the post that follows is another article detailing the interesting growth of the city of Trenton.

1868: The Village of Trenton Expanding to a City

Perhaps nothing is more interesting than reading of the growth of Trenton from a small village to a city as new neighborhoods are created and real estate ventures proliferate. Particularly interesting is the area of "Calhoun's Lane," and its widening and changing to Calhoun Street. Back in the days of the horse-drawn trolley, Calhoun and West State Street was the end of the line.

1922: Trenton's Washington Market

There are quite a few articles on the profusion of markets which were once located in various locationS in Trenton. There will be other posts relating to Trenton's markets in the future.

1873; St. Francis Hospital Fundraising Picnic

1869: Trenton State Prison - Part One

This is the first of a comprehensive look at Trenton's State Prison, located on Cass and Centre Streets in Trenton. It is interesting to read the account as written more than 137 years ago. See the next post for a continuation of this interesting series.

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.