[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 146 (Saturday, October 8, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 8, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                    TOWNSHIP OF SOUTH ORANGE VILLAGE

                                 ______


                            HON. HERB KLEIN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 7, 1994

  Mr. KLEIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a dual 
celebration--the 125th anniversary of the Village Charter of the 
Township of South Orange Village and the Centennial Anniversary of 
Village Hall. This month, South Orange will be celebrating its history 
with numerous activities, including a founder's day ball and a grand 
parade. Let me briefly describe a few chronicles of this community.
  Transportation has changed in the township from this early period 
from horseback riding on Indian trails to the opening of the Morris and 
Essex railroad in 1836. The South Orange train station still exists.
  In 1850, gas service became available and electric power was brought 
into the village in 1888. By 1860, a telegraph office was most likely 
operating at the South Orange freight station, and by 1926 the Bell 
Telephone Co. moved into its new building on West South Orange Avenue. 
In 1932, dial service began.
  The first school was constructed in 1811 and consisted of one room. 
Within a few years, the Columbian School was opened, and this later 
transformed into a two-story brick building known as ``Columbia High 
School.'' Other schools were later constructed to adapt to the growing 
community.
  The South Orange Library Association was organized in 1864. In 1926, 
after this organization accumulated thousands of books, a referendum 
was passed which supported the creation of ``The South Orange Public 
Library''. The library later moved into its current home at the corner 
of Scotland Road and Comstock Place in 1968.
  As you can tell from just these few indicators, South Orange has 
grown in size and diversity, from an agrarian community to a suburban 
one. The history of South Orange begins when settlers founded Newark in 
1666. The present form of government finds its origins from the 
creation of South Orange Township in 1861 by an act of the New Jersey 
State Legislature. Eight years later in 1869, a small group of people 
received a charter to establish South Orange Village. The community was 
created with the values of tradition, high standards, and simple 
government in mind.
  Twenty-five years after the village received its charter, its 
citizens proudly built Village Hall. Nearly everyone in the Village was 
involved in the project. The Village Hall survived the passage of time 
without losing its place with the people of South Orange Village. In 
fact, in 1975 Village Hall was placed on the New Jersey State register 
of Historic Places, and in 1976 was added to the National Register of 
Historic Places as well. The Village Hall continues to be a picturesque 
mark of the village.
  I am grateful for the opportunity to honor South Orange and Village 
Hall. I am also proud to make note of this month's ceremonies because 
of the important contributions the community has made to our Nation's 
history.

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