The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-05-13
SUBURBS BEYOND THE HUDSON.
IN THE FOOTHILLS OF THE
WATCHUNG MOUNTAINS.
A String OF Old Agricultural villages Along
the Central Railroad OF New Jersey
Have Been Transformed Into Com
p Portable settlements for Commuters.

Astring Of Old Agricultural villages Along
the Central Railroad Of New Jersey
Have Been Transformed Into Com
p Portable settlements for Commuters.
Many Of the more important suburbs
beyond the Hudson are on the Central
Railroad Of New Jersey, which run parallel
with but at some distance from the Watching
Mountains. The plain extending from the
base Of the mountains to the eacoas Is
important farming region. The suburban
settlements along the railway were originally
for the most part villages supported ex-
Gusively by surrounding agricultural COM
n~unities. hut at present their populations
are composed largely Of New York COM
muters. They have long since ceased to
10 purely agricultural distributing points,
and are governed with reference to the
cunyenience Of the committing population.
While retaining their old time ~quaintness
q Individuality and the air Of rural sim
pidty, mellowed by age, they have been
made comfortable to live In through the
Introduction OF good roads, sidewalks,
water and sewer systems, gas, electricity,
public parks and efficient fire and police
Protection. They have excellent schools,
churches OF various denominations, country
clubs and other social organizations,
The railway crosses the Eliza beth, Rah-
way and Raritan rivers, and skirts the
Orange Mountains near its terminus. Had
Isbuilders f~oreseen the time when it's sub
urban passenger traffic would exceed its
height traffic in value they might have
aid the route nearer the highlands. As 1t
u, the growth Of population has been prin-
eAHy In the plains section, instead OF on
The slopes and plateaus Of the mountains.
However, the latter regions have In late
!srs been made accessible by the ex-
tension Of trolley lines and the improve
ment OF country roads.
Elizabeth is the first important place
o. the main line beyond Jersey City, hav.
ng more commuters than any other station
o. tia Jersey Central. 1t is essentially q
nanufac.uring city, but its factories are
@ncentrated at the waterside, leaving room
Nor suburban growth toward the north and
west,
Il Mora, Lorraine, Roselle and Aldene
ue settlements Of individual character, but
none Of these is as thriving as Crawford,
through which the Railway River winds in
saa out. Fanwood and Motherhood are the
.alons before Plainfeld Is reached. Plain
ued is exceeded in population by Newark
lo Elizabeth only. 1t is forty-fve min
ives ride from New York and occupies a
wv ridge commanding a fine view Of
"a'chung Mountain. Macadamized roads
s1tend from Plainheld to Springfield, Nor
sNstown,, Summit, the Oranges, Montolair 4,
TTSexxar,k, Elizabeth, Railway and Dunellen.
Jus laJt place, with Bound Brook and
Psinfeld.
.tnoseile is the first purely suburban home
rnonrlelnent on the railway. 1t is built on q
i i,Ui;hg plain. Watercourses lead. away from
eh every direction, showing Its general
cemu,rsa.non to be above the surrounding
eStt nN IT has some fine hoUsss, with
ANsnslVe grounds, hit the majority are Of
thmollest character. Prices are low, al
so. yusn rents are high in comparison with
'V rs oiher Places.
n, Iahlord has on advantageous location
FsoU UO.a tarits of the Railway River. The
p.Nnil Hes high on all sides, and in the
tsfang OF streets advantage has been
iiys iva OF every opportunity 70 utilize the
1 s1ss Q picturesque feature. The town
d tnSuosiyety O residence settlement. Many
"a ~ pnvate estates abut upon the river
ave arbors, summer houses and boat
lssts5ssass On their margins, There is much
~'s lumber and nearly all the private