Circus' Winter Home

Trenton Sunday Times-Advertiser, October 25, 1936

The Hunt Circus wintered on the the Pitman Farm until 1942 when it began wintering in Florence NJ.  Note Hamilton High School in the background at Dolly's head.

1939: Hamilton High/Pitman Farm

Although this photo isn't of the best quality, it does depict two important areas in the history of Broad Street Park.  Hamilton High. lower left, which opened in 1930, occupied land which was once a part of the Pitman Farm.  The horse racing oval of Earl Pitman is seen in the upper portion of the photo.  The Pitman Farm  encompassed many acres and originally extended to South Broad Street.  

Pitman Farm

Hamilton Township Public Library Local History Collection

Pictured is the barn and stables on the Pitman Farm. Today this site is the location of Hamilton High's football field and track.  The high school building also sits on what was once a part of the farm that extended to South Broad Street.  Dr. Wood's former veterinary clinic was the Pitman homestead.  The Pitman's hold a place in local horse history.  The farm was owned for three generations starting with Caleb Earl Pitman, passing to G. Rusling Pitman and then to Earl Pitman, a celebrated driver known for handling fast horses.  The farm provided training quarters and a half mile track.  Earl Pitman passed away on March 8, 1934.