Berrien City
Alexander Lawrence Berrien
Overview
Berrien City, located primarily around Alexander Road, Scott Avenue, and Berrien Avenue, was West Windsor's first major residential development.¹ It is emblematic of the township's rapid and transformative post-World War I growth. Constructed primarily in the mid-1920s next to the Northeast Corridor train line, it has become to be known as the brainchild of Alexander Lawrence Berrien (known to friends as "Judge"), cousin of Scott Berrien, who managed the general store in Princeton Basin.²
However, Berrien City is slightly older than most people believe. In 1916, Scott Berrien, a relative of Alexander, constructed the first development in the area on the site of the former Elliot Nurseries (itself built on the much older Nathaniel Schenck Farm, which operated during the 1800s).³ The stately sycamore trees lining Berrien Avenue near its intersection with Alexander Road mark some of the original trees of Scott Berrien's development.⁴ Another set of trees - the oldest evergreens near the intersection of Scott and Wallace Roads - likely date from Elliot Nurseries.
Although Scott Berrien's development preceded Alexander Berrien's "city," it was Alexander who gained more notoriety, by expanding Scott's project dramatically. By 1924, Berrien had bought enough property south of the train station to build 114 uniform lots, each with 50-foot wide frontages.⁵ Berrien offered each lot directly to a buyer who would decide on the type and size of house to be constructed.⁶ This “city” grew rapidly and exhibited a variety of architectural styles. Many of the brick houses were built by Charles Aversano (resident of Scott Avenue); the cement block & stucco houses were constructed by the Hall Family.⁷
Oftentimes, due to the scarcity of certain building components, leftover materials from the Pennsylvania Railroad, such as packing crates were used in the houses' construction.⁸ These elements can still be seen in some of the existing houses.
Below is a 1924 blueprint of Berrien City prior to its construction. Note the proposed location for Emil Street - an avenue which, although built, differs strongly from the small, dead-end cul-de-sac that juts off of North Post Road today.
Berrien City, located primarily around Alexander Road, Scott Avenue, and Berrien Avenue, was West Windsor's first major residential development.¹ It is emblematic of the township's rapid and transformative post-World War I growth. Constructed primarily in the mid-1920s next to the Northeast Corridor train line, it has become to be known as the brainchild of Alexander Lawrence Berrien (known to friends as "Judge"), cousin of Scott Berrien, who managed the general store in Princeton Basin.²
However, Berrien City is slightly older than most people believe. In 1916, Scott Berrien, a relative of Alexander, constructed the first development in the area on the site of the former Elliot Nurseries (itself built on the much older Nathaniel Schenck Farm, which operated during the 1800s).³ The stately sycamore trees lining Berrien Avenue near its intersection with Alexander Road mark some of the original trees of Scott Berrien's development.⁴ Another set of trees - the oldest evergreens near the intersection of Scott and Wallace Roads - likely date from Elliot Nurseries.
Although Scott Berrien's development preceded Alexander Berrien's "city," it was Alexander who gained more notoriety, by expanding Scott's project dramatically. By 1924, Berrien had bought enough property south of the train station to build 114 uniform lots, each with 50-foot wide frontages.⁵ Berrien offered each lot directly to a buyer who would decide on the type and size of house to be constructed.⁶ This “city” grew rapidly and exhibited a variety of architectural styles. Many of the brick houses were built by Charles Aversano (resident of Scott Avenue); the cement block & stucco houses were constructed by the Hall Family.⁷
Oftentimes, due to the scarcity of certain building components, leftover materials from the Pennsylvania Railroad, such as packing crates were used in the houses' construction.⁸ These elements can still be seen in some of the existing houses.
Below is a 1924 blueprint of Berrien City prior to its construction. Note the proposed location for Emil Street - an avenue which, although built, differs strongly from the small, dead-end cul-de-sac that juts off of North Post Road today.
In 1926, further development - that of "Princeton Gardens" - expanded the Berrien City neighborhood.⁹ Today, all three developments - Berrien Heights, Berrien City, and Princeton Gardens - are all colloquially referred to by the middle development's name.
Such rapid growth necessitated the formation of a fire brigade in 1926 and construction of a fire house in 1931 - now headquarters of the West Windsor Arts Council.¹⁰ It is the neighborhood's most prominent structure.
In addition, Berrien City operated its own water infrastructure under the Princeton Junction Water Company (later sold to the Elizabethtown Water Company in January 1968).¹¹ In March 1955, residents of Princeton Junction joined together to provide capital to drill a well on the Pennsylvania Railroad property at the foot of Scott Avenue.¹² This well was a counterpart to another well (with its own water tower) at the corner of Scott Avenue and Montgomery Streets.¹³ This tower often overflowed, resulting in beautiful ice sculptures in the winter.¹⁴ While the water tower is long gone, a small spigot on the southwest corner of the intersection of Scott Avenue and Montgomery Street marks where it once stood.
Many members of the Berrien family have been memorialized through the names of the streets in the development: Montgomery Street, Emil Street, Harris Road, Wallace Road, Lillie Street, and, naturally, Alexander Road and Berrien Avenue.
After WWII, the community rebounded and expanded beyond its original borders. Sears Roebuck & Co. and the Weyerhaeuser Company offered inexpensive “modular” home kits, helping to reignite this residential boom, primarily between the late 1940s and early 1950s.¹⁵ Neighbors and friends from the railroad construction crews helped with the actual construction, demonstrating a level of community engagement common in the neighborhood.¹⁶
Although future developments (along Bedford Drive and Emil Street) were built over older Berrien City structures, most of the original 1920's "city" remains.
Such rapid growth necessitated the formation of a fire brigade in 1926 and construction of a fire house in 1931 - now headquarters of the West Windsor Arts Council.¹⁰ It is the neighborhood's most prominent structure.
In addition, Berrien City operated its own water infrastructure under the Princeton Junction Water Company (later sold to the Elizabethtown Water Company in January 1968).¹¹ In March 1955, residents of Princeton Junction joined together to provide capital to drill a well on the Pennsylvania Railroad property at the foot of Scott Avenue.¹² This well was a counterpart to another well (with its own water tower) at the corner of Scott Avenue and Montgomery Streets.¹³ This tower often overflowed, resulting in beautiful ice sculptures in the winter.¹⁴ While the water tower is long gone, a small spigot on the southwest corner of the intersection of Scott Avenue and Montgomery Street marks where it once stood.
Many members of the Berrien family have been memorialized through the names of the streets in the development: Montgomery Street, Emil Street, Harris Road, Wallace Road, Lillie Street, and, naturally, Alexander Road and Berrien Avenue.
After WWII, the community rebounded and expanded beyond its original borders. Sears Roebuck & Co. and the Weyerhaeuser Company offered inexpensive “modular” home kits, helping to reignite this residential boom, primarily between the late 1940s and early 1950s.¹⁵ Neighbors and friends from the railroad construction crews helped with the actual construction, demonstrating a level of community engagement common in the neighborhood.¹⁶
Although future developments (along Bedford Drive and Emil Street) were built over older Berrien City structures, most of the original 1920's "city" remains.
First fire engine, purchased in 1926 and discontinued in 1948
952 Alexander Road: Berrien City Fire House (1931)
Soon after the incorporation of West Windsor's first fire company in 1921, it was evident that the township would need a more expansive effort to cover its rapidly-growing population. On June 3, 1926, the Berrien City Fire Company was formed to supplement the West Windsor Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1.¹⁷
The company's first equipment reflected the resources of the locales in which they fought fires. Lacking fire hydrants, they owned a pumped and a brush truck to handle field fires.¹⁸ In 1927, the first fire truck - a 1928 Foamite Chemical truck - was purchased for $3900.¹⁹ Until 1931, the truck was housed in a variety of locations, including a private garage on Berrien Avenue and a brick building on Station Drive.²⁰
In 1930, the company reorganized as the Princeton Junction Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1.²¹ Construction of a dedicated firehouse along Alexander Road between Berrien and Scott Avenues soon followed in 1931.²² Over the decades, the roof was raised and the building lengthened to accommodate ever-larger equipment.²³
Soon after the incorporation of West Windsor's first fire company in 1921, it was evident that the township would need a more expansive effort to cover its rapidly-growing population. On June 3, 1926, the Berrien City Fire Company was formed to supplement the West Windsor Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1.¹⁷
The company's first equipment reflected the resources of the locales in which they fought fires. Lacking fire hydrants, they owned a pumped and a brush truck to handle field fires.¹⁸ In 1927, the first fire truck - a 1928 Foamite Chemical truck - was purchased for $3900.¹⁹ Until 1931, the truck was housed in a variety of locations, including a private garage on Berrien Avenue and a brick building on Station Drive.²⁰
In 1930, the company reorganized as the Princeton Junction Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1.²¹ Construction of a dedicated firehouse along Alexander Road between Berrien and Scott Avenues soon followed in 1931.²² Over the decades, the roof was raised and the building lengthened to accommodate ever-larger equipment.²³
PJ Fire Co. truck. Date unknown.
When space was needed for expansion of the fire house, a separate house - originally located at the intersection of Scott Avenue and Alexander Road - was moved to North Post Road, where it stands two houses east of the bridge over the Northeast Corridor railroad.²⁴
During the Great Depression, Bingo games were a popular fundraiser for the company. This practice continued until the 1980s.²⁵
During World War II, both the firehouse in Dutch Neck and the one in Berrien City served as Civil Defense stations, equipped for war-time emergencies.²⁶ 4 decades later, between 1980 and 1989, it also served as a Senior Citizens Center.²⁷
In 1969, a 500 gpm pumper truck (built in 1945) was given to East Windsor Township to assist with the formation of its fire company.²⁸ It returned to the station in 1975, where it was retired after 3 decades of usage.²⁹
In the 1970s, the company brought in the Hoxie Brothers circus, which was held on the Coward farm (now High School South).³⁰ In the same decade, women began to increasingly volunteer for the company, driving fire engines and assisting at fires.³¹ This contingent included Ann "Nancy" Blaney, Shirley LaBeur, Sandy Radclidd, and Anneta Zinetti.³²
In 2002, the fire company moved most of its operations to a new facility at 245 Clarksville Road, retaining the old building in Berrien City for truck and equipment storage.³³ In 2010, the West Windsor Arts Council took out a lease on the building and now hosts events and exhibitions in the former firehouse, occupying the eastern half of the building.³⁴ A few exhibitions are focused around the township's history, exploring events such as Orson Welles' 1938 "War of the Worlds" broadcast.³⁵
During the Great Depression, Bingo games were a popular fundraiser for the company. This practice continued until the 1980s.²⁵
During World War II, both the firehouse in Dutch Neck and the one in Berrien City served as Civil Defense stations, equipped for war-time emergencies.²⁶ 4 decades later, between 1980 and 1989, it also served as a Senior Citizens Center.²⁷
In 1969, a 500 gpm pumper truck (built in 1945) was given to East Windsor Township to assist with the formation of its fire company.²⁸ It returned to the station in 1975, where it was retired after 3 decades of usage.²⁹
In the 1970s, the company brought in the Hoxie Brothers circus, which was held on the Coward farm (now High School South).³⁰ In the same decade, women began to increasingly volunteer for the company, driving fire engines and assisting at fires.³¹ This contingent included Ann "Nancy" Blaney, Shirley LaBeur, Sandy Radclidd, and Anneta Zinetti.³²
In 2002, the fire company moved most of its operations to a new facility at 245 Clarksville Road, retaining the old building in Berrien City for truck and equipment storage.³³ In 2010, the West Windsor Arts Council took out a lease on the building and now hosts events and exhibitions in the former firehouse, occupying the eastern half of the building.³⁴ A few exhibitions are focused around the township's history, exploring events such as Orson Welles' 1938 "War of the Worlds" broadcast.³⁵
948 Alexander Road in 1985
948 Alexander Road: Princeton Junction Post Office (Date Unknown)
In 1943, the post office that had been located in the Issac Hey general store along Station Drive was moved to the store next to the firehouse in Berrien City.³⁶ The post office operated for a number of years in this edifice before until its permanent relocation to the current municipal center.
In the 1980s, the building functioned as a restaurant called "Galleta's Galley." Today, the building houses Brother's Pizza.
In 1943, the post office that had been located in the Issac Hey general store along Station Drive was moved to the store next to the firehouse in Berrien City.³⁶ The post office operated for a number of years in this edifice before until its permanent relocation to the current municipal center.
In the 1980s, the building functioned as a restaurant called "Galleta's Galley." Today, the building houses Brother's Pizza.
Play the slideshow below to explore more of historic Berrien City!