By JOE HARGESHEIMER
Special to the Gloucester City News
Well it is time for the Gloucester City History in Photos Place of the Month for September, and this time I have picked the William J. Thompson mansion that was built in the 1880s and stood at the foot of Cumberland Street and the Delaware River.
For my money, this was the grandest home that ever stood in Gloucester City, and it should still be standing. Instead it was torn down by the federal government in 1949. It actually stood right in front of the old Coast Guard Building.
Thompson, aka “The Duke of Gloucester” and his family lived in this beautiful home until the Duke died in 1911, and shortly afterwards it was sold.
The young people in the photo are members of the Gloucester City High School Class of 1924, who decided to have their class photo taken in front of the house.
And, of course, there is also the ornament that was offered for sale a few years ago that was painted by Gloucester City artist Amy Williams D’Apice.
It is very sad that our city has lost so many grand structures that should have been saved. I think in years past, very little thought was put into saving lovely structures like this.
Just imagine if this piece of history was still standing on the Gloucester City waterfront. Anyway, at least we still have photos of what once was.
