Clarksville
The Flock/Coleman farm in Clarksville, 1950s. From Richard Coleman.
Overview
“Clarksville” refers to a West Windsor-Lawrence community that no longer exists. It was largely centered around the intersection of Quakerbridge Road and Route 1 but also included the surrounding landscape. It was presumably named after the Clarke family, who settled in present-day Princeton following Benjamin Clarke’s purchase of 1,200 acres of land from Thomas Warne in 1696. This property encompassed the future locations of the Princeton Battlefield, Institute for Advanced Study, Institute Woods, and Updike Farmstead, to name a few. However, several hundred acres also overlapped into present-day West Windsor - including Nassau Park Pavilion. Some old sources theorize that Clarksville Road itself may have been constructed along the southeastern division line separating this property from William Penn’s 1693 purchase of Penns Neck. Although the hamlet’s name was originally spelled “Clarkesville,” (at least as far back as the 1830s, if not earlier) the “e” was dropped at an unknown date. It’s currently unknown exactly when pioneers first settled the “West Windsor” part of the 1696 purchase - as opposed to the “Princeton” part. However, we do know that farming families lived here at least by the 1770s, if not significantly earlier. As explored below, British troops were captured on December 30, 1777 during the American Revolution at the homestead of Jonathan Flock, about one quarter of a mile northwest of the intersection of Clarksville and Quakerbridge Roads. These soldiers may have divulged information about British troop movements to George Washington’s army that may have helped him stave off a British assault on Trenton and win the Battle of Princeton during the darkest hours of the war. Only four days later, the Flocks and their neighbors likely witnessed the American army marching up Quakerbridge Road on their way to victory in Princeton.
“Clarksville” refers to a West Windsor-Lawrence community that no longer exists. It was largely centered around the intersection of Quakerbridge Road and Route 1 but also included the surrounding landscape. It was presumably named after the Clarke family, who settled in present-day Princeton following Benjamin Clarke’s purchase of 1,200 acres of land from Thomas Warne in 1696. This property encompassed the future locations of the Princeton Battlefield, Institute for Advanced Study, Institute Woods, and Updike Farmstead, to name a few. However, several hundred acres also overlapped into present-day West Windsor - including Nassau Park Pavilion. Some old sources theorize that Clarksville Road itself may have been constructed along the southeastern division line separating this property from William Penn’s 1693 purchase of Penns Neck. Although the hamlet’s name was originally spelled “Clarkesville,” (at least as far back as the 1830s, if not earlier) the “e” was dropped at an unknown date. It’s currently unknown exactly when pioneers first settled the “West Windsor” part of the 1696 purchase - as opposed to the “Princeton” part. However, we do know that farming families lived here at least by the 1770s, if not significantly earlier. As explored below, British troops were captured on December 30, 1777 during the American Revolution at the homestead of Jonathan Flock, about one quarter of a mile northwest of the intersection of Clarksville and Quakerbridge Roads. These soldiers may have divulged information about British troop movements to George Washington’s army that may have helped him stave off a British assault on Trenton and win the Battle of Princeton during the darkest hours of the war. Only four days later, the Flocks and their neighbors likely witnessed the American army marching up Quakerbridge Road on their way to victory in Princeton.
Close-up of 1849 J.W. Otley & J. Keily map of West Windsor
We can pinpoint a particularly influential resident in early 1800s Clarksville: Dr. Israel Clarke, who served as West Windsor’s town physician for years. He reputedly constructed a hotel near the crossroads around the turn of the nineteenth century - about the same time several other buildings were erected nearby. This establishment is said to have changed hands several times until it was acquired by William West, Jr. He hosted most of the municipal meetings from the 1870s-1890s in his house before the government established its semi-permanent headquarters in Dutch Neck in 1891. West’s hotel was one of a few establishments licensed to serve liquor – undoubtedly a draw for many!
In the 1800s, Clarksville flourished as a community at least partly catering to stagecoach travel and largely reliant on farming. Throughout the century, it also featured a second inn, a blacksmith, two wheelwrights, a general store, and, of course, several residences and barns. There was also an old schoolhouse, erected at least by 1828, if not earlier. That year, the West Windsor Township Committee allocated $60 to David Dye for the management of 40 students in Clarksville. The schoolhouse stood just inside Lawrence Township, at the southern corner of the intersection of Clarksville and Quakerbridge Roads. It was frequently used as a Sunday school, secular meeting house, and site of agricultural festivals. The building was destroyed in a fire in 1937.
A structure called the “Clarksville Inn” catered to early-1900s tourists as a “Travel lodge.” It sold liquor during Prohibition and was the subject of prosecution. It seems to have been demolished to make way for Route 1 improvements in the early 1930s.
In the 1800s, Clarksville flourished as a community at least partly catering to stagecoach travel and largely reliant on farming. Throughout the century, it also featured a second inn, a blacksmith, two wheelwrights, a general store, and, of course, several residences and barns. There was also an old schoolhouse, erected at least by 1828, if not earlier. That year, the West Windsor Township Committee allocated $60 to David Dye for the management of 40 students in Clarksville. The schoolhouse stood just inside Lawrence Township, at the southern corner of the intersection of Clarksville and Quakerbridge Roads. It was frequently used as a Sunday school, secular meeting house, and site of agricultural festivals. The building was destroyed in a fire in 1937.
A structure called the “Clarksville Inn” catered to early-1900s tourists as a “Travel lodge.” It sold liquor during Prohibition and was the subject of prosecution. It seems to have been demolished to make way for Route 1 improvements in the early 1930s.
Close-up of 1875 Everts & Stuart map. Brunswick Pike is the upper horizontal avenue; Clarksville Rd is the southern street. Both intersect with Quakerbridge Road.
The Clarksville Inn is not to be confused with two other establishments: the Clarksville Motel (which operated at least in the 1950s/60S as a lodge for weary travelers) and the 1940s-era “Clarksville Diner.” The latter establishment is easily West Windsor’s best-traveled building. Originally called the “Princeton Grill” and located at the Penns Neck traffic circle, it was a popular eatery that was relocated to Clarksville in the 1940s or 1950s. In 1988, the diner was purchased by Gordon Tindall III, who relocated it to Iowa and restored it. Several years later, it was purchased by the Canal+ media company based in Paris, France. In 1988,it was shipped across the Atlantic and converted to office space. There it sits overlooking the Seine at the Canal+ complex, its prominent lettering its only link to its hometown across the world.
Throughout the 20th century, Clarksville remained a farming community, home to several longtime families including (but not limited to) Coleman, Dilatush, Doherty, Reed, and Schenck. Even in late 2021, the land northeast of Quakerbridge Road makes up one of the largest tracts of farmland in the township.
In the 1950s, American Cyanamid - an agricultural and industrial chemical conglomerate - opened a research and manufacturing facility off Clarksville Road on the site of the old Flock family farmhouse (see “J. T. Flock on the 1875 map of Clarksville a few pages back). They purchased and expanded into much of the surrounding properties over the next few years, razed several old farmhouses in the process. However, the farmland was largely preserved, serving as fields on which the agricultural branch’s agrarian research was conducted. It was not uncommon to see pigs almost the size of cows! Operations continued until the facility's closing in 2004. For the next fifteen years, the property passed through several owners, some with ideas for redevelopment and rezoning that the township rejected. In 2019, Atlantic Realty purchased the ~650-acre site, following a protracted and heated conflict between Howard Hughes (its previous owner) and locals over a plan to construct thousands of new residences and multiple commercial buildings. As of 2022, it seems that construction of several massive warehouses on much of the remaining farmland is the most likely future for the site.
Today, almost nothing remains of Clarksville. The Lawrence side of Quakerbridge Road is filled with apartments and shopping complexes. The West Windsor side was, until recently, primarily dominated by the decrepit American Cyanamid complex (which was torn down in early 2022), Nassau Park Pavilion, and likely-soon-to-be-gone farmland. Only one original building – home to “Weber’s Kennels” at 3440 Brunswick Pike – remains in use and may date to c. 1800. Another – the Doherty house, across Quakerbridge Road from the Costco shopping center – sat unoccupied for over 25 years but was also demolished in early 2022.
Throughout the 20th century, Clarksville remained a farming community, home to several longtime families including (but not limited to) Coleman, Dilatush, Doherty, Reed, and Schenck. Even in late 2021, the land northeast of Quakerbridge Road makes up one of the largest tracts of farmland in the township.
In the 1950s, American Cyanamid - an agricultural and industrial chemical conglomerate - opened a research and manufacturing facility off Clarksville Road on the site of the old Flock family farmhouse (see “J. T. Flock on the 1875 map of Clarksville a few pages back). They purchased and expanded into much of the surrounding properties over the next few years, razed several old farmhouses in the process. However, the farmland was largely preserved, serving as fields on which the agricultural branch’s agrarian research was conducted. It was not uncommon to see pigs almost the size of cows! Operations continued until the facility's closing in 2004. For the next fifteen years, the property passed through several owners, some with ideas for redevelopment and rezoning that the township rejected. In 2019, Atlantic Realty purchased the ~650-acre site, following a protracted and heated conflict between Howard Hughes (its previous owner) and locals over a plan to construct thousands of new residences and multiple commercial buildings. As of 2022, it seems that construction of several massive warehouses on much of the remaining farmland is the most likely future for the site.
Today, almost nothing remains of Clarksville. The Lawrence side of Quakerbridge Road is filled with apartments and shopping complexes. The West Windsor side was, until recently, primarily dominated by the decrepit American Cyanamid complex (which was torn down in early 2022), Nassau Park Pavilion, and likely-soon-to-be-gone farmland. Only one original building – home to “Weber’s Kennels” at 3440 Brunswick Pike – remains in use and may date to c. 1800. Another – the Doherty house, across Quakerbridge Road from the Costco shopping center – sat unoccupied for over 25 years but was also demolished in early 2022.
Dr. Clarke House (mid-1700s)
The spot noted on the map above is the site of what is believed to have been the Dr. Clarke House. Excavations in 1985 revealed the foundations of an 18th-century farmhouse on this site.¹⁵ This may have been the house of Dr. Israel Clarke, who was listed on township tax rolls in 1809. These documents indicate that he owned one male slave. ¹⁶
The spot noted on the map above is the site of what is believed to have been the Dr. Clarke House. Excavations in 1985 revealed the foundations of an 18th-century farmhouse on this site.¹⁵ This may have been the house of Dr. Israel Clarke, who was listed on township tax rolls in 1809. These documents indicate that he owned one male slave. ¹⁶
c. 1940 WWII surplus truck transporting potatoes from fields to grader. From Richard Coleman.
The Coleman Farm (1700s)
Although every farm house that once stood in the center of Clarksville has long been torn down, the history of one farmstead of note is recorded. During the American Revolution, George Washington sent Colonel Joseph Reed to Princeton, in order to observe and record British movements.¹⁷ On December 30, 1776, Reed and a contingent of cavalry traveled back to Trenton, using Quakerbridge Road.¹⁸ As they passed by the Coleman house, they espied British soldiers, who were foraging for food.¹⁹ Having left their weapons in the house, the troops (consisting of twelve dragoons and a commissary) were caught off guard and captured.²⁰ They reputedly supplied valuable information to Washington's army about British troop movements and army size in Trenton and Princeton that helped him stave off British General Charles Cornwallis' assault on Trenton on January 2, as well as win the Battle of Princeton a few days later!²¹
Until recently, a plaque stood off of Quakerbridge Road, near the primary entrance to American Cyanamid, to mark the site of this capture.²²
Although every farm house that once stood in the center of Clarksville has long been torn down, the history of one farmstead of note is recorded. During the American Revolution, George Washington sent Colonel Joseph Reed to Princeton, in order to observe and record British movements.¹⁷ On December 30, 1776, Reed and a contingent of cavalry traveled back to Trenton, using Quakerbridge Road.¹⁸ As they passed by the Coleman house, they espied British soldiers, who were foraging for food.¹⁹ Having left their weapons in the house, the troops (consisting of twelve dragoons and a commissary) were caught off guard and captured.²⁰ They reputedly supplied valuable information to Washington's army about British troop movements and army size in Trenton and Princeton that helped him stave off British General Charles Cornwallis' assault on Trenton on January 2, as well as win the Battle of Princeton a few days later!²¹
Until recently, a plaque stood off of Quakerbridge Road, near the primary entrance to American Cyanamid, to mark the site of this capture.²²
Special tax certificate for a retail liquor dealer, 1880
Clarksville Inn/West End Hotel (c. 1808)
This structure, in operation until the early 1900s, was located at the eastern corner of the intersection of Brunswick Pike and Quakerbridge Road. It was unique in the region as the only hotel and licensed bar on the Pike between Princeton and Trenton.²³ The hotel's construction prompted the blossoming of Clarksville as a village. It may have been constructed by Thomas Combs, who, in 1808, filed for a tavern license that stated: "That your petitioner has leased the New Brick building belonging to Doctor Israel Clarke situate on the Trenton and New Brunswick Turnpike Road in the Township of West Windsor." ²⁴ Interestingly, John Joline, who applied for an innkeeper's license as the manager of the Red Lion Inn in Penns Neck, attested to Combs' charcter.²⁵
Before World War I, the hotel was operated by the Brady family, owners of the first "motor-car" in the village.²⁶ The building has long since been razed.
This structure, in operation until the early 1900s, was located at the eastern corner of the intersection of Brunswick Pike and Quakerbridge Road. It was unique in the region as the only hotel and licensed bar on the Pike between Princeton and Trenton.²³ The hotel's construction prompted the blossoming of Clarksville as a village. It may have been constructed by Thomas Combs, who, in 1808, filed for a tavern license that stated: "That your petitioner has leased the New Brick building belonging to Doctor Israel Clarke situate on the Trenton and New Brunswick Turnpike Road in the Township of West Windsor." ²⁴ Interestingly, John Joline, who applied for an innkeeper's license as the manager of the Red Lion Inn in Penns Neck, attested to Combs' charcter.²⁵
Before World War I, the hotel was operated by the Brady family, owners of the first "motor-car" in the village.²⁶ The building has long since been razed.
Clarksville School (pre-1849)
The one-room schoolhouse was located at the southwest corner of the intersection of Quakerbridge and Clarksville roads.²⁷ It served students of various ages from Clarksville, Port Mercer, and Lawrence. In addition, it was used for community meetings, agricultural festivals, and school.²⁸ Unfortunately, it burned down in 1937.²⁹ Photographs show a building of similar scale and style to the one rebuilt at the Schenck Farmstead.
In 1996, the Greater Princeton Extra interviewed Annabel Smith, a 104-year-old retired school teacher who taught in the Clarksville School until it was destroyed.³⁰ Click here to read her recollections!
The one-room schoolhouse was located at the southwest corner of the intersection of Quakerbridge and Clarksville roads.²⁷ It served students of various ages from Clarksville, Port Mercer, and Lawrence. In addition, it was used for community meetings, agricultural festivals, and school.²⁸ Unfortunately, it burned down in 1937.²⁹ Photographs show a building of similar scale and style to the one rebuilt at the Schenck Farmstead.
In 1996, the Greater Princeton Extra interviewed Annabel Smith, a 104-year-old retired school teacher who taught in the Clarksville School until it was destroyed.³⁰ Click here to read her recollections!
C. 1900 photo from "West Windsor Then and Now"
Doherty Family Farmhouse (c. 1849-1860)
This now-dilapidated clapboard Italianate house first shows up on an 1860 map of West Windsor as being owned by Valentine Sharp.³¹ It last belonged to the Doherty family until 1994, when its last resident, Amelia Doherty, passed away.³² The building has since fallen into extreme dilapidation.
After Amelia Doherty's passing, much of the house's furniture was donated to the West Windsor Historical Society by American Cyanamid and can now be found at the Schenck Farmstead.³³ This includes an Eastlake parlor set, an oak dining room set (including a hanging Tiffany lamp), two sets of bedroom furniture, and several wooden dressers and cabinets.³⁴
This now-dilapidated clapboard Italianate house first shows up on an 1860 map of West Windsor as being owned by Valentine Sharp.³¹ It last belonged to the Doherty family until 1994, when its last resident, Amelia Doherty, passed away.³² The building has since fallen into extreme dilapidation.
After Amelia Doherty's passing, much of the house's furniture was donated to the West Windsor Historical Society by American Cyanamid and can now be found at the Schenck Farmstead.³³ This includes an Eastlake parlor set, an oak dining room set (including a hanging Tiffany lamp), two sets of bedroom furniture, and several wooden dressers and cabinets.³⁴
Photo courtesy of Chip Peterson
The Princeton Grill/Clarksville Diner
(c. 1940)
During the middle of the 20th century, Clarksville was home to its own slice of Americana. The “Clarksville Diner” is perhaps West Windsor’s best-travelled building, calling 4 different locations its home.
The Clarksville Diner – originally known as the Princeton Grill – was a “Silk City” diner built in Paterson, NJ and set up at the Penns Neck Circle (the intersection of Washington Road and Brunswick Pike) around 1940.³⁵ Its first owner, John Wills, managed a popular eatery that attracted travelers along Route 1 and local residents alike.³⁶
In 1955, the grill was acquired by Jim and Jane Swift and was relocated to the intersection of Brunswick Pike and Quakerbridge Road (long before the overpass was built in the mid-1900s), whereupon it was renamed the Clarksville Diner.³⁷ It, too, saw years of service, but unfortunately shut down, whereupon it was acquired by a land investment company.³⁸
However, even in its state of hibernation, the diner still had a presence. In 1985, when the widening of Brunswick Pike and Quakerbridge Road threatened its existence, the diner was enough of a local symbol that the state reworked its plans.³⁹
(c. 1940)
During the middle of the 20th century, Clarksville was home to its own slice of Americana. The “Clarksville Diner” is perhaps West Windsor’s best-travelled building, calling 4 different locations its home.
The Clarksville Diner – originally known as the Princeton Grill – was a “Silk City” diner built in Paterson, NJ and set up at the Penns Neck Circle (the intersection of Washington Road and Brunswick Pike) around 1940.³⁵ Its first owner, John Wills, managed a popular eatery that attracted travelers along Route 1 and local residents alike.³⁶
In 1955, the grill was acquired by Jim and Jane Swift and was relocated to the intersection of Brunswick Pike and Quakerbridge Road (long before the overpass was built in the mid-1900s), whereupon it was renamed the Clarksville Diner.³⁷ It, too, saw years of service, but unfortunately shut down, whereupon it was acquired by a land investment company.³⁸
However, even in its state of hibernation, the diner still had a presence. In 1985, when the widening of Brunswick Pike and Quakerbridge Road threatened its existence, the diner was enough of a local symbol that the state reworked its plans.³⁹
Inside the Princeton Grill, from the August 18 1982 Princeton Packet
In 1988, the building was purchased by Gordon Tindall III.⁴⁰ Two years later, Gordon – and his diner – relocated to Decorah, Iowa, whereupon Tindall spent 4 years restoring it and turning it into a mecca for those seeking respite from the relentless stresses of the road.⁴¹ As a result of his efforts – including reconstruction using original parts purchased from other Silk City diner owners after a drunk driver smashed into his beloved building – the establishment was listed on the National Register of Historic Placed in December 1993.⁴²
Unfortunately, although Tindall attracted repeat customers, business was close to nonexistent. In 1998, the diner was purchased by the Canal+ TV station, based in Paris, France, whereupon it was shipped across the Atlantic Ocean and turned into office space for the company.⁴³ The last photographs of the diner in America show it en route to Elizabeth, New Jersey, and resting in a terminal, awaiting its final voyage.
Although the diner is long-gone from West Windsor, the presence of our town can still be felt in Boulogne: the building is still being used by Canal+, Its polished aluminum walls betraying its origin in a little town across the world.⁴⁴
Unfortunately, although Tindall attracted repeat customers, business was close to nonexistent. In 1998, the diner was purchased by the Canal+ TV station, based in Paris, France, whereupon it was shipped across the Atlantic Ocean and turned into office space for the company.⁴³ The last photographs of the diner in America show it en route to Elizabeth, New Jersey, and resting in a terminal, awaiting its final voyage.
Although the diner is long-gone from West Windsor, the presence of our town can still be felt in Boulogne: the building is still being used by Canal+, Its polished aluminum walls betraying its origin in a little town across the world.⁴⁴
American Cyanamid (1950)
In the 1950s, American Cyanamid - an agricultural and industrial chemical company - opened up a research and manufacturing facility in between the Northeast Corridor train line and Brunswick Pike, north of Quakerbridge Road.⁴⁵ During the middle of the 20th century, the company grew rapidly, expanding into cosmetics, building materials, and pharmaceuticals, among other products, and providing a source of employment for much of the town's residents⁴⁶
Over the years, as American Cyanamid acquired the properties of the farms around its complex, the corporation tore down the farm houses in order to avoid paying taxes on the properties. The Coleman farm was reputedly the last to go.⁴⁷
Since its founding, the company underwent a few name changes, merging with American Home Products in 1994, and later changing its name to Wyeth in 2002 - 2 years before the facility's closing and purchase by General Growth Properties (GGP).⁴⁸
Since then, the complex has fallen into disrepair. in 2010, the Howard Hughes corporation was formed as a spinoff of GGP.⁴⁹ The organization petitioned the township and presented plans for a massive rezoning and redevelopment of the property.⁵⁰ The proposal envisioned residential, commercial, and office space, parks and plazas, and, potentially, a school and hospital.⁵¹ However, after a protracted battle, Howard Hughes ended up selling off the tract to Atlantic Realty in 2019, whereupon, in early 2020, the fate of the vicinity remains uncertain.
In the 1950s, American Cyanamid - an agricultural and industrial chemical company - opened up a research and manufacturing facility in between the Northeast Corridor train line and Brunswick Pike, north of Quakerbridge Road.⁴⁵ During the middle of the 20th century, the company grew rapidly, expanding into cosmetics, building materials, and pharmaceuticals, among other products, and providing a source of employment for much of the town's residents⁴⁶
Over the years, as American Cyanamid acquired the properties of the farms around its complex, the corporation tore down the farm houses in order to avoid paying taxes on the properties. The Coleman farm was reputedly the last to go.⁴⁷
Since its founding, the company underwent a few name changes, merging with American Home Products in 1994, and later changing its name to Wyeth in 2002 - 2 years before the facility's closing and purchase by General Growth Properties (GGP).⁴⁸
Since then, the complex has fallen into disrepair. in 2010, the Howard Hughes corporation was formed as a spinoff of GGP.⁴⁹ The organization petitioned the township and presented plans for a massive rezoning and redevelopment of the property.⁵⁰ The proposal envisioned residential, commercial, and office space, parks and plazas, and, potentially, a school and hospital.⁵¹ However, after a protracted battle, Howard Hughes ended up selling off the tract to Atlantic Realty in 2019, whereupon, in early 2020, the fate of the vicinity remains uncertain.
Play the slideshow below to explore some more images of historic Clarksville!