Post Views: 319 On the 5th anniversary of Basking Ridge, New Jersey losing its 619 year oak tree, the Mr. Local History Project has written a story of hope, commitment, honor, history, and township pride. Yes people, there are children of the mighty oak that Basking Ridge residents lost in 2017. As with all Mr. Local History retrospectives, updates are made to this post when we learn additional information. We will continue to expand this post as information becomes available. Mr. Local History Research Team “As people of faith, we’re aware…
Read MoreCategory: Cranford
Honoring the History of Cranford, New Jersey who celebrates their 150th anniversary in 2021.
Retrospective: Winter as a Kid on Cranford’s Rahway River
Post Views: 855 Childhood Winters in Cranford, New Jersey Or as I like to say “Memories from the Frozen Venice of New Jersey.” Retrospective: As a writer for New Jersey’s Mr. Local History Project I recently wrote about skating on a pond in Westfield. But what I didn’t tell those readers is that I was really a closet Cranford resident as the son of the owner of the Cranford Canoe Club. That story led to my winter trips over to the Canoe Club to skate on the Rahway River. I…
Read MoreDid You Work at the Cranford Canoe Club (Or any of the Cranford Boat Businesses)?
Post Views: 2,849 When you’re a kid, often the most simple things in life end up be the ones you remember the most. As one of three kids in my family growing up in nearby Westfield, New Jersey, the Cranford Boat and Canoe Company, also known as the Cranford Canoe Club brought life lessons and friendships that live with me almost every day. With all the experiences, workers, friends, and family, the Cranford Canoe Club will never be forgotten. I started working at the Cranford Canoe Club in 1972 until…
Read MoreRetrospective: The Cranford Hotel
Post Views: 1,741 As with all Mr. Local History retrospectives, we often update the post when we learn stories and are sent photos from our community. We will continue to grow this piece as information becomes available. If you have a comment or photo, feel free to post at the bottom of this page or drop us a note. Mr. Local History Project If you’ve ever been to Cranford, New Jersey, there are two places you have to go to: the Cranford Canoe Club as it epitomizes what is known as…
Read MoreNew Keepsakes: Preserving Cranford’s History
Post Views: 1,472 The Mr. Local History Project (MLH) has been preserving and promoting local history since our non-profit organization was established in 2019. The all volunteer group started a wooden miniature keepsake program to share history, artwork, in partnership with the world famous Cat’s Meow Village Company of Ohio to support New Jersey’s local history and grow the New Jersey Historic Village Collection. Congratulations Cranford, New Jersey – 2021 Marks 150th Anniversary Supporting Cranford, New Jersey’s history via our MLH keepsake project is in its early stages and we…
Read MoreKeepsake Honors the Cranford Canoe Club – New Jersey’s Oldest Canoe Livery Operation
Post Views: 1,474 The Number #1 gift to honor Cranford’s 150th anniversary this year. A New Miniature Wooden Keepsake to Honor the Cranford Canoe Club in Cranford, New Jersey Cranford Canoe Club History The Cranford Canoe Club is an iconic historic landmark at on the corner of Springfield and Orange Avenue in Cranford, New Jersey. Cranford is a middle class suburban town in Union County, New Jersey that happened to be built around the slow moving, winding Rahway River, a tributary that ends at the Arthur Kill Bay in Staten…
Read MoreCranford Canoe Club – History
Post Views: 4,467 UPDATE: The Mr. Local History Project is determining interest to nominate the Cranford Canoe Club to the New Jersey Historic Registry. If you believe this should be done, please consider signing our petition to let Cranford local officials that this should be done. Click Here. The Cranford Canoe Club is one of the oldest canoe clubs in the United States and a community landmark known as part of Cranford’s identity for over 100 years. The current canoe club, while not the first, is the Rahway River’s last surviving…
Read MoreCranford Canoe Club Photos
Post Views: 3,580 Below are my collection of photos and research done while writing a feature article about my years growing up working at the Cranford Canoe Club from 1972-1993. We’re always interested in adding to the collection so if you have any you’d like to share, just snap a photo with your phone and send to us. We’ll review it and add it if it meets a few minor standards. While the photos are not copyrighted, if you plan to share, please Mr. Local History. http://www.mrlocalhistory.org ). Enjoy
Read MoreGrowing Up at the Cranford Canoe Club
Post Views: 13,029 2021 UPDATE: The Mr. Local History Project is determining interest to nominate the Cranford Canoe Club to the New Jersey Historic Registry. If you believe this should be done, please consider signing our petition to let Cranford local officials that this should be done. Click Here. When you’re a kid, often the most simple things in life end up be the ones you remember the most. As one of three kids in my family growing up in nearby Westfield, New Jersey, the Cranford Boat and Canoe Company,…
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