The Republicans ran unopposed again in 1943. Drake was elected to a second term and George W. Miller and Alvah H. Cole were returned to Council. A Democrat, Alfred H. Buschhorn won an upset victory over Dr. Frank V. Sander in 1944. Republican Robert H. MacKinney was the top vote getter. Democrat Abraham B. Friedberg was defeated. Republican Maurice A. Chafee was the other winner.

By January 1944 the mayor anticipated the “termination” of the war in his annual message at the beginning of his second term. Drake noted that with a population of 9040 in 1940, a more than a thousand of Highland Park’s young people were serving in the armed forces. He expressed “deepest sympathy” for the families whose service star on their homes had turned to gold. Mayor Drake praised the Defense Council for their work bringing the people of Highland Park together but also those of New Brunswick and Highland Park. The welfare department has helped emergency cases get coal deliveries, sometimes using borough trucks. The mayor announced the appointment of a post-war planning committee.

The first week in May 1944 was Youth Week in New Brunswick and Highland Park. The students spent a week organizing activities. William Campbell, the boy-mayor at Highland park High School said “We have studied harder in order to know what to say and to do. This is a young man’s war and tomorrow will be a young man’s day. The opportunity which has been given us an added incentive to go out and fight to win”.

At a banquet honoring the young people, New Brunswick Mayor John E. Paulus said there had been no adult interference in the plans or program of the youth. “If there had been, in Highland Park, the election never would have gone Democratic”.

Not all Highland Park streets were paved by 1944. Curbs were authorized for Highland and Washington Avenues and Drier Place in June 1944. It was expected the county road department would authorize the macadamizing of the three roads.

In October Mayor Drake appointed a five-member board for planning post war improvements to the borough. The five members were Clarkson P. Stelle (chair), Thomas T. Henderson, Dr. George F. Leonard, Walter J. Metts, and Prof. Lyman F;. Schermerhorn. By that time for mayor Leonard was director of biological production at Squibb Laboratories. The board was tasked with insuring the welfare of the residents in the transition from a war time to peace time economy.

In his New year’s message of 1945 Mayor Drake noted the post-war planning board was in place and the Committee on Parks and Recreation was serving 275 young people. Camp Kilmer officials and the boy scouts were thanked for their help during a recent hurricane. At the end, the Mayor read a list of twelve Highland Park men killed during the war.

Eden Avenue between Seventh and Tenth Avenue and Eighth Avenue between Eden and Graham Avenues received curbs in July 1945.

On August, the war ended. It took a few days of confusion before peace was declared on Tuesday, August 14. Celebrations in New Brunswick and Highland Park erupted and lasted until 2 a.m. with many impromptu parades. President Truman declared a two-day holiday. Bernice Frant Bernstein said that her father loaded as many people as could fit in the back of his pickup truck and they rode around town banging pots and pans, making as much noise as possible. Governor Walter E. Edge ordered all taverns closed until noon Wednesday.

The Office of Price Administration lifted the rationing of fuel and gasoline on August 15 and within hours people were lined up at the gas stations. Instead of the usual request of three or four gallons, motorists were heard to announce “give ‘er all it will take”. Many set off for a holiday; the most popular destination was the New Jersey shore.

Harold W. Drake (1892-1954) was born in North Brunswick. He graduated from New Brunswick High School. Drake worked at the New Brunswick Fire Insurance Co. In 1924 he co-founded Pierce & Drake which later became Drake & Drake. Drake was a member of the Borough Council from1936 to 1941. Before becoming mayor, he was vice chairman of the joint defense committee with New Brunswick which organized reserve police units (50 men) and air aid wardens (300 men and women). Drake was mayor during most of World War 2. Ex-mayor Walter Wood took over Drake’s defense committee role.. Drake was a member of the Presbyterian Church in New Brunswick. He is buried in the Van Liew Cemetery which is off Georges Road just south of Elmwood Cemetery, the only mayor to be buried there.

Voting machines were in operation for the 1941 election allowing polling places to complete their tasks within about 15 minutes of closing time. In the previous years it took until about midnight to tally the votes. The voters approved wage increases for its 10 policemen and 3 paid firemen. The Republican mayor and council candidates had run unopposed and so Drake was elected mayor and Richard Dunham and Dr. Frank V. Sander were the councilmen. Former mayor Russell B. Howell was elected as Sheriff of Middlesex County. In 1942 there were three Republican candidates for council. Alanson D. Prentis and Alvah H. Cole were incumbents and Ferdinand C. Denhard was a new councilman. Denhard was a master mechanic for Johnson and Johnson and Prentis was a manager of hospital sales at Johnson and Johnson.

In his opening address Mayor Drake noted the difficulty of the times and the uncertainty ahead. He offered that payment of taxes was “vital to the safety of your home and mine”. The management of the borough government would continue to run on an economical and efficient basis. The mayor said that recreational activities using the new parks would be expanded to “check juvenile delinquency and lift the morale of our youth”.

A “large, modern” A & P super market was constructed at Raritan and South Fourth Avenues from 1941 to 1942.

In February the Thomas Bowling Academy opened at Raritan and Eighth Avenues adjacent to Charles Thomas’ car agency and garage. The facility had twelve lanes and was decorated in knotty pine with red trim. There were seats for 100 spectators for tournaments as well as a soda and lunch bar.

Camp Kilmer was under construction in early 1942 and completed by June 1942. The War Department requested and were given permission to use to railroad siding at the Janeway and Carpender site until tracks could be laid in the facility itself. The Council also planned a survey of vacant houses and rooms that could be used by workmen building the camp. The survey was made by three New Jersey College for Women students.

The Federal Government threatened rent control for the entire area if landlords and tenants could not work out fair rents for the workers. Landlords were warned not to jack up rents to take advantage of all the workmen moving into the area.

The sale of War Bonds was launched early in 1942. Arthur B. Hill, vice president at Johnson & Johnson was named executive chairman of the drive. Also on the committee was Robert W. Johnson, Jr. who also was appointed State Rationing Administrator.

One result of the proximity of Camp Kilmer to Highland Park was that soldiers regularly visited the high school to sell the students on war bonds. The stamps were $.25 each. The students pasted the stamps into books. To fill a book cost $18.50; the students were then able to cash them in for a $25 war bond. Highland Park High School students purchased a total of $ 3200 in stamps and bonds. This sum was enough to provide three jeeps for the U.S. Army. Three jeeps were brought over from Camp Kilmer for a ceremony in front of the high school. The jeeps were named “Owl Bouncer”, “Bloody Owls”, and “Blitz Buggy”.

In May the council addressed concerns about phrenologists and gypsies setting up shop in store fronts on Raritan Avenue by instituting “prohibitive” license fees. The license was $250 a years and penalties were $100 for phrenologists and $200 for gypsies. The number of gypsy licenses was limited to 10.

The first meetings between the commanders at Camp Kilmer and local officials took place in June. It was hosted by Rutgers University. The mayor and police chief of Highland Park attended along with officials from New Brunswick, Piscataway and Raritan Township. The focus of the discussions was what the army expected of the public.

Gasoline shortages were announced by the New Brunswick War Price and Ration Board on June 29. The service stations received 50% of the previous years sales. One station in New Brunswick was limited to doctors, nurses and public health and safety officials. Residents were asked to limited their driving to essential trips. If a person could walk or use public transportation to work they were expected to do so.

The Highland Park firehouse was designated as a supplemental scrap rubber collection depot. The service stations could still participate. A truck was to make regular stops at the firehouse to haul the rubber to central depots.

Ross Industries on North Second Avenue were presented with blue and white Treasury Department Minute Man flag because of 100% participation of its 188 employees in the voluntary payroll deduction War Savings plan.

In September the War Price and Rationing Boards announced a plan for coupon rationing for fuel oil; households would be required to supply detailed data about their house and furnace.

Also in September Highland Park and New Brunswick began their scrap metal drive. Mayor Drake used a hard sell saying that if you have something in your house you think you may want some day and we lose the war, that day may never come. Mayor Drake also called upon home folks to write letters to their soldier sons.

In November it was announced that all the Highland Park food merchants agreed to collect tin cans. Residents were to “process: them first, that is washing out the contents, cutting off top and bottom flaps, and inserting flaps into the flattened can.

On November 23rd the following Highland Park draftees left for Fort Dix: Fred D. Marchitto,28 Woodbridge Avenue;  Alex Kecskes, 30 Archer Street; Peter J. Piccolomini, 144 Washington Avenue;  Joseph Arthur Schlosser, 111 North Seventh Avenue; Joseph Reuben, 25 South Fourth Avenue; Alfred O. LaTourette, 324 Cedar Avenue; Andrew Kirkpatrick. 233 Lawrence Avenue; John E. Hannon, 22 North Seventh Avenue; William Odatto, 56 Karsey Street; George F.. McCurcheon Jr., 1321 Barnard Street.

Ex-Mayor Walter Wood made the news in a controversy about many residents in the county not dimming their lights. Merchants were being fined when they failed to dim their lights and were incensed about the unfairness. Wood said it was up to each local Defense Council to enforce these rules and some were not doing their job (he mentioned South River as an offender). According to Wood, Highland Park was in complete compliance.

Wayne Street got permission from the Borough Council to hang a huge service flag at North Third Avenue. Eleven “boys” from the two block area of Wayne Street encompassing 40 residents were “in the service of their country”. A plaque with the names also was erected. The men were Donald W. Jackson, Harold D. Salkin, William Altman, Floyd D. Mehrof, David McCorvey, George A. Pancza, Athur E. Metz, Norman V. Hawley, James G. Walker, Milton Cohen and Robert G. Heinold.

Magnolia Street at South Seventh got its own service flag (see below).

In his annual address in 1943, the mayor praised the voluntary efforts and the “spirit of cooperation” of borough employees and officials who were doing everything asked of them. The mayor also expressed pride in the “sons and daughters” who have joined in the fight against wrong.

The police ratcheted up the enforcement of non-essential use of gasoline including checking out cars at the bowling alley and the Masonic Temple. Names of those cited were turned over to the OPA officials. The Office of Price Administration was assigned the task of controlling rationing during the war.

To make up for anticipated shortages of food, residents were encouraged to create Victory Gardens. The New Brunswick/Highland Park Victory Gardens Committee was headed up by a professor in the College of Agriculture and the director of the State Committee was Frank G. Helyar. People were encouraged to register. The Borough Council made some of the municipal land available for gardens. The Victory Garden was defined as one that grew enough food for a family for summer and winter under “competent management” without wasting fertilizer, seeds, etc. In addition to vegetables and fruits, flowers were encouraged for morale purposes.

Walter “Chick” K. Wood (1896- 1982) was born in New Brunswick. He graduated from Rutgers College in 1916. Wood was an Army Lieutenant in World War I working in aerial map making. He received the Carnegie Medal for Heroism in 1921 for a sea rescue. On his return Wood began working for the Highland Park Building Co. He earned architecture and land surveying licenses. Wood designed most of Douglass College housing and worked on the Douglass Chapel as well as the Rutgers Gymnasium. In 1934 he became Secretary/Treasurer of Ruhl Construction Co. in New Brunswick. Wood lived at 111 North Eighth Avenue. He was a member of the Livingston Avenue Baptist Church as well as the New Brunswick Exchange Club, New Brunswick Elks and American Legion Post 25.He is buried at Elmwood Cemetery in New Brunswick.

While Democrats maintained their control of Middlesex County, the Highland Park Republican candidates ran unopposed in 1939. Wood was elected mayor and Alanson D. Prentis and Prof. Clyde C. Hamilton became new councilmen. While the 1940 election was taking place, the first men were called up in the draft and there was a fire at 439 South Third Avenue. Councilmen John N. Ochs and George W. Miller were elected without opposition.

Preparation for War With the invasion of Poland by the Germans in September 1939 the focus of the country began to shift away from fighting the effects of the depression to preparation for a war. All through the thirties there had been concern about what was happening in Germany, Italy, Spain and China. By the time Wood became Mayor of Highland Park, the nation’s focus was on mobilization.

The reality must have felt closer for 45 Highland Park men and their families when a long list of men from the Selective Service lottery was published on October 30, 1940. Among the first Highland Park men listed from Board Number 2 (Highland Park, Metuchen and Raritan Township) were #14. Charles L. Rosenwig, #19. William C. Cuddy, #24. Barnett Danenberg, #27. Murray A. Levine, #31. John F. Hartman, #33. Joseph J. Stefel, #37. Elmer L. Messeroll, #39. Nelson Fitz, #43. Henry D. Lederer, #48. James R. Bunyan, #57. Thomas J. Murray, Jr., #61. Arthu J. Lyons, #66. Raymond E. Torbert, #70. George H. Keller, #71. Alfred H. Buschhorn, #77. Frank A. Broek, Jr., #81. George J. Kaplan. #86. John A. Willard, #91. Frederick A. Burgard, #92. John J. McGowen, #94. Leroy Newman, #99. Charles J. Stateman, #102.  John J. Quinn, #103. Philip W. Lehr, #104. Kenneth O. Bergen, #105. Edgar Wilson, Jr., #113. Ralph L. Marchitto, #117. Carl Y. Rabke, #120. Robert D. Erickson. #121. Paul Marques, #123. Sidney Darwin, #128. Henry Clifford Norton, #130. Abraham F. Jaffe, #139. Francis J. Norris, #140. Kenneth T. Schmidt, #144. Edward L. McGuinness, #145. George W. Brunsion, #147. Robert H.MacKinney, #148. Vincent T. Romano, #149. James J. Meagher, #167. John J, Sattilard, #168. John L. Evans, Jr., #176. Stephen Sabo, #178. Philip Listokin, and #184. Andrew Schritenthal. There were 1000 possible ranking numbers possible. Five million men in the United States were part of this lottery. The next step was the sending out of questionnaires in order of selection which would lead to classification by the Selective Service.

When the first draftees from District 2 were announced on November 28, only two of the four Highland Park men were from the list announced on October 30. The four Highland Park men were Murray Levine, 427 Cedar Avenue; David Reuben, 20 S. Fourth Avenue; Edward Aaron, 208 S. Fourth Avenue; and Selig Epstein, 114 S. Fourth Avenue. Two Metuchen men Benjamin Bedell and John Francis Geary were the others from Group 2. At a ceremony in Metuchen, Mayor Taylor pointed out that this was a “great opportunity for experience and learning”. He urged the draftees to make the most of the opportunity. The next stop for the six men was Highland Park where the mayor presented each of the men with a writing kit including fountain pen, stationary and envelopes. The mayor stated the men should be proud to be among the first group in the new army and wished them a happy and instructive time at training. The men then traveled on to Trenton where they were given a physical and then off to Fort Dix to being a year’s training.

The Selective Service continued to call up men on a regular basis during the tenure of Mayor Wood. Also in October the New Jersey National Guard was inducted into federal service and sent to Fort Dix.

In June 1941, the void from the loss of the National Guard was filled by a new State Guard made up of veterans of World War I. J. Bayard Kirkpatrick, 15 Cleveland Avenue in Highland Park was given rank of major for organizing the three local units. Former mayor Russell B. Howell of 354 Lawrence Avenue was named a Captain. The men were between the ages of 36 and 55 years old with previous training, They were armed by the State of New Jersey for home defense.

The Mayor and Borough

Before Walter Wood could take office, the 42 year old mayor elect was injured in an automobile accident on Woodbridge Avenue in Piscatawaytown on December 10, 1939. It appeared that there was a tire blowout making Wood lose control and his car ran into a pole. The steering wheel shattered and at the time it was believed the fragments caused the deep cuts to his face and forehead. (There was no suggestion that his head may have shattered the steering wheel). The mayor elect was in the hospital until December 30 and needed further recuperation beyond that to regain the strength he lost in the hospital. Because of this, the mayor postponed his first message to the Council until “later”. The Mayor began his active participation in the government on February 20. It is not clear whether he ever gave his 1940 address.

The Highland Park Council voted to dismantle the Janeway-Carpender Building in April 1940 after a fire. The borough had acquired the building in 1938 through foreclosure but had been unable to sell the structure although several manufacturers had been interested. Overtures had fallen through and the Council felt the abandoned building was a danger.

Joseph Barlow retired from his Highland Park Drug store business in May 1940. Barlow’s final store at 229 Raritan Avenue was purchased by Walter Yushchik of Perth Amboy. Barlow had  operated a store at Fourth and Raritan for 18 years. Before that his store was at 128 Raritan Avenue. He also worked at the pharmacy at Cedar Avenue and Raritan Avenue as a young man. Barlow’s daughter Juanita was the first woman to graduate from the Rutgers Pharmacy School.

In June Flako announced an insurance plan for its employees underwritten by Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. Flako assumed the cost. Each employee was covered with $1000 life insurance and would receive $10 a week if sick or injured off the job. It included $150 surgical and hospitalization of $4 a day up to 31 days. It also included visiting nurse care and pamphlets of “health conservation and disease prevention”.

Mayor Wood’s 1941 New Year’s Day message was a five-point program. A study of obtaining a garbage disposal plant was first point. Not only was the dump located on Borough-owned land in Raritan Township and nuisance to people in that township but the smell often drifted into Highland Park. The second point was to “observe all possible economies”. Wood urged all inhabitants to obey traffic laws; if not police would need to become more harsh. The mayor urged the Council to continue to dispose of land acquired through foreclosure. The final point was to revise borough ordinances in which conditions had changed.

In his own report on January 11, 1941, Police Chief Smalley urged the use of two-way radios. Whatever it cost would be repaid in a few years, Smalley told the Council. Smalley also requested a police records room. One of the issues was “unqualified” cooperation with the local defense board.

On December 7, 1941, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and the nation was officially at war.

Russell B. Howell (ca. 1889-1951) was born in New Brunswick. He maintained the position of was Secretary/Treasurer of the Howell Lumber until its dissolution.  Howell served in World War I.  In 1940 he became the president of the Provident Building and Loan Assoc. Howell lived at 254 Lawrence Avenue in the Livingston Manor area. He served three terms on Borough Council. Howell was a member of Highland Park Post 88 American Legion and of the Livingston Avenue Baptist Church in New Brunswick. He is buried in Elmwood Cemetery in New Brunswick.

Russell B. Howell ran unopposed and became the 13th mayor of Highland Park. Walter Wood and John Ochs defeated Democrats Edward V. Rutzel and Arthur Pomponio for Council. In November 1938 Harold W. Drake and Charles Kane “overwhelmed” Democrats Charles Barker and Chalres Kane to keep the Council all republican.

In his opening address Mayor Howell echoed his recent predecessors in stating that the borough would be unable to undertake any major expenditures. He recommended investigating the paving of Cleveland and Harrison Avenues. Howell suggested building a playground on the lot at the corner of First Avenue and Harper Streets. His Honor saw another need in the borough chambers in Masonic Hall; he recommended desks for the mayor and council members.

As the culmination of a campaign to increase safety on the roadways. the State instituted compulsory automobile inspection beginning in January 1938. For two weeks, beginning in December, the stations gave preliminary inspections for free in a trial period for the State and the motorists. One of 28 stations in the State, and one of 2 in Middlesex County, was at Washington Street and Raritan Avenue in Highland Park. The Highland Park site was chosen because it was felt that there was space on Washington Streets for cars to be backed up if necessary. Inspection tests included wheel alignment, a visual inspection of the under part of the front end, windshield wipers and accessories, and two tests of the brakes. The highest number of failures were for headlights and then brakes. Mayor Howell and the six councilmen were the first to have their cars inspected in the new facility followed by other borough officials. New Brunswick city officials also joined the parade. Official cars were free but the cost for all other automobiles was fifty cents. Each car was given five chances to pass. Those passing got a green sticker.

In the middle of January the Police Chief Alfred T. Smalley announced a plan to license all bicycles to reduce theft; each license came with a red reflector. He also released a pamphlet with eleven rules: not riding on sidewalks, ride on the right side of roads, no riding two abreast–ride in single file, do not ride holding on to a car or bus, signal for left turns, lights on the front of bike at night and red light or reflector on rear, stopping at intersections before proceeding and no sirens or whistles on the bike.

The hill on Raritan Avenue up from the bridge became impassable because of ice on January 17. The superintendent of streets, Frank McCarthy, and his crew of 10 men, had to re-sand the roadway four times. The roads superintendent regretted the inability to obtain cinders because the industrial plants were now burning oil instead of coal.

In response to the mayor’s call for parks, the lot at the southeast corner of Harper Street and First Avenue was converted into a playground. Part of the work included removing dirt from one side and transporting it to the other in order to make the area level.

Life Magazine published a series of pictures called “Birth of a Baby” in April 1938. The photographs were taken from a film of the same name. The spread included diagrams and photos including pre-natal care in addition to the actual birth with mother carefully draped. The mayors offices of New Brunswick and Highland Park received complaints and immediately took action to tell dealers to cease distribution or the magazines would be ceased. They were among 45 cities to take this action. Police in Newark found that the group most interested in the photos were High School age girls!

In may Highland Park and New Brunswick issued proclamations for a joint clean up day. Mayor Howell urged residents and borough departments to clean up their yards and grounds, remove dilapidated structures, plant flowers, shrubs and trees and paint and repair.

Taxpayers were sent a letter in July detailing the causes for the 25 point increase in levies. The increases were due to county and State taxes.

A WPA-sponsored recreational program got under way in October. There were after school events for children, evening events of young men and women 16-21 and evening programs for adults. there were evening dancers and lectures by WPA traveling speakers. The borough needed to provide any equipment since this was not covered by the WPA.

Also in October adult education classes were held on Tuesday nights at the high school. Highland Park residents paid $2.50 for the ten week course; non-residents paid $3.00. The most popular course was “Current, National and World Problems” taught by economic assistant professor Max Gideonse of Rutgers. History and appreciation of music, typing, photography, dressmaking, shop, art, and public speaking were some of the other courses.

Congressman Harold Drake organized an Old Clothes Drive in November. Good quantities of clothing were contributed. The Fire Department ran a food drive at the Park Theater for a matinee. Between 800-900 children attended. The cost of admission was canned or packaged foods. This was packed into bundles and the boy scouts helped deliver the packages to various recipients.

In his 1939 address to the council, Mayor Howell called for resurfacing Raritan Avenue if it could be done with no cost to the borough. Howell also repeated his call for a garbage disposal plant. Garbage was being dumped on land the borough owned in Raritan Township and there had been complaint about odors. The address continued that one of the major problems was the unemployed and urged council to use Federal Aid where possible for relief. As the clerk, J. Ford Flagg was reading the mayor’s annual message a telephone began to ring very loudly. After the fifth ring ex-mayor Smalley got up to answer the phone but he could not find it. Someone opened a drawer and pulled out a phone and answered it. Hello..hello…that phone was not connected. Finally the  ringing phone was found in the bottom drawer but by then the person had hung up.

For the first time since he was appointed Chief of Police, Alfred Smalley was able tp report that there had been no fatal accidents on the borough the previous year. There were 52 accidents, 19 passengers hurt and 4 pedestrians hurt by vehicles.

In March 1939 the budget increased from $505,056 to $542,190. Borough officials explained the rise was due to tax collection rates falling again. The amount of municipal debt had fallen from $1.2 million to $768,500 which averaged 8.52 % of the municipal budget.

Highland park voted against pari-mutuel horse racing betting in June by a 3-1 margin. The city fathers believed the amendment to the Constitution would result in a loss of moral, social, civic and economic welfare of the State. The proposal passed in the State.

In August 10,000 starlings began overnight roosting in Livingston Manor arriving around 7:45 pm and leaving around 6 am. Overnight they apparently made a terrific din and generated lots of complaints to the mayor’s office. The birds also left behind their droppings; one residents complained his property looked as if he was raising 1000 chickens. It was said that all native birds had been driven out by these feathered pests. Acting on news that Washington DC had successfully used fireworks to frighten starlings away, the mayor, a man of action, took matters in hand. In the evening Howell went up and down the affected streets with his “trusty shotgun” firing into the trees to scare the birds away. He was followed by a crowd of about 100 people making as much noise as possible. Boys beat sticks against trees and boards against garages. Cars were made to backfire. People yelled, threw rocks and set off firecrackers. The birds would fly up and then settle down again. People on the south side now complained about the noise and threatened to secede. It took another night of avian warfare for “Mayor Russell B. (Rootin’, Tootin’, Shootin’ Bus) Howell” to rid his neighborhood of the birds.

The mayor asked the residents to support a clothing drive in October to support the Relief Department. The next month mayors of Highland Park and New Brunswick proclaimed November 9th as the opening of the Tenth Annual Community Chest drive to collect money for the various charitable agencies.

On an early foggy morning on October 21, 1939, a 77-car freight train ran into another train that had stopped in front of the Janeway and Carpender plant. The engineer said that he did not see the freight train until he was a few feet away. The crash demolished an electric engine and damaged three freight cars. Fortunately there were only “minor” injuries and they were treated by a local Highland Park doctor. Commuters to New York had to be bused to Rahway. The disabled engine and cars tied up the line for eight hours. The engine had to be towed to Philadelphia.

In 1939 one of the most lasting accomplishments of the New Deal Era were begun, the building of what became known as Donaldson and Johnson Parks.

Donaldson Park was originally given the working title of Ayres Beach Park because of the proximity to Ayres’ property. When finished it was renamed after the Donaldson farm which had most recently occupied the bulk of the land on which the new park resided. The park originally had a boat basin for 46 boats, paralleling the Raritan River by 300 feet and “extending inland 200 feet”. The river was dredged to allow six foot clearance during low tide. The excavated earth was used to raise the level of the low land along the water. The boat basin was connected to the park entrances at Second and Third Avenues. Tennis courts, a football and baseball field, shuffleboard courts and areas for horseshoes and badminton. A stadium covering 70 acres was in the original plan. A large artificial lake was constructed in the middle of the park. A bathing beach was planned for a future time when the river was clean and safe again. A bandstand also was planned. The cost was about $300,000 but most of that was for wages paid by the WPA. The county’s share was $30,000.

The land for Johnson Park was donated by the Johnson family. It was completed in three sections with the part nearest the railroad bridge getting first priority. A lake was carved out. The cost for Johnson Park was $398,645 with the Federal government providing $370,645 and the county $28,000.

Roosevelt Park was also “improved” during this time with WPA funding.

Russell Charles Smalley (1890-1985) was born in Franklin Township. He graduated from Wilson Business School and served in the U.S. Navy during World War I. Smalley was the owner/operator of Concrete Products and Block Co. of Piscataway. He lived at 525 South Second Avenue. Smalley was elected to the Borough Council in 1930 and as mayor in 1936. In April 1938 he became the superintendent of the Highland Park Water Department, a position he held until 1955. During World War II the former mayor was director of the Middlesex County Selective Service Board No. 2 in New Brunswick. Smalley was a member of the Reformed Church of Highland Park. He is buried in Elmwood Cemetery, New Brunswick.

In the election of the fall of 1936 for Council, Arthur McCallum and Lyman G. Schermerhorn narrowly defeated strong challenges by Chrissie Bartle and Fred Simmons.

During Smalley’s term, the building of the Sewage Disposal Plant, that had started in 1934, continued. It had been suggested the Raritan River would be “purified” after the sewage plants were completed. In his first message to council at the reorganization meeting, the new mayor set the record straight. He said that after the sewage plants are completed, the river will still not be fit for boating, fishing and bathing until the manufacturers and industries stop dumping their waste into the river.

The mayor made a plea to residents to pay their taxes; although the mayor and council were keeping their expenses to a minimum, the county and school taxes continued to rise. He called on the financial institutions that had foreclosed on houses to pay their own debts on the properties. Smalley said the police force was undermanned and that the borough could not afford radio cars. The dumping was a nuisance to those living nearby but an incinerator was out of the borough’s reach financially.

In February Councilman Arthur McCallum, who was the chairman of the finance committee, announced there would be a 38 point rise in the tax rate. causing the increase was the State Auditor refusal to accept the budget because it did not have a cushion in case of a drop in tax collection. There was an eruption of protest in Highland Park. Arthur Gravatt of 119 Hill Street complained that he bought his house at the 1925 price; it now only was worth the 1936 price but he was still paying taxes at the 1925 rate. All agreed that the people who paid their taxes were being penalized by the delinquents. McCallum noted that the situation would become better each year as the cost of the debt would go down from $161,000 in 1936 to $89,000 in 1940. Meanwhile the work on the sewage plant was continuing due to the $119,000 grant from the Federal government.

The heated arguments continued to a pubic budget meeting on March 2 in Masonic Hall large enough to hold the crowd. The mayor and councilmen were on stage, physically separated from the angry residents below. Anthony Rizzo and Arthur Gravatt of the Highland Park Taxpayers’ Association were the chief opponents to the budget. They had been given all the figures and had proposed a $23,000 cut, mostly in salaries. The councilmen and department heads carefully defended each item and the budget was passed.

The council passed a resolution asking the State to institute a sales tax to aid with relief efforts. There was fear the borough could not meet the demand once the need for relief rose in the fall.

A nw radio station for New Brunswick and Highland Park was announced in May. George N. DeLaplaine, a Highland Park electrical contractor, was the organizer of the venture. DeLaplaine also served as electrical inspector for Highland Park.

Police Chief Alfred T. Smalley proposed a police training school at Rutgers after returning from a convention in Kansas City` in October 1936. traffic control and fundamental principles were proposed as part of the curriculum.

In December Mayor Smalley announced the formation of a new Highland Park Social Welfare Committee to coordinate the relief efforts. Representatives of the following organizations would be in the group: PTA, Park Men;s Club, the schools, the churches, Men’s Christian Club, poor committee, American Legion and Order of the Eastern Star, fire department,  and the Masonic Order.

Highland Park’s Sewage Disposal Plant was ready for full operation in November 1936. The Sewage Disposal Plants on the Raritan River were made possible by grants from the PWA, the Public Works Administration. The PWA is sometimes confused with the WPA. The Public Works Administration (PWA) was created by the National Recovery Act in 1933. It was headed by Harold Ickes. It funded dams, bridges, hospitals and schools from 1933-1935 and again in 1938. It was shut down in 1944. The WPA, the Works Progress Administration, was led by Frances Perkins and funded smaller projects in cooperation with the federal government. The goal was to put people back to work and most of the money was spent on salaries. The largest WPA effort in Highland Park would come during the term of the next mayor.

Highland Park was the second municipality on the lower Raritan (after Perth Amboy) to complete its sewage plant. It stood on four acres of land at Fourth Avenue and Valentine Street. It was designed to treat 1,800,000 gallons of sewage a day and serve 15,000 residents. It was placed 1000 feet from the Raritan River which is higher that the highest flood stage. The sludge was converted to fertilizer. The water flowed down to the river in 24 inch and 30 inch pipe. The borough landscaped the riverbank to hide the sewage pipes.

The Sewage Disposal Plant on Valentine Street was demolished and a small housing project was built on the site beginning in 1987.

A small pumping station was constructed on the River Road site between Harrison and Cleveland Avenues. This station handled the sewage between Second Avenue and River Road. The pump house is used today by the Native Plant Sanctuary. There are two other pump houses in Middlesex County that are very similar to the Highland Park building, one in Edison and one in Metuchen.

By August 1937 the borough had an improved rate of tax collection and the finances were on a firmer basis. The borough was able to buy the bonds for the Sewage Disposal Plant from the PWA and sell them at a favorable rate of interest.

This topic has been given its own post because it requires more than a sentence or two to describe these events fairly.

From 1929 to 1935 one of the uglier remnants of American History manifested itself publicly in Highland Park and the surrounding area. These remnants were woven into popular fund raisers put on for emergency relief. It appears that the organizers also intended to provide some comic relief to raise spirits during the depths of the depression. Mayor Buttler and his successors were participants in at least a couple of these events.

Minstrel shows are reported to have been popular from about 1840 to 1930. These performances consisted mostly of white people in black face acting out racial stereotypes in song and dance. The shows also included some black entertainers in stereotyped roles. These stereotypes were crucial to perpetuating slavery and the Jim Crow era that followed the Civil War. These stereotypes had a devastating effect. The echoes of these stereotypes cause misunderstandings, and at worst violence today. It is important to understand the sources and persistence of these stereotypes. They are at the basis of racism.

Vaudeville shows were a variety entertainment genre with male and female impersonators, ethnic humor as well as song and dance routines. Many entertainers and comedians of the 30s, 40s and 50s and even 60s got their start in vaudeville. Mostly forgotten is the fact that minstrel routines were also a part of Vaudeville shows. The Highland Park shows seemed to have echoed this mixture of vaudeville and minstrel. The word “minstrel” was used in advertising these local shows indicating that they were a “draw”. Some of the events were called Minstrel Shows.

These vaudeville/mistrel shows in the first half of the 1930s were held as fund raisers for the Deborah Consumptive Home in the YMHA, the Goodwill Council in the Masonic Auditorium, the Highland Park Baptist Church, Highland Park Trinity Church and the J&J Athletic Club. By far the biggest and the most regular were by sponsored by the American Legion Post 88; these events were held in the Rosary Auditorium of St. Paul’s School, one of three large venues in the town. The American Legion events were held annually from 1931 to 1935.

At a PTA meeting in the Fall of 1933 there was a show for the benefit of the “hot lunch fund”. Two students did a song and dance number impersonating two “pickaninnies”.

Why then, why here?

Why then: There had been a concerted effort to paint the old south as a kind of Arcadia in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. A narrative was spun of slaves being treated paternally and content to work away happily in the fields. Stereotypes were created to convince white folks that this was the best arrangement for the Blacks. Even as the violent racism of the KKK and the movie “Birth of the Nation” began to die down in the 1930s, these stereotypes persisted.  Movies of this era also included black face performers or black entertainers in stereotyped roles.

He recruited singers from church choirs and convinced civic leaders to perform acts in the shows. Local bandleader Connie Atkinson and his band, a popular local group, was recruited to provided music for dancing after the shows and sometimes music for the performers. The RKO orchestra provided music for at least one of the events.

Friedman performed in black face and played the bones and coon shouter. The bones were purported to be from a mule killed in France during World War I. The “coon” was a very offensive stereotypes; one writer has called the stereotype “coon” a “Sambo gone bad”. The stereotype “coon” was lazy and shiftless and was often portrayed as a defense of slavery in that it took a slave owner to make this fictional character work..

In the 1935 Post 88 show, Mayor Buttler led a group of “Ballet Girls” made up of Councilmen, and future mayors. Russell Smalley, Russell B. Howell, Walter K. Wood and Chief of Police Alfred Smalley, Lieutenant Fred Sheidig, Patrolman LeRoy Fuller and Joseph Randolph. Later in the same show there was there was a “minstrel setup”  with songs “Bring Back the Minstrel days”; “I’ll Take the South”, “Mammy O’Mine”. It was reported that Abe Friedman played the bones and introduced Red Hot Boys, “colored” entertainers, who played “several snappy numbers”. Six hundred people attended this performance and a second performance was given the next day. 

Most of the descriptions before and after these Highland Park shows note that they included black face performers.

It is not clear why these vaudeville/minstrel shows do not appear after 1935. There were other forms of inexpensive entertainment. Maybe people got tired of this kind of entertainment. Maybe some were uncomfortable about the minstrel aspects and convinced their fellow citizens to stop. In the later 1930s, balls were a very popular for of entertainment.

Nevertheless the stereotypes persisted and their echoes manifest themselves in other ways. It can be difficult work for a society to unlearn things that are taught, no matter how wrong or ignorant these things may be.

In the election of 1934 the Republicans continued their dominance with Walter K. Wood and Russell B. Howell beating Samuel Christie and A.C. Quinn.

The Tax Collections Committee called a mass meeting for January 12, 1934 at Franklin Junior High. The three-hour was attended by over 400 citizens who listened to an explanation of the borough finances and then asked questions. The mayor said that 35% had paid about 48% of their taxes the previous year; 65% had paid nothing. Highland Park had paid 80% of the county taxes but had collected only 50% of that sum. The borough had approached the banks to get a $200,000 loan to meet bills but the banks had refused because of the low rate of tax collection.

A few days after the meeting, the school budget was cut.

In a March snow storm six men of the street department spent two days collecting trash while plowing the streets with a single truck and plow overnight, working almost the whole night. Civil Works Administration then came to finish the job and clear Raritan Avenue.

The city received a $40,000 loan from the First Bank of Highland Park in March.

n May 4 1934 the opening program of the  “Leisure Time Activities Department of Emergency Relief Program” Program at Franklin Junior High drew over 100- attendees and the ushers had to close the doors to others wanting to see the show. Among other performers, The Sacred Heart Dramatic Club produced a performance of Lousa May Alcott’s Little Women.

On June 19 Highland Park applied to Emergency Relief Administration for funds.

Raritan Township’s water main had frozen and broke in Winter of 1933 and the township used Highland Park’s water in the meantime. The main had been repaired with CWA labor but had washed out in Spring freshets. Then the main from Perth Amboy gave way. Raritan Township had failed to pay for the water and it was affecting water pressure in the borough. In August 1934 Highland Park told the township to stop using its water.

The Federal Housing Authority sponsored a program on September 21, 1934 on how New Brunswick and Highland Park can work with the federal government under the National Housing Act to modernize and repair commercial and residential property. Fifteen loans had been made to New Brunswick and Highland Park homes and businesses by local banks by October 1934 with 40 more applications pending. The Highland Park council passed a measure that the homes could be improved without fear of an increase of property assessments.

Debt service continued to be a primary concern of the mayor and council. In October 1934 the Fire Department purchased a bond expressing confidence in the Borough. From then on the Fire Department was included in the list of creditors getting debt service payments. The firemen also provided a stove for a destitute family whose kitchen stove was being repossessed.

Frank R. Jones of 35 Harrison Avenue donated land along the Raritan River between Harrison and Cleveland Avenue on the west side of River Road. Jones donated the land to be used as a park in early fall 1934. There was a lagoon on the property which Jones had attempted to fill in. The borough requested, and received permission, from the donors to build an “ornamental” pump house on the property.

The building inspector made a report on properties that had been improved with the FHA loans: 305 North Fourth Avenue, extension; 55 Woodbridge Avenue, garage for storage; 224 Lawrence Avenue, additions and alterations; 219 Benner Street, addition; and 242 Raritan Avenue, store front alterations. These projects were a boost to the building industry.

Mayor Buttler noted that the borough could not address needs such as a borough hall or garbage disposal plant but there was one improvement that they were compelled to consider.  He urged “immediate steps to be taken to follow up the borough application to the Public Works Administration for aid to construct a municipal sewage plant”. The mayor mentioned Frank R. Jones who had donated land on the riverfront for a park. He asked for a similar donation for a library. Buttler argued for placing the municipality of a “strict cash basis” and restoration of the wages for employees due to the increased cost of living. Finally he stated that the police department should have radio-equipped police cars.

Perth Amboy has completed its Sewage Treatment Plant and was pleading with Highland Park, New Brunswick and other communities on the Raritan to build theirs.

F. Willard Furth, supervising principal of Highland Park Schools asked the council for $200 for equipment for the leisure time groups. Money had been given to hire staff but none for equipment.

On April 26, 1935, Highland Park issued $360,000 in bonds to pay off debt to county, State and local school board. The bonds would pay 5% interest and be paid off in a ten year period at $36,000 a year. A resolution was passed asking for $5150 for relief with the council paying $584.

Also in April an all-day meeting of county welfare leaders was held in Franklin Junior High School to discuss the needs of children.

Dr. Nathan Kraemer, a Bronx, New York doctor, presented a plan to the council for a sanitarium at the corner of Adelaide and Raritan Avenues in July 1935. The sanitarium would cater to obstetric cases. The council said they had no power to prevent it but they had passed on neighbor’s complaints ( a petition signed by 55 residents) to the State Board of Health. Dr. Kraemer was urged to sell the idea to residents. In August the council passed a resolution that any building used as an asylum, detention home or hospital nursery or theater requiring construction or alterations must be of fireproof construction.

In November the council gave approval to two Works Progress Administration projects: 1) repainting and re-lettering street signs in Highland Park; 2) painting of Franklin Junior High School and a wall across the rear of Hamilton School.

In September 1935 the mayor served as Acting Borough Recorder and listened to cases of disorderly conduct and automobile infractions. He then passed judgment.

With the depression, deepening during Mayor Buttler’s tenure, the local government had much more to do to protect its residents. The national government changed its approach to addressing the crisis between Buttler’s two terms. Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New deal meant  the Federal government was more willing to find ways to assist State and local governments address the growing needs starting with getting the unemployed back to work. Irving Buttler’s entry will be divided into three posts. This first post will discuss Buttler’s first term with a subsequent post for the second. A third post will address a social topic  that began before, and ended after Buttler’s term..

Irving Ditmars Buttler (1895-1938) was born in New Brunswick, NJ. He attended New Brunswick Public Schools, Blair Academy and University of Michigan. In 1917 Buttler enlisted in the Engineers Medical Department of the U.S. Army. He served 21 months overseas. On his return Buttler attended and graduated from Rutgers College in 1920 serving on the varsity track and basketball teams. Buttler was a councilman and mayor of Highland Park. He also served as tax assessor, a post he held at the time of his death. Buttler served as director of the local YMCA in 1926. He was a Mason. Buttler was post commander of the American Legion. Among his jobs was work as a draftsman of architectural woodwork and as secretary of the Buttler Real Estate Company. He lived at 123 North Third Avenue. In April 1938 he was diagnosed with a blood disease and died at age 42 in the Peck Hospital in Brooklyn. Buttler was a member of First Reformed Church in New Brunswick. He is buried in Elmwood Cemetery in New Brunswick.

Buttler (2086 votes) defeated Dr. Robert D. Walker (Democrat, 1384 votes. Republicans Russell B. Howell and Walter K. Wood won over Democrats Harry G. Bach and William A. Cleary. Russell E. Long was appointed to Buttler’s council seat. In the Fall 1932 election Incumbent Russell G. Smalley and Russell E. Long, both Republicans, defeated Democrats Louis E. Appleby and Jacob S. Ratnor.

In his opening address, Buttler recognized the “economic stress” but stated that the stress had existed since the incorporation of Highland Park. It had taken on debt to build up the borough. The mayor urged economy with emphasis on essential services. Desirable improvements like cleaning up the Raritan River would need postponing until a funding source was found. Appropriations for streets and roads would be used for unemployment relief. Buttler wanted plans made for a park; the only cost would be labor and that would provide unemployment relief. The mayor noted that the library need expanding and a new site and requested private funding to help with that. Unpaid taxes were causing hardship for the borough and must be paid; the mayor urged that where the borough has sold properties that it foreclose when the time to redeem has passed.

The council lowered the tax rate in January 1932.

Unemployed men were put to work pruning the borough’s 2800 trees. The work was rotational with men working eight hour days. The wood was cut up and distributed as firewood to needy families. Residents were billed for work adding to available funds.

As county, State and Federal funding was provided, the programs were expanded to include New Brunswick. Some of the men were put to work dismantling old canal boats and cutting up the wood for firewood. In addition to the work, poor families received money for food.

Mayor Buttler theory on the cause of the depression was that there was no less money in 1932 than there was in 1928. If there was less money in the banks and less in circulation, the money must be hoarded away. If the money got back into the banks, the situation would be improved.

A mad dog attacked five and six year old children in the playground at the Franklin School playground on an early May evening.  The occurrence of the disease in the borough was one of series since the middle of Spring. A veterinarian, Dr. E.L. Belloff, said laws on muzzling was not effective and urged universal inoculation of dogs. If necessary, this should be compelled. The borough attorney Horace E. Barwis maintained that compulsory inoculation was without “legal foundation”. The veterinarian provided inoculations at cost but the borough waited for State legislation for compulsory protection. The Mayor ordered all dogs to be muzzled again in November because of outbreaks in surrounding communities.

A highway connecting Cleveland Avenue in Highland Park through Central Avenue in Stelton to Metuchen was proposed. It was felt this would aid in industrial development. The residents of Stelton vigorously opposed the plan.

In July all borough employees received a five percent pay cut; the school board was asked to make a similar cut. It was reported that poor aid in Highland Park was costing $1500 a month; the State was paying approximately $860 of this.

There were complaints of fires in the town dump. The nearest hydrant was 1800 feet away and the fire department worried that if they used all their hose they would not have hose to put out any other fires.

Those who have played the board game “Monopoly” may have wondered about the term “Community Chest”. Rather than having individual charitable groups, some of dubious nature, collect money, the fund raising campaigns were combined in to Community Chests. In November 1932, New Brunswick and Highland Park combined their Community Chests in order to raise funds for the unemployed in the two cities. Several hundred representatives were organized into the following divisions: Special Gifts, Manufacturers, Merchants, Industrial, Commercial, Banks, Municipal and Schools including Rutgers, the School of Agriculture and the Seminary. Also, The American Red Cross, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Children’s Industrial Home, The Community Chest, Humane Society, Jewish Social Service Committee, Neighborhood House, Salvation Army, Visiting Nurses Association, Y.M.C.A., Y.M.H.A., T.W.C.A, Hebrew ladies Benevolent & Free Loan Society, Hebrew Ladies Aid Society and Emergency Relief Committee. In addition there were groups to manage and publicize the coordinated efforts.

In his 1933 address, Buttler stressed economy but noted it would be difficult to economize further. The 5% cut to employees was said to be voluntary and the money went directly to the unemployed relief fund. The next week the Council heard complaints; one complaint was from Highland Park residents; all food was distributed through a single commissary located in New Brunswick.

The February 1933 council meeting was heated as the new budget was introduced. Debt service was stated as being 45% of borough expenditures. All aspects of borough spending were examined and debated. Any cuts in salaries or services would be minimal compared to the cost of the debt.

In an interview in March 1933, Mayor Buttler praised the people of Highland Park for facing the difficulties with a sense of humor. “Humor has come to the rescue of their finances”. Buttler stressed the need for everyone to work together.

An act authorizing the sale of beer in the business and industrial areas of the city was approved by the Council in April 1932. Those seeking licenses would be investigated by the police. All beer had to be consumed at home or in clubs.

In May there was a argument before council between store owners and peddlers who sold their goods door to door. The issue was whether to raise fees on the peddlers. In this case the peddlers won because the merchants had recommend the rate the year before.

In November 1933 the mayor reported that Highland Park was $421,000 in debt. Because many did not pay their taxes on time the borough was being forced to borrow even more. In 1932 taxes collected were at their lowest point since 1905; this was equaled in 1933.

To be continued in next post….

Richard T. Parker (1872-1945) born in Newark, NJ and educated in the Newark School System where he excelled in sports. Following in the footsteps of his uncle who was a designer at Brooks Brothers, the young Parker became interested in the Men’s Clothing Business. First working in Newark, he moved to New Brunswick and worked with Terrence P. Lyons in the Tailoring Business. Parker later set up his own business at 47 Patterson Street. In Highland Park where he lived, he served ten years on the school board, was elected president, and was a councilman for another ten. Parker was Police Commissioner, a member of the fire department, and mayor for one term. He was a Mason and a member of the Lodge of Elks in New Brunswick. He lived at 39 Adelaide Avenue. Parker was a member of St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church in New Brunswick. He is buried at Elmwood Cemetery in New Brunswick.

Parker won his race against Charles B. Ten Broeck (D) 1674-1350 in November 1929. Republicans Irving B. Buttler and William C. Smalley were elected as councilmen defeating Democrats Woodburn T. Covert and Edwin Hardy. In the fall of 1930 Republicans Alexander Merchant, Jr. and Chester K. Brown won their races on a promise to reduce taxes. (Taxes had been reduced two points in 1930). Harry G. Bach and Dr. F.M. Clarke were the Democratic candidates.

As the country sank into the great depression in the early 1930s, the government of Highland Park held down spending and did its best to cut taxes.

It was announced in January 1930 that traffic lights for Raritan Avenue on every corner from River Road to Sixth Avenue would be ready by February. Former Mayor Eden would be given the privilege of formally turning them on. The lights would be timed for 75 seconds on the highway and 25 seconds on the cross streets. If a car arrived at the proper time and was doing 25 miles an hour it would be able to drive through without stopping. The lights were turned on February 17. They remained in operation until 11 o’clock at night; they were turned on again the next morning. The raising of the speed limit to 25 miles and hour was an increase over the 15 mph limit before the lights.

In February 1930, the American Legion began raising money to build a “Cathedral of the Air” at Lakehurst, NJ. Mass fund raising events were held in the borough and New Brunswick. The Norman-style chapel was designed by Beaux-Arts Architect Paul Phillippe Cret. A citizens group was created led by Mayor Parker. The sanctuary windows are stained glass depicting the history of flight including a magic carpet.

It was reported in March 1930 that the traffic lights led to speeding on side streets parallel to Raritan Avenue, leaving the Avenue at Adelaide Avenue. It was reported that the police were strictly enforcing laws and would keep a chart of accidents to determine dangerous intersections.

Another matter were the boys who collected money to “watch” cars while people were at events in the borough; the cars of those not paying were scratched, punctured or otherwise damaged. A resolution was passed to halt the practice.

At the May 1930 council meeting three tax assessors were appointed in order to give a equal assessments. Mill Road from Fourth Avenue at Wayne to Fifth Avenue was vacated. There were no buildings on the road. Fire Chief Charles Malmros reported that oil and grease from the Sun Oil Co. on Raritan Avenue was running into a gully behind the station and causing fires.

“The Story of Highland Park” was shown at the Park Theatre in July 1930. It showed the “history” from 1492 to the present (1930) ending with a “thrilling fire scene that showed the Highland Park firefighters rushing to the scene and rescuing the heroine”.

The new Highland Park Conservative Temple on North Third Avenue near Montgomery Street, planned and constructed between 1926 and 1930 was dedicated with three major events Thursday September 11 to Sunday September 15. On Thursday night the mayor extended greetings and clergy from Highland Park churches attended. The new rabbi, I.S.Ravetch, delivered a sermon “Voice of God”. At Saturday services  Rabbi M.A. Hirshberg from Temple Anshe Emeth spoke on “Dwelling in Their Mist”. Seyam Sefar, the presentation of the newly inscribed Torah, took place on Sunday afternoon. Cantor Meyer Ratnor of New Brunswick sang at the presentation. The temple was a one floor Colonial designed by architect Harry Bach and cost $18,000.

In May 1931 the Janeway and Carpender Wallpaper Manufacturer was put into receivership, a victim of the depression and new rules on the burning of soft coal.

Traffic lights came up at a council meeting in December 1931. There were no traffic lights on Raritan Avenue on the north side opposite First and Cedar Avenues and on the south side opposite River Road. In addition there was no traffic light on Woodbridge Avenue at Irving School to allow students to cross safely. These had all been refused by the State when the first lights were approved. A letter was sent to the Wise Safety Committee asking them to reconsider. In another matter it was urged that some of the houses be numbered in the race track area to eliminate confusion.

Edwin Winfield Eden (1887-1953) was another mayor of Highland Park born in New Brunswick. Eden worked at the Interwoven Stocking Co. in New Brunswick as an accountant and statistician for 35 years until 1952. In addition to his term as mayor, Eden was a Councilman, a member of the Board of Education, and an honorary life member of the fire department. He also was a Mason and a member of the Scottish Rite. In 1947 he was named a director of the First National Bank of Highland Park and also was a director of the Raritan Valley Building and Loan Association. One of Eden’s last acts was to serve as treasurer for a Girl Scout campaign to raise money for a campsite. He was a member of the Reformed Church of Highland Park. He lived at 244 Benner Street. Eden is buried in the Elmwood Cemetery in New Brunswick.

Edwin Eden got 1644 votes in what was considered a light turnout but a landslide for the Republicans. George McDonald and Chester K. Brown won their Council races. Brown succeeded Lyman G. Schermerhorn. In the 1928 election, Bert H. Stowell, Walter J. Metts and Alexander Merchant, all Republican, won Council seats.

Mayor Eden was a man who carried his religion into his public life. During his tenure he organized or assisted in activities such as father-son events urging churches to support them to instill high ideals. The mayor represented the Reformed Church of Highland Park in organizing a “Union” Thanksgiving service for all the Protestant churches.

The mayor was deeply concerned about public safety specifically about the “recklessness” on Raritan Avenue and the pollution in the Raritan River. At this time all the north-south traffic through Central Jersey went through Highland Park. There was one traffic light at River Road and very few overhead lights.. There were numerous accidents involving speeding vehicles or distracted drivers. There were not enough local police to handle the infractions. A police motorcycle sidecar (with policemen in it) had been sideswiped by a passing truck. Over 95,000 people had been killed in traffic accidents in the United States in 1927. The governor declared September 1928 “Safety Month” and the mayor issued his own proclamation; all automobiles would be inspected for free which included “an examination of brakes, horns, steering mechanism, mirrors, lights, windshield wipers, license tags and operator licenses”.

Various bypass routes had been planned for years such as using Suttons Lane-Cedar Lane-River Road to move traffic out of the center of town. A route planned out but never built called for building a new bridge across the Raritan River connecting to a Sciver Street in New Brunswick (now Tabernacle Way); traffic would have used Remsen Avenue was the main thorough west-east corridor in the hub city. The new bridge connected to the Borough at Valley Ravine, traffic was to use a now abandoned Dudley Street that would have continued on a Mansfield Avenue. The route crossed Woodbridge Avenue at Karsey Street and then used Ahmerst Street to connect to Route 27. near Sixth Avenue. A remaining piece of Dudley Street is Valley Place.

All of this was superseded by a new highway that would go through New Brunswick and skirt the southern border of Highland Park. Route 25 then, it would become route 1. The new bridge across the Raritan was being built at this time. James W. Johnson, president of Johnson & Johnson, had donated an acre of land for a World War I monument on the New Brunswick side and the bridge would be named Memorial Bridge.

Another safety concern was pollution in the Raritan River. The mayor formed a committe in 1929 consisting of Robert Wood Johnson, Jr., Ben Erickson, Robert Hayden, J.L. Matthew and the mayor to study the matter. The borough began to plan for a new sewage treatment plant near what is now Donaldson Park.

Mayor Eden’s first address was reported to be one of the longest on record. In addition to the public safety issues, the mayor noted a need for a fire apparatus ladder equipment designed to reach the taller buildings. There should be some small compensation for fire fighters as well as accident insurance..

In August 1928 there was a fire on the second floor of the Singer Building at 300 Raritan Avenue due to a careless tenant. The mayor’s son who was in charge of the lights in the building saw the fire and ran across the street to call the fire department. The fireman came quickly and soon extinguished the blaze. It was felt that if the fire had spread to the third floor, the fire department would not have had the equipment to put it out.

The new fire truck that could handle larger fires arrived in December 1928 and was tested at the Johnson & Johnson dock. The underwriters, firemen and borough officials were all pleased with the performance of the new fire apparatus.

In his address to the council on the first meeting of 1929, the mayor repeated the public safety issues from his 1928 message. He also encouraged “far-sighted” citizens to lay aside land for public parks and playgrounds. He recommended the purchase of a new police car. Eden also called for the installation of a telephone system for the police. He proposed the celebration of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the borough in 1930 including an anniversary booklet.

Mayor Eden was invited to give the first speech at a Purim Rally and concert held at the Sixth Avenue Theater on March 26, 1929. Rabbi Horowitz of the Highland Park Conservative Temple, 15 North Fourth Avenue, organized the event which included speeches, singing and prayer.

A 1929 resolution dealt with several streets with duplicate names. Park Place was renamed to Archer Street in memory of first mayor; Park Street renamed to Parker Place in honor of Police Commissioner Richard T. Parker; Park Avenue would remain. Cherry Street to be Volkert Street in honor of second mayor; Robinson Street to Eden Street. The First to Third Streets would become Ninth, Tenth, and Eleventh Avenues to conform to those in the Viehmann Tract; Fourth to Amherst, and Fifth to Columbia.

One of Eden’s last acts as mayor was the appointment of the first Shade Tree Commission consisting of three members at the December 3, 1929 Council Meeting. they would be given full authority for the care and preservation of the “natural beauty of the borough”. At the same meeting a group of five citizens was appointed to devise plans for a railroad station in Highland Park