Borough referred to as Nielsen Avenue Our old home on what the Boro referred to as Nielsen Avenue which in fact was a dirt road we called Spear Lane. The “proposed” Avenue was to connect Long Hill road to Grove Street for a main entry to develop the entire area. It was particularly a “sore spot” one day to us when a Survey crew hired by the Boro came through without asking permission and staked out a broad “right of way” right across our property, across our pond, up our driveway and down across our field, pounding rib boned survey stakes in the ground! We quickly went behind them and…
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Bob Spear on his Ancestral Bush Residence
Bob Spear on his Ancestral Home-The Bush Residence 7/10/2013 “My great grandfather’s home circa 1870 on Valley Road- later the home of David C. Bush & Anna F. Spear and much later the Oakland Jewish Center. Henry I. Speer’s farm was next door opposite Ponds Church burying ground. The kitchen area on the right, huge barn in rear where my brother played as a child,” Bob, Thanks for adding additional info on this building. Please post your your comment as I think that it would be good for everyone to know and appreciate both your and Oakland’s heritage. At the bottom of the pic is a hand written notation, “The…
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Church of the Ponds 300th Anniversary
The Church of the Ponds Date: January 17, 2009 Subject: The Church of the Ponds Prepares to Celebrate Its 300th Anniversary Contact: Phil Marchbank 201-405-0352 File Photos Included Before there was the United States, almost 75 years before the American Revolution and even before George Washington was born, there was The Church of the Ponds in now what is Oakland, NJ. This sacred church and storied history is now planning the celebration of its 300th Anniversary in 2010. For three centuries it has been pivotal to the growth and character of this community and indeed the surrounding area. The Church of the Ponds was the nexus of life in this…