1913: CORNELIUS "POP" WALDRON

The "CIVIL WAR" folder here at the Hamilton Library Local History Collection is growing rapidly. With over 120 digitized historical articles and photos and still growing, I found this article telling the story of Civil War veteran Cornelius "Pop" Walton. Those of us who are history minded, and especially those of us who find a certain fascination in delving into the history of the war between the states, seldom hear of the terrible events that occurred which were beyond the horror of the well known battles where thousands died on both sides. In the article above,  Mr. Waldron imparts another little discussed facet of the war where troops on both sides pillaged and destroyed farms and homes. 

1913: JAMES MEREDITH CHASES CIVIL WAR BOUNTY JUMPERS

This article from the growing "CIVIL WAR" folder in the Hamilton Library Local History Collection tells the story of James Meredith who was assigned the duty escorting those individuals who chose to collect bounty money in order to replace one of their more affluent friends and serve time as the affluent citizen's replacement. Then, as now, there were those who took the money, and ran. The situation became so common that it was decided to bring in an individual who would be sure that those who collected the bounty money fulfilled their military duty. Meredith was the no-nonsense man for the job. Despite offering him bribes to look the other way, he escorted the slackers to the appropriate military base for induction into the military. After the war, James Meredith went on to become a valued member of the Trenton Police force.

1993: CHAMBERSBURG RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION

Here's the full size graphic from this month's home page which lists the names of those in the photo. This at the request of my close friend, Joe Battiste who has been a loyal follower of this website since its earliest years. Joe and his lovely wife Sonja ("Sonny") are regular visitors to my Sunday evening singalongs at the Kuser Farm Gazebo. Incidentally, the weather man is giving good reports for this coming Sunday. Hope to see some of my local visitors there from 6 to 8 PM. Bring a folding chair. It's a free musical experience and those who enjoy good music always love to hear those old songs again.

1913: WILBUR'S EZEKIEL VOORHEES

The above article tells of the exploits of still another veteran and hero from the Civil War as related to the Trenton area. Ezekiel Voorhees lived in the house shown in the Google Earth view at the corner of South Olden Avenue and Walnut Street. Due to the antiquity of the Wilbur area, it is a safe bet that the number 70 South Olden Avenue of 1913 is the very same 70 South Olden Avenue of today that is shown in the photo below.

1913: JESSE BARBER: BAKERY MOGUL

 

He was one of the most successful bakery owners back in the earlier year of the 20th century. As can be seen in the article above, he was originally associated with the T.C. Hill bakery, and he ultimately purchased the popular Trenton bakery. From then on, his business expanded to other cities in New Jersey. I "Photoshopped" ad below, which was a drab black and white display ad from the Trenton Evening Times of 1928.

1913: THOSE GREAT LAKESIDE CARNIVALS!

Over the years, I have been fascinated as I read articles and see a photo or two of that annual Lakeside carnival that was so popular in earlier years. The article above gives a good idea of how seriously those Lakeside carnival participants worked to bring a splendid pageant to those in attendance. The residents added to the annual affair with lanterns and other lights decorating their homes in that bucolic little village of "bungalows;" as the early real estate ads called them. I recall all those happy summer hours I, and many of my contemporaries spent in that natural spring fed lake. It is sad that today's lake is merely there as a natural resource and  no longer a summer swimming retreat.

My son lives in Medford Lakes in Burlington County. They carry on the tradition of carnivals on the lake with highly decorated boats, each competing for the grand prizes offered in various categories. This year, Ken is the captain of his group and the are hard at work burning the midnight oil getting ready for the big night when their decorated vessel will take to the water.

1838 - 2013: MERCER COUNTY'S 175th ANNIVERSARY

Above are two interesting graphics showing the original Mercer County Courthouse from the earliest years of the county, and the current edifice which is on the same location at S. Broad and Market Streets. Below are a few of the interesting Mercer County news articles and clippings I have been digitizing over the years.

1992: MY KUSER SCHOOL DIARY.

I will always be grateful to Hamilton Township for giving me an education which has held me in good stead over these 80 years; nine of which I spent within the hallowed halls of that wonderful "neighborhood" school. I have written COUNTLESS columns recalling my years at both Kuser and Hamilton High before it became "West."

1909: KLOCKNER SCHOOL: LET'S KEEP THOSE REMAINING NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS

I hope my fears are not realized until I am out of the picture: Rumors are flying that our neighborhood schools are now obsolete and should be replaced. It is possible that incoming Boards of Education in the near future will be staffed with younger and more progressive members who are more interested in more modern and "airy" facilities. The prospect of a shiny new school will ultimately replace those old non state of the art buildings. I hope my fears are never realized.

1896: FROM THE LATE LELAND "LEE" BUKER; TRENTON TRANSIT HISTORIAN

My dear friend, the late Leon "Lee" Buker was the recognized local history expert when it came to Trenton's mass transit system. Going back to the days of the horse drawn trolley to the electric trolley to the fleet of Trenton Transit's familiar cream and green buses, Lee had diligently kept scrapbooks and photos of the glorious past of the transit system in Trenton. Future posts will show the old "trolley barn" on Lalor Street, the huge electric generator that powered the trolleys, and many other fascinating photos from this incredible man's years as an employee of the Trenton Transit company. Above is just one of the ephemeral and historic relics which were preserved by Lee for the edification of this, and future generations.

1898: THE STATE FAIR, AKA "GREAT INTERSTATE FAIR"

This beautiful example of local Americana is an original pass, apparently to one of the office workers at the late, lamented, N.J. State Fair on Nottingham Way. This fall I will be a guest speaker at the Hamilton Township Historical Society bringing my very comprehensive collection of digital historical material on the Fair to the members of the Historical Society of Hamilton Township. Details will be in the local press and the public will be welcome to attend the free presentation.

1987: KUSER FARM PARK 10th ANNIVERSARY

Had the Central Jersey Model Railroaders not "beaten me to the punch." I would loved to have set up the Hamilton Township Public Library's Local History repository in the basement of Kuser Farm Mansion. It would have been an ideal spot for storage of my huge collection of Trenton newspapers and a very adequate office area to set up my computer and digitizing software. Additionally, it would have been home to my home away from home where I and my two brothers spent countless hours during the time that  Fred and Edna Kuser occupied the home. I also had my eye on the old "chicken coop" down in the area of the tennis court as a prime candidate for a repository, but alas, it was not to be. My attraction to this Hamilton Township historical jewel borders on the spiritual with all the indelible memories I carry deep within my inner being. I will be eternally grateful to former Mayors Maury Perilli and Jack Rafferty for being the catalysts who were instrumental in bringing this historic gem to Hamilton Township. Maury, for meeting with Edna Kuser very early on when it was becoming apparent that Fritz and Edna could no longer manage the huge property, and Jack Rafferty for sealing the deal and convincing the Kusers that their wishes for a park for the public to enjoy over the years would come to fruition.

circa: 1888. THE TRENTON CITY COUNCIL AT WORK

There are visitors to this website who are here basically for the nostalgic entries. On the other hand there are those of us who are considered "hard core" historians who love to read about the emerging growth of the city of Trenton and the surrounding communities. Even though the latter group is in the minority, the Hamilton Township Public Library Local History Collection will continue to feature in depth articles and photos that are of historic value. Such is the case with the article above. Unfortunately, much like those frustrating old family photographs that came through the years with no written identification on them, so too are there articles that were in the leaves of old scrapbooks. Never pasted in and never identified as to the date. Thus it is with the article above. From what I can piece together, this article can safely be attributed to the 1880's, and close to the late 1880's.

1999: MONSIGNOR JOE ASCENDS TO HEAVEN

Some day, when I'm old and gray(er), I am thinking of writing a book on my wonderful years as a communicant at St. Anthony's parish; that beautiful South Olden Avenue church on the Hamilton-Trenton border. Below is just a smattering of the hundreds of precious memories surrounding the church of my younger years that will be included in that book if and when it is written:

 

He was one of my very favorite men of God. Father Joe was always there whether it was at our monthly Holy Name Society meetings, PTA meetings, or any other church affair. He was there during the time that St. Anthony's lovely cathedral like church went through a very necessary restoration. My many years as a loyal parishioner at St. Anthony began way back in the early 1960's, before the advent of Vatican II. My dear and very close family friend, the late Monsignor Leonard Toomey converted me to the faith after I spent countless hours at St. Anthony's rectory and the countless questions I had to have answered before I took the step to convert. Monsignor later told me that I was one of the numerous converts who took the longest to convince that the Catholic faith was right for me. From that magical year in the early 1960's, I became an extravert who was thirsty for the satisfaction of knowing that I was worthy to be a servant of the Lord. In rapid succession, I became a Lector, a leader of song, President of St. Anthony's PTA, President of St. Anthony's Holy Name Society, the "Billy Bigelow" carousel barker at many of our carnivals, a grammar school wall painter, a St. Anthony gardener and lawn mower operator, and countless other minor chores that defy immediate recall. I am told that I was the very first Eucharistic Minister at St. Anthony's parish. That was according to Father McGrath. He told me that Monsignor McCorristin was approached by Bishop John Rees who told him that he had to have at least one Eucharistic Minister. It is well known by those of us who were there, that Monsignor McCorristin was not too impressed with the drastic changes in Vatican II. Monsignor often opined that "converts usually made the best Catholics." When Father McGrath approached me way back in the early years of Vatican II, he told me that the Bishop had pulled rank on Monsignor, and according to Father McGrath, Monsignor said if he had to have a Eucharistic Minister, he wanted your truly. Given the fact that Father McGrath sometimes "gilded the lily" with some of his stories, I really wonder if that dialogue did indeed occur. However, that's what I was told, and I did indeed become an "EM" as well as a Lector, and under the wing of my favorite nun, Sister Delora Marie, I became involved in the parish music ministry. Sister was very interested in bringing the younger generation to Sunday Mass. With my son Tom and I, we recruited five talented female singers, and an additional male singer.  We formed a group called "Wings of Song" after Mendelssohn's beautiful classic melody, and with eight beautifully harmonic voices, did indeed start to see teens sitting next to Mom and Dad at Saturday night Mass. Before a Mass which he was getting ready to celebrate, I can still hear Father Joe asking me, "Tom are you going to sing 'Be Exalted' tonight?" Along with Father Joe, that spiritually uplifting hymn is one of my favorite scriptural hymns, and I still sing it at a number of my local singing presentations. But alas, all good things had to come to an end, and the incoming Pastor was not as receptive to our music as the previous Pastors, preferring the heavier music from the very beautiful St. Anthony Pipe organ, and we were unceremoniously dismissed. Even after all these years, I still have old timers at St. Anthony who remember and loved the music from "Wings of Song."

In the photo below right, we are singing at an Our Lady of Sorrows prayer group services where we appeared on a very frequent basis back in the 1990's

1866: EARLY TRENTON INDUSTRY: THE TRENTON SAW WORKS

These historic accounts of early Trenton industries provide a valuable chronicle of the early industrial growth of the city of Trenton. I will be adding to this post as future items relating to the Trenton Saw Works becomes available.

1845: TRENTON MACHINE WORKS

Back in the early 1950's when I was a newly hired driver for my dead end job at the bearing company, one of my frequent deliveries was to the old New Jersey Agricultural Works facility on Hamilton Avenue at the railroad crossing. It wasn't until I un-covered the graphic above that I learned that there was a connection of the R. Butterworth's Trenton Machine Works and the aforementioned N.J. Agricultural Works. The era of flat belt driven overhead "line shafts" was on its way out and babbitted bearings were being replaced with ball and roller bearing pillow blocks. All of which brings me to a very poignant observation: One's memory only needs a slight gleam of recognition to bring into focus a subject that has been heretofore completely buried deeply within my memory bank; in this case, the New Jersey Agricultural Works Hamilton Avenue facility. .

1923: THE "NATATORIUM" AT WOODLAWN PARK

Few people are familiar with the term "Natatorium" which was the strange description they appended to the swimming pool that was to become the Woodlawn Pool and ironically, would survive the closing of Hamilton's Woodlawn  Park.

1936: TOO HOT FOR YOU? TAKE A DIP IN THE CANAL!

When I was a boy, we went to Yardville's "Lakeside," the Delaware River near the intersection of Lalor and Lamberton Street, "The Gravel Pits" over in Falls township, and if we had the cash, to the Woodlawn Pool on Connecticut Avenue. Here we see a group of swimmers having a great time swimming in the Canal.

1946: 300 BLOCK OF PERRY STREET

The photo on the bottom is a long range view. The bottom photo is a "zoom in" view. As with all these beautiful old photos of different areas, this area is completely different today.The spire seen in the background is St. Mary's Cathedral.on North Warren Street.

1946: BLAKELY LAUNDRY - A FAMOUS COMPANY FROM THE PAST

Nearly everyone in my generation remember Blakely and the very familiar Blakely sign on their vehicles and of course on the front facade of the building. The area is much changed from the years when they occupied this location on Brunswick Avenue.

1945: A FAR DIFFERENT "WHITE HORSE CIRCLE!"

What a change of scenery! This view of today's Route 206 North at the intersection of South Broad Street is how it looked when I was a lad of 12. Today we have a very controversial "circle" which is somewhat confusing; especially to those who don't use it on a regular basis.

1946: THE STATE AND BROAD I LOVED.

 

Top is the original photo from the R.C. Maxwell/Duke University Library Collection. In order to give the viewer a more precise and intimate view of the intersection, I have "PhotoShopped" and put the closeup view under the original. I see the fabled news stand over by that Studebaker where I purchased many many magazines over the years. Note the hustle and bustle of a lively and vibrant center city.

1906: GLENN BROS. GROCERS

No matter how much historic detective work one does, there is always that roadblock that stands in the way of research. The above photo shows a pristine photo of Glenn Bros. Grocers at an intersection that I am at a loss to find. On my first incursion searching for the company, I found that they had a North Willow and West Hanover address. Subsequent searching found that the company had 2 other locations. Perhaps a visitor can agree with me that this is the Willow/West Hanover Street location. With the incredible change in the landscape in the city of Trenton over the past century, I chose the photo as being on Willow and W. Hanover; logic tells me that the traffic stanchion would be more likely to be found in center city. HOWEVER:

It may well be the Perry Street location. Your observations invited. 

1915: F.W. DONNELLY & SON "D.B.V." CONTEST

 

It's really nice to be able to splice together a news article from the Library's Local History Collection and a photo as above from the R.C. Maxwell/Duke University Library collection. A closer look at the photo above will reveal a showroom of S.S. Kresge's "5&10" and their selection of dinnerware. Looking even closer one can see the incandescent lights on the Taylor Opera House sign. I have yet to decipher the "D.B.V" initials, but my gut instincts points to "Donnelly's Best Value."

1934: PENNINGTON ROAD AT PARKWAY ODD FELLOWS AREA

The top photo shows a car traveling on Pennington Road and passing a house that has unique architectural features with prominent gables on on the front and side of the roof. A trip there via Google Earth gave me this photo which I propose is the house shown in the 1934 photo with the commercial appendage added in later years. Note that this is speculation on my part, but it sure does look like the same structure I found when I searched Google Earth for "Pennington Road and Parkway Avenue Trenton NJ"

1940: APPROACHING STATE AND BROAD

I was 7 years old when this photo was taken. The First Presbyterian Church, the old "Orpheum" theater was yet to be replaced with the "Mayfair" theatre, and Binder's was yet to experience a terrible and destructive fire. The detail on this photo is simply splendid.

2013,JUNE 30: SIXES GALORE

Thanks to all our loyal visitors who have added to our climb up the ladder of progress bringing local history and "personal touches" to all who are interested. This count began with the first page of this website which began in November, 2006. It's been a wonderful ride, and given the fact that up to this point in time, few local libraries are sharing digital history, you can see why your participation in this website is so appreciated!

2013: THE HITS KEEP ON COMIN'

I can always tell the weekend is here. Above is a small sampling of the visit count to this website. It happens every week end. It goes from an average of 3 to 400 per week day, and really unfolds on Saturday. Very interesting. thanks to all who take the time to look back on our past.

1934:TRENTON ARE DINING AND DANCING DURING THE GREAT DEPRESSION

For those folks who were not drastically affected by the Great Depression, these would be the nightspots where they spent their weekends dining and dancing. I have posted a number of graphics with text as the feature, but Facebook has a limit on the size of a graphic and those that I have posted render the graphic blurry and illegible. Accordingly, future posts will remain here where those on facebook can hopscotch over and read it comfortably. Unless I am incorrect, none of the nightspots in this ad are no longer with us.

REMEMBERING THAT OLD WATER BOILER

Did you have one in your kitchen? All of my neighbors on Hartley Avenue did, and if you are not familiar with this antique kitchen appliance, read the article above. As I have written hundreds of times over the past 32 years of writing, Hamilton Township was a very rural community. Huge farms surrounded by small housing developments such as ours on Hartley Avenue with the ever present vegetable and flower garden, chickens, geese and many other relics of the past.

1875: PENNINGTON AS IT WAS DURING THE "1776 CENTENNIAL"

What a delightful map! I have digitized this map to allow for close inspection of who was where in the "Pennytown" of  139 years ago. I have a special interest in the town of Pennington. First, because I always wanted to live in a small town where most everyone knew everyone else. (Back then). It also holds a special interest for me as I recall my many visits there to Edna Howe Kuser's place of birth. I had a number of Cola Colas in the Howe kitchen with Fritz and "Mayor," as Fritz always referred to Mr. Howe.

1875: FABULOUS MAP OF 1875 CHAMBERSBURG

I have digitized this map in numerous resolutions. For this website, I chose a lesser number of dots per inch that will hopefully give legible details to the complete areas of  "The Burg," including details of the 1875 boundary.

1892: BUILDING 1 CENTRE STREET, SACRED HEART PARISH

This interesting engraving and the accompanying article tells of the construction of the Sacred Heart Young Men's Club building which is just a very few inches from Sacred Heart Church. The building has survived the years and has been carefully maintained over the past 100-plus years.

1921 - THE EMLEN HOUSE

Not all Trenton historic homes have been the victim of the wrecker's ball. Above is a 1921 photo of the Emlen House at 312 West State Street. It was a circa 1796 farmhouse back in the colonial era of Trenton and obviously the home of a member of the Emlen family. On the right is a Google Earth cut and paste of the home as it is today. Note that a gable has been added over the years, but the structure generally has remained original except for the stone siding.:

1875: EWINGVILLE AREA

For the many Facebook contributors, this area map of the Ewingville area as it was in 1875. Look closely and you will see the Hotel location. The roads shown on the map are much the same today.

1875: THE EWINGVILLE HOTEL; GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

I posted these on Facebook but the graphic size limits fail to produce a really beautiful detailed view. These engravings are from the 1875 Evert and Stewart Atllas and Gazeteer which I have had in my collection for many years. As can be seen, the track and stables hosted many thorobred trotting horses back in the latter part of the 19th century. A 7-11 now occupies the spot on which stood the old Hostelry.

1934: NEW YEARS EVE: A HOT TIME IN THE OLD TOWN!

Trenton's night life was alive back in the depression year of 1934 as can be seen in this incredibly interesting display of "places to go" to ring in the new year of 1935. There are many very famous and former venues in this full page display ad from the "Trenton Evening Times. By the way: Those incredible prices would have stretched the average family pocket book.

1960: The Blizzard of 1960

 MMany thanks to Mr. Tom Tighue, of Ewing for this photo which he found at the "Trentoniana" collection at the Trenton Free Public Library. Tom is a fellow local history source and very knowledgeable in local area history.

 

1916 AND 1921: TRENTON'S B.C. GREGORY SCHOOL

 

Area schools and their history has always been a subject of much interest to me. Going way back to the years of the one room school house up into the middle 1950's when larger schools were built and the "middle school" came int fashion.