Franklin Lakes have been on the forefront in welcoming strangers to town. They welcomed the troops that were stationed at the anti-aircraft base here as well as the troops that were stationed at the Nike Base in town. But they never thought they would come from the sky.
Such is the case that happened in late 1947. A young pilot named William E. Todd of 1021 ridge Road Bridgeville, Pa., was flying over Franklin Lakes when an occurrence forced him to visit the town. He was flying a brand new Cessna Aircraft that he was delivering to Roosevelt field in Long Island. Just as he was passing over the intersection of High Mountain Road and Franklin Lakes Road the aircraft ran out of gas.
Calling on his training as a military pilot he started to look for a place to put down. The place he found was a large grassy field on the on the McKenzie estate. His field is now the home of Most Blessed Sacrament church and school. The aircraft came down safely. The pilot exited the plane and walked across the street to the then Gas station. After obtaining ten gallons of gas he was on his way.
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But all landing did not end well. Such is the case of the National Guard Plane landing at Nelson Field in Franklin Lakes. The craft was piloted by Lt. George R. Johnson with Sergeant Roy C. Platt as Observer. The aircraft was coming in for a landing when it hit a gully at one end of the runway. This turned the plane into an Apple tree. The result was that the whole left side of the aircraft was removed. The quick action of the pilot in shutting down the engine prevented a fire. Both men walked away from this crash.
Just two events of people who visit Franklin Lakes.
