Kinnelon Celebrates 100th Anniversary With Slate Of Events

KINNELON, NJ — One-hundred years ago, the Borough of Kinnelon had about 400 residents and a single, bumpy road connecting to nearby Lincoln Park. Quite a bit has changed, as Kinnelon celebrates its centennial.

Francis Kinney established a sprawling, 5,000-acre estate around 1885 in Pequannock. The estate was named "Kinnelon" (Kinney-lawn). When Kinnelon became incorporated in 1922, sons Warren and Morris Kinney took the estate's name for the new borough as a tribute to their mother.

Warren Kinney was most responsible for organizing the movement to split from Pequannock Township in 1922, according to Borough Historian Thomas Kline. In February 1922, New Jersey Gov. Edward I. Edwards approved an act to incorporate the Borough of Kinnelon. Warren became its first mayor, and Morris served on the first town council.

Quite a bit has changed in Kinnelon, which now has roughly 11,000 residents. Just ask someone who's been around for it all, such as 102-year-old John Marshall — Kinnelon's oldest resident.

"Back then, there was one road up to Kinnelon from neighboring Lincoln Park, a muddy, rutted, terrible road," Marshall said. " ... Lots of people, including my father, used a horse or mule and cart back then."

Kinnelon held some celebrations last weekend with a Roaring Twenties costume party. Upcoming festivities include the following:

• May 21: birthday celebration at Town Hall, 5-10 p.m.
• July 16: town picnic at Lake Rickabear, 12-5 p.m.
• Aug. 17-21: carnival rides and games at the Kinnelon High School parking lot
• Oct. 1: K Fest, Fall Festival at Town Hall, 1-8 p.m.

"Kinnelon is truly a hidden gem of a town — close to New York City, but full of small-town charm and natural beauty,” said Mayor James Freda, the 16th to hold the position for Kinnelon.

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