Cranford Centennial: Historical Trivia

The houses on the south end of Spruce Street were originally built around 1920 to house employees of the Aeolian Organ Company, whose factory facade is shown here. The facade still stands: where is it located?

• South Avenue in Cranford

• North Avenue in Garwood

• Central Avenue in Westfield

• Centennial Avenue in Cranford

Which two towns were originally part of Cranford?

• Westfield and Mountainside

• Mountainside and Springfield

• Westfield and Garwood

• Garwood and Kenilworth

Why are the train tracks in downtown Cranford elevated?

• To alleviate car traffic on the roads underneath.

• To make the southside of downtown more accessible to north-siders.

• To allow horses and carriages to pass through in the early 1900s.

• To make the area safer after two mules and two people were killed.

Answer explanation

It's true - they're elevated at least in part because, in 1871, two mules and three people were killed when PT Barnum's circus caravan was crossing the tracks en route from Plainfield to Elizabeth.

In 1936, the building shown here was built. Its name was "Chimney Corner" and it was a working restaurant that also held luncheons, award ceremonies, and wedding receptions. Which modern-day restaurant most recently occupied this space?

• Kilkenny House

• Craven BBQ

• Bar Americana

• Marino's Seafood

Which of the following is NOT a Cranford neighborhood name from the early twentieth century?

• Aeolian Park

• Heathermeade Hills

• Riverside Ravines

• Cranford Gardens

Answer explanation

Balmiere Park also existed nearby. Most of us live in what used to be called 'Aeolian Park!'

The Cranford Casino - there were two, actually - was built in 1892 and is shown in the photo. Where was this located?

• On Riverside Drive

• On Orange Avenue

• On Springfield Avenue

• Next to Nomahegan Park

Answer explanation

It was located at what is now Casino Avenue and Riverside Drive! Here are the tennis courts that were behind the casino.

Before CHS and BPS were built, there was a street running perpendicular to Spruce through what is now part of the high school. What was that street called?

• Tulip Street

• Torbush Street

• Washington Place

• Springfield Circle

Answer explanation

Look at the map - find Spruce Street - and you'll see Tulip also existed, parallel to Spruce. Washington Place ran across what is now the parking lot exit. Also, most of our houses were not built yet!

Why are these Boy Scouts in tents, on top of canoes, in the Rahway River in Cranford about 100 years ago?

• Because Cranford used to hold Annual River Carnivals.

• Because Cranford used to have major Halloween competitions.

• Because the Boy Scouts' held their first-ever campout here in Cranford.

• Because they were learning survival skills after World War I.

Answer explanation

The River Carnivals used to be huge, with contests, boats covered in lights, and competitions for most spirited backyard!

Cranford was originally populated mostly with residents from New York City, Brooklyn, and Jersey City. By 1885, how many residents did the NY Times report commuted daily from Cranford to the city?

• 1,210 people

• 76 people

• 8 people

• 217 people

Where Garlic Rose, Vanilla Bean, Wells Fargo, and others stand now, this building stood from 1892 until it burned down in 1912. What was it?

• The original Cranford Hotel

• An orphanage downtown

• Cranford's first operating warehouse

• Cranford Opera House