April 2002
Memories
of Trenton: A look back at Trenton through the years
By
Joe Connolly
Part
2 of 2
Back in the day, Trenton was a real hotbed for sports and recreation
in "Old Trenton," with weekly dances being very popular
at one time. Even people from Princeton were known to patronize
the Irish Dances at the Hibernian Hall on North Warren. Dances
were also staged at the Knights of Columbus hall, Blizzard's on
North Warren, and Piper Hall in the Five Points (Battle Monument)
area. 
The
old Arcade, Curtis and the Lincoln offered an outlet for bowling
enthusiasts. Minor-league baseball had its first flings, with
the Trenton Senators at Dunn Field and the Trenton Giants later
enjoying greater success at the same location. Semipro baseball
was very popular with Trenton teams featured in the City League,
Industrial League and the Central Jersey League. Many of these
teams were sponsored by local industrial plants, such as Roebling,
Thermoid, American Steel, Crescent Wire and Trenton Potteries.
Semipro
basketball teams were often sponsored by the same companies. The
Trenton Moose also had a fine professional basketball team; games
were played at Moose Hall and other locations. Trenton is reported
to be the location of the first professional basketball game.
Before
Dunn Field, baseball was enjoyed at Cadwalader Park, Lamberton
Field, Riverview Field, Wetzel Field and American Bridge Field,
among other locations in Trenton. Of particular note was the appearance
of Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig among a barnstorming group.
Contributing greatly to Trenton's economic welfare were the many
factories throughout the city as well as in the townships of Hamilton,
Ewing and Lawrence. Trenton was truly once a prosperous industrial
center. There was a time when the famous "Trenton Makes"
bridge crossing the Delaware was something more than a joke. There
were many busy potteries, wire mills, rubber mills and even canneries
and during World War II, an aircraft-assembly plant made a huge
contribution to the war effort.
Trenton
Potteries on Clinton Avenue (near the Five Points) was probably
the 
largest
of its kind in the area. The renowned Lenox plant was well known
for its beautiful ceramic art and, after leaving the city, still
has offices in Lawrence Township. Thermoid, Ajax, Pocono and Home
were names included among the rubber plants, as well as Whitehead,
located on Whitehead Road. In the steel industry, the Roebling
Company stood out as an industrial giant, known best for its design
of the suspension bridges, wire rope being a prime component.
American Bridge and Crescent Wire were also among the better-known
wire and steel plants.
The
De Laval Steam Turbine plant contributed greatly to the war effort,
operating 24 hours a day in three shifts. The lumber industry
also contributed much to the city's economy, especially during
the post-war building boom. Apex, Heath and Hamilton remain active
among the better known lumber companies. In the immediate postwar
years, there was a big move south by many manufacturers, dictated
by a changing economy and the lower taxes and wages among southern
states. The foregoing summarizes at least in part the decline
or disappearance of most of Trenton's once active wartime and
postwar industrial activity.
A
final view of Trenton's former glory days may well bring tears
to the eyes of surviving old-timers. It truly was a great trip
while it lasted; perhaps never to be enjoyed again.
