This red and white pennant from Maple Avenue School in Basking Ridge dates probably to 1948-1969. Maple Avenue School, also known as Basking Ridge School, was built in 1903 to replace the Brick Academy and Franklin Corners School. In 1939, it was closed after the new Oak Street School was built. Bernards Township planned
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Meeker Road is generally straight, running from Route 202 in Bernardsville to Whitenack Road in Bernards Township, but the story of the street’s name took some twists and turns. The Simpson family lived on the road in the 1850s and at some point it was called Saunders Road, apparently after another family. In 1872, Stephen
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Have you found yourself, parents, or grandparents on the 1950 U.S. Census? The National Archives made this census public on April 1, 2022, and you can search for people by name after registering for a free ID at: https://www.familysearch.org/1950census/. The 1950 Census provides a wealth of information on individuals—famous and not-so-famous—and the neighborhoods they lived
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Often, Christmas cards are discarded after the holidays, but this classic from the THSSH Archives contains many clues to local history. The card was sent to Madeline Koechlein (c.1905-1991) of Liberty Corner, NJ, by her Aunt Mattie (probably Martha E. Boyle Fenner of Peapack). Although not postmarked, the card probably dates to around 1910. The
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Everyone knows General Charles Lee was captured in Basking Ridge during the Revolutionary War, but who was his second in command? In 1776, American General Charles Lee was taking his time moving his division across New Jersey to join the main army of George Washington, who he resented serving under. Lee stayed too long at
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If your bicycle broke down in Basking Ridge or Bernardsville in the 1960s, you would patch it together as best you could and pedal over to Whitenack Road. There Alan H. Jaquish (1925-2008) had a barn full of recycled bicycles and parts. Usually, he had the part you needed. During the 1970s, Jaquish went on
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Lurline Drive was accepted as a street by Bernards Township in 1962 and is a lasting memorial to Lurline Eberhardt (1925-1948), a young equestrian who tragically lost her life. Lurline was the daughter of Paul W. Eberhardt and Lurline Belk. Her father was a vice president of Walter Kidde & Co., which manufactured fire extinguishers,
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This Post Office postcard encouraging the use of the 07920 (Basking Ridge) ZIP code is a recent addition to the Historical Society’s archives at the Brick Academy. A gift from Barbara Perkins, the card features “Mr. ZIP” and was found in a house on North Alward Avenue. ZIP stands for the “Zone Improvement Plan,” which
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In 1932, Somerset Hills Airport was dedicated, and a commemorative envelope marked the occasion. Postmarked in Basking Ridge, NJ, it went airmail of course! The airport was located on the east side of South Maple Avenue at the corner of Lord Stirling Road. The facility was built on the former Walter E. Fenner (1885-1965) property.
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In the early years of the 20th century, mail was delivered in Basking Ridge by horse and cart. The inscription reads “ ‘Martha Bell’ after 6 years service on Route 1, Basking Ridge, NJ” (Nettie Allen Collection). The post office started experimenting with Rural Free Delivery (RFD) in the late 19th century and expanded it
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