[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 47 (Friday, March 17, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E341]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING TOWN OF BOONTON'S 150TH ANNIVERSARY

                                  _____
                                 

                      HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 17, 2017

  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the historic 
Town of Boonton, located in Morris County, New Jersey, on the occasion 
of its 150th Anniversary. From humble beginnings, this town's birth 
from a house and barn has grown to be a thriving community of over 
8,300 residents today.
  Boonton's history began in 1740 with a simple house and barn--the 
first house recorded in Boonton. It was originally part of a 231 acre 
plot that was purchased for 85. Over the years, three 
families have owned this historic landmark. Each family maintained and 
built onto the house until it was listed on the New Jersey Register of 
Historic Places; Boonton's population steadily grew thanks to an iron 
forge, which attracted local workers to establish their lives and 
provide for their families. This forge served as a central source of 
supplies for the military during the American Revolutionary War.
  The town was named ``Boone-Towne'' after the late Colonial Governor 
Thomas Boone in the year 1761. In March of 1867, Boonton incorporated 
as a town by the New Jersey State Legislature. The first of what would 
be many tests of Boonton's fortitude came in 1876 when the town faced 
an economic crisis, due to iron deposits found in the Great Lakes. The 
iron company shut down and workers left the town. The leaders of 
Boonton were strong and resilient and the town recovered by opening a 
silk, brass, knife, and many other factories. A diversified economic 
landscape prevented a depression from happening again.
  The Town of Boonton has also shown its resilience in not only 
handling economic hardship, but also during natural disasters. The 
blizzard of 1888 hit the town of Boonton hard for 36 brutal hours, 
covering the town with 15 feet of snow. This was a significant moment 
in defining the strong character of Boonton.
  Over the years, Boonton has grown and thrived into a tightly knit 
community. It has developed a booming Main Street that portrays its 
local community through a variety of schools, businesses, houses of 
worship, and other services meeting the needs of its diverse 
population. Boonton still attracts more and more people every year and 
has continuously seen a growing population.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and our colleagues join me in 
congratulating the Town of Boonton on the occasion of its 
Sesquicentennial Anniversary.

                          ____________________