My father was on friendly terms with many in the early Lieberman political scene in Hamilton Township. He was a Hamilton Township Committeeman during the WWII years. My very dear friend Maury Perilli is shown in the photo as are numerous personal acquaintances. My Kuser School classmate Vinnie Brenna is there, as is another old time friend, Al DeMartin. I understand that the original founders of the BRL, including my friends Jack Lacy and Jack Zoller were among the founders of the league. If either of them read this post, I would sure appreciate a comment that would add to the "BASEBALL" folder in the Local History Collection.
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS: tglover320@optimum.net
Thursday, September 15, 2011
1969: HARRY LIEBERMAN DEMOCRAT CLUB
My father was on friendly terms with many in the early Lieberman political scene in Hamilton Township. He was a Hamilton Township Committeeman during the WWII years. My very dear friend Maury Perilli is shown in the photo as are numerous personal acquaintances. My Kuser School classmate Vinnie Brenna is there, as is another old time friend, Al DeMartin. I understand that the original founders of the BRL, including my friends Jack Lacy and Jack Zoller were among the founders of the league. If either of them read this post, I would sure appreciate a comment that would add to the "BASEBALL" folder in the Local History Collection.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
1952: ONE OF MY FAVORITE PHOTOS
I have very fond memories of "downtown" Trenton. I was a regular visitor to State and Broad back in the late 40's and into the 50's when I visited that notable crossroads waiting for my girl friend who became my wife of 57 years, Judy Britton, as she left her job in Infants' Wear at Yard's Department Store at State and Broad. Even though I posted this earlier among the 8,000 plus pages on this website, I reserve the right to publish it again; it is a beautiful view which will be familiar to many Trenton area "old timers." Playing at the Capitol Theater when this photo was taken? "Bugles in the Afternoon" starring Ray Milland. What memories!1850's: THE DELAWARE INN AND LENOX HOUSE
The romance of the Mississippi River captures the imagination of many folks who love the era of the stern wheel paddle boats that once plied that Mark Twain river. Here in the area we have the Delaware River and the canal that has a magnificent historical heritage. My interest in South Trenton was really heightened when I took on a task for my home parish of Sacred Heart on Centre and So. Broad Streets in Trenton. Each Sunday, I journey down Centre Street passing by countless historic locations. One which really caught my eye is the old Delaware Inn on Lamberton Street, adjacent to the location of the old Peoples' Brewing Company. Thankfully, the building has been saved and is or will be restored as a classic riverfront hotel and restaurant. The graphics above show the old building as it was in its heyday when countless ships and barges plied the Trenton water front. The map is from Rutgers University, and the area of Cliff Street and Lamberton area has been cut, pasted and enhanced. The Samuel Lenox house is long gone. The area in the map is a graphic example of how South Trenton developed from a very rural area to the crowded metropolis we have today. Further details on the Delaware Inn can be found at:http://portoftrenton.blogspot.com
Hi TomL
If I am not mistaken, the Inn is next to the brewery not across from it.
There was another tavern further down Lamberton St. across from Riverview Cemetary. Situated high on the bluff overlooking the river, we used to watch the boat races there in the 50's, and gather to drink beer after tennis in the 60's.
As a young guy, we would take our dates, park along the river before the Marine Terminal and watch the Submarine races! LOL
Say Hi to Fr. Dennis. I spoke with him last September at my brother in law's funeral. I miss that beautiful edifice, and fear the next time I'm in it, my eyes will be closed, and my arms at my side.
Regards
Mike Kuzma
MANY THANKS FOR NOTIFYING ME OF MY BOO BOO, MIKE. OF COURSE I SHOULD HAVE SAID ADJACENT OR NEXT TO PEOPLES' BREWING COMPANY. I WILL TELL FATHER DENNIS YOU WERE ASKING ABOUT HIM. I CERTAINLY HOPE YOU GET A WIDE AWAKE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE OUR NATIONAL REGISTER SACRED HEART CHURCH!
TOM
If I am not mistaken, the Inn is next to the brewery not across from it.
There was another tavern further down Lamberton St. across from Riverview Cemetary. Situated high on the bluff overlooking the river, we used to watch the boat races there in the 50's, and gather to drink beer after tennis in the 60's.
As a young guy, we would take our dates, park along the river before the Marine Terminal and watch the Submarine races! LOL
Say Hi to Fr. Dennis. I spoke with him last September at my brother in law's funeral. I miss that beautiful edifice, and fear the next time I'm in it, my eyes will be closed, and my arms at my side.
Regards
Mike Kuzma
MANY THANKS FOR NOTIFYING ME OF MY BOO BOO, MIKE. OF COURSE I SHOULD HAVE SAID ADJACENT OR NEXT TO PEOPLES' BREWING COMPANY. I WILL TELL FATHER DENNIS YOU WERE ASKING ABOUT HIM. I CERTAINLY HOPE YOU GET A WIDE AWAKE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE OUR NATIONAL REGISTER SACRED HEART CHURCH!
TOM
2011: MERCERVILLE SCHOOL CENTENNIAL
Even though Sandtown's (Mercerville's) "School No. 27" dates back to the 19th century when the Mercerville School House was located on Quaker Bridge Road, the year 2011 marks the centennial celebration of that legendary old Hamilton Township school on Regina Avenue in Sandtown....uh, make that Mercerville. On Saturday, September 24th from 11 A.M. to 3 P.M., the school yard at Mercerville School will be filled with teachers, alumni, local area residents, and perhaps some local dignitaries as the school celebrates this centennial milestone. I will be there with some of the local history that reposes in the Hamilton Township Public Library's Local History Collection. I hope to see you there!
Monday, September 12, 2011
1861: MY CONTINUING SEARCH FOR CAMP OLDEN
I have been searching for many years for information on the very elusive Hamilton Township Civil War site, Camp Olden. My search over these 35-plus years has given tantalizing hints, but never any real information as to the boundaries of what was once a sizable military camp with a tent city and street names of noted local Civil War persons. A very big break came in the 1980's when Kuser Road's "Freedom Village" was established. As indicated in the graphic above, the site was definitely involved in military activity. The late Al Jarvis, Bill Opferman and I spent many hours on the site when contractors graded 6 inches or more topsoil. We found many 58 caliber lead "3 ringers" a number of mini balls, camp utensils, etc. Over these many years I have been metal detecting in the area from the original Kuser Home across from the Colonial Fire Company, and various areas in the neighborhood. I am currently detecting in another venue closer to the Hamilton Avenue Lawton Homestead. The search goes on, and I am un-deterred, even though the only hand drawn map of the camp which was submitted to a local Trenton newspaper could not be printed due to the fact that the newspaper didn't have the ability to reproduce graphics!
Saturday, September 10, 2011
SEPTEMBER 2011: 400,000 "HITS!" THANKS TO ALL VISITORS
Here's a grateful salute to the many visitors to my Hamilton Township Public Library Local History Website
"Local History With a Personal Touch."
I will continue to do my best to post interesting local interest historical and nostalgic graphics and comments.
"Local History With a Personal Touch."
I will continue to do my best to post interesting local interest historical and nostalgic graphics and comments.
-
Ralph Lucarella said... HI TOM....CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR 400,000 HITS. I'M SURE ALL THE OLD TIMERS AND MANY OF THE YOUNGER PEOPLE APPRECIATE YOUR EFFORTS IN RECALLING THE SPECIAL DAYS OF THEIR YOUTH. OUR GENERATION HAS SEEN THE BEGINNING OF ALL THE GOOD THINGS THAT WE ENJOY TODAY. SO, LET.S HEAR IT FOR THE GREAT GENERATION. BEST REGARDS.
Mack said...The best local site for history of this area. Informative and done with a respectful positive tone.
You are class act Tom.
And so is Ralph:) - Anonymous said...
Tom - Congratulations on your 400,000 hit on this site. You are to be commended for a terrific job and a labor of love. Please know that your hard work and dedication are greatly appreciated.
Lakeside Girl 
JoeZ said...CONGRATS TOM: IT'S A PLEASURE TO READ YOUR POSTS AND TAKE A TRIP BACK IN TIME. KEEP IT UP.
- Sally Logan Gilman said...
Way to go, Tom. Look how many people you make happy. More than 400,000 hits -- your visitors are grateful to you for all the wonderful memories you send along. Best wishes and keep on keeping on.
Thursday, September 08, 2011
1849: TRENTON'S MERCER CEMETERY
This engraving has been copied and pasted from a very faded 1849 map. Thanks to Photoshop's uncanny ability to enhance and balance contrast in a very faded and nearly illegible picture.
Wednesday, September 07, 2011
1914(Ca.) VERY EARLY TRENTON MOVIE THEATRES
I find these graphics to be absolutely fascinating. Trenton theaters has been one of the most requested subjects in my years as a historical researcher here at the Hamilton Library. Long before there was an RKO Trenton, Capitol, Broad, Princess, etc, there were numerous entrepreneurs who saw the possible profitability of establishing a "moving picture" theater. My research thus far shows that the Market Street Theatre at Market and Union Streets in South Trenton never got into the movie business due to union problems. numerous articles indicate that the building was used for meetings. During World War I, the area "Home Guard" held weekly meetings in the building.Broad Street Park historian Jim Colello and I have been researching a movie theater that was supposedly located in Broad Street Park, but as of the present time we have been unsuccessful.
- Ralph Lucarella said...
HI TOM....I CAN RECALL GOING TO THE THEATRE ON MORRIS AND CHESTNUT WITH MY MOTHER IN THE EARLY 20'S. IT WAS CALLED THE BB'S AND SHOWED MOSTLY ITALIAN MOVIES. IT WAS VERY BORING AS I RECALL. REGARDS.
Tom Glover said...VERY INTERESTING, RALPH. WAS THE BUILDING I PUT THE "?" MARK ON THE SAME BUILDING?
TOM GLOVER
Tuesday, September 06, 2011
1913: YARDVILLE & YARDVILLE HEIGHTS COMMUNITY NEWS
Even as I describe Groveville as a "Mayberry RFD" venue, so too can yesterday's Yardville and Yardville Heights qualify for that bucolic small town feel. In those long ago years, everyone seemed to know everyone else, and it would be a good bet that neighbors watched out for neighbors. Note the old family surnames in the article above. I added the photo of the old school on Route 156 to add a bit of historical reality to the article. The newspapers of the day would not be able to reproduce such a pristine photo.- Anonymous said...
Tom - Once again you have filled in a bit of family history! The birthday party mentioned in this article for George Goldy, my father, was his 12th birthday. Thanks! Lakeside Girl
- Tom Glover said...
QUITE WELCOME, ELEANOR. THE GOLDY FAMILY IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF YARDVILLE AND YARDVILLE HEIGHTS HISTORY.
TOM GLOVER 
Aprilicity said...Lakeside girl - I didn't realize George was your father! (or I had forgotten!) George was my first source of information when I started researching local history! I am forever indebted to him for that! The information he gave me was so fascinating and he even went to the trouble of photocopying some articles and hand drawing a map of Lakeside Blvd!! Hope all is well in the family!
Monday, September 05, 2011
1950: WORLD WAR II PLUS 5!
So there we were, still licking our wounds from the horror that was World War II and from Wolfburg, Germany, Hitler's peoples' car. At first, the average American motorist was skeptical about that little automobile. The above article is from the October, 1950 issue of "POPULAR SCIENCE." It was only a short period of time before this little auto proved to be of very high quality. The solid sound of the doors as they closed impressed many skeptics. The "VW" wasn't for everyone. Many found the little car too small to sit in comfortably. Back seat passengers were equally unimpressed with the cramped interior. On the other hand, millions of Americans took to the "Beetle" like "Wimpy" took to hamburgers.(Wimpy? Ask your grandfather!)
- Anonymous said...
On a cold day the rear air cooled engine left much to be desired. Details like heat and defrost were at a premium with those little holes at ankle level trickling out heat like a leaky faucet. When I was in the Navy I had a 1956 with the single small window, a leaky fuel tank, no wipers and after that car I thank my lucky stars I'm alive.
Ed Millerick - Anonymous said...
A unique "safety" feature was the windshield. I was driving along after an snow storm in my Corvair and up on Bear Tavern Road came upon a VW that had hit a pole. The owner was from the large farm just above the bridge and though he had a nasty head gash wanted only a ride to the farm house. His only other request was that I go back and to retrieve the windshield that was still intact having popped out before it inflicted serious damage on the driver or it shattered. I was thankful for my seat belts, and BTW, that Nader fellow never has had a drivers license.
Ed Millerick - Tom Glover said...
I BOUGHT A NEW 1961 FROM AUTOBAHN MOTORS ($1770) ON ROUTE 33 WHEN I WAS FORCED INTO COMMUTING TO NEW BRUNSWICK EVERY DAY. LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER I HAD IT, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS SLIPPED AND WERE COMPLETELY USELESS. THEY HAD WHAT APPEARED TO BE "POT" METAL SPLINES ON THE WIPER ARM SHAFT AND WERE COMPLETELY WORTHLESS.
TOM GLOVER
Friday, September 02, 2011
1969: HAMILTON HIGH'S JIM COURSEN RETIRES
- Lee Belardino said...
- Hi Tommy
Jim Coursen.I visited his office many times receiving"HOURS",mostly, for being late.One time however for going to tune town which was off limits at lunchtime. "big Jim was waiting for me at the side door that I was trying to sneak back in. That cost me 5 hours more;but Jim Coursen was a strict but very fair man and we had a lot of respect for each other.Schools need more like him.
Thursday, September 01, 2011
1992: TOM GLOVER'S SEARCH FOR CAMP OLDEN
2011 IS THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE START OF THE CIVIL WAR
I recently spoke with a member of the Camp Olden Civil War Roundtable who did not agree to my assertion that my "The Way We Were" column (ABOVE) from 1992 was the catalyst for the establishment of the Camp Olden Park at the intersection of Hamilton Avenue and Liberty Street, referring me to the Camp Olden Civil War Roundtable site . I had been searching for years to find any and all information on that Civil War camp ground back in the 1970's when I spoke with a member of the Lawton family (Norman?) I finally found enough source information and included it in my column as you can read below It was in this column that I suggested a monument which was ultimately constructed. (closing paragraphis of the column) In my CAMP OLDEN folder is a copy of the letter to the editor from Mr. Bob Butera, an early Civil War enthusiast at and Mr. Vince Mercandetti, who was President at the time.
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1863: NJ REGIMENTAL CASUALITES
v PAGE CONTINUED HERE v
I posted the complete page which was too large to be legible. I deleted it and cut the page completely in half, giving larger and more legible text.
2011 marks the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War. Here is a regimental list of N.J. soldiers killed, wounded, or missing. Unfortunately the scan lacks the detail that I prefer, but even with the lack of clarity, I feel that this list may be of interest to Civil War historians, and genealogists.
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By the cars, that was about 1952? Clinging to a coat sleeve I can smell the peanuts and hear the rattle of the poor souls who used to scoot around on platforms. Mom said they lost legs during the first war.
I too met my HS sweetie in a bus stop flirtation only a block away, she rode the "T Hiltonia".
Ed Millerick
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
State and Broad -- one of my favorite spots in downtown Trenton. That's where I got the bus to go home to West Trenton. Tom, you do my heart good. Regards
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Hi Tom, Bugles in the Afternoon, was released in 1952, so that dates the photograph. The two cars in the photo are a 1949 Plymouth to the left, and a 1950 Chevrolet on the right, which is actually a Terminal Cab taxi, waiting for a fare at their stand on the corner of State and Broad. I purchased many a car related magazine at the news stand in the photo, but I don't remember the name of the business. I think the news stand on North Warren, near the corner of Hanover, was Whitey's. Trenton in it's heyday, no more! Rayfromvillapark
Thursday, September 15, 2011