Marcellus Hartley Dodge and Geraldine Rockefeller Dodge
Trolley on Main Street in Madison
In putting this limited important date list in Madison history, we feel it is correct to the best of our knowledge. Sometimes we found conflicting information between historians and source materials.
1900
When the estate of Hamilton McKay Twombly and Florence Vanderbilt Twombly was opened, ice cream and cake were served to the entire population of Madison. The main house, which was named Florham, is a replica of Henry VIII’s Hampton Court in England. The main part of the estate is now a campus of Fairleigh Dickinson University. Madison High School occupies a small part of the former estate.
1902
The organization of the second black church, the First Baptist Church of Madison was begun by a group of twenty-nine men and women who started a Baptist Mission in 1896. The congregation moved into its present church on Cook Avenue in 1902 on land they purchased from B. Warren Burnet.
On August 10th a disastrous flood caused a railroad washout at Samson Avenue. Spring Garden Brook overflowed and washed fifty-nine bodies from graves in Hillside Cemetery.
1910
Central Avenue School was built. It housed the high school and elementary school.
1912
The Morris and Essex Traction Company started a trolley line that ran from Elizabeth to Lake Hopatcong along Main Street. It ran until 1928.
1900
When the estate of Hamilton McKay Twombly and Florence Vanderbilt Twombly was opened, ice cream and cake were served to the entire population of Madison. The main house, which was named Florham, is a replica of Henry VIII’s Hampton Court in England. The main part of the estate is now a campus of Fairleigh Dickinson University. Madison High School occupies a small part of the former estate.
1902
The organization of the second black church, the First Baptist Church of Madison was begun by a group of twenty-nine men and women who started a Baptist Mission in 1896. The congregation moved into its present church on Cook Avenue in 1902 on land they purchased from B. Warren Burnet.
On August 10th a disastrous flood caused a railroad washout at Samson Avenue. Spring Garden Brook overflowed and washed fifty-nine bodies from graves in Hillside Cemetery.
1910
Central Avenue School was built. It housed the high school and elementary school.
1912
The Morris and Essex Traction Company started a trolley line that ran from Elizabeth to Lake Hopatcong along Main Street. It ran until 1928.
Green Avenue School 1879 - 1950
1914
A railroad cut was made through Union Hill and the railroad tracks in Madison were elevated. Madison Borough Council appropriated funds to help build the new railroad station which was dedicated in 1916. The Station is still being used and is located on Kings Road.
1916
The former Gibbons property was developed as the Fairwoods section.
1917
The D. Willis James property was bought by Geraldine Rockefeller Dodge, the daughter of William Rockefeller. She married in 1907, M. Hartley Dodge, heir to the Phelps-Dodge industrial empire. They expanded the property by buying the adjoining Wilder, Harkness and Ballantine estates. They named the property “Giralda Farms”. She founded an animal shelter, St. Hubert’s Giralda, to serve the animals she loved. St. Hubert’s was endowed in her will and so continues as a shelter and conducts programs concerning pets. She generously supported many local organizations and gave to the Borough: Dodge Field, land for commuter parking lots and the ambulance corps, and the Hartley Dodge Memorial Building and the land it sits on. Her will established the Dodge Foundation which is providing support for several Madison organizations and Borough projects.
1922
The Madison Historical Society was founded by a group of citizens committed to saving the Bottle Hill Tavern that stood on the corner of Main Street and Waverly Place where the Chase Manhattan Bank now stands. The First National Bank purchased the site in 1922 for a new building and intended to tear down the old tavern. Led by Mrs. Calvin Anderson, Mrs. Anderson Case, Mrs. Fitshugh C. Speer, Lloyd W. Smith and Arthur W. Buttenheim, a successful fundraising effort was completed to pay for the cost of moving the Tavern to a location further down Main Street. After the move took place in 1923, it became the home for the Historical Society until the late 1940s.
1924
The Thursday Morning Club, a Federated Woman’s Club in Madison, built the Madison Settlement (Community) House, which it still owns and operates on Cook Avenue.
1925
Madison High School on Main Street was dedicated. The building now houses the Madison Junior School.
1930
Lucy D. Anthony School, named in honor of a devoted Madison teacher, was built. A decreasing school enrollment in recent years led to the closing of this school. It is now the Wellness Child Care Center of the YMCA.
A railroad cut was made through Union Hill and the railroad tracks in Madison were elevated. Madison Borough Council appropriated funds to help build the new railroad station which was dedicated in 1916. The Station is still being used and is located on Kings Road.
1916
The former Gibbons property was developed as the Fairwoods section.
1917
The D. Willis James property was bought by Geraldine Rockefeller Dodge, the daughter of William Rockefeller. She married in 1907, M. Hartley Dodge, heir to the Phelps-Dodge industrial empire. They expanded the property by buying the adjoining Wilder, Harkness and Ballantine estates. They named the property “Giralda Farms”. She founded an animal shelter, St. Hubert’s Giralda, to serve the animals she loved. St. Hubert’s was endowed in her will and so continues as a shelter and conducts programs concerning pets. She generously supported many local organizations and gave to the Borough: Dodge Field, land for commuter parking lots and the ambulance corps, and the Hartley Dodge Memorial Building and the land it sits on. Her will established the Dodge Foundation which is providing support for several Madison organizations and Borough projects.
1922
The Madison Historical Society was founded by a group of citizens committed to saving the Bottle Hill Tavern that stood on the corner of Main Street and Waverly Place where the Chase Manhattan Bank now stands. The First National Bank purchased the site in 1922 for a new building and intended to tear down the old tavern. Led by Mrs. Calvin Anderson, Mrs. Anderson Case, Mrs. Fitshugh C. Speer, Lloyd W. Smith and Arthur W. Buttenheim, a successful fundraising effort was completed to pay for the cost of moving the Tavern to a location further down Main Street. After the move took place in 1923, it became the home for the Historical Society until the late 1940s.
1924
The Thursday Morning Club, a Federated Woman’s Club in Madison, built the Madison Settlement (Community) House, which it still owns and operates on Cook Avenue.
1925
Madison High School on Main Street was dedicated. The building now houses the Madison Junior School.
1930
Lucy D. Anthony School, named in honor of a devoted Madison teacher, was built. A decreasing school enrollment in recent years led to the closing of this school. It is now the Wellness Child Care Center of the YMCA.
Bayley Ellard High School 1949
1935
The Hartley Dodge Memorial Building (Borough Hall) was dedicated. The building was given to the Borough by Mrs. Geraldine Rockefeller Dodge as a memorial to her son, Marcellus Hartley Dodge, Jr. This impressive marble and granite building provides space for Borough government and until 2009, the police and fire departments. The doors are polished bronze and the interior rotunda is of marble. A sweeping staircase leads to the second floor council chambers which house a Lincoln collection that includes the desk Lincoln used in the House of Representatives. The furnishings including the art work and a $300,000 trust fund to provide income to maintain the building was also given to the Borough by Mrs. Dodge.
1936
The Dellwood area was developed on the former Slaughter Estate. The name comes from the many dells on the property, and the original gate house still stands as a private home on the corner of Dellwood Drive and Woodland Road.
1937
The Cross Gates area was developed behind the wall of the part of the George Pomeroy lands.
The United States Post Office on Lincoln Place was the first federally funded building built in Madison.
1940
The Knollwood area was opened for development on the former Toothe Estate.
1948
In the fall, Jackie Robinson, who broke the color barrier in major league baseball, spoke in the high school auditorium. At the time he predicted that Madison born Don Newcombe, a black pitcher, would be in the majors. The following year, Don Newcombe, a Brooklyn Dodger, spoke in the same auditorium. Don Newcombe was born in Madison and lived on Morris Place.
1949
Kings Road School and Green Village Road School were dedicated. The latter school closed due to declining enrollment.
Bayley Ellard High School, a Catholic high school, was dedicated on land that once belonged to the estate of Mrs. H. Mercer Walker. It is now closed due to declining enrollment.
1953
Memorial Park was created through the purchase of adjoining Florham Park land. It was dedicated to the men and women of Madison who served in our nation’s struggles for independence and peace in the world. Over the years the park has become home to the Madison Community Pool and a number of athletic fields.
The Hartley Dodge Memorial Building (Borough Hall) was dedicated. The building was given to the Borough by Mrs. Geraldine Rockefeller Dodge as a memorial to her son, Marcellus Hartley Dodge, Jr. This impressive marble and granite building provides space for Borough government and until 2009, the police and fire departments. The doors are polished bronze and the interior rotunda is of marble. A sweeping staircase leads to the second floor council chambers which house a Lincoln collection that includes the desk Lincoln used in the House of Representatives. The furnishings including the art work and a $300,000 trust fund to provide income to maintain the building was also given to the Borough by Mrs. Dodge.
1936
The Dellwood area was developed on the former Slaughter Estate. The name comes from the many dells on the property, and the original gate house still stands as a private home on the corner of Dellwood Drive and Woodland Road.
1937
The Cross Gates area was developed behind the wall of the part of the George Pomeroy lands.
The United States Post Office on Lincoln Place was the first federally funded building built in Madison.
1940
The Knollwood area was opened for development on the former Toothe Estate.
1948
In the fall, Jackie Robinson, who broke the color barrier in major league baseball, spoke in the high school auditorium. At the time he predicted that Madison born Don Newcombe, a black pitcher, would be in the majors. The following year, Don Newcombe, a Brooklyn Dodger, spoke in the same auditorium. Don Newcombe was born in Madison and lived on Morris Place.
1949
Kings Road School and Green Village Road School were dedicated. The latter school closed due to declining enrollment.
Bayley Ellard High School, a Catholic high school, was dedicated on land that once belonged to the estate of Mrs. H. Mercer Walker. It is now closed due to declining enrollment.
1953
Memorial Park was created through the purchase of adjoining Florham Park land. It was dedicated to the men and women of Madison who served in our nation’s struggles for independence and peace in the world. Over the years the park has become home to the Madison Community Pool and a number of athletic fields.
Madison High School built in 1958
1954
The Madison Volunteer Ambulance Corps was founded. The Corps acquired its own headquarters building on Prospect Street in 1963. Ninety-five percent of the manpower for the construction of this building was by volunteers.
1957
The Harwood area was developed where the Laura Augusta Home for daughters of professionals in the Episcopal Church once stood. This property had formerly been the Haughwout and Evans Estates.
1958
Fairleigh Dickinson University established a third campus on the former Twombly Estate in Madison and Florham Park.
Madison High School moved into a new building on Ridgedale Avenue. The land where it was built was donated by Shirley and William A. M. Burden, heirs to the Twombly Estate.
1963
The YMCA merged with the Chatham YMCA and moved to its new building on Keep Street.
1964
On February 5th, Dr. Martin Luther King spoke to an audience of 5,000 people in the Baldwin Gymnasium on the Drew University campus. Not everyone could fit in the gym, so they listened through loud speakers placed in other rooms and outside on the lawn.
1968
The Madison Public Library moved to its new location on Keep Street. The Madison Historical Society has a room in the building as well.
The Madison Community Pool in Memorial Park was opened for membership to all Borough residents.
1970
The Torey J. Sabatini School, an elementary school, was dedicated. It was named after a valued member of the Board of Education.
1971
The Borough, through the Conservation Commission (now the Environmental Commission) applied and received matching “Green Acres” funds for a twenty-six acre park on land between Central and Ridgedale Avenues. Named Summerhill Park in 1987, it is maintained as a passive park.
1973
The Kluxen Winery, on Fairview Avenue, a family business for over one hundred years, ceased to operate.
1976
In December, PIC Realty, the real-estate division of Prudential Insurance Company purchased Giralda Farms. The Mayor, the Planning Board and PIC Realty hammered out an agreement for a “corporate campus.” There would be five office buildings occupying about fifteen percent of the estate. The rest would remain as private parkland; most parking had to be underground. The new corporate residents have continued the tradition established by the past owners of the property in providing support for Borough organizations and opening the grounds for community activities. PIC Realty installed a macadam bicycle trail around three sides of the perimeter. Joggers, strollers and dog walkers put the trail to good use year-round. In the summer of 1984 and every succeeding summer, the Morris Area Arts Council sponsors a Pops Concert by the New Jersey Symphony on the grounds.
1980
The Madison Senior Citizens Center opened at 10 Maple Avenue. It is presently located on Walnut Street
The Madison Volunteer Ambulance Corps was founded. The Corps acquired its own headquarters building on Prospect Street in 1963. Ninety-five percent of the manpower for the construction of this building was by volunteers.
1957
The Harwood area was developed where the Laura Augusta Home for daughters of professionals in the Episcopal Church once stood. This property had formerly been the Haughwout and Evans Estates.
1958
Fairleigh Dickinson University established a third campus on the former Twombly Estate in Madison and Florham Park.
Madison High School moved into a new building on Ridgedale Avenue. The land where it was built was donated by Shirley and William A. M. Burden, heirs to the Twombly Estate.
1963
The YMCA merged with the Chatham YMCA and moved to its new building on Keep Street.
1964
On February 5th, Dr. Martin Luther King spoke to an audience of 5,000 people in the Baldwin Gymnasium on the Drew University campus. Not everyone could fit in the gym, so they listened through loud speakers placed in other rooms and outside on the lawn.
1968
The Madison Public Library moved to its new location on Keep Street. The Madison Historical Society has a room in the building as well.
The Madison Community Pool in Memorial Park was opened for membership to all Borough residents.
1970
The Torey J. Sabatini School, an elementary school, was dedicated. It was named after a valued member of the Board of Education.
1971
The Borough, through the Conservation Commission (now the Environmental Commission) applied and received matching “Green Acres” funds for a twenty-six acre park on land between Central and Ridgedale Avenues. Named Summerhill Park in 1987, it is maintained as a passive park.
1973
The Kluxen Winery, on Fairview Avenue, a family business for over one hundred years, ceased to operate.
1976
In December, PIC Realty, the real-estate division of Prudential Insurance Company purchased Giralda Farms. The Mayor, the Planning Board and PIC Realty hammered out an agreement for a “corporate campus.” There would be five office buildings occupying about fifteen percent of the estate. The rest would remain as private parkland; most parking had to be underground. The new corporate residents have continued the tradition established by the past owners of the property in providing support for Borough organizations and opening the grounds for community activities. PIC Realty installed a macadam bicycle trail around three sides of the perimeter. Joggers, strollers and dog walkers put the trail to good use year-round. In the summer of 1984 and every succeeding summer, the Morris Area Arts Council sponsors a Pops Concert by the New Jersey Symphony on the grounds.
1980
The Madison Senior Citizens Center opened at 10 Maple Avenue. It is presently located on Walnut Street