An early 20th century photo shows the old Bedminster, NJ, post office that stood at the corner of Main Street and Somerville Road (Route 202). According to historian Prich Matthews, the post office occupied the west (right) side and the poor house, the east side. The structure was demolished in the 1920s (Matthews, Bedminster Township,
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This old postcard from the Society’s archives tells a great story–more like three stories. Back in 1906, someone named Mattie (probably Martha E. Boyle Fenner of Peapack) decided to write to her sister Mrs. Philip Koechlein (Floretta Boyle Koechlein, 1877-1966) in Liberty Corner where the Koechlein family later operated a store. Click on the photo
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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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