Brenda Putzer

Cranford, NJ Area Guide

General Information

Cranford is a township of Union County, and has a population of over 22,000 people (2000 census). The township was incorporated on March 14, 1871 by the New Jersey Legislature, and was created from parts of Clark, Linden, Springfield, Union, and Westfield townships. Parts of Cranford later became Garwood (established in 1903) and Kenilworth (established in 1907) townships. In 2008, Cranford ranked 37th in the “Best Places To Live” rankings by the New Jersey Monthly magazine.

The Township of Cranford was known as the “Venice of New Jersey” at the turn of the century as the settlers began to establish themselves around the Rahway River. In 1720, John Crane of Elizabeth (then known as Elizabeth Towne) built a grist mill and a saw mill here, and the mill at Crane’s Ford provided much-needed grain for Washington’s troops during the Revolution.

Cranford remained an obscure town until the Elizabethtown and Somerville Railroad allowed access to the area from New York City in 1838. In 1871 Cranford was incorporated as a township, and by 1885 there were 76 residents commuting to New York City daily from Cranford. The arrival of the railroad spurred development in the area, and Cranford soon became a destination for recreation and leisure, and later a commuter suburb of the Big Apple.

For more information about the history and culture of Cranford, please visit the official website: http://www.cranford.com

Nomahegan Park

Connecting to both Lenape Park and Echo Lake, Nomahegan Park is a natural, scenic location within Cranford. Each year the park hosts several events, and visitors can discover numerous natural paths throughout the park.

Crane-Phillips House Living Museum

The Crane-Phillips House is a Victorian cottage built in the style of the first American architect, Andrew Jackson Downing. The museum gives a glimpse into the Victorian lifestyle and also highlights several inventions of the period such as the modern kitchen range hood and Milk of Magnesia (both created by the Phillips brothers Henry and Charles). There is also an extraordinary collection of Native American, Revolutionary War, and Civil War artifacts and 19th century tools and weapons. The Crane-Phillips House was named an “American Treasure” by the White House Millennium Council and the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1999.

The Cranford Historical Society

In the interest of preserving the town’s history, a small group of residents banded together to create the Cranford Historical Society in 1927. The collections here include photographs, scrapbooks, furniture, tools, and Native American artifacts from early Cranford citizens. The Cranford Historical Society provides educational tours, research assistance, genealogical research, and walking tours on a regular basis to ensure that the area’s history is preserved and shared with the community.

Back from Iraq Parade & Celebration

Kaleidoscope Kabaret

Pictures & Trolley Ride with Santa

Flip Your Lid for Art

For a complete list of events in Cranford, please visit the following website:
http://www.cranford.com/

For more information about the Cranford Recreation and Parks Department, please visit:
http://www.cranford.com/rec