New Jersey

First settled nearly a century before the American Revolution by ten Dutch families, this Ramapo Mountain community has a rich heritage that includes the founding of the Ponds Dutch Reformed Church in 1710, George Washington's visit to the Van Allen House in 1777, and the establishment of the borough of Oakland in 1902.

Around and About Basking Ridge, Liberty Corner, and Lyons documents the history of these communities who played pivotal roles in our nation's beginnings.

Basking Ridge, Liberty Corner, and Lyons form the nucleus of Bernards Township, a region with a history as fascinating as it is long. Originally chartered in 1760 by King George II, the area figured prominently in the American Revolution: Lafayette's troops were quartered here; General Lee was arrested at Widow White's Tavern; and General Washington visited Lord Stirling's estate. After the Civil War tourism and other industries flourished, and the arrival of the railroad in 1872 brought further economic boom to the area. The mid-nineteenth century also brought exciting developments in the art of photography, and the camera has since been used as a tool of both discovery and preservation in the three villages.

A bucolic borough centered between two rivers and a broad boulevard, Rumson evokes the legendary Rumson Road, which by 1890 was one of the nation's most famed country drives.

Life between the Navesink and Shrewsbury Rivers is documented here in fascinating detail, both on Rumson Road and in Rumson's local villages.

Originally sought out by city dwellers as a refuge from the tribulations of urban life, Summit developed from a bucolic rural spot in 1836 to a fully established suburb by 1940. The town's growth was intrinsically tied to the development of the railroad and the convenience of the commute it offered to nearby New York City. The houses constructed during these years reflected their owner's wealth, social standing, and aesthetic sensibilities, and exemplified the trends of their times. Some of these houses served as summer residences; others as primary dwellings. Some were designed by well-known architects; others by local talent. Many of these residences are still standing, although some have been altered or even demolished to suit modern lifestyles. Today, many Summit residents still commute to New York. Summit Historic Homes tells the story of Summit's early development by focusing on the expansion of the railroad and the houses built by the city dwellers who moved here as a result.

With this volume, spanning a period from the late 1800s to the early 1970s, readers will meet the town's founding fathers, explore old dirt pathways that are today's tree-lined streets, and view the original structures of the village. Included are exciting and unexpected photographs of local research and experiments, such as hovercraft, a fusion plant, and a nuclear reactor; the famous Walker-Gordon Dairy; and the Rotolactor, a giant merry-go-round that could milk fifty cows at a time. Also featured is Plainsboro's most famous citizen, the very first Elsie the Cow, who lived at the Walker-Gordon farm. Plainsboro captures the town's history from its early, unassuming potato farms to the astounding government research conducted here just decades ago.

Middlesex Borough explores this town's unique history from its incorporation in 1913 to the mid-1900s with vintage photographs and fascinating text. During the presidency of Woodrow Wilson, residents of the westerly portion of Piscataway Township, at the urging of George Harris, decided to secede from Piscataway and form an independent town. The newly created Middlesex Borough consisted of large farms owned by the Stout, Reidy, Conover, Giles, Guernsey, and Harris families, with clusters of small homes bordering them. The Central Railroad of New Jersey passed through the town, bringing new residents to Middlesex from New York City and fostering the development of small factories and workers' houses in the Lincoln section, the housing developments of Pierce Estates and Dewey Park, and, later, the spacious homes and properties in the Beechwood Heights section of the borough.

Early in the twentieth century, Nutley was the home of many prominent writers and artists. Mark Twain visited often to confer with his magazine editor. On one of her many visits, sharpshooter Annie Oakley was so taken by this warm community that she and her husband, Frank Butler, bought property on Grant Avenue, built a house, and lived here for several years. With its proximity to New York City and its many acres of picturesque parkland, the town grew rapidly and was soon transformed by the laying of trolley tracks along Franklin Avenue, the relocation of the business district, and the subdivision of large estates, necessary to house the growing population. Through all of this change, however, Nutley maintained its quaint small-town atmosphere and never lost sight of the need to preserve its sense of community and history.

Experience Spotswood through a century's worth of photographs and stories about this small New Jersey borough.

From a summer resort area to a thriving World War II-era commercial center and finally to the modern bedroom community that it is today, Images of America: Spotswoodis an essential collection of the history of a small New Jersey community. Included are images of historic tobacco mills and the 1890s Carriage House, which still stands today. Vintage photographs of early townspeople and industries are seen, along with the borough's first school--a 1901 four-room building that became the Margaretta M. Birchall School, which closed its doors in 1979.

Illustrated with nearly 200 historic images, the pivotal birth of diesel dominance and New Jersey's critical role is documented and investigated.

At the end of World War II, the nation's railroads were eager to replace their abundance of war-weary steam locomotives with sleek new diesel engines. From Cape May to Bayonne, New Jersey's tracks were soon humming with diesels while the old steamers were nudged onto the scrap tracks of the Central New Jersey, the Erie, and the New York, Susquehanna & Western Railroads, among others. Powering a commuter train to Dover or a sand train to Millville's Wheaton glass plant, the diesels instantly proved their worth, praised by railroad employees for their ease of running and maintenance. In an era when most clothes were dried outside, the public accepted the new lack of trackside coal ash with gusto. Steam to Diesel in New Jersey presents the mixed era of late-steam and early-diesel power on the big and small railroads of New Jersey, from the mid-1940s to the end of the 1950s. From the Baldwins to the Alcos, the steam-spewing Behemoths to the smooth-running RS series, this engaging collection of vintage photographs remembers a time filled with wonder and change. With nearly two hundred images, Steam to Diesel in New Jersey showcases the departing steam engines and the emerging diesels that ushered in a new period of railroad history.

Seton Hall Basketball: The story of how a sport grew in popularity and led to major success for this New Jersey institution.

Seton Hall Pirates: A Basketball History explores the emerging popularity of hoop action within the context of school history and development of the game at large. The hard-court history found at Seton Hall University as the program nears its 100th year of competition is a story highlighted by a host of top-notch players, brilliant coaches and memorable victories. Seton Hall Pirates: A Basketball History reflects on a sport that celebrates athletic prowess, school spirit, and spectator appreciation as it relates to the dramatic and colorful drama that is Pirate basketball.

Basketball began at Seton Hall in 1903, and success with the round ball soon followed for the white and blue. From Alumni Hall to the Meadowlands Arena, the tradition is alive in the memory of winning seasons under Frank Hill along with immortal squads including the "Wonder Five" of John "Honey" Russell in 1941, the National Invitation Tournament champions of 1953 and the 1989 Final Four contingent led by P.J. Carlesimo, which came within one game of winning a national title. The talents of such legendary figures as Bob Davies, Walter Dukes, Richie Regan, Nick Werkman, Terry Dehere, and several other performers and personalities who represented "Old Setonia" through the ages are also captured within this volume.

This evolution of Madison is chronicled in this exciting new pictorial history through the presentation of vintage images and informative caption text.

The Borough of Madison, New Jersey, known as BottleHill until 1834, was first settled in the middle of the eighteenth century. Its historical significance, now often forgotten by its cosmopolitan population, includes a railroad heritage dating to 1837, commuter traditions that began with the railroad's arrival, the founding of Drew University in 1866, the development of fabled millionaire estates that have largely disappeared, and the location of a nationally known rose-growing industry that is now gone. Even as it attracted a number of very wealthy estate owners, Madison also became home to a richly diverse ethnic population that came to work in the palatial homes and in the huge rose-growing greenhouses found nearly everywhere in the borough. This evolution of Madison is chronicled in this exciting new pictorial history through the presentation of vintage images and informative caption text.

Celebrate the rich history with images of the people, the events, and the campus that have defined Seton Hall over nearly 150 years.

Seton Hall College opened its doors in 1856 in Madison, New Jersey, with an entire student body of five young men. Since then, it has grown to become a major Catholic university, focusing on academic excellence and ethical development. Named for St. Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton and founded by her nephew, the Rt. Rev. James Roosevelt Bayley, the history of Seton Hall has been a mirror of American history from its earliest days. Enrollment went down after the Civil War, and in the 1940s and early '50s, nine out of ten students were World War II veterans. During the 1960s, the school eased into coeducation and the 1970s brought important cultural growth to the campus.

Take a fascinating journey through the history of the City of Championswith more than 200 vintage photographs.

Garfield was once home to the Lenni Lenape, a tribe within the Algonquin Nation of Native Americans. Later, the Revolutionary Wartouched the area when many British soldiers entered the district in pursuit of Washington's army.

After the war, farmers prospered as the fertile land of the river valley produced abundant crops that were shipped down the Passaic Riverto markets in New York City. In the late 1800s, as cities lying across the river industrialized, Garfield's farms gave way to mills, a trolley and railroads built lines through town, and soon the soaring population attracted a variety of small businesses.

In Garfieldincludes many never before published photographs that reveal the nature, culture, and character of the community. Included are views of the local schools, churches, markets, and police and fire departments, as well as many interesting local residents.

Take a fascinating journey through the history of Ewing Township, New Jersey with more than 200 vintage photographs and anecdotes from the locals who experienced it.

The origin of Ewing Townshipis directly attributed to Thomas Hutchinson, an English Quaker who purchased property c. 1676 to help colonize America. By 1687, Hutchinson owned almost thirty percent of today's Ewing Township.

In the early days, many settlers were drawn to the area because of its proximity to the Delaware River and its untouched landscape. Once industry arrived, bringing the trolleys and railroads, Ewing began to grow. The vintage photographs Ewing Townshipdepict the progress from the community's early history of dairies, taverns, and a railroad station to its more recent history, which boasts three fire stations, General Motors, and the Trenton-Mercer Airport.Ewing Townshipwill delight the reader with little-known historical facts about the area. Included are the route of Washington's troops on the way to the Battle of Trentonand the Revolutionary Warsoldiers still lurking around West Trenton two hundred years after the battle. Explored are historic buildings, such as the Ewing Presbyterian Church, which was originally built using logs in 1712.

This history also glances at the various people who made Ewing Township unique, including Dorothea Dix, who built and later lived in the Trenton Psychiatric Hospital.

Jackson Township was named after the legendary ""Old Hickory,"" Pres. Andrew Jackson.

For many years, the township was largely recognized by its small villages. Each of these villages had similar features--a church, general store, tavern, mill, and iconic one-room schoolhouse--which nurtured the small community and formed the foundation of modern Jackson. Mills, small farms, and horse breeding in the 19th century transitioned to cranberry bogs and chicken farms in the first half of the 20th century. As transportation became more advanced after World War II, people began to travel outside of town for work, and the once-thriving villages of industry disappeared. Today, Jackson Township, covering 100.4 square miles, is the largest municipality in Ocean County and the third largest in the state of New Jersey.

An engaging visual history, documenting the creative ceneter of Leonia.

Leonia was once a sleepy farming community on the western slope of the Palisades. Leonia was a crossroads of the Revolution and a training ground for Civil War soldiers. Prominent artists were first to arrive. Its proximity to New York City's major universities, performing centers, theaters, galleries, and art schools has contributed to making the town a home for many of the twentieth century's foremost artists, scientists, and academics. With hundreds of vintage photographs, Leonia offers the reader an overview of a town that has been called the English Neighborhood, West Fort Lee, and the Athens of New Jersey.Leonia explores the fascinating town that was settled in 1668 by Dutch and English farmers. The town remained a farming community until the late 1800s, when it experienced enormous economic and cultural growth. Advances in transportation, such as the West Side subway, the ferries, and the trolley systems, made it possible for many to commute to the city. This pictorial history illustrates how Leonia soon became a haven for some of the nation's most creative minds, including five Nobel Prize winners.