[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 120 (Friday, September 11, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1707]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   200TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TOWNSHIP OF BYRAM, COUNTY OF SUSSEX, NEW 
                                 JERSEY

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 11, 1998

  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 200th 
Anniversary of the Township of Byram, County of Sussex, New Jersey.
  The Township of Byram, was founded on February 5, 1798 after 
officially separating from the Township of Newton. The land was named 
for the Byram family who had settled there before the Revolutionary 
War. Originally, the land was inhabited by the Lenape Indians, but by 
the early 1700s, few Indians remained in the area.
  The earliest settlements in Byram centered on iron mines and forges 
and the Township enjoyed many years of prosperity in this industry. 
Many of these sites are said to have been in operation before the 
Revolution and continued operating well into the Nineteenth Century. 
Two different types of ore were found in the many sites in Byram.
  With the development of the Morris Canal and with two railroads, the 
Lackawanna ``Cut-off'' and the Sussex Branch of the Lackawanna 
Railroad, crossing the Township, Byram continued to prosper. While 
there are no longer railroads in Byram today, these train lines were 
important to the economic and social development of the Township.
  Byram is not only a land of industry, but a land of nature and 
culture. Known as the ``Township of Lakes,'' Byram has more than two 
dozen lakes and ponds within or on its borders. Many of the residences 
surrounding the lake began as summer vacation homes, but now, many 
people live on the lakes year-round. Waterloo Village, first settled in 
the 1750's, has been completely restored with an eye for authenticity. 
The Village is open to the public and offers a variety of cultural 
activities year-round.
  Throughout its development, Byram continued to grow and many people 
have taken advantage of this peaceful place to live, work and raise a 
family. Today, Byram remains a vibrant residential area with a growing 
business community.
  Mr. Speaker, for the past 200 years, the Township of Byram has 
prospered as a community and continues to flourish today and it will 
continue to prosper in the future. Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my 
colleagues to congratulate all residents of Byram on this special 
anniversary year.