The Three Distinct Communities of the new Borough of New Milford

Interesting reading the special centennial publication The Stories of New Milford:

There are some great interviews. I recommend it to you.

There is also some great insight into the unique circumstances at the start of modern day New Milford:

“Unlike earlier boroughs that were formed by like-minded groups of people, New Milford was formed by several distinct communities. Peetzburgh,to the north, was a planned suburban development. River Edge Manor (Old Bridge), which was in the center, was once home to the Demarest’s family’s mill. New Bridge, to the south, was primarily farms. There was tension between the communities. For example, the Steuben School (now the Hovnanian School) was built in 1921 on River Road. The architect was John Abram Gurd, a leading citizen of River Edge Manor. That location was selected because residents of River Edge Manor were tired of traveling to Peetzburgh for school and were threatening to secede from the township. At the same time they were frustrated with the folks on the “southside” — the farmers of New Bridge -- who didn’t want their taxes to increase to pay for a new school.

More at: https://www.newmilfordboro.com/home/180013952/180013952/Images/Oral%20history%20narrative%20012122%20hh.pdf

Photo acknowledgement & credit: Borough of New Milford Historic Brochure