History: Construction of Route 36 Between Keyport and Atlantic Highlands Underway (1932)

The 8 Jul 1932 edition of The Matawan Journal provided an update on the construction of New Jersey State Route 36 between Keyport and Atlantic Highlands.

Good Progress Being Made on New Highway
Section of Shore Boulevard from Keyport to Keansburg is Eighty Per Cent Completed

Rapid progress is now being made by the State Highway Commission in the paving of nine and three-tenths miles of Route 36, between Keyport and Atlantic Highlands. Rain during the early part of the season, however, delayed activity, and the new thoroughfare, which is known as the Shore Boulevard, will not be in readiness for traffic for about two months.

The four and one-tenth miles section between Keyport and Keansburg is eighty per cent complete and the stretch of five and two-tenths miles is fifty per cent finished. The Keyport-Keansburg link is scheduled for opening September 1 and that from Keansburg to Atlantic Highlands October 1, according to H. D. Robbins, Control Division Construction Engineer for the Highway Department.

The contract has already been given for the new bridge on Route 36 over the Shrewsbury River, between Highlands and Seabright, but the alignment for the three miles of roadway yet to be built between Atlantic Highlands and Highlands has not been decided. More than a year will be required for the building of the bridge over the river,and it is expected that during the interval the remaining section of the roadway will also be constructed.

In its campaign for safety the Highway Commission has built a bridge at the junction of Route 36 with Route 35 at Keyport, to avoid the crossing of traffic at grade. Route 35 extends from South Amboy through Asbury Park and Belmar to Lakewood and is one of the moat heavily traveled arteries during the summer. Under the plan that has been devised by the Highway Board the north-bound lane on Route 35 will be shunted under the bridge, which will carry Route 36 at Keyport.

History: Matawan Man Struck By Train Heading for Atlantic Highlands (1903)

Henry Miller of Matawan was struck by a train and gravely injured while crossing the railroad trestle between Raritan and Matawan on the afternoon of Friday the 13th, according to the 19 Feb 1903 edition of The Matawan Journal. He was dating Maggie Collins, who lived near Farry's brickyard in Raritan. He saw Maggie only once a week. Henry and his brothers John and George were all living with their widowed step-mother, so each of the boys had a job. Henry worked at a hotel in Newark the rest of the time.

It was common to step to the side as the train passed on the trestle, but Henry somehow misjudged the width of the breast bar of the engine and was struck in the side and knocked unconscious. The train man noticed he'd hit someone, stopped the train, and put Henry aboard. The 5:28 pm train had only moments earlier left Matawan for Atlantic Highlands, so the engineer reversed the train back to Matawan, where Henry was taken off the train and escorted home and laid on a couch. Two doctors were summoned, but they determined there was nothing to be done. Henry died around 2 am the next morning.

The funeral was held at St Joseph's on Monday morning. Henry was buried at Rose Hill Cemetery. He left brothers William, Edward, John and George, and a sister Mrs John H Fallon.

The 1900 Federal Census showed Henry b Jul 1879 (age 20); John b Jun 1881 (age 18), and George b Mar 1883 (age 17) living with Lena Miller b Jun 1853 (age 46) in Matawan. Henry was a grocery salesman, John a butcher, and George a printer compositor. The Miller boys were all born in New Jersey to German parents.

The 1900 Federal Census showed Margaret Collins b Jun 1882 (age 17), daughter of James and Bridget Collins. The Collins parents were Irish and had ten children. James was a farmer who had emigrated to the US in 1865.

African Americans in the Matawan Journal: 7 Sep 1911

One hundred years ago this week, the 7 September 1911 edition of the Matawan Journal documented a stabbing that took place two weeks earlier near some stables in Atlantic Highlands.

Stabbed For Defending A Cripple.

William Bennett, son of John Bennett, the well known Hillside nurseryman, received a bad cut from a knife in the hands of James Hardy, colored, of G. K. Bartleson's stables, near Centre Avenue, Atlantic Highlands, early Sunday morning, August 25.

A number of colored men were standing near the stables and engaged in tormenting Edward Vincent, also colored and a cripple. Bennett and some friends were standing near and soon Bennett spoke up for the cripple. Hardy took exception to this and struck at Bennett, who knocked the other down two or three times, and the last time Hardy came up with a knife, dealing Bennett a cut on the left cheek and neck over three inches long. Mr. Bennett was so weak from loss of blood that he had to be removed to his home.
Hardy was placed under arrest by Officer Foster and a hearing was set for the following night, but Mr. Bennett was in such bad condition that Hardy was committed to the County Jail by Justice Williams without bail, to await the action of the Grand Jury.
-------------------------
George F Bartleson, born Jan 1859 Pennsylvania, appeared in the 1900 Federal Census along with his wife and three children. The census showed his occupation as livery, which suggests he was likely the owner of Bartleson stables on Centre Avenue in Atlantic Highlands mentioned in the above article. The Bartlesons are buried at Bay View Cemetery in Atlantic Highlands, per Distant Cousin.

I had no luck locating the Bennetts, Edward Vincent, or James Hardy in the 1910 census.

Annual Summer Bayshore Seining

Six volunteers from the Bayshore Regional Watershed Council were at Cliffwood Beach on the Middlesex - Monmouth border on Monday to conduct that group's annual sampling of aquatic life at the mouth of Whale Creek, according to the Atlantic Highlands Herald. They used a 50-foot seining net to collect Raritan Bay fish, crabs, shrimp, and other creatures at Aberdeen/Old Bridge, Union Beach, Middletown, and Atlantic Highlands. They have a write up and photos of last year's seining event at their website.

Mallet Misses Her Mark on Human Need

In a letter to the editor of the Atlantic Highlands Herald, Freeholder Amy Mallet points out that Monmouth County's budget for its Department of Human Services was reduced 6% in the face of a 51% increase in food stamp applications in March over the previous year and a 64% increase in applicants between 2007 and 2010. She commends the department for its efforts on behalf of the people of the county, who are suffering through this poor economic climate as much as anyone in the nation.

Her letter, unfortunately, lacks a clear "So what?" She tells the members of a county department that the budget doesn't address the obvious need of thousands of people they are meant to serve but thanks them for trying their best during this difficult period? Is that it? I'm glad she brought it up -- she's clearly concerned -- but she makes neither a criticism of current policy nor a recommendation on what to do next.

Bikeway Program Receives State Grants

WalkBikeJersey has some interesting things to say about NJ DOT's Bikeway Program grants. If you're interested in hiking or biking the Hudson Trail's eastern spur from Matawan or Keyport to Sandy Hook, for example, you'll want to check out the portion of the article on the West Avenue Bikeway in Atlantic Highlands. The author has done considerable research and created a map to show many of the sites receiving grants.

African Americans in the Matawan Journal - 14 June 1935

The Second Baptist Church of Matawan was to celebrate its 23rd anniversary from 24 to 30 June 1935 at its location on Orchard Street near Church Street, according to a Matawan Journal article published seventy five years ago. Preachers were to include the Reverend George Crawity, of Lakewood; the Reverend E T Carter, of South River; the Reverend W A Parham, of Freehold; the Reverend N S Hargrave, of Keyport; the Reverend W H Hebron, of Eatontown; and the Reverend Hall of Atlantic Highlands, who would deliver the anniversary address on the last day. The pastor of the church at the time was the Reverend W J Hutcheson. The clerk was Samuel J Harrison.

14 June 1935, page 2, column 1

Aberdeen's Middletown Origins

Aberdeen, like Matawan, Keyport, Union Beach, Keansburg, Highlands, Atlantic Highlands, and most other current municipalities in northern Monmouth County, was originally a part of Middletown Township. In the early 19th century, Middletown reached from the Middlesex County border on the west (present day Old Bridge; then it was South Amboy) to the Atlantic Ocean on the east, with Shrewsbury Township forming the southern border.

Above is the pertinent detail from an historic New Jersey state map available at Rutgers University's Mapmaker website, while below are several related entries from the Gazetteer of the State of New Jersey, by Thomas F. Gordon. Both items were originally published in 1834. The Gazetteer, reprinted in 1973, is available at the Matawan Aberdeen Public Library at NJ 974.903 Go. It is also available in a scanned version (with some OCR errors) at Internet Archive.

Middletown t-ship, Monmouth co., bounded N. by Raritan bay and Sandy Hook, E. by the Atlantic ocean, S. by Shrewsbury t-ship, and W. by South Amboy t-ship, Middlesex co. Centrally distant N.E. from Freehold 10 miles; greatest length E. and W. 16, breadth N. and S. 10 miles; area, 50, 000 acres; surface, on the east and centre, hilly, elsewhere, level; soil, loam, sand, and clay, not naturally of the first quality, but highly improved, in places, by the use of marl, which has become common. Sandy Hook bay runs south into the t-ship from the Raritan, and is bounded on the S. W. by the promontory of the highlands of Nevisink, and on the E. by the sand beach, forming Sandy Hook, running 6 miles north from Shrewsbury Inlet; upon the north point of which stands Sandy Hook Light-house. The t-ship is drained on the S. E., S. and S. W. by Swimming and Nevisink rivers; on the N. W. by Middletown creek ; N. by Waycake, and N. E. by Watson's and Shoal Harbour creeks. Middletown, Middletown Point, Baptisttown, or Holmdel and Mount Pleasant are villages, the two first post-towns, of the t-ship. Population in 1830, 5128. In 1832 the t-ship contained about 1000 taxables, 277 householders, whose ratables did not exceed $30; 169 single men, 27 stores, 5 saw mills, 13 run of stones for grinding grain, 1 fulling mill, 36 tan vats, 11 distilleries, 956 horses and mules, and 2286 neat cattle, above 3 years of age; and paid state and county taxes, $2620 20. Good lands will bring in this t-ship an average price of $60 the acre.

In 1682 Middletown contained about 100 families; several thousand acres had been collected for the town, and many thousand for out-plantations. John Browne, Richard Hartshorne, and Nicholas Davis, had well improved settlements here; and a court of sessions was holden twice or thrice a year, for Middletown, Piscataway and their jurisdictions.

Middletown, post-town of Middletown t-ship, Monmouth co., 13 miles N. E. from Freehold, 56 from Trenton, and 221 from W. C, situate in a rolling and fertile country, based on marl; contains an Episcopal, a Dutch Reformed, and a Baptist church, 2 stores, 2 taverns, and from 20 to 25 dwellings, among which, there are several very neat and commodious.

Middletown Point, port of delivery of Perth Amboy district, and post-town of Middletown t-ship, Monmouth co., upon Middletown creek, about 3 miles from the Raritan bay, 11 miles N. of Freehold, 47 N. E. from Trenton, and 213 from W. C; lies on a bank elevated about 50 feet above the stream, fronting a marsh on the opposite side; contains a Presbyterian church, from 75 to 100 dwellings, many of which are very good buildings, 8 or 10 stores, 4 taverns, and a grist mill. This is the market of an extensive country, and large quantities of pork, rye, corn, cord wood, and garden truck, are thence sent to New York. The soil immediately around the town is sandy. There is a bank here, incorporated in 1830, with a capital of $50,000, of which $10,000 only were paid in, in 1833.

News Updates as of 10 October 2009

• A Matawan man was among 55 NJ Pagans Motorcycle Club members indicted in West Virginia on Federal charges, according to NJ.com. Eight were from NJ. They are facing charges up to 20 years in jail and $1 million in fines. Check out the Reuters and West Virginia MetroNews stories.
  
• Monmouth County recognized the work done on the Bayshore Trail in Atlantic Highlands, according to The Independent. The Bayshore Trail joins the Henry Hudson Trail, allowing more than 10 miles of contiguous hiking and biking between Aberdeen and points east.
• If you're poor and live in Monmouth County, you'll want to think ahead about your emergency home repair needs if you expect county assistance in your time of need. Get in all your paperwork and win a lottery and you can be one of 70 lucky winners who'll get an interest-free county loan to help pay for emergency repairs that you've been thinking about for years but just couldn't afford. Maybe you're thinking about having a devastating roof leak or an annoying plumbing break this winter? Now you can. The county may have just the assistance program to meet your needs. The Examiner tells you how to get ahead of the curve on this county program.
• The Township is offering flu shots at town hall for $20 on 15 October 2009 from 1 pm to 2:30 pm.
  
• The Township will host a Halloween costume contest and magic show for kids up to ten years old at the Lloyd Road School on Thursday 22 October 2009 at 7 pm.
• The Township will host the 25th Annual Jolly Mouse Craft Show on 7 November 2009 at the Lloyd Road School  from 10 am to 4 pm. Organizers are selling space for vendors.
• Keyport's Environmental Commission is hosting a beach and park cleanup day on the morning of 24 October 2009.
• Keyport will be hosting a Halloween Parade on 25 October 2009 for kids 12 and under. See the official poster.
  

News Updates as of 19 July 2009

• An Obama supporter from Matawan was interviewed in the Asbury Park Press.
• APP and the Atlantic Highlands Herald cover the opening of the Monmouth County Fair. (Click here if you missed my blog article about the fair.)
• The 114th Monmouth County Horse Show begins 12 August 2009. Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore are selling tickets to the Stillwell-Hansen $30,000 Grand Prix, which will be held Sunday 16 August 2009 at the county fairgrounds. (See the APP for further details; the link on the Monmouth County Horse Show Association webpage is either very sluggish or isn't working.) NJ.com reported back in March 2009 that Beacon Hill Horse Show, like many others, had lost too many sponsors due to the bad economy and was having to shut down. NJ.com went on to say, "Beacon Hill is not alone in its difficult financial situation. Other shows also are contemplating cancellation or have canceled. Interestingly, 145 shows canceled by March 25 of the 2008 show season; for 2009, the number is 114." In other words, the Monmouth County show is a rarity that deserves our support, so help out the Girl Scouts and support horse shows at the same time.
• Atlanticville has a rather informative article about library funding. The West Long Branch library wants to leave the Monmouth County Library system in order to save money. The town wants to demunicipalize the library and make it a branch of the county library system. This rather detailed article even discusses tax rate changes being proposed at the state level. The situation at WLB will be worth watching.
• Matawan councilman's law suit prompts APP letter to the editor.
• Aberdeen Police seek help with Cliffwood and Cliffwood Beach thefts (9 so far) from unlocked vehicles, per APP. Keep your vehicles locked and report suspicious behavior.
• I applaud Charles Kenny's APP letter to the editor in response to the APP's Stunning Raises Costly to Taxpayers editorial. (If you missed it, here's my response to the APP editorial.)
• Three On Three basketball tourney set for Matawan on 25 July 2009. Check APP and the borough's website for details.
  

News Updates As of 28 May 2009

• Cliffwood Beach man loses firefighter friend to cancer, according to MyCentralJersey.
• Cliffwood Beach man kicked and stomped in Woodbridge, again per MyCentralJersey.
  
• Aberdeen Matawan Regional School District could gain an estimated $160,000 towards energy efficiency if the Green Schools initiative passes the Congress, per the Independent.
• Grounds Keeper Inc, 798 Route 34, Matawan, will offer a seminar on aquatic plants on 30 May 2009 at 11 am, according to the Sentinel.
• Pop Warner tryouts for football and cheerleading will be held at the Matawan Regional High School gym on 20 June 2009 from 9am to noon, per the Asbury Park Press.
• MRHS students received awards at the Annual Spring Luncheon of the Art Society of Monmouth County on 21 May 2009 at Shore Casino on the waterfront in Atlantic Highlands, per the Atlantic Highlands Herald.
• Matawan man charged with drug possession in Sparta, per the Daily Record's Police Blotter.
• Brookdale's softball team came in sixth place in the NJCAA Division III Women's Fastpitch National Championship. Matawan's Danielle Davenport hit .429, according to the News Transcript.
• 27 statewide finalists will compete at Rock'n Music Idol 2009 at the VFW Hall in Cliffwood Beach on 7 June, per MyCentralJersey.
• The Monmouth-Ocean-Middlesex commuter line concept has devolved to a MOM Lite series of proposals that at long last do not include a Matawan option, according to APP. NJ Transit is encouraging the counties to take smaller steps if they want to get anywhere. It doesn't exactly surprise me that NJ Transit sees the public as a bunch of lobsters that need their pot to be heated slowly and steadily.
  
• The mystery meet mentioned in my News Update of 24 May was the Central Jersey, Group 2 meet at Monmouth Regional in Tinton Falls, per NJ.com.
  
  Senior Kyle Robinson amassed 36 points and propelled Matawan to its first sectional title since it won back-to-back titles in 1994-95, as Matawan easily outdistanced nemesis Somerville, 125-60, at the Central Jersey, Group 2 meet at Monmouth Regional in Tinton Falls.
  
  Robinson won the 110 high hurdles in 14.29 and the long jump at 21-11¾. He was runner-up to Dave Brown of Ewing in the 400 hurdles (55.81 to 57.40) and also second in the high jump at 6-0 behind Alex Smith of Rumson at 6-2.
  
  Matawan won three other events. Johnathan Bartlett broke a meet record in the pole vault at 14-7, Derek Garland won the shot put at 48-3½ and Ian Carter the discus at 136-10.
  
  ``The big thing was Kyle staying consistent in the hurdles," coach Sam Turner said. ``Somerville has been a great program and we've been second to them too many times. I'll never forget 2003 when they beat us, 114-113. We had Erison Hurtault, who is now an Olympian, with four wins in that meet and still lost.’’
  
  The Asbury Park Press also covered the event in detail.

Central Jersey Council of Governments Holds First Meeting

The inaugural meeting of the Central Jersey Council of Governments (CJCG) was held on 7 April 2009, according to the Bayshore Independent. At the encouragement of Governor Corzine, representatives of our area's governments will strive through this new body to find innovative ways to share municipal services and save the taxpayers money. HardNewsNJ reported in December 2008 that the council will likely initiate a regional solid waste management feasability study as its first project. Middletown's mayor confirmed this to the Independent last week, saying a pilot program to collect trash county-wide could begin as early as spring of 2010. The initiative would save individual governments 20% on local trash collection services, according to the consulting firm that looked into the matter.

Aberdeen Township is not listed as one of the governments that have proceeded to join the new council, at least not in the news articles above or in the Asbury Park Press. And I found no mention of the council in a search of the township website, which leads me to believe there's been no action in the township council.

Actually, obtaining or even deriving the list of member towns is a puzzlement. You sort of need graph paper, a calculator, Silly Putty, and lots of patience. For example, the APP article suggests that the council has 22 or more members and provides a precise list of those attending:

The Central Jersey Council of Governments consists of: Asbury Park, Atlantic Highlands, Bradley Beach, Colts Neck, Eatontown, Englishtown, Freehold Borough, Freehold Township, Hazlet, Manalapan, Marlboro, Middletown, Neptune City, Wall. Another eight or more towns have passed resolutions to participate but were not at Tuesday's meeting, according to Marlboro Mayor Jonathan Hornik.

... while the Independent, written more recently, suggests the council has only 20 members and mentions 7 municipalities that weren't named in the APP article:

The organization is dedicated to seeking shared services across Monmouth County. Towns involved in the group include Eatontown, Hazlet, Little Silver, Long Branch, Matawan, Middletown, Ocean Township, Oceanport and Sea Bright. "Twenty municipalities joined together in what is the largest group of municipalities in the state," Middletown Mayor Pamela Brightbill said last week.

As far as I can tell, the webpage of the Office of the Governor provides no details on these new regional councils in general and ignored the 7 April event entirely, even though Gov. Corzine reportedly spoke to the mayors at that first meeting of CJCG and is supposed to be an advocate for regionalization. I consider myself a pretty good researcher, but I've come up empty looking for information about these councils, or CJCG in particular, at both the official website for the State of NJ and Monmouth County's website.

Too many cooks already?