I have a backlog of posts to get out before the Fourth of July, so here are some pix from the May 16 meeting at Riverview Estates that included entertainment by the Pine Barons Chorus. -JMc
A short video of the Pine Barons ringing a chord
If Memorial Day weekend signals the start of the summer vacation season, then the recent Paint the Porch Pink Walk and the arrival next week of the Third Annual Historic Riverton Criterium on June 9, must mean that the celebration of Riverton’s Glorious Fourth cannot be far behind. Such are the new rhythms of a Riverton summer in 2013.
Promoter Carlos Rogers gives frequent updates on his Historic Riverton Criterium Facebook page. The band is back! Package Goods Orchestra will be playing your favorite hits from the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s on race day. Carlos has lined up sponsors with a goal of benefiting the Riverton Fire Department with race proceeds. The food truck and the Cupcakes2GoGo ~ South Jersey’s First Cupcake Truck will be worth checking out.
He even managed to get the county to repair a spot at a turn in the street (do I sense a future in politics for Carlos?).
And, oh yes… come to see the main event–exciting competitive bicycle racing where the spectators are close enough to hear the tires zizzing on the asphalt and feel the draft as a pack of cyclists whoosh past.
The tradition of bicycle racing in Riverton’s early days has been reported upon here and elsewhere many times, but it is fair to say at this point that the Historic Riverton Criterium is now a firmly established and very much anticipated tradition of today’s Riverton in its own right.
Since Carlos has generously earmarked race proceeds to benefit the Riverton Fire Company, he asked if we might print something about the history of the RFCo. We shall now play a couple of “summer re-runs” for our audience from 1990 and 1994 Riverton July Fourth Programs. Mrs. Betty B. Hahle, former Town Historian wrote the following three articles and, according to her wish, we print them here exactly as she wrote them. Some additional images accompany Mrs. Hahle’s text.
Early Riverton villagers relied upon brooms, wet blankets, and buckets of water to fight fires, and in 1889 a small chemical engine supplemented these. It was operated by The Second Brigade, a bucket brigade branch of Palmyra’s Independence Hook and Ladder Company. Both groups responded to fires in both villages.
After a disasterous fire here in January 1890, that destroyed 2 businesses and 3 residences, it became apparent that Riverton needed a full fire company of its own. Public subscription for funds began, and in March the directors met at the home of John C. S. Davis, on Bank Ave., to organize a volunteer fire company. Within the next two months they had purchased the small hose shed on Main/5th Sts. from Palmyra’s company, adopted a constitution and bylaws, elected officers, and incorporated as The Riverton Fire Company of Riverton N.J. Originally incorporated for 50 years, in 1940 the company incorporated in perpetuity under newer laws. A hose carriage and 50 ft. of hose were purchased, and the Fire Commissioners placed the chemical engine in the new company’s hands- all stored, for awhile, at C. T. Woolston’s Carriage Works, on 7th St.
In July, 1891, a small lot on Howard St. was purchased, and the hose house moved there. Soon additional land was purchased, and a firehouse erected. In 1895 the Borough rented space in the basement for a jail and in the upper level for meetings ($100 annually), beginning a custom that lasted for 94 years.
Equipment improved, from hand-pulled and operated, to horse-drawn vehicles, to the purchase of a motorized chemical and hose cart, in 1916. More and larger equipment necessitated a bigger firehouse, and over a period of years more land was acquired and the building enlarged and remodeled many times. In 1961 an extension toward Howard St. was dedicated for new Borough offices, which have this year been renovated for use as Police headquarters.
In 1920 the Fire Company turned over its equipment to the Borough, but retained its own autonomy. In 1927 a Ladies Auxiliary was formed, and in 1951 an aluminum rescue boat was added to the company’s life-saving equipment. In 1965 the first walk-in rescue truck, which also pulled the boat, was added. And from 1936-1967 the Firemen arranged entertainment for Riverton’s children each 4th of July, with games, races, and free refreshments.
Riverton’s volunteer firefighters have consistently expanded and upgraded their equipment, their training, and their rescue and safety services; today grateful residents take this opportunity to say thank-you, for 100 years of dedicatin and service.
Betty B. Hahle, Pres.
The Historical Society of Riverton
In a village of frame buildings, where fireplaces, candles, oil lamps and coal stoves were the norm, and where more than forty daily trains often belched out glowing embers that fell on roofs as they went by, fire was a constant threat. The cry of “Fire!” brought neighbors running with brooms, shovels, buckets, blankets — anything with which a fire could be brought under control and prevented from spreading.
In March 1890, a few weeks after a particularly disasterous fire at the Roberts Store on the point of Howard and Main streets, the Riverton Fire Company was organized. It incorporated on May 5, and was recognized by the Fire Commission, which placed the small “chemical engine” stored in Riverton in their care. The firemen went from door to door seeking funds with which to buy equipment and to operate, and were able to purchase a small engine shed, a hose cart, and fifty feet of hose. The following year they purchased a small lot on Howard- Street above Fifth, and moved the hose house and equipment there. Just fifteen months after Riverton incorporated as a borough (in Dec. 1893) the young Council voted to rent space in the Fire Company’s enlarged building for their meetings, and for elections; and space in the basement for a jail. Yearly rental: $100.
Equipment gradually progressed from small hand-pulled and -operated carts to larger horse-pulled and steam-powered carts. In 1916 the Fire Company purchased its first motorized truck. In 1920 the fire equipment was turned over to the Borough, which from then on was responsible for the purchase and maintenance of new equipment. The Fire Company owns the property housing the equipment, and is responsible for maintaining and operating the building and grounds, as well as enlarging, strengthening, updating, insuring, and otherwise improving and adjusting the facility as needed to accommodate the ever increasingly large, and powerful equipment. Over the years abutting properties have been added to the original lot, and many renovations have taken place. In 1961, for example, a wing facing Fifth Street was added to the building for Borough Offices, which was remodeled for Police Headquarters in 1990 when the Borough erected its own municipal building.
The Company’s income is realized from rental of space to the Borough for the Police facilities and for the fire fighting equipment, and through donations from Riverton residents. The Fire Company is involved in various community activities, such as safety programs, and responds not only to fire alarms, but also to vehicular accidents, downed power lines, water accidents and other emergencies. From 1936 to 1967 the firemen sponsored the children’s games and races at the Park on July Fourth, and every child received free treats of ice cream, Cracker Jack, gum and other items such as jump ropes or cap canes. At school fairs children could have a ride on a fire truck. The Riverton Fire Company participates in parades, and always in Riverton’s own Traditional Fourth.
Today’s fire fighting equipment includes two Pumper trucks and a Ladder truck, as well as a walk-in Emergency truck and a rescue boat. The Company has an excellent working relationship with the companies of neighboring towns, covering for and working with each other as needed. Each volunteer fireman completes training at the Burlington County Fire School, and there are currently 66 members. This includes active, inactive and exempt members. New volunteers are always welcomed.
During the past year (1993) Riverton Fire Company answered 150 fire calls and 15 drills, with each active member averaging 250-300 hours given in response to calls and to maintaining the firehouse and its equipment.
A community’s insurance rates are determined by the Board of Fire Underwriters, and reflect the quality of the fire protection there. Riverton has been awarded the highest rating.
Betty B. Hahle
4th of July, 1994
PARADE MARSHALS
THE RIVERTON FIRE COMPANY LADIES’ AUXILIARY
Quietly working behind the scenes is a small group of women dedicated to supporting the volunteer firemen of Riverton. When there is a major fire they are there with coffee and foods for the fire fighters. They march with them in parades. And throughout the year they are busy raising funds to supplement the Fire Company’s limited income. By holding hoagie sales, chicken dinners, and trips, the members of the Auxiliary furnish and maintain the kitchen in the firehouse, and contribute to the upkeep and upgrading of the Company’s building.
Although early records have been lost, it is thought that not long after the Fire Company was organized in 1890, wives, sisters and daughters of the firemen formed a supportive group. In 1927, a Ladies Auxiliary was organized. In time interest dwindled, and the group disbanded.
The need was still there, however, and over the winter of 1948-1949 Mrs. Ann Carhart personally visited each fireman’s family to urge their support and participation in a new group. She was successful, and was elected president of The Ladies Auxiliary of the Riverton Fire Company. Mrs. Frank Coddington served as treasurer, and Mrs. Dorothy Perkins was secretary. Thirty-five years later the Borough planted a Memorial Garden honoring Ann Carhart at the former site of the small railroad shelter above the tracks at the Broad/Main Street crossing — where she had also served as a Crossing Guard for many years. The Auxiliary marked it with a plaque recognizing her as Founder and Past President of the Auxiliary from 1948-1980.
Today Riverton recognizes and honors the members of The Ladies Auxiliary of the Riverton Fire Company: Catharine Bishop*, Linda Hollins, Ethel Hughes, Edna McClellan, Phyllis Morehouse (treasurer), Mary Odorizzi, Jackie Parker, Dorothy Perkins*, Catherine Roedig, Beth Reed (vice president/secretary pro tem), Betty Ruzycki, Fran Slawski, Jenny Taffler, Margaret Wark, Michelle Wittman, Ruth Yearly* (president), Ella Zink (vice president/secretary).
*denotes Charter Member
Betty B. Hahle
4th of July, 1994
We welcome additional information or images, comments, or corrections. See you at the races. – John McCormick, Gaslight News editor
Who is this sailor about to go to war in 1944? Our own Society Treasurer, Mr. Paul V. Daly, CPA just supplied his service photo so we can include it in our website tribute to veterans. His name was one of more than thirty that the Borough added to the original Honor Roll in May 2011 when it adopted a more inclusive policy for including names of service personnel.
Any present or former resident of the Borough of Riverton, New Jersey who served on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States of America during a time of war, is eligible to have their name placed on the memorial.
To verify eligibility, you must present a copy of your DD-214 or a copy of your military orders.
Since then, Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies have accounted for adding another forty or so names of Rivertonians to that revered register. In just one week from today the VFW will perform a ceremony at the Riverton War Memorial on Sunday, May 26, 2013 at 10:30 a.m.
Memorial Day actually falls every year on the final Monday of May, so this Riverton observance is on the weekend so that more people may attend. Not to be confused with Veterans Day, it is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving, while Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans, living or dead.
Former Riverton resident Mrs. Jacalyn Buckalew Hicks is one who plans to witness the installation of a new plaque bearing the names of her parents, both now passed.
Recently, we had heard from Jacalyn, now living in Delran, through the HSR website when she asked for help with how to go about getting her parents’ names, Richard (Dick) Buckalew and Theresa (Terry) Buckalew, on the Riverton War Memorial.
We directed her to Riverton’s Military & Veterans Affairs Committee thru the Borough webpage, and she applied to have the names of her parents, both veterans of World War Two, added to the War Memorial.
With both parents being veterans, there had to be a great story there and daughter Jacalyn, or Jackie, as she signs her emails, elaborated.
She explained that they were longtime Riverton residents at 225 Elm Avenue and were the original owners of the home. She was very happy to learn of the Memorial and felt that her parents would be honored to be part of it. Jackie writes:
Mom was a nurse and my father was a wounded officer. She was from Jersey City and he was from Philly and they went all the way to England to meet during the war. They were married in England and honeymooned in Scotland. I am glad you can use the couple picture (for the website). I keep it framed on my mantle. I still have her uniform jacket and I still have the boots my dad wore when he landed on the beaches on D-day.
There’s a reason we call these men and women The Greatest Generation. Do you know of a veteran whose name needs to be listed on the Riverton Honor Roll? Let’s get the paperwork started. – John McCormick, Gaslight News editor
Town Historian Betty Hahle wrote dozens of installments of her “Then and Now” column for the Gaslight News over four decades. The trademark feature of her well-researched articles was to trace the history and development of an organization or business, or to examine the achievements of a key individual.
I am still awestruck when I imagine her combing through microfilm, books and special collections at libraries, and traveling to Mt. Holly, Burlington, and Trenton to research deeds and legal records. So much of what gets recorded here and in the pages of today’s issues of the Gaslight News is a direct result of the hard work of many pioneering members of the Historical Society such as Mrs. Hahle and others during its early years.
So it is with the greatest respect that we reprise this apt descriptor for this modest essay about a location in Riverton that will be familiar to many –10 Broad Street.
My mid-April eBay purchase of a 1966 postcard from Olds Community, Inc. prompted this recent delving into the businesses operating back then and now from that Broad Street site. 
A page from the July 1, 1965 edition of the New Era shows a large ad that reminds readers of that 75th anniversary edition of Riverton’s hometown newspaper, “For fifty-one years the shop which now serves as our service center has been repairing automobiles for Tri-Boro residents.”
You needn’t do the math – the Oldsmobile retailer had been at the same spot since 1914 and, ironically, the ad copy expressed a wish “… to be around when the New Era celebrates its 100th.”
Obviously, neither Olds Community, Inc., Oldsmobile, or the New Era survived to the present day. Our aim is not to lament the past, but simply to understand it.
One man who has witnessed much of what has transpired in Riverton for 78 years is Mr. Stan Walters, of Stan’s Auto Service which has operated since 1992 out of that same Broad Street address used for so long by Olds Community and later by JAAMCO Transmissions. Lou, Stan’s wife, confirms that on May 15 the business will celebrate its 21st anniversary.
The walls of the shop stand witness to Stan’s lifelong fascination with trains and cars. He has lent me some of his Riverton and Palmyra railroad photos to scan for the website before, so I’ve come back with some prints of postcards and newspaper ads I have scanned in trade to add to his display.
Stan pointed out on his wall a photo of the old Riverton freight station that Joe Stack managed and he immediately flashed on how after school his friends and he would drive Joe crazy by racing up those steps and down the ramp on the other side.
That triggered another memory about the track siding that once ran along the Collins Building and the other end wound up between Lincoln and Elm. During the growing season trains ran boxcars filled with tomato plants down the siding and he and other kids would work all day loading up trucks for the local farmers. His pay—a bundle of about 25 Rutgers tomato plants.
Trains also delivered coal to bins at the Collins Building, and truck driver Joe Williams then transported the fuel to homes in the area.
Besides picking up some more local color I also borrowed a large postcard that served as an “urgent invitation” to c
ome in for a test drive at Olds Community.
If you can add any information, images, or actual items relating to 10 Broad Street in Riverton, Olds Community, JAAMCO, Stan’s Auto Service, trains, Campbell’s Soup, or other related idea, please contact us so that others can see and read about it.
Besides, Stan still has some room left on his walls. – John McCormick, Gaslight News editor
Saturday I took my wife on a cheap date and went to PoCax 2013, the annual sale of postcards by professional dealers and exhibition of postcard collections by members of the South Jersey Postcard Club.
I spent over an hour panning for gold among the thirty-four tables filled with boxes and boxes of postcards hoping to discover a new image of Riverton.
Lora Moore of Moore’s Postcard Museum, greeting people at the reception table at the entrance of the large conference room that held the event, introduced herself to me when she saw me signing in.
I have used a few borrowed images from her website to illustrate posts on this one (with her permission), and it was nice to put a face to the name. Her fascination with postcards started with a box of old cards that had belonged to her great-grandmother. Now with a collection of thousands of cards, she tells visitors to her blog about paper, postcard, and ephemera shows and the cards she has acquired.
I grew excited when I found a dealer with a handful of cards in the section of his box marked “RIVERTON.” My hopes almost faded when I sifted through the stack and only found Garden State Motel and Kern’s Tourist Home – did someone print like a million of these?
But, what’s this? A few precious nuggets soon surfaced.
I scored a RPPC, or real photo postcard, of Bank Avenue, another one of 3rd and Main Streets, and an Olds Community postcard showing a 1955 Oldsmobile Super 88 Holiday Sedan. At another table I found one more view of Bank Avenue.
Afterwards we went to Amy’s Omelette House in Cherry Hill to eat. Linda picked it because she heard that the décor makes use of old postcards. Hundreds of old-time post cards and lots of retro fifties advertising art cover the walls and border the booths.
All I could think of was I’d like to scan all of those postcards.
See, it was a date with a theme. 
We came to Amy’s for the novelty, but our service was great and the food was memorable. Linda had a vegetarian cheese omelette (one of the 200 varieties of omelettes they serve) and I had 8-grain stuffed French toast with strawberries, honey, and granola.
I am not invested in Amy’s, but I just wanted to pass along the information about this unusual eatery with the nostalgic vibe to any postcard collectors in the neighborhood.
At home later, I scanned the postcards into my computer. But the three RPPCs were never mailed. How old are they?
Coincidentally, my regular sale alert email from Scview Antique Images contained some helpful information for dating RPPCs and I used it to date these postcards.
It turns out that the stamp boxes and backs of the cards are the keys to fixing approximate dates for real photo post cards.
Now I can share my good fortune with you. We welcome comments, additional information, advice and corrections, and are always happy to have additions to our archive from our viewers, wherever they might be. – John McCormick, Gaslight News editor
A friend with a childhood connection to Camden similar to my own is kind enough to share with us these scans of postcards he recently acquired.
As any postcard collector knows, RPPCs, or real photo post cards, can be among the most elusive ones to obtain.
Several of the images posted here are of that type along with the more common mass-produced variety.
These images remind us of a time in Camden’s history when new neighborhoods and planned recreation areas seemed to point to a bright future for the developing urban and industrial center during the early 20th century.
Early in 1905, the City of Camden, New Jersey dedicated and opened a lush 80-acre park called Forest Hill Park.
Located between Park and Baird Avenues and set along the Cooper River in what was the newly developing Parkside neighborhood-area, this park would become the predecessor to the Camden County park system.
The post card scenes shown here depict a scenic park setting with a lake, a bridge, roads and paths, a pavilion for gatherings, an athletic field and acres of greenery.
Penned inscription on the lower front of the card, above right reads, “Here’s a new park just finished this spring.” Notice the two men standing in front of the newly constructed outdoor pavilion.
Imagine all the people who frequented this park for pleasant outdoor picnics, athletics and recreation as well as relaxation.
Park Boulevard and the well-known Haddon Avenue converged at the intersection by the entrance to Forest Hill Park.
These postcards capture how the classic row homes appeared around 1909.
The caption on the card at right reads, “This is Cooper Creek – a very pretty spot of water.” Not mailed or postmarked.
An avid postcard enthusiast will seldom pass up the chance to get yet another subtlety nuanced iteration of any image already in his possession. I mean – if we already have a dozen views of the Yacht Club, would you pass up the chance to get one more?
Such is the case with my rabid ephemera-collecting friend who can represent many milestones of his life with postcards. And lucky for me that we share some of the places where those events happened.
In 1921, Camden officials renamed Forest Hill Park as Farnham Park.
For more information and images on Forest Hill Park, later named Farnham Park, and a great deal more on Camden, check out the huge virtual archive at http://www.dvrbs.com/ Also, see more Camden images on this website on our IMAGES PAGE.
We welcome comments and try to answer questions, and we always like to collect more real or virtual images on South Jersey. – John McCormick, Gaslight News editor
To get to the other side, of course.
This was the recent scene at 10th and Cedar Streets in Riverton.
These pics sent in by Mrs. Susan Dechnik.
I guess they were thirsty.
Scores of family and friends gathered at Westfield Friends Meeting April 6, 2013, to celebrate the life of Anne Knight Ruff who passed away in March at age 92.
Read an earlier post here: Anne Knight Ruff passes after long illness; memorial service Saturday, April 6, 2pm
The kindergarten room of the nearby Westfield Friends Schools transformed into a Bay Ruff Art Gallery – at least for the day of her Memorial Service – as relatives and friends brought with them items that Bay had so lovingly produced over the years to put on display.
Please leave a comment and know that we would very much like to post more photos or information about Bay Ruff’s extraordinary life.
We welcome corrections, or more information about any of the works in the photos – owners, when received, reason, any anecdotal information, etc. Contact us if you need help. – John McCormick, Gaslight News
Riverton resident Carlos Rogers goes for the hat trick June 9, 2013, 1:00 p.m., as The Historic Riverton Criterium returns this year for the third time to the gaslamp-lined streets of this near-square mile borough.
In a crit, cyclists race a specified number of laps on a closed course over public roads closed to normal traffic. In this case, athletes pedal 20-50 laps (depending on ability), around an eight-tenths mile fixed loop circuit of the Borough’s thoroughfares during a typical hour-or-so long match.
Capitalizing on the success of the last two competitions, Carlos’ HRC Facebook page has already drawn pro and amateur contenders signing up for the USA Cycling sanctioned series of bicycle races, which includes USAC CATEGORIES 3/4, 45+, and Pro/1/2.
Find out more about registration, race categories, directions, the cash purses and cash premes, lots of photos and results of the past races, and all particulars on that Facebook page.
Contributors have opened their checkbooks, and several sponsors have returned to throw in their support behind this exciting community event that already has a history of giving back to the local area’s groups and organizations.
The popular Kids Race returns and you might want to get your cameras ready for the Fireman’s Fun Lap!
Since 2011, the HRC has been committed to supporting Riverton and its surrounding communities by making financial contributions to various organizations to aid and benefit our friends and neighbors. See the HRC Missions Proceeds Sheet here. ( Word .docx) This year’s proceeds benefit the Riverton Fire Company.
Jeannie O’Sullivan, Staff writer for the Burlington County Times, wrote a great color piece on last year’s day at the races, and if you search “criterium” in our search box at the upper right of your screen, you will be directed to several other references to the 2011 and 2012 races as well as Riverton’s vintage bicycle races of the 1890s.
I am ready – I found my cowbell from last year. – John McCormick, Gaslight News editor
Today was a great day for the groundbreaking of the new Riverton Memorial Park Grandstand. It was also the opening day of the season for the Palmyra-Riverton Athletic Association.
Scores of parents and kids started to gather here around 8:30 a.m. for the annual parade that starts at Riverton Park and ends with a celebration at Legion Field in Palmyra. It’s a day of fun, food, raffles, games and of course baseball and softball.
At right, engineer Harry Fox gets the grandstand project started by putting to work Mayor Bill Brown, Freeholder Joseph Donnelly, and Borough Council member Joseph Creighton.
A reporter and several parents took advantage of the photo op and snapped the scene with cell phones and digital cameras.
Within hours, or maybe minutes for some, they will get Facebooked and Flickered, Snapfished and Instagrammed; they’ll get downloaded, uploaded, and attached to emails addressed to far-flung friends and family.
The men pitched in and turned over the symbolic first shovelfuls of soil.
Then they promptly delegated authority to some able-bodied athletes who happened to be on hand.
The youngsters may well remember years from now that they were here for the groundbreaking of the new Riverton Memorial Park Grandstand, and they witnessed Riverton history being made.
If you think of it, hook us up with some of those Pal-RivAA parade and game pics. They will be historic, too–someday. – John McCormick, Gaslight News editor
