Marlboro's 175th Anniversary Becomes A Townwide Tribute

MARLBORO, NJ — The Township of Marlboro has been celebrating its 175th anniversary all month, with lots of nostalgic photos from residents posted on the township Facebook site, proclamations from Gov. Murphy and other officials and a long look back at the town's beginnings.

In fact, if you look back long enough, to prehistoric times, you will learn why the town is even called "Marlboro."

"History has it that the name came from the discovery of marl on a farm just east of Marlboro Village in 1768," according to the township Historical Commission.

Marl is composed of the remains of prehistoric fish, clams and other marine life from the period when New Jersey was actually just part of the ocean bed, the historians at the commission write.

By the 1700s, farmers used marl to improve the soil before commercial fertilizers were available, and there was a heavy demand for it.

"The export of marl to all parts of the country became one of Marlboro's first industries," the commission says.

So Marlboro was playing a pretty central role in the growth of all the Colonies in a young America.

Fast forward to today, and the appreciation for times past - even the historic 1970s - has been in the Marlboro air with the anniversary festivities.

Mayor Jonathan Hornik seems to feel the tug of history. His own father, Saul Hornik, was a former mayor for 12 years here, until 1992.

He sent out a heartfelt letter to the community marking the town's official "birthday," Feb. 17.

"It is with great pleasure that I reach out to you as we acknowledge the 175th anniversary of Marlboro Township’s incorporation. I wish you, the residents of the Township of Marlboro, a heartfelt Happy Anniversary!" he wrote.

And he recounted historical facts: For example, on Feb. 17, 1848 the hamlets of Morganville, Robertsville, Wickatunk, Bradevelt and Topanemus were separated from Freehold Township and bound together by an act of the New Jersey State Legislature formally incorporating the Township of “Marlborough.”

"At the time of the township’s incorporation, we were a community of less than 1,500 citizens. To put perspective on how far we have come, there are more than 1,500 students currently attending Marlboro High School. Today, we are more than 41,000 residents strong," Hornik said.

And he reflected on the changes 175 years have brought. The community's diversity is a major source of pride, both for the mayor and town, he has said.

And there's a lot to offer everyone, he pointed out: award-winning schools, beautiful parks, recreation choices and a solid structure of township services for residents.

"At the same time, we still have a connection to our farm town roots, with more than 420 acres of preserved open space and farmland and retain some of our small-town charm," said Hornik, who himself is often pictured on Facebook all summer at the farmers' markets and other countryside events.

"I grew up in Marlboro and I am so proud of what this community has become," he wrote in his letter.

He cited many festivals and events but then there is his favorite: "Of course, we cannot forget Marlboro Day, my favorite day of the year, that began in a parking lot with a few tables and has grown into a huge event," he said.

And he offered an interesting tidbit of information. The town's 175th anniversary is its Demisemiseptcentennial. "Yes, this is a word," he said.

The Facebook posts that residents or past residents have submitted bring out lots of recent and not-so-recent history of the township.

For example, one post refers to Garret A. Hobart, the vice president of President William McKinley. In 1852, at age 8, Hobart moved with his family from Long Branch to Marlboro. He was a popular figure but died young, in office, in 1899. He would have become president after McKinley was assassinated, a Facebook comment noted. But Theodore Roosevelt, who replaced Hobart, became president instead.

There are photos of former structures in town, such as the former train station and post office or a general store with a former mayor at the counter. You can see all of these cool - and touching - photos from the public on the township Facebook site.

Even photos from the Seventies seem historic, such as the photo of the 1975 opening of the library.

And the township has its own Revolutionary War story, the historical commission notes: "During the Revolutionary War, Marlboro was the scene of many skirmishes between British and American forces since the British often foraged for food in the area around Pleasant Valley Road," the commission says.

"When retreating from the Battle of Monmouth in 1778, the British troops passed through Marlboro on their way to ships at Sandy Hook. They were attacked by American militiamen who mobilized along their route."

Residents who have items that help shed light on the history of the township are encouraged to contact the Commission Chairperson, c/o the Mayor's office, at 732-536-0200, ext. 1200.

And if this 175th anniversary is beginning to make you a bit of a local history buff, the commission always welcomes attendance at its public meetings held in Marlboro Town Hall, usually on the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m.

Soon, at a date to be determined, Hornik and the Historical Commission will have a ceremony to unveil the placement of three new historic markers to replace older deteriorated ones, keeping Marlboro' s past in mind today.