For the past few years, I’ve begun the column year with a “quiz” in January, which I’ve been told people enjoy it (and it makes researching and preparing the column in busy December that much less time-consuming!).
Therefore, I’ll start 2019 off with some questions from material from 2018’s columns. If you read the columns, let’s see what you remember —just for fun! I promise no grading! (And the answers are below).
February: What Ewing church congregation celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2018? Hint: It evolved from the former Birmingham Sunday School.
March: Another 100 year anniversary was noted in my March column this past year, but this one was unfortunately dark and tragic, and recognized a global event that especially impacted young adults. What event that marked its 100 year point this year did the column describe?
April: Many believe one of the finest sportscars ever built was a model produced in the early 1910s here in Mercer County. What were the names of the company that produced the car, and the model of the car?
May: The Ewing Church Cemetery dates back to 1709, and is the final resting place for nearly 40 veterans of the Revolutionary War. What type of soldier is the vast majority of those veterans: one from Washington’s Continental Army, or one from a local militia group?
June: The column began a virtual “journey” to Ewingville in 2018. Settlement of the Ewingville area began in the 1700s, and the Ewingville area was then known by the name of the tavern located at the crossroads of today’s Pennington Road and Ewingville Road. What was that name?
July: What is the name of the Founding Father and NJ signer of the Declaration of Independence from right here in the Ewing/Hopewell area?
August: Ewingville was the location of a popular activity in rural areas of the country in the late 1800s, to which people came from miles around – by wagon or trolley – to watch. What activity was held there?
September: In the early 1920s, a tract of land which included the location of the “August activity” (above) was purchased by this gentleman. A local inventor and businessman, he was a very successful entrepreneur who developed the field of commercial refrigeration. What was his name?
October: The same inventor and businessman moved to Ewingville, and created a popular “resort” destination, with water and leisure activities, and dining and dancing. What was the name of the restaurant/destination?
November: Eventually the resort closed, and the land was purchased by the State for yet another purpose. What was constructed there?
December: The “namesakes” mentioned in the December column memorialize people who contributed to education in New Jersey in significant ways. Their names are found where?
Now, onward to 2019! I plan to continue “wandering around” Ewingville. If you have a story to tell, or some history or photos to share, about the Ewingville section of Ewing, please consider sharing them with me and this column’s readers.
To do so, please email me at ewingthenandnow@gmail.com.
In the meantime, here’s wishing you all a happy, healthy and historic 2019!
Answers:
February: The West Trenton Presbyterian Church
March: The 1918 Flu Pandemic
April: Mercer Automobile Company, and the Mercer Raceabout
May: one from a local militia (primarily the Hunterdon Militia)
June: Cross Keys
July: John Hart
August: horse (harness) racing at the Ewingville Driving Park
September: Clement V. Hill
October: Hillwood Inn
November: The New Jersey State Teacher’s College at Trenton
December: On buildings on the campus of The College of New Jersey
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