Paintings in the Watchung Council Room
The Old Watchung School House as it appeared in the 1930's & 1940's
This building was built in 1898. During the depression years, when more capacity was needed, the original building was raised and a lower floor with masonry walls was constructed beneath it. Later, a stairway was constructed in the rear and a sunporch and an upstairs office area was added in the front of the building. Bathrooms were added later.
At one time the upstairs office served as a kindergarten room.
There were two rooms upstairs and two rooms downstairs that were connected by sliding doors. There were five teachers, one for kindergarten, one for each of the four rooms and those teachers taught two grades each. The Old Watchung School House is now the home of the Watchung Arts Center.
Stony Brook is located above Wetumpka Falls.
Members of the Lenni Lenape Tribe traveled by dug out canoes on the Stony Brook, which took them into the Green Brook & then the Raritan River on their way to the sea-shore.
This apartment house known as "Honeymoon Flats" by local residents, faced Somerset Street and stood on the present site of the Watchung Rescue Squad building. It was originally built by Moses French, who owned the mill across the street. At one time it was owned by William H. Titus. Local newlyweds would live in the apartments while finding or building a new home in the area. It also served as a general store and later became one of Watchung's early libraries.
The Gazebo on Watchung Lake
is in memory of Police Chief Ralph Barrett and former Councilman Fred Diem. Oh
Best Lake is the smaller of the two lakes in the center of Watchung
Valley Road. It was a popular swins' it for Watchung children for many years. The owners, the Rest family who live on the south shore of the lake, had a small rowboat that all of the local children used on the lake. Diving off the roof of the boat house and spending hot summer afternoons enjoying the cool water are now just fond memories for many of Watchung's long time residents.