UPCOMING EVENTS

The Orange Branch of the Erie Railroad & the Industries it Served in Bloomfield Tuesday, May 26, 7:30 PM, Civic Center, 84 Broad Street by Rich Rockwell The Orange Branch of the Erie Railroad (also called the Watchung Railroad) was a critical artery in Bloomfield's industrial boom in the 1920s and 30s. It spurred the growth of industries that employed thousands and were rated as some the top 10 % in the eastern United States in the production of war material. During the WWII years, the Orange Branch was the busiest four-mile section for originating freight on the Erie Railroad. Thomas Edison ran an experimental battery-powered train on the line between his home and factories in West Orange and his battery factories in Belleville. Originally planned as a passenger line, the Orange Branch became an important freight line serving industries that manufactured products valued at nearly a billion dollars in 2026 dollars. Industries served by the Orange Branch included: Bakelite, General Motors, General Electric, Westinghouse, Delco Remy, International Arms and Fuze, American La France, Charms, Hartz Mountain, Lehn & Fink (manufacturers of Lysol), Tung Sol and others. This presentation is free and open to the public.

	The Remarkable History of Bloomfield's Fire Department		Oakes' Pond, Oakes' Milll and the Oakes Family

Highlights from Our Web Site

1865 Map of Bloomfield and Belleville

This map shows Bloomfield before Montclair and Glen Ridge split off and Belleville before Nutley split off. The map includes pictures of prominent buildings at the time. Each of the house pictures have been digitally repaired and enhanced and are featured in our photo gallery: Bloomfield and Belleville, 1865

We are grateful to Adriana O'Toole for donating this map to the Historical Society's collections.

Warren Baldwin's home and store on Broad Street. This is where Gencarelli's Bakery is today.	This was James Bartholomew's estate on Blomfield Avenue. Berkley Heights Park is in this location today.	Residenced of Augustus T. Morris, Morris Place and Bay Avenue.

Charles Warren Eaton's Photos of Bloomfield

Photos by Charles Warren Eaton taken between approximately 1905 to 1915 of scenes in Bloomfield including photos of Eaton, his home and garden, Mills and mill ponds in Bloomfield (Diamond Paper Mill, Davey's Pond and Davey's Mill, and Oakes Pond and Oakes Mill), scenes along Third River and newly improved photos of the Morris Canal in Bloomfield.

Charles Warren Eaton	Garden in Eaton backyard	Oakes Pond and Oakes Mill

Rev. Phraner's Photos of Palestine Mission Trip

In the early 1900s, Rev. Wilson Phraner took a Mission trip to Palestine. These are photos he took and made into Magic Lantern Slides that he used in his ministry at the Montgomery Mission Chapel in the Soho neighborhood in Belleville. These photos have been added to our Photo Gallery.

We also have collections of his photos from trips to Switzerland and Germany, Cuba and Alaska and, of course, his collection of photos of Bloomfield.

Damascus Gate	Dragomen (Interpreters/Guides)	Mary's Well

Camp Pinelock

An Anecdotal History, Candid Observations, and Memories of Camp Pinelock, Once a Unique Bloomfield Girl Scout Camp in Knowlton Township, Warren County, NJ (1946- 1961), by S. David Phraner

Camp Pinelock Entrance Postcard	Lake at Camp Pinelock Postcard	Remaining Camp Pinelock building, 2021