Monday 24 June 2013

THE HISTORY OF ISELIN
CHAPTER 3, The Ecology of modern Iselin

 When the initial research began to determine the how, when and the where, the present suburbia
structure of Iselin began, it was assumed that the criss cross street pattern was a 20th century
phenomenon, and that Iselin  was composed of 3 or 4 dozen farms, until after WW I. Nothing could
be further from the truth.

The ecology of Iselin has a genesis dating back to shortly after the Civil War when Iselin was still
known as Union Town. A land promotion scheme was introduced to the public by Edwin Bloomfield
and Thomas Barclay, who subdivided 67 acres of property into 50x100 ft. building lots. (the first
officially recorded subdivision) These lots fronted on Bloomfield, Elizabeth, Indiana & Creamer Aves.
and Woodruff and Berkeley Streets. In 1891, a second subdivision between Green Street and New
Dover Road, became known as the "Iselin Hill" subdivision, and created, Pleasant, Harrison, Grand
Park & Washington Avenues. Again, in 1893, yet another subdivision called "Iselin Park", established
the Streets we know as Pine, Madison, Cherry, Main, Canal and Grand Streets. This project did not
interest a horde of purchasers, and nearly died. It later caught on.

In the decades following WW I, in 1918, 1920,1922-1925, no less than 12 new subdivisions sprang
from the farmlands of Iselin. 1925 brought the development of Commercial Stores, and work would
start on the development of the Iselin Airport, which was located between what is now Middlesex Ave.
and Wood Avenue, along the North side of Oak Tree Rd. now bisected by the Garden State Parkway.

For all of your Real Estate & Insurance needs, contact:

LEGACY REALTY GROUP, EDISON, NEW JERSEY
732.744.0400

Tuesday 18 June 2013

THE HISTORY OF ISELIN
CHAPTER TWO-----TRANSPORTATION
Iselin and it's sister community of Colonia, can actually trace it's modern road system to pre-historic times
when the New World's only inhabitants were the Leni-Lenape Indians, who criss crossed Iselin on what were
little more than foot paths. By superimposing the route of this trail onto modern day street maps, today's
Chain O' Hills Road, is one and the same as this old trail. As the trail swung Westerly into what we know as
modern Iselin, then briefly to the North, it would follow the path of today's Green Street. Traveling Westward
again, the trail would approximate today's roads known as Middlesex-Essex Tpke. and State Route 27.

The other major trail through Iselin, running North & South, was the Minisink Trail. It Started from the Watchung
Mountains through a pre-historic water gap known as today's Town of Springfield, NJ. This trail ultimately
passed through Colonia, then through Iselin. There is no modern artery that follows the exact route of the
Minisink Trail, although Auth Avenue and a portion of Middlesex Avenue, approximate the general direction  of
this old trail. Considerable traces of this old trail existed into the late 1960's, however, in the Autumn of 1965
the longest surviving portion of the trail was bulldozed out of existence to clear for the construction of the
Colonia High School.

Answer to last week's trivia:
The 9 towns that comprise Woodbridge Twp. are, 1. Avenel 2. Colonia 3. Fords 4. Hopelawn 5. Iselin
6. Keasbey 7. Port Reading 8. Sewaren 9. Woodbridge
Congratulations if you got them all.

For all of your Real Estate and Insurance needs, contact:
LEGACY REALTY GROUP, EDISON, NJ
732.744.0400

Friday 14 June 2013

THE HISTORY OF ISELIN, NEW JERSEY
CHAPTER ONE. How did it get it's name?

Iselin, as it is now known, was originally called Perrytown, then Union Town, and officially
changed to Iselin in 1872, in recognition of it's most famous businessman, Adrian Iselin.

Iselin died in New York City, in 1905, at the age of 86. He was an Importer, Banker, Rail
owner and philanthropist. In 1840, at the age of only 22, Iselin became a Junior Partner
in a Dry Goods Business, Importing and Banking business, where he ramained until 1854.
He would later devote all his energies into the Banking Business, then the Railroad Industry.

He was one of the founders of the New Rochelle Water Company, and the Metropolitan
Opera. He also played a prominent role in the promotion of the American Museum of
Natural History, the Metropolitan Museum of Arts, and the Hospital for the Relief of the
Crippled. He contributed largely to the creation of schools and churches, as well as
numerous charities.

Iselin, later acquired control of the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg Railway Company. It
was through his dedication that this company developed into one of the most important
coal carrying roads in the country. As a result of his most respected status and influence
as a Railroad President, the Pennsylvania Railroad changed the name of the Union Town
Station Stop to Iselin, New Jersey

Look for Chapter two, 6/19/13

Very few people know that Woodbridge Township was Chartered in 1669, and today is
comprised of 9 different towns. Can you name them all? No cheating....answer next week.

LEGACY REALTY GROUP, EDISON, NJ
732.744.0400

Wednesday 12 June 2013

IF YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT SELLING YOUR HOME.........
Do you think your kitchen can use updating?

Kitchen remodeling sales are up significantly, according to the Kitchen & Bath Association
and it's no wonder. The kitchen is the focal point of most homes, and what most buyers are
likely to compare when they are shopping for a home today.

Here are 5, low cost kitchen re-do's, buyers will appreciate...and so will your pocketbook:

1. CABINET HARDWARE:
   Replacing cabinet hardware, such as handles, knobs and hinges, is a quick, do it yourself
   way to enhance the kitchen. A typical kitchen equates to 30 or 40 handles and knobs
   averaging $2 to $20 per knob.

2. FAUCET:
   There are inumerable options today, with spouts, pull out hoses, folding necks, auto on-offs
   etc. Top quality faucets start at about $200, but attractive, functional substitutes, can be
   obtained for less.

3. LIGHTING:
   Adding a simple LED Light under the cabinets, creates a well lit, dramatic effect, for about
   $40.

4. ORGANIZATION:
   Buyers today choose functional over elaborate, i.e. practical kitchen storage, over the door
   hooks, baskets in the pantry, drawer organizers, wall hooks for pots and pans and stackable
   shelves. Typically, all for less than $100.

5. COUNTERTOPS:
   Granite, while very desireable, is not necessary. Laminates can mimic the look of Granite
   for about half the price.

Remember this old adage...."when you are selling, treat it like a house..when you are buying
treat it like a home".

For more helpful hints about staging a house before a sale, and the eventual marketing strategy
visit our blog or contact us at:

LEGACY REALTY GROUP, EDISON, NJ
732.744.0400

Wednesday 5 June 2013

CHEAP HOME REMEDIES....SOME "DO IT YOURSELF FIXES".
TREATMENT FOR A SCRATCHED WOOD FLOOR:

For minor scratches, crayons will do the trick. Select a color that matches the flooring
and color in the scratched area and be sure to stay in the lines, then buff to a shine. A
matching permanent marker can camouflage deeper, ugly scratches. Another idea is to
grind the meat of a walnut or pecan into the scratch. The nut oil provides a shine that
blends with polyurethane.

INEXPENSIVE WAY TO UNCLOG A DRAIN:

Try dropping 3 Alka Seltzer tablets down the sink, followed by a cup of white vinegar.
After about 15 minutes, you can clear the drain with boiling water. Caution..do not attempt
immediately after using a commercial product like Drano or Liquid-Plumr.

YOU'VE STRIPPED A SCREW..NOW WHAT DO YOU DO?

Using a Hacksaw, cut into the top (head) of the screw to create a new groove for the
screwdriver.

CLEAN UP YOUR WALLS....WITH TOOTHPASTE:

Without store bought spackle, you can patch small holes with a putty knife or butter knife
to smooth non-gel toothpaste into the hole, then sand the spot to smooth the surface.
(remember those college days) To erase crayon marks from the walls, smear with non-gel
toothpaste, scrub with a brush and wipe until the marks are gone.

You see, everything doesn't have to cost a lot of money.

HouseLogic tips exerpted from May/June issue of Realtor Magazine

LEGACY REALTY GROUP, EDISON, NEW JERSEY
732.744.0400

Monday 3 June 2013

METUCHEN, NEW JERSEY STREET FAIR, JUNE 2nd, 2013


For anyone who did not get a chance to attend the wonderful, FREE, Street Fair this past
Sunday, you missed a great day of fun and entertainment.

Although the event was scheduled to go on as planned, rain or shine, the inclement
weather graciously held off until late evening, and was not an issue. Since people were
coming and going all day, non-stop, it would be impossible to exact the attendance, but
it appeared that several thousand Men, Women and Children attended, and were having
a great time. You would have been hard pressed to find anyone who didn't enjoy the music
all day, or who wasn't carrying balloons, souvenirs and food/refreshments, from the many
vendors, who made the day possible. The best way to thank the various vendors, is to
avail yourself of the many services and materials that were displayed, if and when you
need them.

We are happy to report that our LEGACY REALTY GROUP Booth, was jumping all day, and we
wan't to personally thank everyone who visited with us. Whether you were inquiring about
Real Estate sales and rentals, insurance needs of all types, or how to become a Real Estate
Agent, you can be assured that we will provide you with the highest level of service possible.

We look forward to next year's event.