Union Township Historical Society Photo Archive

Union Township Historical Society Photos

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The Union Township Historical Society in Union County, New Jersey is an organization dedicated to the preservation of our history, The Caldwell Parsonage and the education of all of those interested.

The UTHS headquarters is located at the historic Caldwell Parsonage and museum, the site where Hannah Caldwell was shot and killed by British troops during the Battle of Connecticut Farms in 1780.

This website contains over 600 historical photos from our collection. The photos are viewable and downloadable. We encourage visitors to leave comments especially regarding new information and personal experiences.

Please click on the "Map This" button above for an interactive map with over 160 locations.
This site will be under construction for quite some time so forgive us if some things lack organization.
The main site can be found at http://www.uniontwphistoricalsociety.webs.com/

03/22/12 - added gallery "Union Center"
03/28/12- more Miller pics, more aerials, more Union Center, misc
04/13/12- Lots more including photos from the 1942 UHS Yearbook
05/06/12 New photos and information on the Headley Farm House and more.
12/27/12 Newly discovered photos of Self Master Colony inhabitants.
03/09/13- The site is just over one year old and has received over 170,000 photo-views.
Please see recently added photos below for updates.

Galleries

Then and Now video : View a slide presentation that shows some changes that have taken place around Union in the past years. Using aerial photos, maps as well as ground shots we show you what places looked like way back when and compare them to what they look like today. This file can be downloaded.

Then and Now video

View a slide presentation that shows some changes that have taken plac ...

Updated: Feb 04, 2012 5:32am PST

Then and Now Photos : Before and after photos of some places in Union.

Then and Now Photos

Before and after photos of some places in Union.

Updated: Mar 22, 2012 2:38pm PST

Maps and Aerials : Aerial photographs give us a good idea of what the lay of the land was in a given period. We have been lucky enough to obtain some very rare 1923 aerial photos of areas of Union around the Rahway river. Our "Then and Now" video in another gallery demonstrates some of the extreme changes that Union has gone through over the years.

Maps and Aerials

Aerial photographs give us a good idea of what the lay of the land was ...

Updated: Apr 02, 2013 5:24pm PST

Notable Places : Notable Places around Union.

Notable Places around Union.

Updated: Mar 01, 2013 12:43am PST

Dining, Entertainment and Recreation :

Dining, Entertainment and Recreation

Updated: May 13, 2013 4:40pm PST

Union Center : This gallery contains photos and captions related to Union Center and changes it has gone through over the last 100 years. Be sure to view the film clip taken in 1948.

This gallery contains photos and captions related to Union Center and ...

Updated: Feb 28, 2013 4:16am PST

The Flagship : In the 1930's there was a restaurant/nightclub named Donahue's that had a nautical theme located on site of the Flagship. When Donahue's burned down, it was replaced by Flagship 29, which was a nightclub built in the shape of a ship opening in 1938. It was located on Route 29 which was what is now the east bound lanes of Route 22.
The building burned down on June 11, 1942 and was rebuilt after WWII reopening again as a nightclub. On September 30th 1956, the remodeled ship was opened as an American Shops clothing store and then a dinner theater in 1968. The Flagship was torn down and rebuilt in 1986 and has been used as various appliance stores ever since.
Here is a link with info about a band called the Korn Kobblers that got their start at the 1940 world's fair and then went on to become a regular act at the Flagship.
http://www.hezzie.com/kk/kornkobblerslisteningroom.html
Listen to a recording made by the band a for radio show that was broadcast from the Flagship.

Also check out Jean Shepherd talking about the building on his WOR radio show in 1965.

In the 1930's there was a restaurant/nightclub named Donahue's that ha ...

Updated: Apr 01, 2013 11:08am PST

Businesses :

Updated: May 11, 2013 6:02am PST

Notable People and Families :

Notable People and Families

Updated: Jun 12, 2013 3:44am PST

Historic Homes : Historic homes and some not so historic homes in Union. We have included some old homes near the very end of their lives unearthed from old Fire Dept. files. Some of these homes were condemned and burned for firemen training.

Historic homes and some not so historic homes in Union. We have includ ...

Updated: Apr 09, 2013 7:11am PST

The Self Master Colony : The Self Master Colony also known as Floyd's Self Master Village was a residence for men in need of help that existed from 1908-1938. It was founded by Andress and Lillian Floyd and financed by Charles H. Ingersoll who was famous for his Ingersoll Watch company and his "Thomas Edisonesque" cement houses on Ingersoll Terrace. The colony was about 50 acres and was located on Morris Ave. where the municipal building and Frieberger park exist today. The only original building is now the Girl Scout Field Center in Frieberger Park.
The main building was the Hoyt Mansion shown in photos in this gallery. Andress Floyd is also known for developing a section of homes near Kawameeh Park and naming some streets after some of those close to him. Andress terrace and Floyd Terrace after his first and last names, Lilian terrace after his wife, Olive terrace after his estranged daughter, Crawford terrace after his business partner and of course Self Master Parkway after the colony. He allegedly named some other streets after his favorite authors including Thoreau, Homer, and Carlyle.

The Self Master Colony

The Self Master Colony also known as Floyd's Self Master Village was a ...

Updated: Feb 15, 2013 2:47pm PST

Updated: Apr 02, 2013 4:34pm PST

Sports :

Updated: May 09, 2013 1:28pm PST

Government / Political :

Government / Political

Updated: Mar 01, 2013 12:44am PST

Mayor F. Edward Biertuempfel :

Mayor F. Edward Biertuempfel

Updated: Mar 03, 2013 7:37am PST

Police and Fire :

Police and Fire

Updated: Apr 16, 2012 9:03pm PST

Police Chief Charles Hopkins :

Police Chief Charles Hopkins

Updated: Feb 21, 2012 4:39pm PST

Miller Family : The Miller Family Farm House was built in the 1730's and was occupied by the Miller Family until the early 2000's. Tragically the house was torn down in 2006.

The Miller Family Farm House was built in the 1730's and was occupied ...

Updated: Apr 21, 2013 1:53pm PST

Updated: Apr 01, 2013 10:55am PST

1930's homes : These photos of homes in the 1930's and 40's were discovered in old tax appeal records. Is your home or your neighbor's home pictured here?

These photos of homes in the 1930's and 40's were discovered in old ta ...

Updated: Apr 01, 2013 11:20am PST

Parks and Recreation : Here you will find some unsorted photos discovered in the Recreation Department files. Please leave a comment if you can identify any of these folks.

Parks and Recreation

Here you will find some unsorted photos discovered in the Recreation D ...

Updated: Apr 03, 2013 7:19am PST

Just next door to Union, Kenilworth was once part of Connecticut Farms ...

Updated: Oct 25, 2012 4:33am PST

Recent Photos

Most Popular Photos

This map shows an approximation of the routes of Galloping Hill Road and Vauxhall Road. Galloping Hill Road and Vauxhall Road were the two main roads that the British and Hessian troops advanced and retreated on during the battles of Connecticut Farms and Springfield in 1780.

This painting in which the Reverend James Caldwell is depicted at the Battle of Springfield on his horse is thought to be the most accurate. When the soldiers ran out of wadding for their guns the minister galloped to The Parsonage of the First Presbyterian of Springfield and grabbed some Isaac Watts' Hymnals so the rebels could rip out the pages and use them in their guns.

From Thomas Fleming's "Forgotten Victory"-
Suddenly from one end of the American line to the other the cry went up, "Wadding. More wadding." Regular soldiers knew that the paper around the cartridge was not enough to steady the musket ball in the barrel and give the crude gun decent aim. Extra paper had to be crammed down the barrel to assure a reasonably accurate shot.

A frantic messenger was sent racing to the rear. On the road he met James Caldwell, who was riding up and down the battlefield, urging the New Jersey men to stand fast. "I'll get you some wadding", he snapped, putting spurs to his horse.
In minutes he was back looming through the smoke. He had galloped to the attic of the Presbyterian church parsonage and collected every hymn book he could carry. Caldwell then flung the books to the black-faced Continentals. "Give 'em Watts, boys." he roared and thundered back to the parsonage for another load.

This account was taken from Washington Irving's "Life of George Washington" written in 1857 and believed to be the most accurate.

Another account has the reverend saying "Put Watts in them, Boys. Give them Watts!" as he distributed the hymn books.

Morris Ave. looking east in Union Center in 1929. Notice the house that recently held Gepetto's and the Sun Tavern.

Five Points Restaurant which was located on Chestnut St. at Five Points where Rite Aid is currently located.

1916 Tax Map indicating the property boundaries and the owners. Several streets in existence today bear the land owners' names. This map can be downloaded and enlarged in order to study the details.

Very nice 1923 Aerial of Union Center and surrounding area looking North. The main road oriented vertically is Stuyvesant Ave. which at that time was more of a major route than Morris Ave. This high res image is downloadable.

This map was part of an auction flyer from 1929 that was for the auction of Andress Floyd's estate. The street development did not turn out as planned.

Very rare 1923 aerial photo of what is now Route 22 East. The small farm house is the building that recently housed Charlie Brown's Steakhouse. The building will soon be torn down to make way for a much needed retail store. This building is the very last structure that still exists in this area that existed back in that period.
Click the "Map It" button to see the current view.

Hannah Caldwell - Was shot and killed by a British soldier at the Caldwell Parsonage in 1780.

A 1965 audio recording of Jean Shepherd's Radio show on WOR talking about his fantasy regarding the Flagship. Mr. Shepherd is well known for narrating and writing the film "A Christmas Story".
The original full length show can be heard here:
http://ia700201.us.archive.org/2/items/JeanShepherd1965Pt1/1965_08_19_Flagship.mp3
More recordings can be heard here:
http://archive.org/details/JeanShepherd1965Pt1
Mr. Sheherd produced a short film for PBS about Route 22 and highlighted the Union section including the Flagship. The clip can be seen on youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rke5xFNO0og

This very rare find is a recording made from a radio show that the Korn Kobblers had broadcasted from the Flagship in the 40's.

Master of the Self Masters, Andress Floyd is shown with a group of his residents. We don't know why the gentleman at the bottom left is facing sideways. One theory suggests that he may have been used to posing for photographers only after being picked up by the Coppers or perhaps he was more than partial to his "good side".

Happy Holland the Hobo. This is the only "formal" portrait we have of an inhabitant of the colony. A Hobo is defined as a man who travels and will work when he finds it and lives by a certain code of ethics, as opposed to a "Bum" who does not travel and tries not to work. A "Tramp" is someone who is basically a traveling bum.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hobo

A very rare issue of the Magazine of The Self Master. This issue from August of 1913 features a block printing on the cover created by a resident of the colony as well as articles, advertisements for their wares and a list of the directors. This file should be downloaded to be able to properly view it's contents.

Reverend James Caldwell as depicted at the Battle of Springfield. When the soldiers ran out of wadding for their guns the minister galloped to The First Presbyterian Church of Springfield and grabbed some Isaac Watts' Hymnals so the rebels could rip out the pages and use them in their guns. The reverend was heard to say "Put Watts in them, Boys. give them Watts!" as he distributed the hymnals.

Aerial photo showing the New Orange Park housing development on Newark Ave. and Orange Ave. in Cranford

1923 Aerial Photo of Kenilworth with current street info overlay. This is a high resolution photo that can be downloaded and enlarged to show great detail. Many of the structures in this photo still stand today. The newly built foundation of the Harding School can be seen if zoomed in.

Headley family taken about 1890.

Aerial view of the new and old Connecticut Farms Schools around the early 60's

At 201 Elmwood Ave. sits a home built by Dr. Caleb Halstead in 1783. Dr. Halstead was a well known Revolutionary War physician who cared for American and British troops. General Lafayette visited the house in 1825 but his old friend Dr. Halstead was too sick to see him. Dr. Halstead died in 1827 and the house was sold in 1829 to Col. Daniel Burnet. Col. Burnet died in 1854 and willed the property to his son, John Burnet. John Burnet died in 1880 and placed the property in the care of his maiden daughters Anne and Caroline. In 1926 Abner Headley who had been the main caretaker since 1879 was willed the property upon the death of Caroline Burnet. In 1956 the house was moved about 50 feet to the west to make way for Abner Lane. Some records list this house at 195 Elwood ave. Elmwood Ave. was once a part of the Galloping Hill Road during the 1700's.

Al Santorini-
Alan Joel Santorini (born May 19, 1948 in Irvington, New Jersey) is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He played for Union High School and all or part of six seasons in the majors, from 1968 until 1973, for the Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres and St. Louis Cardinals.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Santorini

1923 aerial of Springfield showing Mountain Ave., South Springfield Rd., Milltown Rd. and where the present day Meisel Ave. is located. the big black object is a pond that is where Meisel Field is today. The objects in the pond are believed to be large pieces of lumber being soaked in creosote for preservation.

1892 photo looking west on Chestnut St. about where the Route 22 bridge goes through. On the left is a house and the location of John Leonard's Blacksmith shop.

The first known use of the term "Big Car" in racing advertising was in an ad for The Union Speedway located near Farchers Grove on Springfield ave. The racetrack existed from about 1936 to about 1942.

Morris Ave. looking east in Union Center. Notice the house that recently held Gepetto's and the Sun Tavern.

875 West Chestnut St. This house is pictured just next to Westlake's Store in an 1890's photo.

Union Football Squad in front of Berwyn St. in 1929.

A rare discovery of a drawing of a sleeping cabin that is presently The Girl Scout Field House in Friberger Park. This drawing is from the book titled "My Monks of Vagabondia" by Andress Floyd which is still available in reprint. The artist did us a big favor by stating that the view was from the main building giving us some clues to how the buildings were laid out.

A list of the attendees pictured in the previous photo at the 1929 Fireman's Dinner held at fire headquarters on Stuyvesant Ave, the site currently occupied by Connecticut Farms School.

1929 Firemen's Dinner.

The Miller Farm House 2005. The left hand side of the house was built in the 1730's. The right side was built in the 1830's. This house was torn down in 2006 by a developer in order to build two houses on it's double lot..

Captain John Kean. 1933-?

Site of Union High School on North 3rd St. The building was originally Burnet Junior High school and in 1969 was expanded and traded locations with Union High School to become the much larger High school.

Composite aerial photo of Route 22 near the junction of West Chestnut St. At one time, West Chestnut St. was named Chester Ave. and continued as the road that is now Route 22 East.

The Bonnel house and farm on the left and Hanson house on the right on Stuyvesant Ave. looking north near Rosemont Ave. See the adjacent photos of the aerial shot and John Bonnel himself.

The only existing building from The Self Master Colony which has been used as the Girl Scout Field House. This building is located behind the Library in Friberger Park.

This building was Price's General Store and Post Office, originally located on the North east corner of Morris Ave. and Stuyvesant Ave. The peaked roof was taken off and the building was moved to the foot of Burke Parkway in the 1920's.

This satellite image with tax map overlay indicates the 1916 property lines with the modern layout.

A Flagship menu way back when a cheeseburger was 30 cents and a filet mignon was $1.75.

1923 Aerial of Union showing what is now the east bound Lane of Route 22 and Springfield Rd. On the bottom left of the image is the Blackbrook Park Pond in Kenilworth and the Shallcross House, one of the oldest houses still standing in Kenilworth.

1955 Aerial of Union Center and surrounding area looking North. The main road oriented vertically is Stuyvesant Ave. The new Union library(1953) is visible but the Municipal building was just in the planning stages. This high res image is downloadable.

Union Center looking North along Stuyvesant Ave. at Morris ave. In the center of the photo is Price's Store which was moved to the foot of Burke Parkway some time before 1928. The Police Headquarters is below that on Stuyvesant Ave.

L-R, Koloman Kiss, Future Governor William Cahill, Mayor F. Edward Biertuempfel about 1968.

UHS Football Team from 1922

Promotional post card that shows rare interior shots.

The Kingston Restaurant

Abner Headley (1858 - 1950) was the last person to own the Caldwell Parsonage before being sold to the Union Township Historical Society in 1957 by his estate. Mr. Headley never lived in the Parsonage but owned the home at 201 Elmwood Ave. which still stands today.

Mr. and Mrs. James M. Wade

The original Union Center National Bank around 1923.

Union Township Historical Society - 909 Caldwell ave. Union, NJ 07083 908-687-7977

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