Zoom in and check out the people eating on the porch. 
This explains all the chicken bones we found behind the sheetrock in the kitchen!!
Showing posts with label History. Show all posts
Showing posts with label History. Show all posts
Monday, July 12, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
More Pics from Jim!
Here's a couple more history articles Jim posted over on the Broad St. Yesteryears blog, He's so nice to let m "hijack" them!
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Do You Know A Speciale??
I'm trying to track down some of the Speciale kids to see if there's any photos of the mansion or property, but haven't been able to find any of them. If you can give me their names I will see if I can find them to see if we can fill in some blanks in the history! Thanks!!
You can email me at rx7suzy@yahoo.com
Suzy
You can email me at rx7suzy@yahoo.com
Suzy
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Thursday, April 8, 2010
This was "borrowed" from Jim C's blog. It gives us great insight into the condition of those back rooms. The staircase collapsed due to the damaged wood in the room underneath. The wood in both rooms as well as the safe room were all blackened and charred, which is why we had to take it off! Thanks Jim for the info!!!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
3/23/10-we saw a ghost tonite
We saw the ghost of the white city black cat tonight. Were wandering around the house and can hear a cat crying. Just like in the 1922 article. We walk outside and there she is sitting in the driveway. Solid black kitty. Does the cat still haunt the area? Hmmmm. Here's a copy of the article again for those that missed it.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Couple more Pics borrowed from Jim C's Yesteryears Blog-Jim I owe you a Beer!!
Again, I can't thank Jim enough for letting us borrow these tidbits from his blog. I don't know where you're finding these but thank you so much!!!
This is another view of Spring Lake from Ellwood Parsons Robbins' Trenton Illustrated published in 1891. The sign above the SILVER SPRING sign reads, "No Net Fishing Allowed Shooting on our Premises Anywhere UNDER PENALTY OF LAW". Of interest is the building on top of the bluff which appears to be an observation platform.
This is a picture of Spring Lake in Trenton Illustrated by Ellwood Parsons Robbins published in 1891. Click on the picture for greater clarity. Notice the mansion steps immediately to the left of the open-sided building. The sign next to the buggy states, "No Fishing Allowed on Sunday". The image on the lake, added by Mr. Robbins, states "Silver Spring", one of the many springs that feed the lake.
This is another view of Spring Lake from Ellwood Parsons Robbins' Trenton Illustrated published in 1891. The sign above the SILVER SPRING sign reads, "No Net Fishing Allowed Shooting on our Premises Anywhere UNDER PENALTY OF LAW". Of interest is the building on top of the bluff which appears to be an observation platform.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Park Dedication at the Staircase....borrowed from Jim's Broadstreet yesteryears Blog!
Here's a couple of pics that Jim posted on his Yesteryears blog from the park dedication back in 56. We're still torn as whether to clear those stairs or not, would look cool, but don't want to invite people into our backyard either...maybe a gate at the top....we'll see!
Monday, January 11, 2010
History
There were a few families of local prominence including the Abbotts (Abbott House) and Watsons (Watson House). The Decou family, another family of local prominence, lived at Overlook Mansion-known by many simply as "the mansion" at the foot of Harrison Avenue overlooking the lake that has been identified by several names: White City Lake, Broad Street Park Lake and Spring Lake.
The actual date the house was build is unknown, but its believed that Israel DeCou built it in the early nineteenth century. (We have been able to trace it back to 1820) Its location at the top of the bluff gave the house its name, Overlook. Although the DeCou family sold the mansion, the house's interest to the community prevails because the surrounding seventy-seven acres became an amusement park called White City at the turn of the twentieth century.
Broad Street Park blossomed as the building lots offered by the Broad Street Park Land Association became developed for growing families, and as the Trenton Traction Company brought not only its tracks to the area, but also to White City Park.
In the late nineteenth century, the Trenton Traction Company leased Israel DeCou's Overlook Mansion. The grounds of the estate had been a favorite picnicking spot long before the turn of the century. But in order to make the trolley line profitable, the Trenton Traction company leased the property as a park. Eventually, the company bought the park and the lake, a total of seventy-seven acres.
The amusement park was built on the bluff above Spring Lake and extended from Sewell to Buchanan Avenues. The park was called White City because it was fashionable to paint all the buildings in the amusement parks white. The resort was so well known that the entire area was and still is sometimes referred to as White City.
All the well known outdoor entertainments were installed, including a roller coaster, merry-go-round, swings, and a shoot-the-chute on which patrons rode a boat down the high bluff to the lake. Outdoor concerts were conducted at the bandstand, and plays and minstrel shows were done during the summer. There was a refreshment stand and dance pavillion which was converted to a roller skating rink. From the mansion, a wide curving concrete stairway led to the lake shore below. At the lake, boats were rented for rowing and a sandy beach provided swimming and a picnic area for visitors. Not all the amusements were reserved for summertime; ice skating on the lake in winter was also a popular sport. The following excerpt from a newspaper feature entitled "Trenton Town Talk" which appeared on May 20, 1893, described the popularity of White City: "The contemplated early extension of the electric railway out Broad Street to the tollgate will be a great accomodation to that rapidly developing part of the city, and especially to the hundreds of people who daily throng to Broad Street Park, as it is called. The healthful and diversified pleasure ground has secured a wonderful hold on the popular affections. Almost as many people go there as to Cadwalder Park. The secret of its popularity lies in the variety of its attractions-the large lake, the numerous winding streams, the high bluff, the wild tangle of woods, shrubs and vines, and the wealth of wild flowers, and great stretches of meadow and the other natural beauties. People feel a freedom in wandering through and amidst these natural attractions that are absent from the starched proprietaries of more conventional pleasure grounds."
The park's popularity created business opportunities for the small businessman, and family-owned enterprises opened in the vicinity of the park. An ice cream store opened near the park entrance on Harrison Avenue. In the winter ice skaters found it convenient to have their skates sharpened at the shoemaker shop which was also near the park entrance.
White City Park closed during 1922 at which time the land was broken up into smaller parcels and sold off. The buildings and rides were scavenged for wood, metal, etc. And the Overlook mansion remains intact on its own 2 acre parcel overlooking the bluff today.
The actual date the house was build is unknown, but its believed that Israel DeCou built it in the early nineteenth century. (We have been able to trace it back to 1820) Its location at the top of the bluff gave the house its name, Overlook. Although the DeCou family sold the mansion, the house's interest to the community prevails because the surrounding seventy-seven acres became an amusement park called White City at the turn of the twentieth century.
Broad Street Park blossomed as the building lots offered by the Broad Street Park Land Association became developed for growing families, and as the Trenton Traction Company brought not only its tracks to the area, but also to White City Park.
In the late nineteenth century, the Trenton Traction Company leased Israel DeCou's Overlook Mansion. The grounds of the estate had been a favorite picnicking spot long before the turn of the century. But in order to make the trolley line profitable, the Trenton Traction company leased the property as a park. Eventually, the company bought the park and the lake, a total of seventy-seven acres.
The amusement park was built on the bluff above Spring Lake and extended from Sewell to Buchanan Avenues. The park was called White City because it was fashionable to paint all the buildings in the amusement parks white. The resort was so well known that the entire area was and still is sometimes referred to as White City.
All the well known outdoor entertainments were installed, including a roller coaster, merry-go-round, swings, and a shoot-the-chute on which patrons rode a boat down the high bluff to the lake. Outdoor concerts were conducted at the bandstand, and plays and minstrel shows were done during the summer. There was a refreshment stand and dance pavillion which was converted to a roller skating rink. From the mansion, a wide curving concrete stairway led to the lake shore below. At the lake, boats were rented for rowing and a sandy beach provided swimming and a picnic area for visitors. Not all the amusements were reserved for summertime; ice skating on the lake in winter was also a popular sport. The following excerpt from a newspaper feature entitled "Trenton Town Talk" which appeared on May 20, 1893, described the popularity of White City: "The contemplated early extension of the electric railway out Broad Street to the tollgate will be a great accomodation to that rapidly developing part of the city, and especially to the hundreds of people who daily throng to Broad Street Park, as it is called. The healthful and diversified pleasure ground has secured a wonderful hold on the popular affections. Almost as many people go there as to Cadwalder Park. The secret of its popularity lies in the variety of its attractions-the large lake, the numerous winding streams, the high bluff, the wild tangle of woods, shrubs and vines, and the wealth of wild flowers, and great stretches of meadow and the other natural beauties. People feel a freedom in wandering through and amidst these natural attractions that are absent from the starched proprietaries of more conventional pleasure grounds."
The park's popularity created business opportunities for the small businessman, and family-owned enterprises opened in the vicinity of the park. An ice cream store opened near the park entrance on Harrison Avenue. In the winter ice skaters found it convenient to have their skates sharpened at the shoemaker shop which was also near the park entrance.
White City Park closed during 1922 at which time the land was broken up into smaller parcels and sold off. The buildings and rides were scavenged for wood, metal, etc. And the Overlook mansion remains intact on its own 2 acre parcel overlooking the bluff today.
White City Amusement Park-History
As published in "History of Hamilton Township"
One of the finest amusement centers in this section of the state was once located here. White City Park! The scenic railway and the chute-the-chutes down into the sparkling lake were considered among the finest rides of this character in the East. There was the merry-go-round, bands playing, barkers along the midway ballyhooing their attractions, couples dancing on the spacious dance floor, lovers strolling along the shaded paths-such are the scenes of gaiety revived in the memory of those who enjoyed diversion in this once flourishing amusement park off South Broad Street. The grounds extended along McClellan Avenue, from Sewell to Buchanon, but nothing remains of the buildings except the old mansion house opposite the entrance at the foot of Harrison Avenue. The lake is now part of the Robling park which extends into the Great Trenton Marsh.
One of the finest amusement centers in this section of the state was once located here. White City Park! The scenic railway and the chute-the-chutes down into the sparkling lake were considered among the finest rides of this character in the East. There was the merry-go-round, bands playing, barkers along the midway ballyhooing their attractions, couples dancing on the spacious dance floor, lovers strolling along the shaded paths-such are the scenes of gaiety revived in the memory of those who enjoyed diversion in this once flourishing amusement park off South Broad Street. The grounds extended along McClellan Avenue, from Sewell to Buchanon, but nothing remains of the buildings except the old mansion house opposite the entrance at the foot of Harrison Avenue. The lake is now part of the Robling park which extends into the Great Trenton Marsh.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Thanks for the photos!
I'd like to give credit for the photos and additional information on the property provided by Jim Colello from Broad Street Park Yesteryears blog (http://bsp086.blogspot.com/)
He provided most of the photos shown here and we really appreciate his assistance!!
He provided most of the photos shown here and we really appreciate his assistance!!
Overlook Mansion...what it was...
This is the best photo we have of the home from back in the day.
As you can see, the porch goes all the way around the house and the roofline has changed over the years (see the black cat story phot) to be what it is today, a full 3rd floor with a little princess balcony on the front overlooking...well...big trees :)
As you can see, the porch goes all the way around the house and the roofline has changed over the years (see the black cat story phot) to be what it is today, a full 3rd floor with a little princess balcony on the front overlooking...well...big trees :)
Spring Lake Photos
These photos show Spring Lake back in the days of White City Amusement Park. The flumes came down the bluffs right into the lake, there are still remnants of the concrete flumes if you walk the trail around the lake and look up the bluffs.
White City Amusement Park Photos
These photos are of the White City Amusement Park. The driveway you see in the first photo is the driveway to the mansion and the mansion building can be seen in the very back of the photo.
It must have been an amazing place in its day!
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