A Period Of Depression

A Period of Depression

1930s To 1940s

As the country slumped into a widespread economic depression, many businesses and banks failed or struggled to stay in operation. Many homeowners lost their jobs, forcing them to default on mortgage payments and taxes. Local governments felt the financial impact of these circumstances.

In the 1930s and early 1940s the Borough was compelled to foreclose on numerous pieces of property because of non-payment of taxes. In an effort to raise revenue to meet borough expenses, some of this land was rented, while other properties were sold at below-value prices to buyers with ready cash. Fifteen or twenty new homes were built in the town from 1930-1940 and the population rose slightly from 2,252 to 2,329.

Despite the otherwise gloomy atmosphere, life in Barrington was not without its exciting moments during the Depression. One such moment occurred on Christmas Day of 1931, when Santa Claus rode the fire truck and gave out almost 700 boxes of candy to the town's children. The cost to the Fire Department during these years was about $25 to $35, and was such an enjoyable event that the tradition has continued.

During these grim times the Fire Company sought for ways to earn money to buy much needed fire equipment. The firemen, among them Bill and Harold Houck and Gene Schmidt, thought a carnival would solve the need for money. For three days during the fall harvest time, the firemen ran a carnival in the vicinity of the fire hall. Residents donated produce from the fall harvest for prizes, along with groceries and various other items. Most were won playing the usual chance wheel, but many patrons preferred the more exciting "mouse game." This consisted of a platform about 4 feet high and about 5 feet square with glass sides about 12 inches high. Around the inside perimeter of the glass were small holes numbered to match the numbers at a counter board where the players stood and covered their desired number. A mouse held under a cubicle was released. The mouse would run around to inspect various holes or might run to one and dive down. In the meantime, the players participated by shouting in an effort to try to scare the mouse either toward or away from a particular hole. When the mouse had selected a hole to disappear in, a cover was slipped over the cubicle after which it was placed in the center of the platform to start play again. Occasionally an accident occurred and the live mouse suddenly escaped into the mixed crowd, spelling wild excitement among the females. It was then necessary to draw on the surplus mouse supply, caught before carnival time, in order to stay in business.

Another entertaining carnival attraction was a dunking device designed by a local blacksmith. A hinge was mounted on a pole with a seat and target-tripping device. When a thrown ball hit the target, the person on the seat would be dunked into a tank below. Business was induced by the seated one's daring the crowd to drop him into the tank. When the evening turned cold, it was necessary to keep the moneymaker victim warm by offering him an appropriate "anti-freeze."

Funds raised at the carnival and through the collection and sale of junk and papers resulted in the purchase of a 1937 Peter Pirsch 500 gallon per minute pumper and ladder truck.

No less exciting were some of the police-related events. December 3, 1931, became a memorable date when the Suburban Commercial Bank, on the southwest corner of Reading and Barrington avenues, was held up and robbed of $10,000. Two armed men entered the bank shortly after noon and forced cashier Frank Adams to lie on the floor, where he was able to sound the burglar alarm as the men escaped. The escape route was over Clements Bridge Road, right on Lawrence Avenue, left on Trenton Avenue and then right on Gloucester Pike. A large part of the hold-up money was found under and in a roller skating rink close to Blackwood Lake. Arrests followed, and within a week all of the money except $100 was recovered.

In the early 1930s, manually operated traffic lights were installed at the intersection of White Horse Pike and Clements Bridge Road. At first they were operated from a pole on the corner. Later a ground level booth was constructed followed by an elevated booth for easier traffic control. This was a major advance which eliminated what had been a serious problem. Until then, an officer had been stationed in the middle of the intersection with his manually controlled traffic sign, making him a vulnerable target for any errant driver. With the roadway only two lanes wide, and sophisticated car brakes not yet developed, there were innumerable rear-end collisions. Apparently the traffic problems were such an entertaining spectacle that it became a weekend event for the townspeople to gather and observe Sunday evening drivers returning to Philadelphia.

To assist the faithful unpaid special officers, Council appointed a full-time special officer at $28 per week. He, like some of the other special officers, was an appointed constable and was on call twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. A further step forward for police protection occurred when the Borough adopted an Ordinance in 1937 establishing an official police department. A full-time patrolman was hired to assist the appointed Chief. Unfortunately, as the result of a morals scandal within the department, another ordinance was adopted in 1939 disbanding the department.

The public safety of the town reverted to twenty special officers, who worked two at a time patrolling in the single police car. In the absence of radio communication, a designated police recorder would leave a burning light indicating that the patrolling officers were to stop for a message. Later a mobile telephone was installed in the police car and calls could be received through the Bellmawr Police Department. When the shift ended, all pertinent information was recorded in the notebook kept in the car and the officers would leave their revolvers for the next pair reporting for duty.

Next.. Barrington in the 1940s and 50s

Train Pulling into Barrington Station circa 1914

First Post Office at 111 Clements Bridge Road

Luke Page's General Store at the Corner of Reading and Barrington Avenues

Early Railroad Station and Trolley Car