South Trenton, New Jersey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
South Trenton
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Second Street in South Trenton
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 South Trenton
Location in Mercer County, New Jersey
South Trenton
Location in New Jersey
South Trenton
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  New Jersey |
| County | Mercer |
| City | Trenton |
South Trenton is a lively neighborhood located in the city of Trenton. It's found in Mercer County, in the state of New Jersey. This area is known for its diverse community. Many families with Italian, Latin American, and Irish roots live here. South Trenton is next to Hamilton Township and the Delaware River. For a short time, from 1840 to 1851, South Trenton was its own separate town.
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A Look Back: South Trenton's History
South Trenton officially became a "borough" (a small town) on February 28, 1840. This happened through a special law passed by the New Jersey Legislature. It was created from parts of Nottingham Township. Later, on April 14, 1851, South Trenton joined Trenton and became part of the larger city.
In 1828, the area south of the Assunpink Creek was part of Nottingham Township. Trenton was considered the area north of the creek. In 1842, Nottingham Township was divided. The new part became known as Hamilton Township.
A famous engineer named John A. Roebling moved to Trenton around 1848. He bought land in South Trenton to build his wire factory. This factory later became very important. In 1851, areas like Mill Hill and Bloomsbury also became part of Trenton. Mill Hill was one of the first places in Trenton to have factories. Many working-class families lived there.
People and Culture in South Trenton
South Trenton is home to the famous Chambersburg neighborhood. People often call it "The 'Burg'." This area has welcomed many immigrants over the years. People from Poland, Slovakia, Ireland, Hungary, Ukraine, and Germany once settled here. Over time, many Italian immigrants and their families moved in. Chambersburg became well-known for its large Italian-American population.
The neighborhood is also famous for its many Italian restaurants. It's often called Trenton's "Restaurant District." Chambersburg also hosts a special annual event. It's called the Feast of Madonna, or the Feast of Lights. This celebration shows off the area's rich cultural and religious history.
In recent years, more and more people from Latin America have moved to South Trenton. Many new residents are from Puerto Rico. You can still find large groups of Puerto Ricans living here. More recently, immigrants from Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Ecuador have also joined the community. They have opened new shops and businesses. Today, South Broad Street in South Trenton has Trenton's largest Latino population.
Famous Places in South Trenton
South Trenton has many important and interesting places. Let's explore some of them!
Historic Buildings and Parks
The First Baptist Church of Trenton is a historic building. It was founded in 1805. You can find it at the corner of Centre and Bridge Street.
Arm & Hammer Park is a popular baseball stadium. It's located at the end of Cass Street. This street is even nicknamed "Thunder Road"! The stadium is home to the Trenton Thunder. They are a minor league baseball team. Many famous players have played here, including Derek Jeter and Roger Clemens.
The New Jersey State Prison (NJSP) is also in South Trenton. It's mainly located along 2nd Street. There's even a cool mural dedicated to the Trenton Thunder on its side.
The Roebling Machine Shop is the oldest building in the Roebling complex. It's now a museum space. This building is part of the history of John A. Roebling's wire plant.
Entertainment and Food
The Sun National Bank Center (now called the CURE Insurance Arena) was built in 1999. It hosts many events every year. You can see hockey games, music concerts, and even job fairs there. It's also famous for hosting the PrimeTime Shootout. This event showcases some of the best high school basketball players. In 2003, LeBron James played his highest-scoring high school game here! The arena is at the corner of South Broad Street and Hamilton Avenue.
Another very famous place in South Trenton is the Italian Peoples Bakery. People call it the "Pride of Chambersburg." It has been serving delicious bread and Italian baked goods for over 80 years! The same family that started the business in 1936 still owns and runs it today. Their main location is in the heart of Chambersburg, on Butler Street. It's near the Roman Hall and St. Joachim's Catholic Church.
