REFLECTIONS ON FRANKLIN LAKES

REFLECTIONS ON FRANKLIN LAKES

BY

JACK GOUDSWARD

     As Franklin Lakes turns ninety two years old the town has changed dramatically over the years. Looking back to a time when the town was ten years old and reflect what was and what is left today. Circle Avenue still remains today. But it is now dissected by Route 287. Dead ending and not living up to its former given name. It was at this location that the first church in town was built. The Rev. Senior was the pastor when the church was built.  He was followed by Rev. J.M. Versteeg. Rev. Versteeg went to great effort to renovate the church. The church was lifted off its base and a basement was put in. This was used for a Sunday school.  New pews, pulpit, carpet and new furniture was installed. This church lasted until December 1919 when it burned to the ground. A new church was built of local stone on land donated by William V. Pulis. Know today as the Methodist Episcopal Church. It later served the town as the Civilian Defense Hospital housed in the Sunday Rooms.

       A fair number of business have come and gone along Franklin Avenue. The Fox Poultry and Egg Farm was located on what was the Grand Union shopping Plaza. This was removed and replaced with the Stop and Shop Shopping area known as Franklin Crossing . The Tri-Corner Reality Development Corporation Building stood for many years. But was taken down when a strip mall was added to the existing stores. The Exhibition Tent Company Buildings were used for storage for the Langindone Hardware Company. All the buildings were lost with the construction of the Franklin Square Shopping Center.

       Lastly we come to the towns’ first Fire House. This building is now used as the Board of Education Office Building. When the building was first built under its’ roof it held the Police Office, Police Court, Police and Fire Commissioners and staff along with two new fire trucks.  As our town changes we are fortunate to retain some of the vestiges of our towns’ past.