Where Children Flourish

The Old Foundation

 The Old Foundation

 

Back in the 1920s, real estate speculators created a housing development here, known as the Metuchen Manor. Many lots were sold in this area. However in the 1930s, during the Great Depression, many of the lot owners lost their land because they were unable to pay property taxes. As a result, Raritan Township (now Edison Township) took over the property. Later on, the site would be cleared and Menlo Park School would be established in the 1960s. Since then, this area remained undeveloped. For almost 30 years, this site collected all types of debris and trash. It wasn’t until the fall of 1992 that the site would be cleaned.

At this point of thr trail, you can see the remnants of a foundation from a house that was here in the early 20th century. It is possible that this house faced Compton Avenue and is the site of an old development that went bust during the years of the Great Depression.