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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,
Here's an article from the last century describing some of the strange persons and strange behaviors experienced by the librarians of old.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
farm after farm
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.
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.
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.
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!
There were numerous cases of Smallpox in the area
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."
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.
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.
As you can see by this clipping from the "JEWISH" folder, persecution was a way of life for the Jewish people throughout the centuries.
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.
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!
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!
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!
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.
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.
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!
