Next time you’re in downtown Bernardsville, NJ, take a look at 35 Mill Street. The building was built in 1906 as the new firehouse to replace the old one at 1 Anderson Road (site of the current Bernardsville Library). Frederic P. Olcott (1841-1909), Bernardsville’s great benefactor, donated funds to purchase the land. The real photo postcard (RPPC) shows the firehouse around 1908 with an undeveloped hillside up toward Claremont Road. The building served as firehouse until 1958.
During the 1960s, 70s, and 80s, the Somerset Hills YMCA was based at 35 Mill. Today, the building is home to Summit Rug.
My Grandfather, Joseph Dobbs, was involved with the fire department but I don’t know what years. I wonder if he didn’t build this building, that was his business around that time period. I have a picture of him in what I think is a captain’s uniform.
Hi Doug, In the Somerset Co. Firemen’s Assoc. directory 1937, on page 11 for the Bernardsville Fire Company, Joseph Dobbs is listed under Wardens as Drill Master. Sorry we don’t have other years of the directory.
I’m so pleased you were able to find that, thank you!
Doug