Pillars of Cranford
As I’ve recently written about my adoration for Cranford labeling it the Midburbs which has received widespread approval (thanks everybody), I would like to add to the uniqueness of this town. So with that in my opinion Cranford has the best…in the state of NJ???? What I’m going to say one might not expect or agree upon but here it goes, street signs. Ok you know those pillar street signs, that yes may not be the best in terms of letting you know where one is going and there are many in town who have some scorn to them, however where else can you find something like this in NJ? I wouldn’t be able to tell you.
So here is a little back story on the history, as I’ve been fascinated with this. I reached out to Margert Gerlach president of Cranford’s Historical Society. As per Margert “The first regular street signs were installed in 1906. In 1929, the new style of concrete posts with street name in blue and yellow-colored tiles set vertically. The pillars of Cranford as I would like to aptly call them are 88 years old. Margaret added that there were 200 signs installed in 1929 and it cost a whopping total of $1,021. Don’t want to know the cost involved of some utility improvements these days. For 200 signs at $5 apiece and lasting nearly 90 years that’s a bargain.
Furthermore in researching the history of the signs online I came across an article By Maureen Strazdon from May of 2012, Cranford Historic Preservation Advisory Board on the Cranford History website.
http://cranfordhistory.org/a-place-called-cranford/tile-art-around-cranford/
The original pillar signs as mentioned by Margert were installed in 1929. The distinct tile was manufactured by Mueller Tile in Trenton who “produced tiles for many important buildings and structures, including many New York subway stations. They also made the Cranford Rotary sign that still stands at the corner of North and Springfield Avenues. The Mueller Company closed in 1941 with the death of the owner.” Also in the article are the feelings that many in town feel about the signs. Even before they were all installed, Cranford’s unique street name signs were the subject of much comment and controversy. An article from The Cranford Citizen and Chronicle of April 25, 1929 reported on the complaints the Township Committee had heard about the difficulty of reading the street sign posts”. Even with this controversy they were installed. Over the years as the tiles diminished or were destroyed, they were replaced by the mundane signs you have now. According to the article Girl Scouts of Troop 779 are documenting the original pillar signs and counted that there are 77 of these 88 year old signs remaining. Wouldn’t it be cool to have the original tile recreated replacing these mundane signs?
Ok so with my Sherlock sleuth hat on, let’s try to breakdown this. Here are pictures of the two different style of street signs. Here at the snow covered pillar of the intersection of Walnut and Blake Avenue is this fine pillar with the original mosaic over 88 years old. How cool are these.
And then on the corner of Walnut and South, here is an example of the more common signs that were replaced when the original tile was destroyed….boring
But with this I noticed that there are several “normal” “standard” street signs in some intersections. Why are these here? Did people complain? Did the town give in? Including the Pillar of Walnut and Blake Avenue here is an example of standard sign taken in the pre-dawn cold morning walking my dog Midge.
With NJ towns now at number of 567 municipalities, with some towns less than a square mile how one can decipher what town they are in. For me at least, there is a comfort once I drive into Cranford and start seeing the pillars of Cranford. I know I’m back in my hometown and close to being home. Love them or hate them, they are unique and the only example of these type of signs in New Jersey. That is something to be proud of.