Pilesgrove – Woodstown

Historical Society Newsletter

 

Number 04-1                                                                                       February 2004

 

The Candlelight Tour

 

The Candlelight Tour took place as scheduled on the cold and snowy evening of December 5, 2003. This was the first time that bad weather has adversely affected the attendance of the tour in the twenty – seven year history of the event.

 

While the weather may have discouraged some of those who visit our town for the annual holiday event, it did not dampen the enthusiasm of those who did brave the weather. The homeowners were able to offer a leisurely and personal tour of their historic homes because of the limited number of visitors.

 

The Officers and Trustees of the Society wish to thank the volunteers, committee chairpersons, business owners and especially the homeowners without whom the tour would not be possible.

 

 

A Brief History of the Railroads in Salem County

 

Have you ever wondered why things are the way they are?

 

The railroads played an important role in the development of the economy of the United States during the 19th and early 20th century. The location of a railroad line could determine the success or failure of a business venture or the future development of a community.

 

 

 

In the early and mid 1800’s, railroads were an exciting new idea. The business opportunities and advantages offered by railroads were as important then as the Internet is today. Being a railroad nut, I’ve often wondered about the history behind the decision to build a railroad through one area but not another. The following is a condensed history of the railroad in Salem County.

 

The idea to build a railroad to connect Salem and Philadelphia was proposed as early as 1848 by the State Attorney General, Richard P Thompson. His idea included building a line from Salem to Pennsville and connecting to the Delaware Branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad at New Castle via a new ferry service across the river. A charter for the railroad, to be known as The Salem and Delaware River Railroad and Transportation Company, was granted by the New Jersey Legislature in 1850 for the proposed line however no stock was sold and the idea was abandoned.

 

By 1852, the success of glassworks in Glassboro and the popularity of the beaches and the resorts at Cape May revived the concept of building a railroad in South Jersey. A meeting of South Jersey businessmen was convened in 1852 to consider the route from Cape May through Millville and Glassboro to Camden with a branch to Salem. The construction cost for the main line was estimated at $1,000,000 and the branch to Salem was estimated at $275,000. A charter for the West Jersey and Seashore Railroad was obtained from the Legislature in 1852.

 

 

 

 

By 1857 only enough capital had been raised to construct some of the line and by 1861 the railroad was opened as far as Bridgeton. The idea of extending the line to the Cape had been abandoned until later and unless the cash necessary was raised so would the Salem branch. In 1856 a charter for the Salem Railroad Company was granted and the required money was raised.

 

A proposal was made for the new railroad to connect Salem with the main line at either Elmer or Glassboro via Woodstown. However the residents of Woodstown were apparently not enthusiastic in their support for the railroad so it was decided that the route would run through Alloway, Daretown and then to Elmer. Work began in 1861 but progressed slowly due in large part to the effects of the Civil War. By January of 1863, the work was completed as far as Yorketown and on the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg, trains were running as far as Claysville. Construction of the bridge across the creek and the extension of the railroad into Salem was delayed until 1882 due to a lack of funds.

 

In 1868 the decision was made to construct an extension of the railroad to connect Swedesboro with Woodbury. With renewed interest the residents of Pilesgrove and Woodstown backed the extension from Swedesboro and in 1882 the new railroad was connected to the Salem branch with stations at Acton road, Middletown Road, Abbottsford, Alloway, Oakland, Yorketown, Paulding, Daretown, Newkirk and Elmer.

 

 

The station in Woodstown opened around 1883 and quickly became the center of business activity in this portion of Salem County. Manufactured goods were received from Philadelphia and produce from the surrounding farmlands was shipped to the major cities. In addition, passengers were able to travel on the train from Woodstown to Philadelphia, Atlantic City and New York.

 

 

 

Railroad stations quickly became the most important place in a small town. Stations were usually located  near the center of the town business district and was the point of arrival and departure for many travelers. Because of its prominent location, the station became an important stop on the political campaign trail. During the presidential election of 1912, candidate Woodrow Wilson and President William Howard Taft stopped to speak at the station in Woodstown.

 

Following World War II and the emergence of the automobile as the most popular mode of transportation in America, the number of passengers transported by trains began to decline. On December 30, 1950 the last passenger train left Salem County and in December of 1970 the Woodstown Station was moved to its current location at the intersection of Route 40 and Commissioners Pike.

 

The information for this article is from The History of Salem County by Joseph Sickler published in 1937 and the photographs are from the Humphrey’s collection of the Pilesgrove – Woodstown Historical Society.

 

Calendar of Society Programs

 

Wednesday, March 24, 2004

Covered Dish Dinner at Reliance Fire Company Hall at 6:30 PM

Business Meeting at 7:30 PM

Program at 8:00 PM

The program this evening will be presented by Mr. David Young the Director of the Salem County Historical Society and will focus on the events and people of Pilesgrove and Woodstown during World War II.  

Hosts and Hostesses: Janet Turin, Deb Tierno, Howard Reigel and Bill Aldrich

 

Tuesday, May 18, 2004

Business Meeting at Reliance Fire Company Hall at 7:30 PM

Program at 8:00 PM

The tomato has been an important crop in Salem County for along time but was not always as popular as it is today, in fact the tomato was originally considered poisonous. Food Historian, Judith Krall-Russo, will present the program tonight on why everyone loves the Jersey Tomato.

Hosts and Hostesses: Marian Aldrich, Connie Rosenberger and Bob Brooks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday, September 23, 2004

Business Meeting at St Joseph Catholic Church Hall

Broad and Elm Streets, Woodstown

Program at 8:00 PM

The parishioners of St Joseph’s Catholic Church will present tonight’s program on the history of the Church in Woodstown that was originally established as a mission of the Salem parish around 1850.

Hosts and Hostesses: Ann Tatnall, Deb Goldschmidt, Sue Allen and Chick Harrison

 

Thursday, November 18, 2004

Business Meeting at Reliance Fire Company Hall at 7:30 PM

Program at 8:00 PM

Christian Johnson from the American Historical Theatre will present the story of New Jersey’s first governor, William Livingston, a complex and talented 18th century attorney, soldier, man of letters and agronomist.

Hosts and Hostesses: Marie Haaf, Ken Mack, Libby Myers and Frank Stubbins

 

Salem County Historical Society Events

March 14, 2004: 1,30 pm at St. John's Parish Hall: World War Two in Salem County: The Homefront, Women in the Workforce.

 

April 30-May 2, 2004.  House and Garden Tour Weekend. 

Saturday, 10-4 pm.  This year the tour features Pennsville, Pedricktown, Penns Grove, Carneys Point, and West Salem.  There are at least six houses never before on the tour, including the Cornelius Copner Home and Laytons Lake Farmhouse. 

Friday: Candlelight reception on Friday at the John Summerill House, a Victorian classic in Penns Grove.  6:30 pm, limited tickets available.

 

June 5, 2004.  Wistarburg Stroll. 1:30 pm.  Join members of the archeological team as they stroll the grounds of America's first successful glassworks.  Free for Society members, $5 for non-members.  Limited availability.

 

June 13, 2004, 1:30 pm at St. John's Hall, The Union Prison at Fort Delaware, a presentation and signing by author Brian Temple.

 

Pilesgrove – Woodstown Historical Society

42 North Main Street

Woodstown, New Jersey 08098

Phone 856-769-4588

 

Museum Hours: Saturday 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM

 

Officers for 2004

 

President                                               William Aldrich

Vice President                                        Frank Stubbins

Recording Secretary                                Janet Turin

Corresponding Secretary                          Marie Haaf

Membership                                           Sue Allen

Treasurer                                               Deb Tierno

 

Trustees

 

Kenny Mack                                           2004

Elizabeth Myers                                      2004

Deb Goldschmidt                                                2004

Marian Aldrich                                       2005

Connie Rosenberger                                2005

Ann Tatnall                                           2005

Howard Riegel                                        2006

Robert Brooks                                         2006

Charles Harrison                                                2006

 

Membership

 

Annual Dues                                          $20.00

Family Membership                                 $25.00

Individual Life Membership                                  $200.00

Sponsor                                                 $50.00