Trenton (New Jersey)

Trenton was settled at the head of navigation on the Delaware River by Friends in 1679. It was originally called the Falls, but later its name was changed to Stacy's Mills and finally Trenton. During the American Revolution, Trenton was the scene of a battle when Washington crossed the ice-clogged Delaware River on 25 December 1776 and surprised and captured 918 Hessians the following day.

The Americans, avoiding a British relief force led by Cornwallis, then struck at Princeton. A 47 m (155 feet) tall granite monument, which is topped by a statue of Washington, commemorates the battle. The place where the Americans crossed the Delaware River is marked in a state park. Trenton has been the state capital of New Jersey since 1790.

Trenton grew as a commercial center and became the site of many industries, including the famous Roebling Works, where wire rope was manufactured. The works was established in 1848. The city's pottery industry dates from Colonial times. Other leading manufactures are rubber goods, textiles, plastics and a great variety of metal products. Trenton's population, as well as its industrial production, has steadily declined since 1970. In the 1980's, suburban development occurred especially to the city's northeast.

There are various interesting sights in Trenton. The golden-domed capitol dates from 1792. It has been remodeled and enlarged several times since. The capitol annex was built in 1931 and the World War I memorial building in 1932. The state cultural center includes a museum, a planetarium and the state library. The old barracks were built in 1758 and have been restored as a museum. Trenton's oldest standing building is the William Trent House. It dates from 1719 and has been converted into a museum. The explorer Zebulon Pike was born in Lamberton, which is now part of Trenton. Trenton State College, Rider College and various state institutions are located in the city.

Points of interest

The Adams and Sickles Building was constructed in 1900. It is one of the lanmarks of the West End neighborhood and it is remembered for its corner druggist and soda fountain.
In 1923, a brick auditorium was built in 40 Fowler Street. 5 years later, the 2-storey Colonial Revival Carver Center was built there and connected to the auditorium. The brick buildings were funded by the local Sunlight Elks Lodge and they were then known as the Sunlight Elks Lodge. Later, the building was renamed to commemorate African-American agricultural scientist and inventor George Washington Carver.
The Italianate Mansion House is also known as Ellarslie and the McCall House. The building dates from 1848 and it has housed the Trenton City Museum since 1978. It is located in Cadwalader Park.
New Jersey State House is the capitol building of the U.S. state of New Jersey. It was originally built in 1792. The building was enlarged and reconstructed in 1845, 1865 and 1871.
New Jersey State Library was established in 1796. It serves as a central resource for libraries across New Jersey and also serves the state legislature and government.
New Jersey State Museum has exhibits of natural history specimens, archaeological and ethnographic artefacts, as well as cultural history and fine art items. It is located in 195-205 West State Street.
The Old Barracks were built in 1758, to house soldiers. It was converted into a museum in 1914.
The historic Old Masonic Temple dates from 1793. It was built at the corner of Front and Willow (or Barrack) streets, not far from the New Jersey State House and across the street from the Old Barracks. In 1915, the original building that stood there was moved half a block south to 102 Barrack Street. The Old Masonic Temple has served as a Masonic Lodge, a school, a shop and a museum. Currently it houses a tourist information center.
The Trenton Battle Monument was erected to commemorate the Continental Army's victory in the battle o f Trenton, during the war of independence in 1776. The monument consists of a column withy a statue of George Washington at its top. It is 45 m (148 ft) high and features a viewing platform at the top.
Trenton City Hall is a white marble building that dates from 1907.
Trenton City Museum has been housed in the Italianate-style Mansion House since 1978. The museum focuses on Trenton's history and has exhibitions of decorative and fine arts.
The Trenton Friends Burying Ground is a cemetery, where several prominent national and state politicians were buried. It is adjacent to the Trenton Friends Meeting House.
The Trenton Friends Meeting House is a historic Quaker meeting house that was built in 1739. The British Dragoons used it as their base in 1776 and during the Revolutionary War, it was occupied by the Continental Army. It is located in 142 E. Hanover Street.
In 1930, the Trenton War Memorial was erected to commemorate the WWI victims from Mercer County. It is officially called Trenton and Mercer County War Memorial-Soldiers' and Sailors' Memorial Building and it includes a 1,800-seat theater.
William Trent House was built in 1719 by trader, merchant and founder of Trenton William Trent, making it the oldest extant building in Trenton. During the 1740s, 1830s and 1850s, the building was the official residence of the governor. William Trent House is located in 15 Market Street.

There are numerous hotels and restaurants in Trenton. The city is situated between Philadelphia and New York City, making it an important transportation hub. Trenton is in the west of New Jersey, 250 km northeast of Washington D.C. Togther with Pinceton, it is part of the Trenton-Princeton metropolitan area.

Trenton (New Jersey)

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