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GOING TO SCHOOL IN AND AROUND FRANKLIN LAKES
GOING TO SCHOOL IN AND AROUND FRANKLIN LAKES
GOING TO SCHOOL IN AND AROUND FRANKLIN LAKES
BY
JACK GOUDSWARD
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Gone are the days when the School Master would call the students to school with a hand held brass bell. As the students enter their modern school the start of the day is sounded by an electric buzzer. But that was not always the case.
The first school used by Franklin Lakes Students was located on the corner of Myers Lane and Darlington road. This building was torn down in 1804. The next school building was on Pulis Ave in the Ryerson road area and dated to the early 1800’s. When this building was abandoned the classes were taught in the home of William Word by his Daughter. This lasted until 1870 when a new school was built on Pulis Ave in the Darlington Road area. This was the first school built by the tax payers. It was used until 1906 and accidently burned down in the 1920’s.
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On the shores of Franklin Lake existed a one room School House. In 1888 it was said it was the oldest school in Bergen County. It remained in use until 1890 and was taken down. The location of this school is shown on the 1876 map of Franklin Township. The next school build was at the corner of Franklin and Ewing Ave. It was later moved to father up Franklin Ave and became a private home. He building and furniture were sold at auction. A new building was constructed on the location of the old school. It was built for $378.45 and 128 days of free labor. In 1901 the school became overcrowded and three rooms were in the house on the corner of Summit and High Mountain Road.
The next building used was the office of the old Silk Mill on High Mountain and Colonial Road. This was used until 1903. The location of the mill is shown on the 1876 map of Franklin Township. The next school was built High Mountain road and Terrace Road. This later became a private home. In 1932 the now Franklin Lakes Middle School was built. Later High Mountain Road, Wood Side Ave and Colonial Road Schools were built.
Today the Franklin Lakes Historical Society retains remnants of these olden times. In the collection is one of the original school benches and a large cast iron school bell used to call the students to class. All part of our rich heritage.
