August 2022: Milltown’s Iconic Landmark Water Tower and Smokestack to be Demolished!

August 2022: Milltown’s Iconic Landmark Water Tower and Smokestack to be Demolished!

While it may be said by some that this headline is utterly untrue, the fact is that without public outcry today these structures are in the direct path of the Milltown Ford Avenue Redevelopment Authority’s (MFARA) current legal framework. As of right now the current Ford Avenue Redevelopment Plan as amended in 2021 includes the following language with regard to open space…

            “Delivery of Open Space and Development Parcel: Demolition of
Buildings and Structures. Any and all structures or buildings, parking lots,
sidewalks, walkways, asphalt or concrete pads, and any abandoned below grade
piping, conduit or utility appurtenances, situated on the Open Space Parcel, shall
be removed and/or demolished by Developer. The cost of the demolition on the
Open Space Parcel and Development Parcel shall be shared 50/50 between the
Developer and the County….”

Looking at the conceptual plan it was reasoned and confirmed at a recent meeting of MFARA that one of the proposed building sites would sit at the location of the landmark structures in question.

It is true that there are numerous paths forward to save these structures. Options include the immediate creation of a Historic Preservation Commission to give authority over the designation of historic properties in the borough, the amendment to the four-party agreement, State Historic designation, and or lobbying of your elected officials. It is my opinion that it is too burdensome for the developer to keep the structures and maintain them. With the political will of both local Borough officials and the Middlesex County Commissioners who have the absolute authority to approve the location of the Open Space boundary. It is reasonable for them to ensure that not all structures within the county Open Space are demolished. Such a decision would benefit the residents of the State of New Jersey, Middlesex County, and the Borough of Milltown, as they could retain these landmarks, while also reducing the cost burden of the developer to unnecessarily demolish such iconic structures and the last remaining vestige of Milltown cultural contribution to the United States rubber industry and its own working-class roots.

For a timed video of the recent Milltown Ford Avenue Redevelopment Authority’s meeting where this was discussed see below for a YouTube link.

To contact your local leaders follow the links below.

Middlesex County commissioners.

https://www.middlesexcountynj.gov/government/board-of-county-commissioners

Milltown Ford Ave Redevelopment Agency

http://www.milltownnj.org/261/Ford-Ave-Redevelopment-Agency


Written by: Randy Ruth – August 2022

This day in History: April 6, 1930

This day in History: April 6, 1930

Descendants of Phillip Kuhlthau, Who Emigrated to America in 1848, Prominent in Milltown’s Life and Development


New Brunswick owned its early growth to the people of several nationalities—English, Scotch, Irish, German, French and Hungarian. Milltown owes its development largely to citizens of German birth and extraction. Milltown, which was originally known as Bergen’s Mills in honor of the mill proprietor, Jacob L. Bergen, and German names have been synonymous for many years, especially the name Kuhlthau,

The Bergen mill disappeared in 1843 when Christopher Meyer, a citizen of Germany, used the water power for his rubber manufacturing plant, which really gave Milltown its start.

Daily Home News 1930

The Bergen mill disappeared in 1843 when Christopher Meyer, a citizen of Germany, used the water power for his rubber manufacturing plant, which really gave Milltown its start. In 1816, it could boast of a population of twenty-five, one mill, a tavern, five or six houses and only two or three of them dwellings. By 1872, it had a box factory, two stores, two mills, two meat markets, two taverns, a church, and a number of dwellings to house a population of 400.

The first Kuhlthau to arrive in Milltown was Phillip. It was about 1850. He was the son of John Henry Kuhlthau and his wife, Barbara Lins, both of Oberzell, Germany. They had eleven children, and Phillip was born October 22, 1829. He went to school in his native town and when quite young went to work on the public roads there. In 1848 he came to America and some time later located in Milltown. For two years he engaged in farm work, and for the three following years was employed by the Ford Rubber Company. In 1852, he went abroad to see his grandfather, and when he returned he brought with him his parents and their family.

In 1855, he went into business for himself, opening in Milltown a small grocery store, which prospered. He soon became one of Milltown’s leading business men. In 1856 he married Catherine Klein of Milltown, by whom he had eight children.

He was active in Republican politics and held responsible offices in the county. He was a freeholder and a member of North Brunswick township for ten years, justice of the peace, commissioner of deeds, collector and postmaster at Milltown for several terms. The keynotes of his life were reliability and industry—characteristics that make for success today as they always have. They made Phillip Kuhlthau Milltown’s first citizen. His descendants have been and today are among the borough’s first citizens, leaders in improvement and in development.

There are about thirty-five Kuhlthaus living now in Milltown. Not long ago Christian Kuhlthau was renamed as the borough’s postmaster, giving him the distinction of serving under three presidents. At about the same time, Henry Kuhlthau was re-elected president of the Milltown Building and Loan Association, a position he has held since the association was founded in 1910. He is president of the National Porcelain Company and vice-president of the. Royston Paper Company. He was formerly a borough councilman and was first foreman of the fire company. He is associated, with his brothers, William H. and George, in the coal, flour and grain business, and the firm is known throughout central New Jersey for its excellent policies. He is vice-president and general manager. George Kuhlthau is the president of the company. His brother, William H., was formerly councilman and postmaster. He is secretary and treasurer of the company.

Other Milltown Kuhlthaus have been and are prominent in the life of the community. Still are others rising to prominence in various fields—business, medicine, law, politics, etc. For eighty years, there always have been Kuhlthaus in Milltown and Though it did not realize it at the time, Milltown was fortunate when Phillip Kuhlthau, picked the place for his home and business and political life.

Milltown was fortunate when Phillip Kuhlthau, picked the place for his home and business and political life.

Daily Home News 1930