This website
is dedicated to the Michelin Plant on Ford Avenue, the Evans Family, Dr Forney and his sons, who
they have given so much
to the town of Milltown and for playing an important role in forming the town we
love and respect. Also dedication goes to the remaining historical sites that
are remaining that we hold dear to our heart, also to the ones that we have lost
to the senseless disregard of our town history and to what makes this town so
special, the residents that live and work here. We need to stop the senseless destruction of our historical
landmarks and Milltown's history now before its to late and is lost forever.
Talking about
our Town History is one Thing- Saving it is Another
The
Forney House no longer resides at 94 Main Street Milltown, the location to which
this Civil War Era historic landmark has stood for over 140 years built by
Joseph Evans father of Milltown's first Mayor John C Evans. Another very
important Milltown resident to reside at 94 Main Street is none other than Dr.
Forney who came to Milltown to start his medical practice and serve the
residents of this town for over 70 years. The Forney House was known to everyone
as the jewel of Milltown because of the loving care the Forney's given to their
residence and the important role the site has played out on Main Street. The
home was sold in 1980 to Dr. Bhudev Sharma which for 29 years the Forney House
has been allowed to fall in disrepair and neglect with no enforcement from code
enforcement or township officials.
Valley
National Bank decided that Milltown residents needed another bank
in town directly across from Provident Bank and proceeded to demolish the Forney
home against strong opposition against the demolition from townspeople and
historical organizations.
The
Mayor of Milltown, township officials and Valley National Bank all said the
house is beyond repair and has to come down despite a report by the Department
of Environmental Protection Historic Preservation Office that in their
professional opinion the building can be rehabilitated all though not suitable
for reuse as a bank but as stewards of properties of historical properties in
New Jersey they recommend that the property be rehabilitated in its current use
as a residential, commercial property. Click here for a copy of the report from
the Historic Preservation Office
Milltown
has lost yet another one of its Historical Treasures to big business and greed
and possibly in the near future yet another very important historical site will
fall to the real estate developers wrecking ball the Michelin Plant on Ford Ave.
The Michelin Plant has played such an important role in the history and
development of Milltown and its residents including the US Post Office, Our Lady
of Lourdes Church, Raritan River Railroad, the very first American Michelin
Plant to open in the United States just to mention a few.
Residents
of Milltown stand together and protect our historical sites and our town
history. Do not let Milltown become just like any other place.
