The City of Trenton has few thoroughfares with a history dating back to Colonial times except for Mulberry Street. From its inception in 1758 when Mulberry Street was a four-rod road, running from Sammuel Henry's mills on the Assunpink Creek to Maidenhead Road, now Brunswick Avenue.
In these days of growth, many years before it was a town thoroughfare, it figured in the annals of the early township and was a significant factor in the growth of the settlement of Millham.
Mulberry Street was the main thoroughfare upon which the farmers of Upper Maidenhead (known as Lawrence Township)carted grain to the Assunpink grist Mills which grew to be a center of trade and the beginning of a flourishing hamlet. Here too was a fording place in the creek - a spot noted for its scenic beauty.
Known for years as Mill Lane and at times called Thompson's Lane. Mulberry Street took its name from the trees that once lined its course. The trees were planted by John Dickinson for silk worms to feed upon as an endeavor to introduce the silk culture as a local enterprise in the late thirties and forties.
Mr. Dickinson by the way resided in an old stone mansion at the corner of North Clinton and Girard Avenues, today known as the Free Public Library. So when it comes to Historical value it is plain that Mulberry Street played a major role in the development of the City of Trenton. Not only in history but in the very struggle for Independence in the American Revolution.
The Assunpink creek and Mulberry Street provided cover for the Continental Soldiers making there way from the Delaware River up to surprise attack British troops in Battle of Trenton, that happened at what is known today as Princeton Battle Field. Where under the leadership of General Howe defeated British regulars preparing to march upon Trenton.
It is heart sickening to realize as we approach the new millennium that owner/occupants of Mulberry Street. Face yet another tyranny, only this one comes from the very government those brave, stout hearted men fought for.
The tyranny of the failure of local government to step up and fight for the owner/occupants. Instead they cite hollow words like "open market value", and claim because of State and Federal guidelines their hands are tied. Yet these very same officials through the years told the owner/occupants upon every flood issue. That meaningful flood control was forth coming.
We the owner/occupants persevered in the same spirit and strength as a Continental Soldier held on to a dream of a government of the people, for the people and by the people. Instead owner/occupants are now confronted with a government of ineffective bureaucracy, for politicians and their political advancement, by special interest business groups.
A sad statement of what City government has evolved into since its inception. Placed into public trust by the very people they intend to victimize. By their failure to address a wrong that has been perpetrated by a bureaucracy that benefits business interests while neglecting the rights of its citizenry.
