Clinton Township Newsletter

2 5 J a n u a r y 2 0 1 5 Fresh Seafood, Grilled Specialties, Italian Classics, Brick Oven Pizzas • Fireside and Patio/Courtyard Dining • Cigar Smoking on the Wrap-Around Porch Private Parties and Catering 1 F a i r m o u n t r o a d , L o n g V a L L e y www.RestaurantVillageAtLongValley.com 908.876.9307 Open for Dinner Tuesday – Saturday at 5:00 pm, and Sundays at 3:00 pm • Bar Open Late The Computer Guy A DIVISION OF BDB ENTERPRISES Is Your Computer Driving You Crazy? We'll fix your computer in your home and help you effectively use it! For HOME • Flexible hours • Computer repair • Internet connection, printer & file sharing • DSL/Cable setup • Virus/firewall help • MS Office training For BUSINESS • Web hosting • Computer purchasing • Web site design • E-commerce specialist • Search engine optimizing • Networking/Firewalls • Business solutions Bruce Bednar Office: 908-713-9843 Annandale, NJ Cell: 908-310-7988 LEBANON DOOR COMPANY • Overhead Doors • Electric Operators • Storm Doors 119 Main Street, Lebanon, NJ 08833 908-236-2620 Glenn Coats, Proprietor Established 1957 Fax: 908-236-2946 Home: 908-730-6536 t h e C l i n t o n t o w n s h i P h i s t o r i C a l P r e s e r v a t i o n C o m m i s s i o n Mellos Farm – Giving a "Voice" to the Ruins of Windy Acres b y s t e v e b a y l y Anywhere one travels there is history beneath our feet, often unseen and unknown. An important part of understanding our community's history is discovering our preserved historical homes and structures as well as those that are almost gone. It is with that understanding that we record the existence of our historical buildings and ruins so they are not lost to the ages. Just East of Lebanon Borough lies Clinton Township's Windy Acres. On this land lies the ruins of what has been documented as Mellos Farm. The farm sits to the South of Main Street and just North of a railroad bed of the New Jersey Central Railroad. It cannot be seen from any public road due to the distance and overgrown vegetation, however you can still find the ruins of a farmhouse likely built in the pre-Revolutionary mid to late 18th century. The ruins tell us that it was a significantly large house for the period and is most likely connected to wealthy owners throughout the past 250 years. It is undoubtedly con- nected to prominent families historically and today in this immediate region, if not the State, and is a contributing historic resource to the understanding of our local history. The evolution of this former farmhouse can be seen by the remaining architectural features, building techniques and time-period materials. It appears in the mid-19th century the house underwent an enormous renovation for that time, which altered its height with a reconstructed servants' wing on the Eastern side of the house, and a completely remodeled interior of the West wing. Evidence of Greek Revival millwork and trim were added during this expan- sion. By the mid-20th century fireplaces made from concrete block had been added, and likely replaced one or more cooking fireplaces of the previous century. This "mansion" [of its time] along with the surrounding farm was abandoned as a result of its apparent isolation and poor accessibility. The Mellos Farm had various outbuildings that have disap- peared except for their foundation ruins covered beneath the vegetation. Evidence of a pool or pond west of the house was discovered, and there is a circular foundation that was apparently the base to a silo. The Historical Commission preserved this interesting piece of our history with an Architectural Document prepared in 2010. The intention at the time was to record remaining historical evidence before an expected demolition due to property development plans. While those plans changed, Mother Nature's does not and she is continuing to reclaim what has always been hers. We are now fortunate to have evidence of this property's existence and historical context. In essence, we have preserved the "Mello voice" of Windy Acres for future generations' education and interpretation. cid:DB285A43-6F3B-415A- "Your success and happiness lies in you. Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties." — Helen Keller RABIES CLINIC: 1/17/15 • Clinton Town & Clinton Township Municipal Barn, 43 Leigh Street, Clinton, NJ 08809 • 8:00 am-11:00 am • 908.735.8616

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