Berrien City
Alexander L. Berrien, 1920
Overview
Berrien City, located south of the Princeton Junction train station (around Alexander Road, Scott Avenue, and Berrien Avenue), was West Windsor's first planned residential development.¹ It is a collection of three distinct developments: Berrien Heights (1916), Berrien City (1924), and Princeton Gardens (1926). The community's name immortalizes Montgomery Scott Berrien (1830-1922), who managed the general store in Princeton Basin - and his son, Alexander Lawrence Berrien (1870-1926) - known as "Judge" to his friends.²
In 1916, Montgomery constructed "Berrien Heights" on the site of the former Elliot Nurseries.³ It featured 72 lots of mostly uniform size (50-60 feet wide and either about 155, 180, or 230 feet deep). These properties were centered around Berrien Avenue and Montgomery Street. The stately sycamore trees lining Berrien Avenue near its intersection with Alexander Road mark some of the original trees of Berrien Heights development.⁴ Another set of trees - the oldest evergreens near the intersection of Scott and Wallace Roads - are likely remnants of Elliot Nurseries.
By 1924, Alexander - a former Tax Assessor and Justice of the Peace in Princeton and Mercer County Freeholder aspirant - had bought enough property south of the train station to expand his father's development from 72 to 114 lots.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.
By this point, several other streets had been constructed. Some, such as Berrien Ave, Montgomery St, Alexander Rd, and Scott Ave, were named after father and son. Lillie Street immortalizes Alexander's older sister, Lillian Montgomery Berrien (1866-1953) and Emil Street memorializes Lillian's husband, Emil Leute (1861-1939).
Berrien City, located south of the Princeton Junction train station (around Alexander Road, Scott Avenue, and Berrien Avenue), was West Windsor's first planned residential development.¹ It is a collection of three distinct developments: Berrien Heights (1916), Berrien City (1924), and Princeton Gardens (1926). The community's name immortalizes Montgomery Scott Berrien (1830-1922), who managed the general store in Princeton Basin - and his son, Alexander Lawrence Berrien (1870-1926) - known as "Judge" to his friends.²
In 1916, Montgomery constructed "Berrien Heights" on the site of the former Elliot Nurseries.³ It featured 72 lots of mostly uniform size (50-60 feet wide and either about 155, 180, or 230 feet deep). These properties were centered around Berrien Avenue and Montgomery Street. The stately sycamore trees lining Berrien Avenue near its intersection with Alexander Road mark some of the original trees of Berrien Heights development.⁴ Another set of trees - the oldest evergreens near the intersection of Scott and Wallace Roads - are likely remnants of Elliot Nurseries.
By 1924, Alexander - a former Tax Assessor and Justice of the Peace in Princeton and Mercer County Freeholder aspirant - had bought enough property south of the train station to expand his father's development from 72 to 114 lots.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.
By this point, several other streets had been constructed. Some, such as Berrien Ave, Montgomery St, Alexander Rd, and Scott Ave, were named after father and son. Lillie Street immortalizes Alexander's older sister, Lillian Montgomery Berrien (1866-1953) and Emil Street memorializes Lillian's husband, Emil Leute (1861-1939).
In 1926, real estate developer Michael McLaughlin's (1869-1956) "Princeton Gardens" expanded the Berrien City neighborhood.⁹ McLaughlin's original plan featured 201 lots on both side of the train tracks - see the map above. However, the development was only constructed on the east side of the railroad tracks - largely between Alexander Road and a then-new Wallace Roads, as well as along Emil street off of North Post Road. A new street - Borosko Place - was probably named after a local Hungarian family. Although Princeton Gardens was the last of the three developments (Berrien Heights, Berrien City, and Princeton Gardens) to be constructed, the three are nowadays simply referred to by one collective name: "Berrien City."
All this growth necessitated the formation of a fire brigade in 1926 (the Berrien City Fire Company - more info below) and construction of a fire house in 1931.¹⁰ The community operated its own water infrastructure under the Princeton Junction Water Company until 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 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
In the 1940s and 1950s, Sears Roebuck & Co. and the Weyerhaeuser Company offered inexpensive “modular” home kits.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
Over the decades, the land around Berrien City has grown with more residential and commercial developments. Still, Berrien City retains many of its original residences and locals proudly call it home.
All this growth necessitated the formation of a fire brigade in 1926 (the Berrien City Fire Company - more info below) and construction of a fire house in 1931.¹⁰ The community operated its own water infrastructure under the Princeton Junction Water Company until 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 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
In the 1940s and 1950s, Sears Roebuck & Co. and the Weyerhaeuser Company offered inexpensive “modular” home kits.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
Over the decades, the land around Berrien City has grown with more residential and commercial developments. Still, Berrien City retains many of its original residences and locals proudly call it home.
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
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
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
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
PJ Fire Co. truck. Date unknown.
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
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 (on the northwest side of the tracks right next to Washington Road). 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." In 2021, the building houses Brother's Pizza.
In 1943, the post office that had been located in the Issac Hey general store along Station Drive (on the northwest side of the tracks right next to Washington Road). 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." In 2021, the building houses Brother's Pizza.
Play the slideshow below to explore more of historic Berrien City!