Allaire Village - Wall Township, NJ
N 40° 09.719 W 074° 07.924
18T E 573911 N 4446097
Allaire Village was a bog iron producing community of over 400 people. They lived with their families on the Howell Works premises in brick row homes built by Allaire -- more than 60 structures overall, including factory buildings.
Waymark Code: WM2NH1
Location: New Jersey, United States
Date Posted: 11/25/2007
Views: 19
Located within the confines of beautiful Allaire State Park, this historic village had its beginnings as Williamsbridge Forge, a name found in records as early as 1793. Benjamin Howell of Philadelphia leased the property in the early 1800's and invited New York brass founder, James P. Allaire, to visit the site with a view to improving it. Within one year Allaire purchased the property, naming it the Howell Works. Howell Works prospered until around 1850, when financial reversals and competition from areas west caused its demise.
During the early 1900's a newspaperman acquired the property, allowing it to be used as a Boy Scout camp. Later, in 1941, Allaire Village was deeded to the State of New Jersey for park purposes. Today it is run as a living history museum, funded largely by private contributions.