100 Years Ago - part 3

Memoirs - Chapter 1

Your author-here-present has enjoyed the extraordinary good fortune of acquiring the memoirs of a completely delightful lady who lived in Belleville from 1910 until 1952. Originally a resident of New York City, she made frequent vacation and weekend trips here beginning in 1910 until, so captivated by the beauty of the town and it's people, she moved here permanently in 1914. With an enchanting pallet of glowing, heart-felt, flowering phrases, she paints for us a wonderful word-picture of our town as it was at the beginning of the 20th Century. We will meet her friends and neighbors, many of whose names are familiar to us who know our town's history, and see our town through her eyes as it was in those days. Bertha Feuer wrote these words during her final days with the hope that they would be transmitted to future generations so that they, too, could understand what a special town it was. That will happen. Those parts of the memoirs which cover the period from 1910 to 1918 will be presented here in two parts, this is the first.

A huge Thank-you is in order to Carolyn Acceturo, granddaughter of Bertha Feuer, who provided these memoirs to me, and through me to the Town of Belleville and Susan Carpenter, another granddaughter, who so kindly provided an electronic version of the original hand-written text.

It begins -

To Bertha, the city of Belleville was a real vacation after leaving the crowded City of New York, How she enjoyed the row of houses that belonged to old Joralemon Station at Cortlandt St. between Joralemon Street near Little. The rents that year was only $15 for a whole house of 10 rooms and beautiful grounds to the bargain. Well, at the corner of Joralemon and Cortlandt lived a friend of ours, also from New York.

Previous to 1914, say about 1910, Grader Kahn namely Manz, now deceased, rented that house and we did enjoy many a weekend vacation. Her daughter, Flora, who was as wild as we were, always gathered us all together with her Aunt Rose B. and up to Hill Side Park** for a great time. That’s what the Park was called then. ** [this is a reference to Hillside Pleasure Park, Belleville's great amusement park.]

Later we all decided to move to Belleville and settle down. Our friend Mildred Stone known to us as Millie, jolly and full of fun, rented at 401 Cortlandt St. from the Joralemon Estate. The lumber yard always was at the corner of Cortlandt and Joralemon. The Main St. north of Joralemon, past Eastwood's Wire Works was known to us as lovers lane. Up Belleville way to the Nutley line our children and crowd would walk to the reservoir on Main St. to fish for gold fish and steal a swim in the cool reservoir.

Along the roads of Main Street from Joralemon to the Delawanna Bridge we would walk and pick Elderberry blossoms, when in full bloom. These were to make our pancakes from which were delicious. When the berries were up we would pick them ripe, to make Elder Berry wine.

They were real good old days and the gang of us felt like children that had discovered the Fountain of Youth as we never wanted to grow old. Years slipped by and changes always come about so we moved to Main St., No. 367, a very nice house owned by Eastwood's.

Our main entrance was Main Street, but we also had a side entrance at Joralemon Street. Billy Hamel, one of John Eastwood's employees, would come for the rent and tell us tall tales. How we laughed. It Kept us young.

My friend Millie Grady, a Mrs. Halderman also formerly Mrs. Wells, lived next door to us. Mrs. Halderman taught Sunday school at the Methodist Church. The people now mentioned have all deceased. We had grand days and picnic together.

It was Belleville like the song La Swiss, La Bella or Belleville is Beautiful. Along the Passaic River that flowed thither to dither occasional boats would sail along, especially tug boats. It was everlastingly interesting to us, to get up in the attic rooms where we could gaze quite distances, almost to the skyline of the Palisades of the Hudson River, across Sigler (?) Hill Sides Farm to what seemed to us a vast wilderness. We were able to walk across the bridges of the Passaic, the Rutgers St. bridge, also the Delawanna, to all the different suburbs across the river.

We could walk to Clifton, Nutley, Bloomfield, which was at the border of Soho or where Isaac Hendrick's Copper works were. We could put a foot in the Silver Lake, Newark, or Silver Lake Belleville or Bloomfield and even walk through the woods straight up dirt roads into Glen Ridge and Montclair. For 5 cents car fare we could go almost anywhere. Almost to Eagle Rock for not much more than a nickel. Dear old nickels, then, meant so much to us. Sometimes we would walk to city line, North Newark and then to Newark on the No. 18 bus; in 10 minutes we were to Broad and Market. A very old market was on Broad St, which ran on the old Morris Canal near Commerce St in Newark all the way to Mulberry Street, then the downtown of Newark, was a thrill to us even though it had no comparison to New York’s Chinatown.

We would leave early in the morning for Newark, to the market, and bring home large shopping bags full of all the goodies money could buy. Sometimes the packages were larger than we were able to handle. We would also love to browse over to New York by the way of the Erie Railroad or the Hudson Tubes. We were the gypsies that knew our way around. Dear, merry, laughing days of good 1914.

The part of Main Street from Joralemon St. going toward Newark on both sides of Main St. were real old time beautiful homes as far as Mill St., Belleville, where our town ended and then River road of Newark began. It was also a pretty sight to see, although Belleville once took in territory as far down as Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Woodside and Forest Hill in 1914 it only started from Mill St. to the Nutley line, taking in the swampy section of Silver Lake, Belleville and good old Soho.

Those were just a few of the neighbors mentioned at that part of Belleville. Tenants of Eastwood. Old man Roberts worked for Eastwood, when they had a team of horses to pull their work. And in the neighborhoods on Ralph Street etc. were many Roberts as they were a large family. In a little house at the corner of Joralemon lived Mame and her family. Roberts. These folks all are deceased now.

Mamie had the finest garden of corn and tomatoes. For 50 cents we could buy a bargain of her. The house was sold so she moved to Ralph street right in back from where we lived. An old type brick building on this street lived Norman and his wife and most of the Roberts family. Up at Washington Ave. opposite the Episcopal Church was Richard's Hardware store, Kenworthy the corner bakery and Levine the tailor.

We would stroll up to Kenworthy's and have an ice cream soda and buy our newspapers of him. Old Westlake, now passed away, had quite a paper route, but we only purchased his papers when I moved toward the Town Hall at Main St., 127, in the year 1918.

(In 1918) ..I moved into two rooms rented from Mary Ella Osborne. The house was an old revolutionary landmark built in about 1765 or somewhat by an Englishman and was one time owned by Hugh Holmes. Mr. Osbourne was one of the first druggists in town and his father-in-law, a Wessely Dickinson liked the place so much that Mr. Osborn bought the place and fixed it up for us to live in. He, his wife Mary Ella, and Julliette Dickinson and Wessley Dickinson, moved in and were happy and proud of the place. They had horse and carriage. Dud Hogs, an old time colored man worked with the horse whose name was Pet and Mr. Dickinson, the bank note engraving inventor, brought a peacock to run around the grounds.

It was a beautiful sight to pass and gaze into the place. Mary Ella Osborne nee Dickinson loved flowers and garden work. Nothing was missing out of those grounds. Julliette was the artist who taught painting. Since Wessley Dickinson invented his engraving machine, his 3 sons Ed, Charley and Clem (?) went to foreign lands to teach students to run the said machines.

Wesley Dickinson worked in his little machine shop in Belleville, Ed Dickinson went to China for two years. While he was gone, Nellie his wife, and daughter Stella, lived with Ella Osborn at the mansion. Clem went to England and Charley to Portugal. While in foreign lands Mr. Wessley Dickinson died, so Charley was not notified until he came back.

The homes on the river were beautiful and there were many old landmarks.
Next door to the old mansion house on Main St. the Cole family lived. Mr. Cole brought the old Osborne homestead from Mr. Mertz. The house ran from Main St. to about 50 ft. and its other 50 ft. facing Stephan St. lived Will Osborne a nephew of Howard Osborn’s. We all got along splendid. Singing Pat used to deliver mail at that time.

There were two great big cottonwood trees very old, every bit of 100 or 150 years of age about the center of the grounds and they were beautiful. Flowers would grow very high and when a bad storm came up what a beautiful sight. Flowers would blow down that looked like a tulip. We would exhibit at Howard Osborne’s Drugstore they were that beautiful. To the Cole family, one of them, Margaret, would swear she seen ghosts under those trees.

Typical Irish Fairy Tales were told by Mrs. Cole herself. She was from County Kerry or Cork Ireland. I would sit hours listening to the fairy tales of Ireland and their haunted castles that sometimes I would go home and dream that I was also haunted, as the rooms at 127 Main St. were immensely large. What a joke. We finally had to move from there. The property was sold after the Osbornes occupied the house 27 years. Ed Dickinson once enjoyed many a day at this old mansion of Main Street.

They are gone the houses on the river. Gone like Rip Van Winkle who slept 20 years in the mountains. I face up and down the street of Main Street thinking to myself about the houses and the characters that lived on the Passaic River. The fire that burnt down a row of houses, the flood, etc.

Howard Osborne’s drugstore was flooded. So were all the houses as far as Main to Second River and the Delawanna Bridge, to Cortlandt Street, Stolz Bakery. Damages were terrific and many lost what belonged to them. Row boats and hip boots were used in some of the Main St. homes. What could be saved was carried to higher floors and attics. John Osborne’s house on John St. was flooded bad enough to rot everything, as the house was built without a cellar. Mr. Howard Osborne related the story to me.

It seemed the deluge was on after the water receded. Thousands of people came to view the flood. There were two of these. The last one was the most serious. Some dam, I believe, the Dundee near Passaic or Paterson, gave way causing the river to rise above level.

[Continued next installment.]

An engraving of one of the many mansions that lined Main Street

Lover's Lane in 1912 from an old postcard.

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Need a Clark Bar ?

A Retired Ghost

We Second River villagers know well how replete we are with residents who keep one foot in each of the worlds, and, even though we recognize that there are other jurisdictions claiming to be the home of a spirit or two, we know our local demographics, we know the extraordinary population of lost spirits who find this a suitable place to call home, and we are tempted to claim the title of "Ghost Capital" of the East Coast. What's more, we claim to be one of a very few villages anywhere that is home of a "retired" ghost, a story to unfold herewith. It must be admitted that the veil which separates the worlds is tantalizingly thin in our precincts, such that the opportunity to slip through the veil for both spirits and citizens is much facilitated by certain vibrations which emanate from the ground here-abouts.

Now, you must understand that we are a modern, sophisticated people who will never openly admit that we believe in ghosts, but sometimes a thing will happen, a vision will appear, that makes us pause, scratch our heads and say, "Hmm ...". And after all, it is nearly Halloween. So what better time is there for pulling out the musty old manuscript of a Second River ghost tale, dusting off the cobwebs and reading it anew.

Old Second River, before it's banks were adorned with Cherry Blossom trees, was once lined with stately, perhaps somber, weeping willow trees. If ever you have been in such a place, you know the chilling sound of the woeful whine of wind in weeping willows. Add to that, such as could be heard here, the higher octave timbre of a female voice wistfully whimpering over sorrowful remembrances in her heart. Here is an orchestration that could send a shiver up your spine, raise the hairs in the back of your neck and set your fight-or-flight self-defense mechanism on high alert.

Thus, the scene is set for this oft' told tale from our village annals. Indeed, we have been telling each other this tale, confirmed by several generations of historians, for beyond a century-and-a-half. It is repeated here that it may be transmitted to still another generation.

The roots of this story are anchored in the last decade of the 18th Century, just after the end of the Revolutionary War, near to the time when the Village of Second River became Belleville. Benson's Grist Mill stood on Second River near the bridge by which the old Back Road crossed the river. Mr. Benson, most recent owner of the mill had been found, quite dead, in the mill race minus his head. It is said that he was done in by a rival for some fair damsel’s affections. You might say he lost his head over her. Never-the-less, his apparition was seen by several, reportedly sober, townsfolk, howling in anger, demanding revenge, from the old bridge on dark, moonless nights. Now, the townsfolk were not afraid of ghosts, per se, but it was considered a matter of good common sense to not cross the bridge in the dark of night.

Stories of the apparition lingered for a long time, becoming more terrible with each telling, especially in the village taprooms. There was, however, a young lass of the village one who lived near the bridge, who looked with disdain upon ghosts, lost spirits and other such apparitions, who thought she might make use of the natural apprehensions about the bridge for her own purposes. It seems she had become disenamored with young men whom she thought were haughty and arrogant, even supercilious as a group, though perhaps not as brave as they boasted. She, with malice aforethought, would wait upon the darkest night to unfold her plot to terrorize wayfarers approaching the bridge. A young buck who had stayed out a bit too late would be making his way cautiously along the old back road approaching the crossing in the dark of night with naught but a hand held lantern casting light just a few steps ahead. There, at the bridge, with the murmur of the wind in the willows whispering warnings in harmony with the strange gurgling messages of the mill brook, perfectly accented with the hoots of an owl disturbed by the traveler's footsteps, the scene painted with odd shaped shadows cast by the lantern, there was reason here to give pause to the faint of heart. but not to a fearless, though on-guard, young man. But what? .. what ho is this? .. leaping out unto the bridge, a specter clad in gossamer, white powder and candle glow, wielding a detached head looking much like a carved pumpkin but flaming from every aperture, casting wild shadows all about, shrieking wicked shrieks, swearing ungirlish oaths in a high pitched voice, shouting terrible unpleasantries in an otherworldly voice. Then, if the lad had not already turned to run, she would hurl the flaming pumpkin head so that it crashed and exploded at his feet. It was a sight that would encourage the boldest young lad to return from whence he came and forego the notion of crossing the bridge.

This went on for a number of years, the bridge was declared off-limits after dark by rational folk. Too many people had actually seen the ghost to deny the truth of it's existence. But, in the course of time, the hauntings stopped. It seems that the young lass, Mary Ann Andrews by name we are told, had matured and become pretty. It no longer suited her purposes to frighten young men away. She hung up her gossamer gown, put away her pumpkin carving tools to become our village's first "retired" ghost, choosing the flesh and blood life of a winsome, eligible maiden instead. The headless ghost of Back Road Bridge was no more, at least not for Mary Ann's natural lifetime. She lived to an old, old age, surviving 'til the first days of the 20th Century. After her passing, in more recent times, although the spirit has not reappeared to the eye, and the willows no longer grace the banks of Second River, on dark nights it is said that hysterical laughter can be heard in the precincts of the bridge. It is thought that it is the spirit of Mary Ann reminiscing over her pranks.

For those who demand historical accuracy, I offer this epilogue. An elder historian, Charles Gilbert Hine, author of "Woodside", active at the beginning of the 20th Century, has told this tale with details similar enough to what we have heard from other historians to allow us to conclude that it is the same story, but with one remarkable difference. In Mr. Hine's version, the young lady is Mary Ann Adams, daughter of old Sam Adams. Mr. Hine tells us that he was acquainted with the lady, she, having died, ancient in days, just six years before the publication of his book about Woodside, had confessed her identity to him as the haunting spirit of the old bridge. Now there's a task for a modern historian-detective with a brave heart; track down the true identity, if you dare, of our Back Road Ghost! Perhaps if you stand there by the old bridge on a dark and foggy night, when the mill stream is gurgling it's secret messages and the hoot owls are about, she may come to you and whisper her true name in your ear, that is, if she doesn't hurl a flaming pumpkin at you!

>==+==<

For those who find our village spirit stories a little incredible, perhaps because you have never personally encountered one of our resident specters, may I respectfully suggest that you visit our neighbors at the "State Scare Factory", down on Main Street. They are more than capable of convincing you that Belleville is indeed the Ghost Capital of the East Coast!

Visit the State Scare Factory site.

>==+==<

Related Articles:

Belleville's Bones

The Hollering Hole

The Old Town Miser

Haunted Village

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100 Years Ago - part 2

Shopping
Up-dated 9/3/11

In this installment of "Belleville 100 Years Ago", we will explore the ways and means and opportunities available to townspeople for that time honored folk ritual known as shopping. Our main business district at this time was Washington Avenue and the connecting side streets between Joralemon and Mill Streets. Main Street, the former business center was nearly abandoned by this time because of a series of devastating floods during the previous ten years. A few businesses remained on Main Street, but the movement was toward the higher ground of Washington Avenue. The reason is made abundantly clear in the photo archives of the Belleville Public Library and Information Center where pictures depicting the extent of the massive flooding on and around Main Street can be viewed.

Shopping a hundred years ago was a very different kind of experience. Shopping malls, as we know them, were still 50 years into the future. But, no matter, most everything you needed was usually available in a neighborhood store. Special interest items beyond the ordinary could be purchased in New York City, only a 40 minute train ride away. Best of all, there was nothing you could imagine needing from anywhere in the country that could not be purchased from the Montgomery Ward catalog. These catalogs continued to be available well into the '80s, but those from this earlier decade were far more comprehensive.

Transportation was limited. Motor cars were still a luxury item, and would remain so for a few more years until Henry Ford perfected the assembly line making them easily affordable. At this time motor cars were owned by only the well-to-do; driving them was an adventure as the controls were not yet standardized and the driver needed considerable skill as a mechanic to ensure a motorized return to his starting point. Shoppers were aided by an electrfied trolley that ran the full length of Washington Avenue. Transportation to Newark was available, but at this time it was actually still easier to go to New York City. Train service to New York was frequent, reliable and inexpensive. In spite of these travel limitations, there were really no hardships.

Trolley to Newark

Grocery shopping, for example, was most often done at a small, nearby store. There were a lot of grocery stores in Belleville. There were not many residents who did not live within two or three blocks of a grocer. There were, however, no large loads for the housewife to carry for several reasons. First; the kitchen "refrigerator" was actually an ice box with minimal storage space. Shopping for food stuff was carried out daily or every second day. Secondly; most housewives shopped the "modern" way, by phone. The lady of the house, would crank-up her phone, tell the operator to connect her to the grocer who would write-down her list. A short time later, a young lad pulling a wagon would deliver the goods to her kitchen door. If there was no hurry for delivery, the grocer might deliver her order on his horse-drawn wagon while on his daily rounds. Although motorized trucks were common, most local merchants still preferred the reliability of the horse. Also; many fresh vegetable and fruit vendors came through the neighborhood each day. Dairy products and bread were delivered to the door daily as well. Food shopping took less of a housewife's time in those days than it would today, so there is no need to feel sorry for her on that account.

Actually, any purchase you made which would not fit into an easy to carry bag, would be delivered to your door, this was standard practice. Since most folks were so accustomed to hands-free shopping, is it any wonder that many an evening of shopping pleasure, especially in the absence of televisions, radios and computers, were spent turning the pages of the Montgomery Ward Catalog or that of their chief competitor, Sears and Roebuck.

If the reader will take a moment to recollect the largest shopping mall ever visited, consider the variety of merchandise offered, multiply that by five, then one can begin to understand what might be found in those 800 to 900 pages of the catalog. Every kind of kitchenware, fashions, lamps, oriental carpets, books, victrola records, toys, exotic teas and coffee, even drugs were offered. Not that there were no drug stores in Belleville, there were several, but if the buyer were not in urgent need and could wait for delivery, Montgomery Ward, at a discount, would send anything that existed, hundreds upon hundreds of drugs, herbs and patent medicines, from Aspirin to opium, Epsom salts to morphine and even Carter's Little Liver Pills.

A glance at the array of advertising by Belleville merchants which has survived gives us an idea of what we would expect to find on the streets of Down Town Belleville 100 years ago. Although, since we are only able to present surviving ads, it may be misleading, but it does seem that there are at least as many confectionery / candy stores as there are grocery stores. It is almost tempting to think that our town folks had a sweet tooth! ... perhaps.

A peek into the past

Washington Avenue looking North towards Williams Street.

Store front at 127 Washington Avenue.

Even this brief survey of merchants who set up shop along our streets and those other recourses available, shows us that our civic ancestors were in want of nothing to be purchased at retail.

There were many others. One might plan a days shopping while sipping coffee at Mougel's Cafe at 5 Washington Avenue. If a camera was on the shopping list, a stop might be made at the Belleville Pharmacy, the prescription drug store whose ad claimed to be "the only store selling Kodaks and Camera Supplies, Rexall Remedies, Huyler's Candies and was the headquarters for postal card views of Belleville". Mr. W.D. Cornish, Ph. G. was the proprietor. If new clothes were on the agenda, Mr. Testa, the custom tailor at 267 Washington Avenue would be accommodating. His ad implores prospective customers to " Try me for that new suit at reasonable prices". He was also available for cleaning and dyeing. Perhaps the pantry needed restocking, in which case a stop at E.R. Plath at 408 Washington Avenue would be in order. Mr. Plath was a "dealer in superior coffees, teas, rice, spices and extracts. Satisfaction is guaranteed. Prompt delivery. Our wagons deliver daily in Belleville. Our coffee is roasted daily".
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The list of merchants goes on; John Reilly, Jr. sold "sanitary milk" from his establishment at 100 Oak St.
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Jno. Nevin Klien, reliable Drugs only, at 111 Washington Avenue.
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H. Kuntz, meats and provisions, first class market, telephone connection 2539-M Washington Avenue.
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Washington Market, Otto Groner, Grocer and Butcher, phone 2418-J, 122 Washington Avenue.

A look inside Otto Groner's store.

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M.M.Ryno staple and fancy groceries, hay, grain, Chesterfield and Tom Keene Cigars, phone 2416-R, located at 223 Main Street.
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Charles Kuhlmann, dealer in Meats and Groceries, fruits and vegetables, 249 Washington Avenue.
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Gustave Fleur, Groceries, Delicatessen and Stationery, Telephone 2438-J, Belleville, 36 Washington Avenue.
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It seems a fair assessment that free enterprise was alive and thriving in our town a hundred years ago. The many merchants listed here are by no means a complete list. Only a handful of advertisements have survived for a century. The number of privately owned small businesses was impressive. Pride in entrepreneurship was part of the culture of our civic ancestors. There is a certain "home town feeling" that comes with shopping where the storekeeper knows your name and caters to your tastes. Shopping with neighbors in friendly, local stores was a very pleasant experience.

* * *

Belleville High School

Belleville, New Jersey

The 4 High Schools

No, that's not the name of a DooWop group, it is how many high schools there have been since the beginning of Belleville's high school program. To find the first, we must reach back from our vantage point in this 21st Century, entirely through the 20th to the closing decade of the 19th Century when, in 1896, we find our village's first advanced learning curriculum, the first acknowledgement that more than rudimentary education might be needed by young people to get on in the world. It was slow getting started. Public education at any level began not much earlier.

It was in the middle of the nineteenth century when attitudes toward education were changing such that sentiments leaned more and more toward thinking it a public responsibility to prepare young people for life with advanced learning. The concept was not entirely new as our village, along with our sister Dutch colonies, had been first in the New World, as early as the late 17 Century, to ensure the education of all children in a tax funded school system. Our public school system, however, ended abruptly when the English invaders became the new masters of the colonies. Free, tax funded education was not an English custom. It was abolished. The Dutch church assumed the responsibility of educating the young, but unable to collect taxes to that end, the system was funded by subscription, thus it was no longer free to young scholars.

Modern parents of the mid nineteenth century, a generation steeped in Victorian sensibilities, having seen the consequences of 150 years and so many generations of under-educated children, were demanding a return to a tax funded system to ensure at least a rudimentary education for all children. Belleville responded in 1853. In that year, a public school furnishing six grades of elementary education was established.

High school was not yet a part of the new system. High school was a noble concept existing in only a few places. In those days, students went to grammar school through six grades. This was considered a complete elementary education. The young scholar knew how to read, write, do basic math and had been introduced to the "logic" of geometry. Education beyond that level was considered excessive. A young boy could then begin his apprenticeship at work and a young girl her apprenticeship in the kitchen.

For those with higher educational expectations, after grammar school, there was prep school to bridge the gap between elementary school and college. Trouble was, prep schools were private schools, expensive and available only to well-to-do families. In a world of exploding industrial achievements, it became clear to worried parents who wanted a higher standing for their children than was their own in industrialized society, that something more must be provided in the public school system. The eventual addition of 7th and 8th grades did help to bridge the gap in the public system, cutting down on the time needed in prep school. Still, public schools did not make the young scholar ready for college until finally, there was the addition of the public high school program. At first, in Belleville, high school was a two-year program, but it was not long before a full four-year curriculum was in place and students could be "prepped" for college, trade school or the military in our village public system.

The "Academy", built in 1853, was Belleville's first public school. Later, it was enlarged and re-named School 1. The old, original Academy, now behind and dwarfed by School 1, became our first high school in 1896. Lacking anything remotely resembling modern amenities, it was a challenge to study there, but Belleville's scholars were a hardy lot and they made do.

The situation improved, but only a little, when the high school program was relocated, in 1903, to the newer School 3 built in 1897. Many old photos and period postcards identify School 3 as "Belleville High School". Well, .. that was partly true. School 3 was a multi-purpose school. It housed a complete elementary school system, including grades 7 and 8. The high school program occupied the third floor, so to that extent, School 3 was the high school and remained so until 1915.

1915 was a year which underscored the importance of the high school program. It was then that the Washington Avenue building was completed. It was the first building used exclusively by the rapidly growing high school program. In that sense, the Washington Avenue school was the first high school; that is, the first building dedicated to only the high school program.

The original building was designed by famed Belleville architect Charles Granville Jones. It was a royal beauty. Several photos of the original building still exist. There were three additions to the school. No photos of the intermediate stages have surfaced so far. The final addition completed in 1937, including the gymnasium, is the way we see the building today. The Washington Avenue school, School 6 according to the town numbering system, served the community for 50 years as a high school and serves the community still as a middle school. It is well cared for, looks really spiffy with all new windows and is now surrounded with Cherry Blossom trees.

The new high school, our fourth high school, situated on campus-like grounds adjacent to the stadium, is pleasant enough. Although we call it the "new" school, if the truth is to be told, it is 45 years old now. Your author-here-present, having taken various adult school courses, once trying desperately to learn Italian before a trip to Rome, has thus been a student in the new school. It is reasonably comfortable, but lacks the classic charm and character of the Washington Avenue school. Perhaps I am prejudiced, after all, I graduated from the Washington Avenue school.

The Academy, located on the grounds where School 1 is today, is the historic beginning of learning in Belleville.

School 3 as it appeared in 1908. Several additions were constructed in later years.

The familiar south elevation, side entrance, to the Washington Avenue school.

The grand auditorium and balcony of the Washington Avenue school designed by famed Belleville architect Charles Granville Jones.

The main entrance to the "new" school.

100 Years Ago - part 1

Our Neighbors

This is the first installment of a project that will be presented here from time to time, between regular featured essays, during the next 18 months. The theme is "Belleville 100 years ago". The target date for the project is August 24, 1912. It was then when everyone in town celebrated their civic pride on "Belleville Day" with much pomp and circumstance. While I am jumping the gun on this a bit, after all it is only 2011, there is a considerable array of material to put into a presentable format. By the time the target date actually arrives, it should all be in place for your enjoyment.

In this first installment, we'll meet the folks in town. These are people worth knowing. Belleville entered one of the two golden decades that occurred in the 20th century while this generation of citizens was active. 1912 was a peak year of the elegant, high-tech Edwardian age

It must be noted that there was significant lag time on this side of the Atlantic when discussing the Victorian and Edwardian eras. In England, where these eras were defined, the Edwardian era began in 1901 with the ascension of King Edward VII to the British throne and lasted until his passing in 1910. In America, however, we had been so enamored with the Victorian Era styles and customs that we were slow to make the change. Movement toward the lavish, fashion conscious Edwardian era in America did not really begin until around 1908 and it continued until war broke out in Europe in 1915 which effectively cut off our access to European fabrics, goods and fashions. Thus, 1912 was the height of the Edwardian era in America and we loved every minute of it.

The American Edwardian era was a high-tech age like no other before it. The gaslight, horse and buggy era was over. With enthusiasm and soaring expectations these folks welcomed the changes happening all around them. It was just 9 years ago that a man, for the first time in all of history, had flown through the sky in a flying machine. Now, these flying machines were everywhere carrying with them the eager sureness that everyone would soon be flying. Those amazing motor cars, a curiosity a decade ago, were now seen everywhere, they had become desirable consumer commodities. Everyone was saving their money in the hope of owning a motor car. Some of them could go faster than 25 miles per hour! That was faster than most people had ever gone in their entire lives. This was exciting. Motor boats were replacing sail boats. Telephones were already commonplace. Victrolas played all the recent hit tunes like the popular American Quartet version of Moonlight Bay, Bob Robert's Ragtime Cowboy Joe, or Scott Joplin's New Rag. Our civic ancestors loved to dance. There was a dance pavilion over at Hillside Pleasure Park. The two-step was in fashion. The teenagers liked the turkey-trot, although that was frowned upon in many places as an inappropriate display for young people .. shades of rock and roll forty years later! Ragtime music, popular a decade and two ago, was making a major come-back

Nothing explains better what it felt like to live in a time or place than does the music. Let's take out one of those old 78rpm victrola records, put it on the record machine, crank it up a few times, set the needle down on the record and listen. Imagine your civic ancestors doing the two-step to this music. This is Ada Jones, a very popular recording star of the time.

Below is a link to a collection of music popular at the time. These are the songs you would have heard in the living rooms, on the front porches and at the many social clubs throughout the town. Let yourself feel the rhythm, it's the rhythm of life in 1912.

Victrola

1912 was a wonderful year! Business is thriving. New factories are moving in. The population is 14,000, growing at 10% per year. The town is boasting 40 miles of streets with 30 miles of them "macadamized". Public sewers are being installed. Electric street lights have been in place for over 25 years. The public school system is among the best in the state.

Let's stroll about the streets in our village, tip our hats and say, "How d'you do", to our neighbors. These are the people who are demanding a newer, better Belleville. Civic pride can be seen in their eyes in every photograph.

Let's begin at Town Hall on Main Street. Yes, that's right, on Main Street. There is a new Town Hall under construction on Washington Avenue, but that won't be ready 'til next year; 1913. For now, the town offices are located on the second floor of a multi-purpose building on Main Street about ten car-lengths south of the old Dutch church, on the river side of the road. There are stores on the first floor and a Sunday School along with the municipal offices on the second. Let's meet our town officials -

Moving along through the center of town, we meet old William "Doc" Hood. He's been active in recreation, athletics and schools for as long as anyone can remember.

William "Doc" Hood

Look ! .. there is William Bennett and his family in their 1910 Rolls-Royce.

And there is Stella and Mary standing by their front gate.

There is a large collection of photos of townsfolk from 1912 available, more than can reasonably fit in this blog space. However, they are assembled into a photo album for you to view. Click here to see the album -

Photo Album

As this project evolves, you will become intimately familiar with every aspect of Belleville as it was a hundred years ago. I hope you enjoy this trip back in time. It may be interesting to see how we have changed. Or, perhaps we haven't changed at all; we are still good people striving to build an increasingly better town. Perhaps the old folks we have met today would be as proud of us as we are of them.

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Woolworths Lunch Counter

Some of us from the old days, those days before the invention of highway stores and malls, remember when "going shopping" meant a trip to Washington Avenue which, then, was a vibrant shopping center. The catch-phrase was "I'm going downtown" which invariably meant that collection of chain stores, shops and boutiques within a couple of blocks of Town Hall. We were always careful to make the necessary verbal distinction between "I'm going downtown - Newark" which was self-explanatory and "I'm going downtown" which always meant Washington Avenue.

The "Avenue" was usually crowded during business hours. Parking was a challenge, there was only street-side parking, no public parking lots, and traffic was heavy. To say that it was a congested area is a classic example of understatement. Many townsfolk would prefer to take a bus to avoid the crush of auto traffic even though one would have to lug bags full of purchases home on the bus and then on foot from the bus stop to the house. But we were a hardy lot and it didn't seem all that difficult. It toughened us up, especially us cranky little kids who's feet would hurt after two or three hours of tagging along behind Mom as she made the rounds. If we had the audacity to sit down in the middle of a store aisle, we could expect a sharp look followed by an imperious command, "stand up and walk .. you can't sit there like that !"

You could buy most anything you needed on Washington Avenue in those days. Shoes could be bought at Jack and Jill's, Paul's Shoe Store and Miles. Men's wear was available at Michael's; ladies fashions at Mae Moon's, Edmar's, Reinhardt's or Mary Oliver's. There was Rubin Brothers, Singer Sewing Center, Charles the Jeweler, the Star Record Shop where you could listen to the latest 78 rpm hit on a turntable in a booth before buying, an A & P, Sears and Reeds Drug Store, just to name a few. But best of all, there was Woolworths at 177 Washington. Woolworths was best, if you were a kid, because they had a neat toy department and if you begged or pleaded enough, you might go home with a marvelous tchotchke that could amuse you for hours. They always had a great collection of glue-it-together models and toy lead soldiers. Yes, we played with lead toys back then and didn't even die from it.

There is a wonderful, old story about Belleville's Woolworths that might even be partly true. What is true is that it was such a good Cinderella story that Mothers would tell it to their young daughters at every opportunity. We are told that Belleville's sweetheart and famous songstress, Connie Francis, once worked at Woolworths on Washington Avenue. Perhaps it was a summer job, the details are sketchy at best. What it had to do with her becoming rich and famous doesn't register on a scale of one to ten, but the story was so good that Mothers all over town could say to their girls whenever Ms Francis was heard on the radio, "Listen, there's that lady from our 5 and 10. See how famous she has become ? You could do that too if you practice a lot and get a job at Woolworths to pay for the lessons."

And then, like an oasis in the desert, just when your aching feet couldn't take another step, there was Woolworths lunch counter where you could sit up on a stool and eat. You could order a sandwich for between 30¢ to 60¢. Remember how each sandwich was served with two slices of dill pickle and a small handful of potato chips ? A Coke was a dime and came with a squirt of lime syrup if you wanted it. And then, if you had not been too troublesome to Mom, you might hit the jack-pot and get a "super jumbo" banana split for 39¢. It was a good lunch for around a dollar or less depending on how lavish you were. And don't forget the customary 10¢ tip.

Wouldn't it be great to go back there one more time ? Well, maybe we can't, but here's the next best thing .. an old, 1957 Woolworths lunch counter menu has turned up and it is shown here for your enjoyment. Maybe it will rekindle a few old memories. Click on menu to enlarge for easy reading.

Woolworths Lunch Counter Menu - 1957.

Haunted Village

Belleville is a haunted town. Now, that is certainly not news. Our old village has always been haunted. We wouldn't want it to be any other way. In the shadows of Octobers past, we have become acquainted with the personalities of a few of the spirits with which we cohabitate here in this town. Perhaps the reader remembers the tale told here awhile back of old Andrew's bones, glimpses of which can sometimes be seen skulking about, hiding beneath window sills, listening to conversations in village houses. Not so strange a thing considering he was hanged for having heard too much about certain battle plans during the Revolutionary War. He denied it, of course. But then it is said of him that his bones let themselves down from the hangman's noose after being bleached to a high polish in the sun and that he has since been heard rattling and seen glistening in the moonlight on numerous occasions.

We treasure our "spiritual" heritage hereabouts. We look forward to the occasional hauntings of the good Reverend Gerardus Haughoort, a folk hero here to be sure. Credited he is with having single-handedly starting the Revolutionary War with his firebrand speeches and inflammatory writings. Were it not for his foul temper, he might well have stood with the other founding fathers of our country. But, his sometimes outrageous behavior got him into frequent trouble. Still, we admire him for his accomplishments and listen carefully on quiet nights when, if you are silent, you can hear the echo of his fire-and-brimstone sermons chastising us if we are not running the town as he thinks we ought to. His remains are interred within the old Dutch church from where he ventures forth when he deems it necessary. He really does have our best interests at heart. He's a good fellow, but don't get him upset.

We still marvel at the tale of old Mr. Thomas, the Welsh miner from the Schuyler diggings, who rescued the village from the sky-blackening plague of millions upon millions of passenger pigeons that had descended on us, by his calling forth the miner's gnomes from the old hollering hole. You know the gnomes are still roaming about, they are the real reason for the pot-holes that often appear in our streets. They are actually sink-holes created by the gnomes digging their tunnels.

Not to be forgotten is the Old Miser who carted his late wife to her final rest in his wheel barrow to save himself the cost of a proper send-off. The squeek-a-squeek of it's wobbling wheel is sometimes heard now-a-days as he looks for others that might be ready for the same ride. There are lighter stories though, such as the tree spirits who inhabit our Cherry Blossom trees. A glimpse of them can sometimes be gained, dancing and pirouetting, in the long shadows of late afternoons near the end of Winter.

That most often told story, the most famous of all our village ghosts, is our poor, misunderstood witch, Moll DeGraw of Gully Road. During her lifetime, Moll DeGraw had been known as a witch, for what reason no one ever was able to clearly establish. While some believed her an evil personage who held communion with the powers of darkness and who was able to brew mysterious and forbidden potages for her dark purposes, others swore that she was a simple old soul, adept at finding herbs of curative qualities in the woods. Her ill repute seems to be dated from the time of some mother’s threat to turn her unruly offspring over to "the wicked old witch" Moll DeGraw. The effectiveness of the threat was so gratifying that the lady told her neighbors, who promptly applied it also when occasion warranted. Second River’s naughty children , whenever ill-behaved, were threatened with “the old witch.”

Stories of Molly’s witchcraft began to spread. Some claimed to have heard eerie shrieks from Molly’s little hut on the river road. Others reported outlandish noises after dark, as if of carousels and dark orgies, so they imagined. Others had seen strange men who spoke strange languages enter and leave the hut.

At night, in the taprooms of the village’s taverns, the talk would turn to “the witch” and there would be cursing. When things go wrong, as they sometimes do, there are those who need someone to blame for it. Often as not someone would propose to burn her at the stake. But when the question was raised who was to go after Moll, enthusiasm waned, faces blanched, and the brave villagers would quietly finish their beer and slip off, one by one, to the comfort and safety of their homes

One night, however, Dutch courage was running particularly high and a group set out to the little shack by the river to rid the town of its witch. But it was too late for any exhibition of civil indignation. When they arrived they found Moll DeGraw dead. For many of them no better proof of Old Moll’s witchcraft was needed. Her untimely demise obviously showed a profound lack of consideration for the well-laid plans of that group of high-spirited citizens. To them her death was nothing less than a personal affront.

Old Moll must have liked the village in spite of the ill will directed towards her because her ghostly image can still be seen on foggy nights along the banks of our three rivers as she gathers the spiritual essence of the wild flora which grows there. Haven't you ever wondered why a plant, an herb, a wild flower or such may be found brown, dried-up, while others near it are still green and vibrant ? That's what happens when old Moll's ghost extracts its spiritual essence for her other-worldly purposes.

We mustn't forget the elderly couple whose beloved cottage stood in the way of an intended widening of the road to the town docks. They refused to sell to the developers. The cottage had been their home for all their many years together and they loved it dearly. Impatient, not willing to wait any longer for "progress", the house was torn down whilst the old couple were still in it. It is said that they did not survive the traumatic ordeal. Ever since, they have been known to wander through our town searching for their cottage, from time to time taking up residence in one house or another to see if it feels the same as theirs. They seem harmless enough, these timid ghosts, but townsfolk sometimes complain about how things have been moved here-and-there and objects are found where they were not left. If you should find that happening in your house, not to worry, it's nothing. It's just the old couple rearranging your things to try to make it feel more homey to them. But then, they don't seem to stay in one place all that long. Still, you never know, they just might find your house to be that special place they are looking for and take up permanent residence with you. Think of how it would enhance your property value if you had resident ghosts !

They are a friendly lot, our town spirits. They are eccentric, to be sure, but mean no harm, except perhaps the Old Miser, I'd watch out for him if I were you.

Best of all, we have learned from a recent edition of our town paper, that new ghosts are afoot. If you happen to be down on Main Street this October, and if you are feeling quite brave, you might stop in at "The Scare Factory" located at the State Fair Halloween Superstore, a spooky site that is enriching our haunted heritage in a big way. Created by special-effects professional artist Anthony Giordano already famous for his work in Hollywood and on Broadway for "Shrek the Musical", "The Last Sumurai", "Spiderman 2" and others not to mention six seasons on "Saturday Night Live" on TV, it tends to be very intense, startling and down-right scary. New to town last year when they drew 12,000 visitors, their venue is now enlarged to 12,000 square feet with 31 rooms where 40 ghoulish actors are there to entertain and terrify you. We are told that ninety percent of the display is new for this year. They boast that last year, 32 visitors cried, nearly as many experienced a loss of bladder control and a couple lost their lunch. To them we say, "Welcome to Belleville, the old Village of Second River. You have surely come to the right place !" We delight in our other-world inhabitants.

Entrance to "The State Scare Factory"

A handome actor from "The State Scare Factory"

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To learn more about "The State Scare Factory", click here.

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Belleville's M56 Tank

There is a new landmark in Belleville. One very much in keeping with our proud and ancient military tradition. The Disabled American Veterans Chapter 22 has acquired an M56 Scorpion U.S. Army tank. The tank will be on permanent display at the DAV headquarters, 612 Mill Street. Mounted on a Belgian block-lined concrete pad, it will serve as a constant reminder of Belleville's commitment to liberty. This particular M56 saw combat service with U.S. forces in the Vietnam War. It was deployed with the 173rd Airborne Brigade. The tank was donated by Picatinny Arsenal.

The M56 Scorpion was an unarmored American self-propelled vehicle, which featured a 90mm M54 gun with a blast shield, and unprotected crew compartment. It was meant to be transported by helicopter or by air drop.

The M56 was manufactured from 1953 to 1959 by the Cadillac Motor Car Division of General Motors for use by US airborne forces. With a crew of four (commander, gunner, loader and driver), the M56 weighed 6.4 tons empty and 7.7 tons combat-loaded. It had infrared driving lights. The M56 was a fully-tracked vehicle with rubber-tired run-flat road wheels and front drive sprocket wheels. It was powered by a Continental A01-403-5 gasoline engine developing 200 horsepower at 3,000 rpm, allowing a maximum road speed of 28 mph. Its fuel tank carried 55 gallons of gasoline giving the tank a maximum range of 140 miles. A good performer, it could navigate through a 48" trench, climb a 60% grade, overcome a 30" vertical obstacle and could ford water 42" deep. It could change direction by pivoting in place.

Creature comforts were non-existent as the vehicle was completely open. The commander sat on top of the radio, and the loader's seat was on top of the right fender stowage box, leaving the gunner and driver as the only crewmen "in" the vehicle. The ammunition rack was located in the lower rear hull, and the loader was provided with a folding platform from which to feed the gun. Twenty-nine rounds of main gun ammunition were carried.

The tank was unloaded and set in place, a task requiring an hour and thirty minutes, to the satisfaction of the DAV members who had come to watch on Thursday, August 12th. This new town landmark, a tribute to veterans and a reminder of the cost of freedom, will be cleaned and painted and a descriptive plaque will be added to complete the display.

A dedication ceremony will be held on September 9th at 11:30 a.m. We will all be glowing with pride each time we drive by and see it standing there.

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Belleville High School Class of 1962 graduates -

A new website / blog has been set up especially for you ! Stop in, enjoy the fun and join the group, your old classmates. Visit us here :

Belleville Class of 1962

Grocery Shopping 1950

Perhaps you are planning a trip to the grocery store today, one of those tasks of adulthood that befalls you since you are too old for your mother to do it for you, which you take in stride since both you and your family require periodic meals. You may do it by rote, by dint of repetition, by the instructions in the weekly sales flyer wherein you are told what the store wants you to buy or perhaps you practice the Zen of Grocery Shopping and seek out the adventure in it.

You are told by promoters of the modern world that your life is so much more convenient than was your mother's or grandmother's because of all the services and consumer products available to you. Well, let's just see if that is true. Let's go on a grocery shopping adventure. Let's challenge the "good old days" and the old fashioned ways that went with them. As you head out for the store, the "Wand of Ancient Days" is waved over you and, suddenly, it is 1950. The SUV you started out in is transformed into a spiffy, new 1950 DeSoto sedan. Better take a tighter grip on that steering wheel, there is no power steering and leave just a bit of extra stopping distance because there are no power brakes, but not to worry, the car is well balanced so you will hardly notice the difference. The good news is that it has an automatic transmission, an AM radio and a heater ! .. forget about air conditioning.

Here is your 1950 DeSoto. Notice the split windshield, wing windows, heavy chrome grill and wide white-wall tires. Neat, huh ??

If you take a moment to glance at the grocery shopping list you prepared, you will see that it has been shortened. There are several reasons for this. Any milk, butter, eggs or other dairy products you needed were already delivered to your front porch early this morning by the O'Dowd's delivery truck. Any bread, rolls, buns, cakes, Danishes or other baked goods you may have wanted are removed from your list because Dugan's bakery truck already delivered those to your door. The Brookdale Soda truck has left you a case of the family's favorite flavored soft drinks, your bleach and detergents have been delivered and you have probably already selected many of the fresh fruits and vegetables you needed from the back of the farmer's market pick-up truck as it came through your neighborhood. Water ?? .. are you serious ?? .. the water supplied by the town is pure and clear. No one buys water at the grocery store ! Another consideration is that your 1950 refrigerator is smaller than your 2010 model and the "freezer" is a very small box, about half the size of one of your vegetable bins. So, you will not be buying large quantities of frozen foods. But not to worry, canned goods, preserves and dried goods are plentiful.

Your 1950 refrigerator was smaller but otherwise not so different from today's. These old units generally remained functional for 30 or more years; .. good stuff !

We are here in the early years of the "Super Market", so you will not have to. although you may still choose to, go to separate stores each for fresh butcher meats, poultry, fish or such farm produce as you could not get off of the back of that truck this morning. There were a lot of choices for Super Market shopping here in Belleville. There were four major chain stores just on Washington Avenue alone including A&P Super Market at 169 Washington Avenue just across from Town Hall, Acme Super Market at 325 Washington Avenue (Walgreen's today), Universal Food Market at 524 Washington Avenue and Food Fair Food Department Store at 554 Washington Avenue with it's magnificent view of the New York skyline from the back of their parking lot.

We will now offer you a tempting array of fine foods from these various stores at prices advertised at the time. But before you fill up your car with tons of these items because of what seems like very low prices, consider that, in 1950, a family income of $100 per week would have been a generous, middle-class income and you really didn't want to spend much more than $25 for the week's groceries. But, not to worry, you will do that easily at these prices.

A closer look at the relative prices may be needed to grasp the real difference. In 1950, a one pound loaf of manufactured white bread cost 14¢. In 2010, that same loaf of bread cost $2.79. It could be reasonably argued that the cost of the bread is the same but the value of the dollar has collapsed. Using the one pound loaf of bread as a measuring stick, your dollar today is worth 5¢ compared to 1950. Expressed in another way, your family income would have to be $2,000 a week to have the same buying power as $100 did in 1950.

Inside the store, the shopping experience was little different than today. The shopping cart was about the same, the store a bit smaller because there were no automotive, hardware or general merchandise aisles. You were not enticed to buy motor oil or beach chairs; the food store sold food. Otherwise, the store was arranged in aisles familiar to the modern shopper. The checkout was similar in appearance but lacked the modern motorized conveyor. The counter onto which you loaded your purchases was most often a smooth sheet of Masonite-like material fitted with a sliding bar and a pulling handle which the clerk used to pull your items closer to himself as he would ring up your order. The phrase "ringing up" your order came into being because a bell would ring when ever the drawer of the cash register would spring open.

We now return you to 2010. That beautiful DeSoto is transformed, wizard-style, back into your SUV which you pull into the parking lot of the Pathmark here in Belleville or perhaps the Stop & Shop in Clifton Commons. As you embark on your grocery shopping ritual, consider .. who really had the better deal, you or your 1950 counterpart ?? No doubt, the answers will vary, but it might be fun to think about it as you push the shopping cart around this week. And, not to worry about spending your dollars, they're only worth a nickel anyway.

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Notable local author Anthony Buccino (left) has just published his latest book:

For more information, visit -

http://www.anthonysworld.com/

The Capitol Theatre

Now Playing

"Flaming Youth"

Staring Colleen Moore

Coming Attractions

The Capitol Theatre, the house of a thousand good feelings, had it's beginnings during a time when Belleville was already a significant center of entertainment. Nearby Hillside Pleasure Park was packing in 500,000 fun-seeking customers a year, as many as 50,000 per weekend. It seemed reasonable to expect that a profitable number of those folks, eager as they were for entertainment, might be enticed to come and see this sensational new form of amusement; the motion picture.

It was on April 17, 1922 when the Capitol Theater opened it's doors for the first time. It was located at 362 Washington Avenue, about 1/2 block South of Joralemon Street. It was built on the steeply sloped East side of the avenue which allowed for a natural downward slope of the aisles and seats. It was a 1,400 seat state-of-the-art motion picture theater, it presented the very best of this exciting and popular new kind of entertainment. Movies, still the silent type, were growing in popularity every day. Movie star magazines, already enormously popular, helped to draw in the crowds. It's success was assured from the outset.

The Alpha theater was still operating farther South on Washington Avenue near Williams Street offering movies, vaudeville and other stage entertainment . The Alpha had been there for years and, although moderately successful, was no match for the Capitol. The Capitol was modern and elegant, a custom designed home for the silver screen.

The excitement would begin as soon as you arrived. The bright lights of the marquee told you that something special was happening here. The fountain of lights at the front was a real attention getter as were the brilliantly colored posters at the entrance. The excitement was building as you approached the ticket booth, coins in hand, ready to pay your admission. You had read about the feature playing today in your favorite movie magazine and you could hardly wait to get inside. The cost was modest. In those early days, matinee tickets for youngsters were 15¢. For adults it was 25¢. Evening shows were 20¢ for youngsters and a hefty 30¢ for adults. (That may sound really cheap, but it wasn't. Take into account that a typical adult paycheck at that time was about $15.00 a week. Those coins were spent only after due consideration. As a youngster, you may have had to do a lot of chores to get them.) You had your tickets in hand and perhaps a couple of friends about you. You would march through the lobby surrounded by richly colored, larger than life images of the movies that would be coming soon. They looked sensational. You might quietly hope that you would have some more coins next week. A collector took your tickets, unlatched a velvet wrapped chain and let you pass. You proceeded through the inner lobby and now faced the most difficult decision of the day. Here was the candy stand ! If you were quite fortunate, you may have still had a couple of coins in your pocket. Oh goodness, what would it be ? There was pop corn, soda pop, Clark Bars, Raisinets, Milk Duds, Good and Plenty, Dots, Sno Caps, Junior Mints, Jujyfruits, Sen-Sen, Turkish Taffy, Mary Janes or Bit O Honey. You must choose wisely because you would be in the theatre for several hours.

Finally you were inside. It made you feel special just to be there. The old Capitol was like a palace. The aisles were cushion carpeted, the seats were comfortable, covered with a dark red velour-like fabric. The art deco designed interior included wall scones to illuminate the side aisles and decorative plaster work highlighted in a brushed gold color. Above was a light-encircled dome and a fine chandelier. Before you was the stage and a great, dark red velvet-like curtain. The old theatre was magnificent.

The show started with cartoons, then a feature movie. Afterwards were the coming attractions, newsreels, short subjects, an episode from a serial such as Ramar of the Jungle or Flash Gordon, and then a second feature movie. You were there for the entire afternoon. You got a lot of entertainment for your coins. It wasn't cheap, but you came away satisfied and looking forward to the next time. There were times when free gifts were given to encourage more frequent patronage. These gifts were usually aimed at the adult patrons; the ladies mostly. Perhaps there would be dinnerware, one piece each time you went, or maybe it would be depression glass. Sometimes an organization in town would host a holiday party with free gifts for the kids.

The wonderful old Capitol Theatre is long gone now, replaced by garden apartments. I can't help but wonder if those apartments are haunted by the laughter of thousands of happy children from days gone by. But the grand old theatre will never be forgotten by anyone who had the good fortune to go there. At least three generations of townsfolk have had very fond memories of the place. Modern movie houses lack the special character of the old Capitol Theatre.

A program from the old theatre has survived. It is dated for the week of December 31, 1923.

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If you graduated from Belleville High in 1962, the Class Reunion Committee wants to hear from YOU. The plans are well under way for our 50 year class reunion and we need to hear from you. Even if you don't think you can attend the reunion, at least let us know you are still alive and kicking (or at least breathing). Sad to say, that's not true of all our classmates. Stop in at the Class Reunion Facebook page, catch up on the news and gossip about your classmates and be counted.

Belleville, NJ Class of 1962 Facebook Reunion Page

Or, email me directly at
secondriver.blog@gmail.com.