The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1909-02-05
WILL MEAN NEW
BUSINESS CENTRE
FOR ORANGE
Postofice, City Hall, Railroad
Depot and High School Will
Be Clustered.

Much interest attaches to the an
nouncement of the purchase of the old
Robinson property at Lincoln avenue
and Main street, Orange, for a post
office site, owing to the realization of 8
long cherished desire for ADEQUATE
postal quarters for the fast growing
population of Orange and West Orange.
both municipalities being covered by
the service given by Postmaster John
A. Alderman and his efficient staff.
There mas been complaint from some
citizens who do not relish the changed
location from a section which they have
been accustomed to during many years,
but the p~ostofice department at Wash
ington considered the future growth Of
the community, as well as present
needs, and the location at Lincoln ave
nue. is almost exactly in the centre of
population as it will be in the years to
come. Mr.. Alderman has been busy
explaining this to dissatisfied residents,
and the view is now generally accepted
that the new location was wise.
Many men and women low prominent
it otidtto VI II OiotSGo iStdl tlClt
early school days in the old Robin
son building, which has outgrown its
career as a regular school and is used
by the Boys Club, Of Orange. Frank
e. Cotton, a lawyer of prominence, has
taken up the duties of president of the
organization.
What is to become Of the old school
building when the government gives
orders to go ahead with the postoffice
construction, after the needed appro-
priation has been made, is not definitely
settled. Considerable money was ex-
pended to fit it for the Boys Clubs
needs. and in all likelihood it will be
moved to another site. The old Robin
son homestead, east of the school, will
be removed to the property owned by
the Misses Robinson, SO as TO be en-
tirely off the government land, which
ID now occupied TO the extent of about
fifteen feet. This house Is a landmark,
and, despite it's century of existence,
is still in good condition. The changes
planned in the street, however, indi-
cate that the property will be too valu-
able in a few years for residence pur-
poses, and the old structure will prob
ably eventually give place to a modern
business structure.
The property across the street from
the postof1ce site and offered for a city
hall site Is the homestead of the late
Laurence T. Fell, former Mayor of
Orange. Adjoining it Is part Of the land
offered by James A. Clark, which is
now in the hands Of a committee from
the Orange Common Council. owned
by George Hall, of South Orange.
Should tho movement for a City Hall,
which Is now in formative shape, re
suit in the choice of the site, the sec
ton of Main street will be a new bust
ness centre. The proposed Lackawanna
railroad depot will be east of the post
Office property and at Cleveland and
Main streets is the new city High
School. The property offered for a City
Hall site has a depth which with the
city's present possession affords ground
for an additional school building, .r
room for enlarging the High School.
The activity in property sales for
public buildings has advanced the
value of the lands in the neighboriiood,
and there are bright prospects for the
establishment OLA big business district
there.