Commission takes inventory of area’s historical places

By sandi carpello
Staff Writer

Commission takes inventory
of area’s historical places
By sandi carpello
Staff Writer

MONROE — The township’s Historic Preservation Commission took the Township Council on a voyage at its meeting Monday night to June 1778 and the Battle of Monmouth.

The commission, which is comprised of 15 members, recently researched historical sites in the township and its surrounding areas, finding that Middlesex County was indeed the crossroads of the American Revolution, serving as host at various times for American heroes such as George Washington, James Monroe, Alexander Hamilton, and Molly Pitcher.

Commission Vice Chairman John Katerba of Union Valley Road, who is the author of a recent book entitled Monroe Township and Jamesburg, presented the council with the commission’s findings.

According to the report, George Washington’s army left Cranbury June 25 and encamped with approximately 8,000 soldiers at the Paul Miller Farm, located 1 mile west of the Manalapan Brook. In the days preceding the battle, Washington set up his headquarters at the house of John Anderson, located under the hill on the main road from Cranbury to Englishtown.

Katerba urged the council to safeguard such historical sites.

"It’s important to preserve the area," he said. "It was many soldiers’ last days on earth, and they spent it in Monroe Township. We owe it to our founding fathers."

Commission member Paul Lucey of Fairmont Court said that the commission has found nearly 150 historical sites locally. According to Lucey, the inventory of sites is a valuable resource when it comes to development in Monroe Township, he said.

Borough engineer Ernie Feist assured commission members that several of the historic parcels are already on the county’s list for preservation as open space.

Lucey said the commission would like to turn historical sites such as the Paul Miller Farm and the Anderson Farm into a township museum. However, that will involve a lengthy process, and is not expected anytime soon, he said.

Council members expressed delight with the commission’s findings.

"It’s amazing how much history surrounds us," Councilwoman Joan Connolly said.

"We are very encouraged by all the work you have done," said Mayor Richard Pucci.

Other commission members present at the meeting were Marvin Fischer of Dawson Lane, and Susan Rudy of Schoolhouse Road.