West Orange Navigator

Jim Gerrish

Historic Photos of West Orange, NJ

If anyone has old photos of a historic nature hidden away in the attic, cellar or garage, bring them out into the light to have them scanned and included in the East Orange Interactive Museum on-line at: www.eohistory.info

Do you recognize Park Avenue at the turn of the last century?

Even though the museum focuses on East Orange, there was a time when all of the Oranges belonged to the "Newark Mountain Society," before they splintered off to become Orange, East Orange, West Orange, South Orange, Montclair, Bloomfield, etc. The Second River in East Orange becomes Wigwam Brook back in West Orange and has its source somewhere in the cliffs of Eagle Rock. Lake Street in West Orange was named that because it went right by Springfield Lake in East Orange. We are all connected, and if you have any old photos that show that connection, we'd like to share them with other residents of the "Newark Mountain Society" who share our interest in History. As I uncover photos of West Orange, like the ones I have been posting here on the Navigator, I will continue to share them with you.

Tags: historic, photos

Views: 51

Replies to This Discussion

Kurt SchwartzPermalink Reply by Kurt Schwartz on October 20, 2009 at 8:52am
Jim,
That's terrific! Later in the year, we're thinking of arranging "scanning parties" in Livingston (or whereever!) where people can meet at a restaurant, get a good deal on the food, share photos and memories, and have pictures scanned. I'll keep you posted.
Jim GerrishPermalink Reply by Jim Gerrish on October 20, 2009 at 9:17am
That's a good idea, Kurt. I have access to a laptop and portable scanner, so let me know when and where!
Kurt SchwartzPermalink Reply by Kurt Schwartz on October 20, 2009 at 10:02pm
Will do. We're starting to scan old yearbooks (1957 - on) in Livingston as part of an alumni project. I'll reach out to you when we're done with that and maybe we can generate some interest in your niche. More scanners the better to make the process faster and smoother.
Jim GerrishPermalink Reply by Jim Gerrish on October 20, 2009 at 11:48pm
I know what you mean. I'm trying to get high school students to take an interest in doing the same in East Orange:

http://www.wizkidzinc.com/09TysonBPA/Yearbooks/YearBooks.htm
henry websterPermalink Reply by henry webster on January 29, 2010 at 12:06pm
hi jim....theres a history buff for west orange named joseph fagan
who has a column in the west orange chronicle and a website
he maintains at www.westorangehistory.com
if you havent crossed paths yet his email address is
josephfagan@westorangehistory.com
thanks
best
Cliff WilsonPermalink Reply by Cliff Wilson on July 6, 2010 at 5:37pm
Hello Jim, I grew up in the Tory Corner-Watchung Heights area of West Orange in the '40's and '50's. You mentioned a Lake Street running from W.O through E.O. and I wondered where that was. I can only remember lakeside Ave. which once ran beside a Lake in the now Edison factory complex. It is my understanding that Edison drained that lake by feeding the water into the Wigwam Brook near Watchung Ave. I know of no other lakes or Lake Streets near that end of town.

Also, loved your picture of old Park Ave. Recently had a discussion about whether there was actually a park in the median and your pict settled that.

Thanks for sharing your info.
Jim GerrishPermalink Reply by Jim Gerrish on July 6, 2010 at 7:41pm
My statement about Lake Street is obviously incorrect. Here is the map that shows that Lakeside Avenue in West Orange was never connected to Lake Street in East Orange.

http://www.eohistory.info/EOTimeLine/Maps/Franklin.htm

Thanks for pointing out my error and for adding the information about Edison draining the Lake.
Cliff WilsonPermalink Reply by Cliff Wilson on July 6, 2010 at 11:01pm
Jim Gerrish said:
My statement about Lake Street is obviously incorrect. Here is the map that shows that Lakeside Avenue in West Orange was never connected to Lake Street in East Orange.

http://www.eohistory.info/EOTimeLine/Maps/Franklin.htm

Thanks for pointing out my error and for adding the information about Edison draining the Lake.
Cliff WilsonPermalink Reply by Cliff Wilson on July 6, 2010 at 11:13pm
Nice map too. Shows the stream from across Lakeside Ave. joining Wigwam brook as it turns to flow toward Cleveland Ave. (now Cleveland St.). Apparently that is the stream Edison used to drain the lake before he built the factories along the current Main St. (then still called Valley Road... an extension of the Valley road in W.W. that ran north from South Orange.

Good stuff! thanks for sharing that too..

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