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 Cranberry Mills - Cranbury NJ Posted by:  Don.Morfe
N 40° 18.541 W 074° 31.019
18T E 541043 N 4462167
This gristmill stone commemorates Cranberry Mills, the first industry in Cranbury - erected by Thomas Grubbs in 1737, on the south side of Cranbury Brook.
Waymark Code: WM12CMJ
Location: New Jersey, United States
Date Posted: 04/28/2020
Views: 0
Erected 2009 by Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders.
Location: Marker is in Cranbury, New Jersey, in Middlesex County. Marker is at the intersection of South Main Street and Evans Drive, on the right when traveling south on South Main Street. Located at the Cranbury History Center, Cranbury NJ 08512
Marker Name: Cranberry Mills
Marker Type: Local? Unofficial
Marker text:
This gristmill stone commemorates Cranberry Mills, the first industry in Cranbury - erected by Thomas Grubbs in 1737, on the south side of Cranbury Brook. The village, was once called Cranberry or Cranberry Town, changed its name to Cranbury late in the 19th century. The gristmill formed the nucleus for the development of the Village of Cranbury, drawing settlers, post houses, inns, churches and small businesses related to farming. A dam for waterpower was built, creating a roadway over the brook and creating a small lake, Brainerd Lake, so called in honor of the 18th century missionary, David Brainerd. The dam, roadway and gristmill were constructed at the intersection of two major Indian trails, one from South Amboy and one from New Brunswick.
In 1840, a water-powered sawmill was erected next to the gristmill but both were destroyed by fire, rebuilt and razed again by fire. After an 1860 blaze, the gristmill was rebuilt and a miller's house was erected south of the mill, at 6 South Main Street. Serving as Cranbury's Police Station from 1968 to 1985, the miller's house is now maintained by the Cranbury Historical and Preservation Society
as the Cranbury History Center. In 1939, the inactive gristmill was demolished and the area was named Memorial Park, dedicated in 1949 to Cranbury Veterans of World War I and subsequent wars.
This Historic Marker is a gift to the people of Cranbury from the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders, 2009.
Dedication Date: 01/01/2009
City: Cranbury
County: Middlesex County
Group responsible for placement: Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders
Web Link: [Web Link]
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Visit Instructions:
A photo of the 'Marker' or 'Plaque' is required to identify the location, plus a picture of the 'Historic Site', please ALSO provide a detailed description of your visit so we can form a 'mental image'
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