Historical Society of Riverton, NJ

No, not the smell-good mixture of flower petals and spices here.

More like your mélange, pastiche, hodgepodge, mishmash, or miscellaneous assortment of stuff in the form of scans of images the Historical Society has acquired lately.

As 2013 wound down, several eBay auctions escaped our grasp and I was reduced to copying the images from the eBay auction pages. Since half a loaf is better than none, I post here those images as consolation for the actual items that I was not able to secure. Resolution does not allow for enlargement, but these unique and rare images may not come our way again.

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That one with the post office on the left is an exceptional shot showing shops along Main Street lined with the oil lamps that predated the Welsbach gas lamps.

No sense me whining about it since we scored some nice treats for you, nonetheless.

In the ‘win’ column are some postcards and other items that either I bought, or friends bought and sent me scans.

I bought the Welsbach letter opener as a reminder of the time Jeff Cole and I worked on a presentation about the Welsbach gaslamps that line the streets of Riverton. If a Google search for that subject led you here, just go to our search box at the top  of the screen, type in “Welsbach,” and you will find all that we have to offer. We do not sell parts.

I have had this Cinnaminson map since the summer – sorry to have been holding out on you. This one original page (p.36) from J.D. Scott’s Combination Atlas Map of Burlington County New Jersey published in 1876 was over $40.

Awful, I know.

But as I commiserate with my collector friends when we have made similar purchases, “It’s not like they are gonna print any more of them.”

But, c’mon. You have to admit that seeing this magnificent hundred and thirty-eight year old foxed and stained rag-pulp paper depiction of Cinnaminson is worth the price of admission.

It’s the same deal when we pay through the nose for that one more “must have” view of the Yacht Club, Knight’s Park, or Moorestown, or Stone Harbor.

The collector wants what the collector wants.

Wish we could work out some signals sometimes because I know we have run up the prices against each other.  In fact, you guys can have the next few because I spent all my Christmas money.

 

Sometimes the Universe listens.

We recently received some photos of the Biddle Mansion taken before the fire (was it 1978?) that claimed the tower that once graced the Bank Avenue landmark.

 

 

 

One color Instamatic print, above, from Keith Betten and three other prints from Librarian, Michael Robinson, at right, add to our catalogue of Things That Aren’t There Anymore.

We sincerely thank these HSR members for their contributions to this growing archive of information about our favorite borough.

Biddle Mansion, M. Robinson

Biddle Mansion, M. Robinson

As individual pieces they may seem trivial, but in filling in a few more missing puzzle pieces of Riverton history, they may have greater importance as part of a larger investigation.

 

Sometimes the puzzle pieces work for us, and sometimes they benefit a person or organization from far afield who is looking for just the piece of minutiae that we have.

Here’s a few from my friend, Harlan Radford, across the miles who sends us scans regularly of his choice auction finds.

Every picture comes with a complimentary lesson, courtesy of Mr. Radford.

The unusual German-produced butterfly card shows two Camden landmarks on  each wing. On your left,  Carnegie Library and Camden County Court House; on the right, Cooper Hospital and City Hall.

Another, out of the ordinary postcard is this image of a strange vehicle that looks like a cross between a bus and a train.

The 1921 postmarked card bears the following penciled message:

“Was in bathing this A.M.  Quite a sensation for one who has never been in the ocean before.  This is a picture of the trolley car here, they run by gas.  I may go to N. Wildwood next week, not sure.  Hope you are well.”

Last one tonight, kids.

Postmarked SEP 7, 1906, this undivided back early postcard depicts a front view of the Pennsylvania Railroad Terminal and Ferry building at Camden, N.J. circa the
beginning of the 1900s.  Several trolley
routes terminated here and close inspection of this image shows commerce 1906 style with several  horse-drawn wagons and electric trolley cars.  This terminal provided not only important ferry boat service to and from Philadelphia on the other side of the Delaware River but a vital rail link to various locations in New Jersey including some of the Jersey seashore resorts.

Another post soon will wrap up several more of Mr. Radford’s donated scans to the Society.

When you give the Society a scan of your collectibles, souvenirs, photos, and printed matter, for us it is the next best thing to having the real thing. Plus, you can know that you are sharing your treasure with a large community that might not otherwise have access to it. Please contact us if you have something to donate or need help with scanning or photographing.

Happy New Year! – John McCormick

 

 

 

For “Auld Lang Syne” could be our slogan, I guess, since so much of what we are about is being a resource for preserving the artifacts, ways, and ideas of Riverton.

The Scots poem written by Robert Burns in 1788 was eventually set to the tune of a traditional folk song.

Literally translated as “old long since,” or “old long ago,” “auld lang syne” has come to mean “the good old days.”

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,/And never brought to mind?/Should auld acquaintance be forgot,/And auld lang syne! 

The song begins with a question which asks whether one can forget the days that have gone by and the friends with whom those days have been spent.

The lyrics speak of the love and kindness that was experienced in the past and causes us to reflect upon our journey. But, mostly the song is about remembering friends from the past and not letting them be forgotten.

As the last chorus rouses us to raise a collective glass, know that it has been our privilege to help preserve the memory of the people and events of Riverton’s past so that future Riverton may know of it.

And there’s a hand, my trusty friend!
And give us a hand of yours!
And we’ll take a deep draught of good-will
For long, long ago.

We sincerely wish you a Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous 2014.

It seems everybody can’t wait to get their hands on the latest Historical Society of Riverton newsletter.

The November 2013 Gaslight News is in the mail. Our newsletter staff (actually the Mrs. and I) picked up the copies from the printer in Pemberton this morning, stuffed them into 150 envelopes, and posted them this afternoon.

You can also find a PDF file online.

In it you’ll read how an 1895 news clipping triggered Carl McDermott’s endearing remembrance of his grandfather, who worked at Dreer’s, and his grandmother, a Riverton telephone switchboard operator.

Patricia Smith Solin’s timely article on the Candlelight House Tour traces the history of this enduring Riverton tradition, now in its 53rd year.

A bit of publicity for the next meeting and updates about some other Society efforts round out the four-page issue.

Returning HSR members will recall that November is the month to pay dues. Members will find a form in the envelope with their newsletter. We invite you to join wherever you are and urge you to add your voice to this growing community resource. Find a printable PDF form here. – John McCormick

 

The south wall of Camden City Hall’s gray granite façade bears the uplifting inscription, “In a dream I saw a city invincible,” a reference to a line from this poem by Walt Whitman.

I Dream’d in a Dream
Walt Whitman

I dream’d in a dream I saw a city invincible to the attacks of the whole of the rest of the earth,
I dream’d that was the new city of Friends,
Nothing was greater there than the quality of robust love, it led the rest,
It was seen every hour in the actions of the men of that city,
And in all their looks and words.

Started on the cusp of the Great Depression in 1929, and completed two years later, that neoclassical house of government for the City and County of Camden still dominates the Camden skyline over eight decades later.

This Souvenir Folder of Camden, New Jersey, probably dating from the early 1930s, has a description of an industrial and commercial metropolis of seemingly unlimited potential (PDF of description here.)

Ironic, I know. Many have recounted and analyzed reasons for Camden’s long descent into its current despairing state.

However, I have not come here to bash Camden, but to praise the Camden that was my hometown for my first 21 years.

These Depression-era old postcard photos predate my memories of growing up in North and East Camden in the late 1940s through early 1970s, to be sure, but those experiences truly shaped the outcome of this baby-boomer’s life.

View at full screen all 22 Camden Souvenir Folder images in this PDF slide show (1.99MB).

What buildings, places, or landmarks do you think would make it into a Souvenir Folder of Riverton, New Jersey? Let us know here, on our Facebook page, or email to rivertonhistory@gmail.com – John McCormick

HSR members converged on Riverton School’s library to reconnect with colleagues after the summer hiatus and hear Society Vice President Mrs. Pat Brunker outline some of the organization’s projects for the coming term.

One agenda item of particular interest to homeowners may be the revival of awarding historical plaques. Many Riverton homes and buildings have displayed these badges explaining the structure’s historic pedigree for some time, but the HSR has not granted any new plaques for several years.

Now available—the Historical Society of Riverton will award historic plaques for qualifying structures, minimum 100 years old, of particular architectural significance or of local historical significance. Call 856-786-8422 for an application which the HSR will review. Plaque donation: $150.

Further details on the simplified application process, program particulars, and an online application will be forthcoming in an upcoming post.

Then, Vice President Cheryl Smekal (yes, we have two VPs) told of an upcoming Dickens Tea by returning presenter Alisa DuPuy at the New Leaf on Thursday, November 21 at 7:00 p.m.  Your $15 includes tea and dessert, an evening’s diversion and entertainment, and supports the preservation efforts of the HSR.  Call 856-786-0323 for reservations.

Cheryl further explained that on December 7, in conjunction with Riverton Free Library’s Holiday House Tour, Phyllis Rogers and the New Leaf Tea Room will again host an HSR Museum for a Day, last done in 2011, in which the public may inspect rarely displayed artifacts, ephemera, vintage clothing, and photos from the Historical Society of Riverton’s archives. She invited anyone with something to loan for display to contact her at 856-829-9375.

Cheryl introduced our evening’s presenter, essayist and certified Philadelphia tour guide, Dorothy Stanaitis.

Speaking from the perspective of a colonial-era indentured servant who has eavesdropped  while serving tea to her well-to-do Philadelphia employers, Ms. Stanaitis divulged scandalous tidbits about American and British figures of her day.

She surprised even the most ardent of history buffs among us with some of the revelations included in her well-researched soliloquy that the history books left out.

Propriety, however, prevents me from repeating such gossip here. You may have to book this chatty domestic for your next club gathering and hear her Scandals, Rumors, and Dirty Rotten Lies for yourselves.

Afterwards, light refreshment accompanied many spirited conversations as members resumed that familiar society pastime as though the summer had not interceded at all.

Meanwhile, Dr. Cliff Johnson obliged by identifying some Palmyra police officers in a scan of a photo that I have had since 2004 when Betsy Ransome kindly let me scan about two dozen old postcards in her choice collection.

She used to hang them in her store, Grayson’s Flowers, on Broad Street in Palmyra. Betsy was one of the generous contributors who got the virtual image archive displayed on these pages off to its start.

Eventually, most discussion threads intersected on the wonderful contents of the refreshment table and, in particular, the remarkable homemade gingersnaps that Elsie Waters brought.

The recipe, you ask. I’ll check with Elsie and get back to you.

Please join the conversation about Riverton history here or on our Facebook page. – John McCormick

 

Imagine “Pat” Steedle, Riverton expressman, politician, Rotarian, song leader, former Boy Scout and what not, sitting in the darkness along a Pennsylvania highway in his X Y Z’s drying his clothes over a bonfire.

That is how the April 23, 1931 issue of The New Era recounted for its readers’ amusement  an experience that George Steedle had with his moving van. Sandy Steedle sent us this great story about her great-grandfather, the subject of the feature article in this last newsletter, “Geo. D. Steedle moved millions with Steedle’s Express & Philburco buses.

Enjoy this humorous essay from an over eighty year old edition of The New Era, “Pat Steedle and His Truck Imitate Submarine on Highway at Reading.” The necessary concession to the budgetary restraints placed on the Gaslight News which limits each issue to four pages sometimes results in some good stuff not being able to get past this editor’s desk.

Such was the case with this article and the scanned images of a Tacony-Palmyra Ferry stock certificate I bought off an eBay auction last January.

There are many more stories about local characters in the old Riverton and Palmyra newspapers preserved here. Let us know if you find a topic which you would like to see  further explored here or in the Gaslight News. We welcome readers’ submissions. – John McCormick

Added July 3, 2018: We thank Paul W. Schopp for sending this great photo of a Tacony-Palmyra Ferry beside the bridge as it neared completion.