Pillars of Cranford
Crafted by Gabe Bailer, PP, AICP
As I’ve recently written about my adoration for Cranford, labeling it the Midburbs, which has received widespread approval (thanks, everybody), I would like to add to the discussion of this town's uniqueness. So, with that, in my opinion, Cranford has the best… in the state of NJ???? What I’m going to say one might not expect or agree upon, but here it goes: street signs. Ok, you know those pillar street signs that, yes, may not be the best at letting you know where you're going, and there are many in town who have some scorn for them; however, where else can you find something like this in NJ? I wouldn’t be able to tell you.
So here is a little backstory on the history, as I’ve been fascinated with this. I reached out to Margert Gerlach president of Cranford’s Historical Society. As per Margert “The first regular street signs were installed in 1906. In 1929, the new style of concrete posts with street names in blue and yellow-colored tiles was set vertically. The pillars of Cranford, as I would like to aptly call them, are 88 years old. Margaret added that 200 signs were installed in 1929, and the total cost was a whopping $1,021. Don’t want to know the cost involved in some utility improvements these days. For 200 signs at $5 apiece and lasting nearly 90 years, that’s a bargain.
Furthermore, in researching the history of the signs online, I came across an article by Maureen Strazdon from May of 2012, Cranford Historic Preservation Advisory Board on the Cranford History website.
http://cranfordhistory.org/a-place-called-cranford/tile-art-around-cranford/
The original pillar signs, as mentioned by Margaret, were installed in 1929. The distinct tile was manufactured by Mueller Tile in Trenton, which “produced tiles for many important buildings and structures, including many New York subway stations. They also made the Cranford Rotary sign that still stands at the corner of North and Springfield Avenues. The Mueller Company closed in 1941 with the death of the owner.” Also in the article are the feelings that many in town feel about the signs. Even before they were all installed, Cranford’s unique street name signs were the subject of much comment and controversy. An article from The Cranford Citizen and Chronicle of April 25, 1929, reported on the complaints the Township Committee had heard about the difficulty of reading the street signposts. Even with this controversy, they were installed. Over the years, as the tiles diminished or were destroyed, they were replaced by the mundane signs you have now. According to the article, Girl Scouts of Troop 779 are documenting the original pillar signs and have counted 77 of the 88-year-old signs remaining. Wouldn’t it be cool to have the original tile recreated replacing these mundane signs?
Ok, so with my Sherlock sleuth hat on, let’s try to break down this. Here are pictures of the two different styles of street signs. Here, at the snow-covered pillar of the intersection of Walnut and Blake Avenue, is this fine pillar with the original mosaic, over 88 years old. How cool are these?
And then on the corner of Walnut and South, here is an example of the more common signs that were replaced when the original tile was destroyed….boring
But with this I noticed that there are several “normal” “standard” street signs in some intersections. Why are these here? Did people complain? Did the town give in? Including the Pillar of Walnut and Blake Avenue here is an example of standard sign taken in the pre-dawn cold morning walking my dog Midge.
With NJ towns now numbering 565 municipalities, including some less than a square mile, how can one tell which town they are in? For me, at least, there is a comfort once I drive into Cranford and start seeing the pillars of Cranford. I know I’m back in my hometown and close to being home. Love them or hate them, they are unique and the only example of this type of sign in New Jersey. That is something to be proud of.