Frank Sinatra Rest Stop, And Other NJ Highway Stops, Start Getting Their Signage

NEW JERSEY — After the state of New Jersey announced last July that nine highway rest stops would be named after state "icons and Hall of Fame inductees," the signage with the names is finally going up. As a result, drivers and residents have been posting photos on social media and commenting on who else should get a rest stop.

"Yet another GSP service area has been renamed and we now have a Frank Sinatra rest stop. But some of the smaller service areas remain untouched. I think @NJGov should make the ‘Uncle Floyd Service Area’ happen ASAP," wrote John on Twitter on Monday.

Now that Sinatra's signage has gone up in Galloway, at Garden State Parkway milepost 41.4, some have observed that it's nearly two hours from the crooner's birthplace of Hoboken. But it's close to the Atlantic City casinos where the singer performed.

Not all of the celebrity rest stops are near the places the honoree grew up.

Author Judy Blume's signage went up in March in Monmouth County, but she hails from Elizabeth, and has set her young-adult novels in Summit and Princeton. The Judy Blume Service Area has an address of 100 Garden State Pkwy, Wall Township.

The full list of stops to be renamed:

• Montvale: James Gandolfini Service Area
• Brookdale North: Larry Doby Service Area
• Brookdale South: Connie Chung Service Area
• Vauxhall: Whitney Houston Service Area
• Cheesequake: Jon Bon Jovi Service Area
• Monmouth: Judy Blume Service Area
• Forked River: Celia Cruz Service Area
• Atlantic: Frank Sinatra Service Area
• Ocean View: Toni Morrison Service Area

There may be more in the future, including for war heroes.

“This is about putting New Jersey greatness on full display,” said Governor Phil Murphy last year.
“This is the first part of an extended statewide exhibition of New Jersey heroes throughout our state."

He added, "From military heroes on the Battleship New Jersey to historical figures on the New Jersey Turnpike to science and technology trailblazers at Newark Penn Station, New Jerseyans will find pride in our contributions to society and the world.”

NJ.com reported this week that signage has already gone up for musicians Jon Bon Jovi and Celia Cruz, and for the second Black baseball major-leaguer, Larry Doby. (READ MORE: Montclair's Own: Baseball Legend Larry Doby Nominated For Congressional Medal)

Each stop will offer exhibits on the honorees as well. The Bon Jovi exhibit is already up, the NJ.com story said.

Dozens Of Garden State Stars

Here is the full list of New Jersey Hall of Fame inductees.

Sinatra was in the first class of 12 inductees in 2008, along with Toni Morrison, Malcolm Forbes, and Harriet Tubman.

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