The History Behind Some of Madison Street Names

Both Lathrop Avenue and Wisteria Court are connected to the Lathrop family. Judge Francis S. Lathrop named his estate “Pine Tree Farm” which he built in 1842 off Loantaka Way. “Pine Tree Farm” became known years later as Giralda Farms. Francis Lathrop was the first regular railroad commuter in the county and possibly in the country. He paid $100 for six months in advance to travel daily between Madison and Newark. During the six months the conductor was told to let him ride whenever he wanted. The price of a ticket became $60 a year two years later. For the next thirty years, he held ticket number one.

William Gibbons built his home in “The Forest” from 1833 to 1836 which is now the administration building of Drew University. Madison named a street for the family — Gibbons Place. Isabel Gibbons, the daughter of William and Sarah Gibbons, married Lathrop’s son, Frank Lathrop in 1856. The elder Lathrop built a home on Madison Avenue for Frank and Isabel. This home became known as “Wisteria Lodge”. The house was demolished and homes were built on the property. One of the streets where the homes are located is named Wisteria Court. The second street is named after Betty Baumgartner who was the first woman mayor of Madison — Baumgartner Court.

The third mayor of Madison was William F. Redmond. He lived on the southwest corner of Woodland Road and Loantaka Way. He was a breeder of thoroughbred horses. Redmond Drive was named for him. He also authored a book about his life in Madison. Redmond Drive, Wisteria Court and Baumgartner Court are located off Morris Place.

Alfred M. Treadwell lived in the Boisaubin Mansion which was originally the home of Vincent Boisaubin. Treadwell bought the home in 1853 from the Boisaubin estate. In 1865 he served as a state assemblyman. It was while he owned the home that it was used as part of the underground railroad. The beginning of the commercial rose industry started with Treadwell when in 1856 he built several greenhouses. Then his neighbor Francis S. Lathrop built several on his estate of “Pine Tree Farm”. The result was the road in front of his mansion was named Treadwell Avenue.

Henry Keep had a Bonnet and Umbrella Factory on the southeast corner of Kings Road and Prospect. From 1840 to 1843 the Methodists met in a room of the Factory before moving into the first Methodist Church on Waverly Place. Keep’s company was the first large manufacturing facility employing 100 women and several men in Madison. Besides manufacturing straw bonnets and umbrellas, he produced some clothing. The Madison Public Library is located on Keep Street which is named after him.