Chester

Joan S. Case

• Publisher: Arcadia Publishing
• Year: 1998
• Print ISBN: 9780738554686
• eBook ISBN: 9781439619834
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: North American History
• Index: History

Formerly known as Black River, the village of Chester lies in the hills of Morris County, New Jersey. Located on the site of former Native American trails, Chester was incorporated as a township in 1799. Join local historian and photographer Joan S. Case for this unique and informative look at the history of Chester - with images donated by the local historical society as well as many Chester families, this pictorial history covers the mid-1800s to the mid-1900s. During this period, Chester was home to one of the busiest mining districts in New Jersey, and was also an important agricultural area; local distilleries turned thousands of bushels of Chester apples into the famous "Jersey Lightning. " Five sites in Chester, including Zephaniah Drake's Brick Hotel, have been accepted into both the State and National Registers of Historic Places.

Eight

MAILS, RAILS, AND DOWN THE TRAILS

Mr. Van Fleet received his appointment from the postal inspector and started delivery of the mail on May 15, 1906. The new carrier used a horse-drawn buggy and sleigh until late in 1907, when he bought a cab. Pictured here, with Mr. Van Fleet and his “cozy cab,” are Nathan and Lewis Horton. (Chester Historical Society.)

The post office, in 1906, was located in this small building called “Rockefeller Center,” which was near the firehouse. Mr. Van Fleet served under three postmasters: Lawyer Smith, Alonzo P. Green, and Austin Thompson. (Chester Historical Society.)

This is how Mr. Van Fleet would have to deliver Christmas mail in the early days. Civil service regulations compelled Mr. Van Fleet to retire in 1940, after nearly 35 years of service. (Chester Historical Society.)

This is a receipt from July 1, 1914, for a post office box rental in the amount of 15¢, and signed by Alonzo P. Green, who was the postmaster. (Chester Historical Society.)

Black River, for which the town of Chester was originally named, was used for many purposes, such as for power to run the mills, for fishing, for boating, etc. (Township of Chester.)

Pictured here are some great old cars from earlier in this century. These fellows must have appreciated not having to ride their horses to the taverns in town anymore. They are parked in front of the Chester House. (Gilbert Taylor Sr.)

An unidentified individual is shown here taking a stroll over the bridge by the “Lower Hacklebarney Mill.” (Chester Historical Society.)

This is the bridge and the dam on Black River, near the Cooper Grist Mill. (Ann Apgar.)

Back in the late 1800s, if the wagon or carriage did not need fixing, the horses still needed shoeing. (John T. Wyckoff collection.)

Out for a drive in the horse and buggy on a cold winter’s day, down by the “Lower Hacklebarney Mill.” (John T. Wyckoff collection.)

This i...

Table of contents

• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Table of Contents
• ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
• INTRODUCTION
• One - MAKING A LIVING
• Two - A WAY OF LIFE
• Three - THE MANY FACES
• Four - HOME SWEET HOME
• Five - CHURCH AND STATE
• Six - READING, WRITING, AND ...
• Seven - ALWAYS THERE WHEN NEEDED
• Eight - MAILS, RAILS, AND DOWN THE TRAILS