Thanks to Charles Hunt, we have a collection of over 230 images of sites across Hopewell Valley from 2016, plus recollections of them back to 1966. How many of these sites, buildings, and businesses do you remember?
These are from a reunion scrapbook prepared for the Hopewell Valley Central High School Class of 1966 at their 50th reunion in 2016. The scrapbook also includes clippings of ads from 1966 newspapers, recollections from high school days, and discussions of changes to the Valley over the years.
These are organized by four geographic areas in the Valley – Hopewell Township, Pennington, Washington Crossing / Titusville, and Hopewell Borough. The sites within each area are listed in general order along the associated major road (Route 31, Main Street, Route 29, and Broad Street, respectively), with additional excursions to other locations in the areas.
The Scrapbook is archived in three versions:
- Original Scrapbook (PDF) – Scan of the 2016 50th reunion album (93 album pages, with photos, 1966 newspaper ads, and commentary)
- Album Text Extract (PDF) – Text-only version of the album, with addresses and commentary for each site, grouped like the album and generally ordered by address. (14 pages)
- Image Gallery – Photos from the album plus additional related shots, with the file names edited to include the town, address, and description. (233 images)
Introduction to the Scrapbook
This pictorial view of Hopewell Township is an attempt to show just some of the changes that have occurred in the past fifty years. It is far from complete due to the numerous changes and amount of growth that have taken place.
There was a twofold intent to the work. One was for those who have moved away from the township to get a feel for the changes that have taken place. The other intent was to stir up old memories for both those who moved and those who stayed, grown accustomed to the changes and have forgotten how it used to be.
1) Hopewell Township – Route 31 South
The Hopewell Township tour travels south on Route 31 (earlier Route 69). It starts at Route 518 from Hopewell at the northern end of the township, remembering Karen’s at Brookside, Orlando’s, and the Brookside Inn.
Further south at Route 654 / Pennington-Hopewell Road is Pennytown with the Stage Depot and Hiohela. Then closer to Delaware Avenue and Pennington are Karen’s / Cream King, the Straube Center, and the Post Office and Pennington Firehouse before reaching the Pennington Market and Jann’s Sweet Shoppe.
Continuing south to the Pennington Circle there are multiple gas stations and restaurants including the Wayside Inn and Carmine’s Pizza, and then on to the township’s southern border with Ewing Township at I-295.
Sites further afield in the township include Brandon Farms, the Stony Brook Elementary School, Twin Pine Airport, Hunt House and Rosedale Park.
2) Pennington Borough – Main Street North
The Pennington Borough tour travels south on Main Street, starting from North Main at Route 31 with the Public Works and Grain Solos, remembering the Pennington Train Station, Woolsey and Cadwallader Hardware, and Blackwell Chevy.
In the center of town, sites near Delaware Avenue include the Fire Hall / Library, Vito’s Pizza, Post Office, Flynn’s Hardware, and Pennington School. Then along South Main are Dykes Bistro, Jack’s Barber Shop, and Howe Nurseries.
After the Hopewell Valley Regional School District buildings, the tour moves away to the Timberlane Middle School and the Central High School.
3) Washington Crossing / Titusville / Harbourton
The Washington Crossing / Titusville tour starts north from Washington Crossing through Titusville, along the Delaware River on River Road / Route 29.
It begins with the Washington Crossing Park and Delaware and Raritan Canal, plus the former Tally Ho Tavern, and continues past Huber’s / It’s Nutts and Abbott’s / Mid-State up to the Mercer County Correction Center.
Other sites further inland include Howell Farm, Harbourton, Jacob’s Creek Bridge on Bear Tavern Road, Woolsey Park, the Hopewell Township Municipal Building / Hart’s Corner School house, and Capital Health Hopewell.
4) Hopewell Borough – Broad Street
The Hopewell Borough tour travels east on Route 654 / on Pennington-Hopewell Road to West and then East Broad Street.
It starts with the Hopewell Quarry and Charlies Brother restaurant, and continues along West Broad Street past Andy’s Amoco and Rorer Hardware to the Hopewell Pharmacy.
The path continues down East Broad Street, recalling the National Bank, Stults Vet, the Museum, Sunoco station, Broad St. Garage, Malek Chevrolet, and Masonic Temple.
Other local sites include the Hopewell Borough Park, Railroad Avenue with Chubby’s and Rockwell, and then further out to the Watershed and Squibb.
Thanks again to Charles Hunt for doing this amazing project for the HVCHS Class of 1966’s 50th reunion – and for sharing it on the History Project for us all to enjoy.
View the scrapbook, the text commentary, and the photos:
- Original Scrapbook (PDF) – Scan of the 2016 50th reunion album, with photos, 1966 newspaper ads, and commentary
- Album Text Extract (PDF) – Text-only version of the album, with addresses and commentary for each site
- Image Gallery – Photos from the album, plus additional related shots, grouped by town and ordered by address as in the album
Please contact us if you have photos or other materials to share on the history of the Hopewell Valley
