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THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF WEST WINDSOR
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Schafer's Service Station

Picture
Schafer's Service Station, probably 1960s. In the foreground is Princeton-Hightstown Road.
Historical Overview
An auto repair shop once stood on the site of what is now (2023) an empty field at 39 Princeton-Hightstown Road (directly abutting Cranbury Road). This establishment - originally called "Schafer's Service Station" - was, for many decades, a familiar landmark in old Princeton Junction.

The first Schafer's Service Station was, however, opened across the railroad tracks at 29 Washington Road, reputedly in the 1920s.[1] This was operated by Conrad Schafer - a German immigrant and baggageman for the Pennsylvania Railroad.[2] After the original gas station shack (see adjacent photo) was torn down in 1934, the larger building in the background was used for the station; it still exists as a small guest cottage the the property (a private residence).[3]
Picture
Conrad Schafer's service station at 29 Washington Road, 1930s.
Around 1940, Conrad's son, Henry L. Schafer, relocated the station to 39 Princeton-Hightstown Road, taking advantage of the newly-constructed railroad bridge opened just the year prior.[4] Henry's service station sold much more than gas and repairs. Newspapers, magazines, greeting cards, and even jewelries and household goods could be purchased. A display case full of penny candy was a magnet for local children who loved to spend their allowance there when they went with their parents to buy the Sunday newspaper. Henry's wife, Mary, also sold lunch foods: sandwiches, cookies, snacks, and Breyer's ice cream.[5]

Henry turned the station over to his son, Henry Jr. (AKA "Larry"), who operated it with his wife Joan, until 1979. They rented the station to Dennis McClenahan for a short time. Al Swingle, who also owned the Sunoco gas station at 50 Princeton Hightstown Road, bought Schafer's station in 1987 and turned it into purely a repair shop.[6] This building was demolished between 2010 and 2011;[10],[11] in its place stands that empty field.
Picture
Henry Schafer's service station at 39 Princeton Hightstown Road, probably 1940s.
Go to Princeton Junction Homepage

Bibliography
  1. Princeton Recollector. (1979, May). Published by the Historical Society of Princeton
  2. United States Census, 1930 - West Windsor Township.” West Windsor Township, 1930.
  3. Princeton Recollector. (1979, May). Published by the Historical Society of Princeton
  4. "New Bridge Built at Junction." Princeton Herald. October 17, 1939.
  5. “Broadside,” 1998. Newsletter about the history of Princeton Junction (Part 1 of a 2-part series) produced by the Historical Society of West Windsor. Spring 1998.
  6. Ibid.
  7. "West Windsor Aerial Photography Composite Map, 2011.” Map. Historical Society of West Windsor - Map Archives. West Windsor, NJ, 2011.
  8. "West Windsor Aerial Photography Composite Map, 2010.” Map. Historical Society of West Windsor - Map Archives. West Windsor, NJ, 2010.
Contact Info
Museum Address​ (DO NOT send mail here): 50 Southfield Road, West Windsor, NJ 08550
Send ALL Mail To: 331 North Post Road #774, West Windsor, NJ 08550
Email: [email protected] 
Phone: 609-751-4061
To Join/Donate/Volunteer: CLICK HERE.
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EIN # 22-2459371

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  • About
    • Mission
    • Museum
    • Meetings
    • Leadership
    • Origins
  • History
    • West Windsor History Overview
    • Historic Sites and Villages
    • Special Historic Topics
  • Events & Projects
    • Events Calendar
    • Self-Guided History Tours
    • Cast-Metal History Signs
  • Revolution West Windsor
    • History (RevWW) >
      • American Revolution (RevWW)
      • Revolutionary Map (RevWW)
    • Logo Contest (Rev WW)
    • Events (RevWW)
    • Join Us (Rev WW)
    • Partners (Rev WW)
  • History Book
  • Contact * Volunteer * Donate