Droescher's Mill facts for kids
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Droescher's Mill
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 Location in Union County, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Location in the United States
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| Location | 347 Lincoln Avenue East, Cranford, New Jersey |
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| Area | 0.5 acres (0.20 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 74001192 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | January 8, 1974 |
Droescher's Mill is a very old building in Cranford, Union County, New Jersey. It's special because it's the oldest business building in New Jersey that has been used continuously. This historic mill was added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 8, 1974.
Contents
A Look Back: The Mill's Story
Droescher's Mill is also known as the Williams-Droescher Mill. It is the last remaining old mill on the Rahway River. Benjamin Williams built it way back in 1737. It started as a sawmill.
How the Mill Worked
Benjamin Williams used the river's power to make his saws work. A big water wheel turned with the river's flow. The lumber cut here helped build the first houses in the area. Before he passed away in 1779, Williams built a second building. This one was for making wool products.
A New Chapter for the Mill
In 1902, Severin R. Droescher bought the mill. He updated it into the building you see today. S.R. Droescher used it for his business, the Cranford Oil Stone Works. Here, they made whetstones and oilstones. These are special stones used to sharpen tools.
Ancient Paths Near the Mill
The road that passes by the mill, Lincoln Avenue, has a long history. It was once part of the Naraticong Trail. This was an old route used by the Unami tribe of the Lenape people to reach the sea. By the 1700s, Lincoln Avenue was known as the Old York Road. This was a colonial road connecting Elizabeth to Philadelphia. Another important Lenape route, the Great Minisink Trail, also went through Cranford. It was used to gather seafood from the shore.
Rahway River Parkway: A Green Space
The mill and the land around it are important local landmarks. They are part of the Cranford section of the Rahway River Parkway. This parkway is a nearly century-old greenway. A greenway is a long strip of parkland that follows a river. This one hugs the Rahway River and its smaller streams throughout Union County, New Jersey.
Designing the Parkway
The Rahway River Parkway was designed in the 1920s. It was created by the famous Olmsted Brothers firm. These were the sons of the well-known landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. He designed many famous parks, including Central Park in New York City.
Parks Along the River
The Cranford part of the parkway follows the winding Rahway River. It flows south through many parks. These include Lenape Park, Nomahegan Park, Hampton Park, and MacConnell Park. Other parks are Girl Scout Park, the Cranford Canoe Club, Hanson Park, Sperry Park, and Josiah Crane Park. You'll also find Droescher's Mill Park, also called Squire Williams Park, and Mohawk Park.
Protecting the Parkway
A group called "Friends of Rahway River Parkway" works to protect this special area. They want to keep the parkway beautiful and like it was originally designed. They also help people enjoy the parkway. Alluem Yoga, a yoga studio located in the mill, has even organized clean-ups along the parkway near the mill.
Cranford Riverwalk: A Scenic Path
The Cranford Riverwalk and Heritage Corridor is part of the Rahway River Parkway. It starts near the Cranford Canoe Club. It then follows the Rahway River south to Droescher's Mill. Along this path, you can still see century-old stone walls and columns. These wind through the woods to the mill. However, they need some care and restoration. Future plans include fixing the Kaltenbach Estate Skating Pond near the mill. They also plan to restore the Victorian Footbridge and Squire Williams Picnic Grove next to the mill.
