Woods Tavern Plaque Honors Hillsborough’s History

History came alive Thursday night in words and images as the site of the historic Woods Tavern was officially dedicated.

The plaques sit on a pedestal in a landscaped area outside The Shoppes at Woods Tavern that houses Five Guys restaurant at the northwest corner of Route 206 and Amwell Road. The commemorative plaques display two historic images of what once stood there.

The images were reproduced for the plaques through the collaborative efforts of New  Jersey artist Doreen Lorenzetti and Paul M. Ritz Jr. of The Hibbert Group. The left plaque depicts what was then the Woods Hotel, circa 1873, while the right plaque is a rendering of the site circa 1920.

Over the years, the property on which Woods Tavern stood had several owners. As travel along Amwell Road started to decline in the 1860s, the tavern dropped its license and was converted to a residence; in later years, it housed several small retail stores and even gas pumps.

One of the site’s most memorable moments occurred in 1872, when the property was the site of a campaign speech by Horace Greely, who was running for the presidency against Ulysses S. Grant.

The historic building was destroyed by fire in 1932.

Among the guests reviewing the plaques were two former township employees and lifelong township residents, Catherine Santonastasio (who served as township clerk for more than 30 years) and Alberta Snyder (tax collector for more than 35 years).

Santonastasio, 93, recalled a house next to the road adjacent to the Woods Tavern site. “I used to come up here and buy candy at Mr. Brede’s store.” She called the changes she has seen in the township over the years nothing short of “dramatic.”

Mayor Gloria McCauley thanked Larken Associates, the developer of the site, for its role in financing the commemorative project.

“It’s so nice that we have residents who remember what Hillsborough used to be,” she said.

Commiteeman Anthony Ferrera, who has been active on the Historic Commission, said, “I think it’s important to maintain the history of the town. If history isn’t reminded, then you forget. That (the pedestal and the plaques) is not going to go away. To have the residents come out today is special, too. It’s nice they can remember, too.”

Although the plaque indicates a dedication date of May 31, 2011, which was the 240^th anniversary of Hillsborough; however, a delay in the arrival of the plaques led officials to change the date of the dedication ceremony, according to McCauley.

“Hopefully, this marker will stay here for another 240 years,” the mayor added.