Barrington in the 40's and 50's

Barrington in the 40s and 50s

Barrington in the 40s and 50s

Life in Barrington during the 1940s reflected the impact of World War II on small-town America. Gas rationing made car pooling for work and shopping a necessity. With the restricted traffic, children could play in the streets during the day. Citizens were required to stand in line to receive rationed items such as butter, sugar, canned milk and soap.

Civil Defense was organized in the event of a disaster. The town was divided into sections with a resident warden assigned to each district. The warden saw that each house was darkened at night and kept careful watch over his area. Volunteers used the bell tower In the First Presbyterian Church as a lookout for enemy planes.

The fire company took an active role in general Civil Defense duties. Available funds were invested in War Bonds.

In 1942, the Police Department installed a fingerprinting unit and filed the prints of the town's citizens for positive identification in the event of a catastrophe.

The Idea of a possible local disaster led to the organization of the Barrington Ambulance Association in 1940, primarily from members of the First Aid Squad of the Fire Company. The first fund raising project was a rag and paper drive, which with contributions from Barrington Girl Scout Troop #1, V.F.W. Post #7247 and various individuals, helped the enterprise get underway. The first ambulance, a used 1938 Chrysler, was purchased from the Runnemede Fire Company. at a cost of $1,350.00. It was garaged at the home of a trustee on Kingston Avenue and later kept In the new addition to the fire hall. In its first year of operation, the Ambulance Association handled 38 calls and covered 710 miles, involving 130 man-hours.

The post-war boom was felt in every phase of Barrington's development. An airport opened, in 1945, on the south side of East Gloucester Pike in a portion of the Howell Estate. Veterans who wanted to learn to fly under the "G.I. Bill" received their training here. The airport finally gave way to commercial and industrial endeavors. Increase in traffic, and the need for easier access between northern and southern New Jersey, was answered by the New Jersey Turnpike (southern section in 1951) and Interstate Route 295 in April 1961. Both traversed the town. The opening of the Walt Whitman Bridge (1959) and the nearby Port Authority Transit Company (PATCO) High Speed Line in 1969 played an important role in attracting home owners to Barrington in and after the 1 950s.

A construction boom began to change the face of the town. In a fifteen-year period beginning about 1950, the Fitzgerald farm, the Williams farm and the Weaver farm were converted into residential areas. Edmund Scientific Company (1948), a unit of Owens-Corning Fiberglas (1955) and a unit of Metal Edge Industries (1957) located their plants on the old Howell Estate in Barrington. In 1950, the population stood at about 2,600 but by 1960, it had risen to 7,900.

The rapid development of new sub-divisions in various parts of the town Imposed new responsibilities on the Borough in terms of road improvement, availability of water and sewer as well as fire and police protection. The Borough assumed responsibility for maintaining the streets and also helped to fund the expansion of the fire and police departments.

In 1954, the fire company acquired a new American La France pumper and augmented the alarm system with three new sirens. The fire company remains an association of volunteer firemen who dedicate their time and efforts to many hours of basic and advanced training and service. Since fire insurance rates are in proportion to the adequacy of equipment and training of the force, it is gratifying to know that Barrington has the best rating possible for a volunteer company.

The Barrington Ambulance Association received its certificate of incorporation from the State of New Jersey on January 17, 1952. It works with the Fire Department in times of emergency. Presently, the Association has two fully equipped Braun Ambulances. The Association currently has three members who have responded to well over 2000 calls, four over 1500 calls and fourteen members answering over 1000 calls. Dr. G. Vernon Judson, a physician who played a significant role in the health and welfare of many Barrington residents, had these words to say in a talk he delivered to the Historical Society, "We cannot say enough for this fine organization of well-trained, highly motivated people who have given the community such untiring devotion to First Aid and transportation of the sick and injured. They have made and are continuing to make a record health support system second to none".

In 1951, the Borough re-established a full time police department after a lapse of twelve years. A chief and patrolmen were appointed but by 1960, six men, including a lieutenant and sergeant, had been added to the force.

Three new churches were built during the 1950s to serve the needs of a varied and growing population. In 1951, a local group of Jehovah's Witnesses built a Kingdom Hall on the corner of Third and Reading Avenues. On October 7, 1956, the Community Bible Church broke ground for Its building in the 300 block of Kingston Avenue. A parsonage was purchased at 528 Austin Avenue in 1960. In 1954, the Church of St. Francis De Sales was erected on the corner of Willmont and Gloucester Pike. It was originally a mission church served by the St. Rose of Lima parish in Haddon Heights, but was designated an Independent parish in 1955.

The growing needs of Barrington were reflected in the schools as well as the churches. Additional schools were needed. In 1954 the Culbertson School was enlarged and the new Avon School opened its doors. The St. Francis De Sales School was built in 1958, followed by the Woodland Middle School in 1959.

Next.. Progress in the Sixties and Beyond

Train Pulling into Barrington Station circa 1914

First Post Office at 111 Clements Bridge Road

Luke Page's General Store at the Corner of Reading and Barrington Avenues

Early Railroad Station and Trolley Car