Berrien City, New Jersey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Berrien City, New Jersey
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Looking down Alexander Road
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 Berrien City, New Jersey
Location in Mercer County, New Jersey
Berrien City, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Berrien City, New Jersey
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  New Jersey |
| County | Mercer |
| Township | West Windsor |
Berrien City, also known as Berrien, is a small neighborhood. It is located in West Windsor in Mercer County, New Jersey. You can find it near the intersection of Alexander Road and Scott Avenue. It's also close to the Princeton Junction train station.
Contents
How Berrien City Started
Berrien City was the first neighborhood in West Windsor that was planned out. It grew in three main steps during the 1910s and 1920s.
Berrien Heights
In 1916, a man named Scott Montgomery Berrien started "Berrien Heights." This part had 72 building lots, all the same size. They were around Berrien Avenue and Montgomery Street.
Berrien City Expands
In 1924, Scott's son, Alexander Lawrence Berrien, planned 42 more lots. These new lots, along with the first 72, were together called "Berrien City." Alexander also added new streets:
- Lillie Street (named after his sister)
- Scott Avenue (named after his father)
- Emil Street (named after his brother-in-law)
Princeton Gardens
In 1926, a real estate developer named Michael McLaughlin added "Princeton Gardens." This area had 201 lots on both sides of the nearby railroad tracks. Only some of these lots were built on, all on the southeast side of the tracks. Princeton Gardens also added Borosko Place, named after a local family. Over time, all three areas—Berrien Heights, Berrien City, and Princeton Gardens—became known as "Berrien City."
Community Life and Buildings
In 1926, the community started the "Berrien City Fire Company." Today, it's known as the Princeton Junction Volunteer Fire Co. Their firehouse opened in 1931 at 952 Alexander Road. During World War II, this building was used as a civil defense station. For a short time, it was even a post office. In 2010, the building became the West Windsor Arts Center. This center is managed by the West Windsor Arts Council.
Building Homes
Many early homeowners in Berrien City bought empty lots. They built their own houses, sometimes with help from neighbors. Some even used building kits from companies like Sears, Roebuck, and Weyerhauser. You might still see homes that have leftover materials from the Pennsylvania Railroad.
Local Businesses
Several families ran businesses right out of their homes.
- In the 1950s, "Howard's Luncheonette" opened at 948 Alexander Road. It took the place of an older general store.
- From the 1940s to the 1970s, the Princeton Junction post office was also in this building.
- Later, an Italian restaurant called Galletta's Galley opened there. Then, Brother's Pizza took over in the late 1980s or early 1990s.
- Next door, you can find Sal's Shoe Repair Shop, a cobbler (someone who fixes shoes) who has been there for a long time.
Famous Residents
Berrien City has been home to some well-known people:
- From the 1970s until 2015, John Forbes Nash Jr. lived in Berrien City. He was a brilliant mathematician who won the Nobel Prize and the Abel Prize.
- The actor Ethan Hawke also lived here for some time in the 1980s. He attended West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South during that period.
Learning More
In 2019, the Historical Society of West Windsor created a website. It shares the history of West Windsor Township, including the story of Berrien City.
