Playing pool at Sam's in 1939, Trenton, New Jersey


It's 1939, and I'm walking over to Sam's Pool Hall at Willow and Spring Streets in Trenton, New Jersey. This image is from the Duke University site, which focuses on historic advertising, but I'm just interested in time-traveling. Today I'm going to be "New Jersey Slim." That's me there in the vest. No, that's not my car. Maybe someday!

Since this is an imaginary story, I'm just a poor boy from Mississippi who is trying to make his way. My pappy taught me how to play pool, and he also taught me not to stay in one town for too long. I'm not a hustler, but I make my way with my cue, and I'm good. Real good.


By the way, just for the record, we're looking north on Willow. Everything has changed nowadays, of course, but that wall over there on the right is still there. Wow, look at those cars!


Where was I? Oh yeah, heading over to Sam's. Looks like there might be rooms to rent above the pool hall. I'll ask while I'm in there. I'm a black man, so they might not rent to me, but you never know. I wonder what Zentner's was? Looks like a ghost sign from days past.


I'm so tired of roaming. Trenton looks like a nice town, I'd like to settle here. Maybe it's time for me to put away the cue and find something else. In the meantime, I'm hungry, so wish me luck!


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