Here are three “mystery” photos – We know generally what they are but not specifics of the dates or people or the event that the photo is depicting.
These include a Hopewell Baseball team, probably from the 1940s, a group photo at the Hopewell Fire Department, perhaps 1940s, and the Hopewell Fire Department Carnival, also probably from the mid-1930s.
So can you help us figure these out?
Baseball Team
This photo shows a baseball team, clearly in Hopewell uniforms. Can anyone identify this scene and these people? The men are teenagers and older. The patch on the side of the shirt reads “H A / Co / S M” – Does anyone understand this?
We have some photos of Hopewell baseball team that we can use try to match the design of the uniforms, and we actually have 1940s videos of games being played around Memorial Day.
Baseball was restarted in Hopewell in 1946 with the end of World War II.
The games then were played on the Hart Ave. field, which was located on the south side of Hart Ave. next to the railroad tracks, between the current Newell Place and Pierson Place. Home plate was at the southwest corner of the field, with the first base line running parallel to the railroad tracks. There also was a town baseball field on Princeton Avenue next to the current Hopewell Elementary School.
This new picture does not show a baseball field, and the background does not show the railroad tracks (with Model Avenue behind) or the buildings on Hart Avenue, so the point of view may be looking in a different direction, or the scene may be somewhere else. Does anyone recognize the building in the background?
The look of the players does suggest this photos is from the 1930-40s, and the back has a name and address of Wally E. Breese, who also fits into that time frame.
Hopewell Fire Department
This photo shows a group photo at the former Borough Hall building at 4-6 Columbia Ave., facing the Hopewell Fire Department side along South Greenwood (before the current addition for fire truck bays).
But who are these people, what are the uniforms and flags, and what event might this have been with all the flowers?
The second photo shows a similar view for a major 1948 event, the donation of a new pumper truck for the department. The patriotic bunting is similar, but the Fire Department sign above the bays is different.
Can someone explain the group photo, and date it?
Fire Department Carnival
The third photo is of the Hopewell Fire Department Carnival, that ran from 1911 to 1953 and was held in the 1930s on the north side of West Broad Street, on the grounds to the west of the current Old Glory Detailing, between Eaton Place and the entrance to Taylor Terrace.
We have postcards showing the 1937/1938 “Rainbow” Carnival and the 1939 “Ice” Carnival, but these are daytime views showing the set up, but with no people or activity. These photos show the carnival grounds with the hills of the Sourlands rising behind. The carnival grounds featured a raised dance floor in the center, lighted banners on posts, surrounding booths, and, sometimes, a Ferris wheel.
This new photo shows the carnival in the early evening, with the lighting on and people actively on the grounds.
Unfortunately, we cannot date this image. The theme seems to be the large lighthouse in the back, but there are no known newspaper references to such a carnival. However, the general layout and design is similar to the other carnivals. Since we have views of 1937/1938 and 1939, and World War II started in 1939 and did interrupt the carnivals, we can guess this carnival was earlier, around 1935. The row of cars in the back also seem to match this timeline.
Any other thoughts on this carnival photo?
We welcome further thoughts on these images, as well as additional information and images related to local fire departments, baseball teams, and carnivals.
