Historic Steps in John A. Roebling Memorial Park

     

                    This staircase was constructed circa 1889 by the Broad Street land Association in conjunction with the creation of Spring lake park on the bluff above.  The steps provided access from Spring Lake Park (1889 - 1906) and, later, White City Park (1907 - 1922) to Spring Lake.  Spring Lake Park was created as a passive recreation park.  A number of amusements sprang up over time.  The steps provided access for romantic walks around the lake or a boat ride on the lake.  White City Park opened as a full-fledged amusement park and was known as the "Coney Island of New Jersey".  Crowds numbering in the thousands were not uncommon.  The slope from top of the bluff along the entire amusement area down to the lake area was a green, lush park setting.  Park visitors looking for a break from the bustle of the amusement rides and attractions would descend to the lake for docile activities previously mentioned.  The building on the left at the top of the bluff - the farmhouse, circa 1820, of Issac DeCou who sold his land to the Broad Street Land Association - became the focal point in both parks as the Casino Restaurant.  It is commonly referred to as the White City Mansion.  It is a private residence.

          Lights were positioned on the staircase at the outer columns of the landing and on the columns at the bottom of the curved staircases.  The area of soil between the inner railings and the outer wall were filled with multi-colored flowers. Two large urns located next to the inner columns at the bottom of the staircases were also filled with flowers.  A flower bed extended around the bottom of the curved wall between the urns.  A banner advertising the Casino Restaurant was hung at the top of the curved wall.

          The section of the steps at the top of the slope have deteriorated and are covered by thick brush in warm weather months.  The newer concrete indicates those sections recently rebuilt by Mercer County to preserve this historic site.

      

BSP Area, 1875

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP PUBLIC LIBRARY LOCAL HISTORY COLLECTION

   This historic image shows the land owners in the Lalor and South Broad Street area in the last quarter of the nineteenth century.   Isaac DeCou would sell his farm consisting of approximately 225 acres to the Broad Street Land Association in 1889. Note that Spring Lake had yet to be created below the expertly depicted bluff.  DeCou's farm would later be developed as Broad Street Park, the location of Spring Lake Park and White City Park.  The railroad line was traveled by many Trenton residents to  Spring Lake Park until trolley service was established in 1893.

Former Isaac DeCou Farm

Image courtesy of Suzy Abbott

          The Broad Street Land Association purchased Isaac DeCou's farm in 1889 and filed this development map.  Overlook Avenue between Buchanan and Sewell Avenues was eventually abandoned and the blocks bounded by Buchanan, McClellan and Sewell Avenues became Spring Lake Park (later White City Park).  The square in the center was the location of the DeCou farmhouse which later became the Casino Restaurant in the park. 

1919:Unions Outing at White City Park

                                                                     

     The picture of the Bakery and Confectionery Workers Local Union No. 261 was taken at White City Park after the Labor Day parade mentioned in the newspaper article.  Josef Wagner, bread baker, is pictured third from the left in the second row from the bottom.  Mr. Wagner worked at various bakeries including Tilton's on South Broad Street.  The ribbons were worn on the day the picture was taken.  Appreciation is extended to the anonymous person who provided the images.

"Aunt Yetti"

Mrs. Episcopo, "Aunt Yetti", (1868 - 1950), managed the Casino Restaurant in White City Park from 1911 to 1922.  She also  served as a Democratic Committeewoman of the 11th District of Hamilton Township.  Her last address was 225 Buchanan Avenue

1920: BSP Catholic Mission Carnival

Trenton Times, Friday, June 11, 1920

The Broad Street Park Catholic Mission, the predecessor of the Church of the Holy Angels parish, utilizing Gibbs Hall on South Broad Street for meetings and Mass, sponsored this carnival to raise funds to purchase land and build a church. 

Trenton Evening Times, November 27, 1918

       Roller skating took place in the Dancing Academy located at the Buchanan Avenue end of the Park.  It was a good way to work off the large meals many of the skaters most likely consumed and more enjoyable than running around shopping for the "deal" that is the activity for many in today's population.

White City Park

     In the late 1800s, the Trenton Passenger Railway Company ran its tracks out to a well-known picnic area called Spring Lake on the outskirts of Trenton, NJ.  In an effort to attract more riders, the trolley company developed Spring Lake Park which evolved into White City Park.  The fascinating history of this amusement park is rendered in the new book, "Let's Go to the White City:  A History of White City Amusement Park, Hamilton, New Jersey", published by Archway Publishing.

     Named for the white painted buildings on the property, White City Park opened in 1907 and was dubbed "The Coney Island of New Jersey."  Visitors enjoyed riding the roller coaster and carousel, as well as wandering up the midway  to see popular bands and vaudeville acts.  During the summer, visitors fished and rode the flume ride onto Spring Lake, and when winter arrived, they ice skated on its surface.  "Let's Go to the White City" preserves the memory of this long gone amusement park.  It presents an accurate recreation of a park and the memories of its visitors for a new generation to enjoy. 

"Let's Go to the White City"

Softcover 8.5 x 8.5 in.

ISBN 9781480803305

www.archwaypublishing.com 

1908: Potter's Night with "Admiral Lee"

Trenton Evening Times, July 17,1908

1907: "Admiral" Lee

Trenton Evening Times, July 21, 1907

NOTE:  story begins at the November 5 post

         The assemblyman looked calmly at the pilot and replied:  "I have heard that the bottom of this lake is full of quick sand pits and I choose to take a chance on the gasoline rather than get caught in quick sand:  you just swim along little boy, and I"ll be on shore when the bell rings."
         Just then the fast sinking ship gave a great lurch and over toppled the Assemblyman into the water.  He struck out for the shore like an old fashioned side wheeler.  Speaking about it afterwards, Mr Barber said he did not know he could swim with his clothes on until last night.
         As the war correspondent approached the shore he sighted a gay object headed due south and making good time.  Later it developed that his object was the new admiral's cap worn so proudly early in the evening by Admiral Lee.
         Although Admiral Lee was first to reach shore he was unable to leave the water until his crew arrived, then he was dry docked without injury.  Deckhand Blackwell offered a liberal reward to any one who would to back to the ship and get his other shoe but the ten gallon tank of gasoline offset any reward.
         Pilot Palmer was slightly burned and Paymaster Hamill was kissed on the funny bone by a large roman candle.  The rest of the crew and the Admiral escaped without any damages.  The boat was wrecked,
         Arriving at the White City Casino, the officers and members of the crew went into a judicial session which resulted in the court-martialing of Admiral Lee for being the first to desert the ship.
         This morning a survivors association was formed with Mr. Lee as president.

NOTE:  story begins at November 5 post

      When Admiral Lee went overboard, Paymaster Hamill was standing in the conning tower and the ship, relieved of the great weight of the admiral, careened viciously, tossing the paymaster into the lake backwards, new straw hat and all.  The paymaster thought the act was intentional on the  part of the admiral and he immediately struck out for him with deadly intent.  However, the admiral was swimming in a way that would have made Captain Webb open his eyes in wonder and the paymaster never got near enough to even tell him what he would do if he did catch him.
        On the battleship all was commotion.  The war correspondent was tying to throw the exploding fireworks overboard:  Deckhand Blackwell was sitting in the bottom of the boat dodging skyrockets and removing his shoes preparatory to following his brave admiral over the side:  Ensign Green was shouting to Admiral Lee and Paymaster Hamill that they were cowards to thus give up the ship while Deckhand Barber was calmly sitting on the forward deck admiring the fireworks display in the boat.  Suddenly, Pilot Palmer shouted "There's a ten gallon can of gasoline in the forward Part of the boat!"
         "Gasoline!"  That was the tip for the war correspondent to get into the lake and away from the ship as fast as possible and over he went.  Deckhand Blackwell followed suit with one shoe on and the other left in the boat.  Pilot Palmer also took to the water at this time and Deckhand Barber was the only one of the gallant crew left in the burning ship.  Pilot Palmer turned and seeing the Assemblyman, shouted:  "Great God, man, you are sitting right over that tank of gasoline - jump out before you are blown up!"

                                                                   (to be continued)

    NOTE:  story begins at November 5 post

     Admiral Lee ducked to the right and to the left but was unable to escape from the shooting brands of fire.  On the shore the cheers at this exhibition rivaled the roar of a mighty waterfall but on board the good ship "White City", the admiral and his crew heard not the applause.
         "Great guns" or "Oh Fudge", or something that sounded like that or something else, yelled Admiral Lee:   "these pesky things are plugging me fore and aft.  Man the pumps!  Someone turn a hose on me!"  Deck hand Blackwell warded off a flying rocket with his bare hand and told the admiral to go get his own hose and man his own pumps.  Ensign Green cut away the masts and took a look towards the shore for the purpose of determining whether or not he could jump the distance.
         Goaded beyond endurance, the gallant admiral, unable to hold the exploding roman candles and rockets in his lap any longer, hurled them to the bottom of the boat and jumping to the forward deck he hurled himself into the lake and as he went over the side a giant rocket shot after him puncturing his trousers about a foot below the waist line.
         As the admiral's head appeared above the surface of the water, he turned toward the burning ship and in a deeply grieved voice shouted:  "What, ho, my men - would you shoot your brave admiral when his back is turned"?
                                                                    (TO BE CONTINUED)

1907: White City Lake Fiasco

Trenton Evening Times, July 18, 1907

ADMIRAL LEE AND GALLANT CREW DESERT SHIP AND SWIM FOR LIVES

Ensign Green, Paymaster Hamill, Pilot Palmer, Deck Hand Blackwell and Assemblyman Barber and Local War Correspondent Retire Promiscuously and Riotously Under Hot Fire and Find the Water Fine

           After being under the hottest kind of fire for two and a half minutes last night, Admiral Francis B. Lee and crew of the flag ship "White City"  were forced to desert the ill fated battle ship and swim for the nearby friendly shores.

         The flag ship "White City" was leading the water pageant on White City Lake.  It was the most gaily decorated craft on the lake and in addition it was one of the boats selected to assist in making the fireworks display in connection with the event.  The admiral had purchased a new admiral's cap for the occasion and took his seat proudly in the bow of his gallant ship looking every inch the brave naval hero that he ultimately proved himself to be. 

         Admiral Lee volunteered to hold the roman candles, red fire sticks, sky rockets and other fireworks on his lap while the officers and crew were making the display.  Down the easterly shore of the lake glided the flag ship while thousands on the shore cheered madly, so imposing was the spectacle of the gallant admiral and his heroic crew surrounded by a blaze of red light and shooting rockets.

         But the triumph of the admiral and his flagship was fated to be short lived.  As the "White City" ploughed its way passed the applauding spectators to the far end of the lake, a stray spark from a roman candle fell in the admiral's lap full of fireworks and almost in an instant the flagship became the greatest Fourth of July spectacle ever witnessed in this city.  Sky rockets, roman candles, fire crackers and red fire all broke out at one in the maddest and merriest powder war imaginable.

                                                                 (to be continued)

1907: Spring Lake Wharf

     The top photograph depicts the wharf that extended into Spring Lake used by patrons of White City Park to board boats for rides on the lake.  The bottom photograph shows steps descending from the top of the bluff to the wharf.  These steps can be seen in the top photograph on the left side and depicted by a white arrow.  Remember to right click and Open Link in New Window to enlarge the pictures.

1907: Celebrating the Fourth at White City

Harrison Avenue of Yesteryear

This is the view experienced by the patrons of Spring Lake and White City Parks as they alighted from the trolley on South Broad Street beginning in 1893 for the walk down Harrison Avenue to the park entrance seen in the distance.  The White City Hotel, sometimes simply referred to as the Park Hotel, is seen on the left.

1906 Spring Lake Park Season Opens

Trenton Evening Times, May 26, 1906

After the 1906 season, Spring Lake Park underwent a major transformation to become White City Amusement Park which opened in May 1907.  The Cardownie sisters were acknowledged to be two of the cleverest singers and dancers in the vaudeville world.  They were favored in all parts of the globe.

1909: Capital Park Agent

Trenton Sunday Times, June 6, 1909

White City Park's name was changed to Capital Park in 1909 and reverted back to White City in 1910.  Mr. Davis resided on Lafayette Avenue.

Another View: White City Park

Photograph courtesy of Suzy Abbott

This is a view looking toward Sewell Avenue.  The photographer is standing on the grassy area in front of the Casino Restaurant.  The roller coaster is in the background.  The large building on the right is the pavilion which housed the carousel.  Partially seen on the right is the station for the miniature railroad.  The entrance to the Park on McClellan Avenue was located between these two structures.  Unfortunately, someone tried to "jazz" up the picture by adding the colors seen.  That endeavor makes this interesting picture historically inaccurate since all ofthe buildings in the Park were completely white.