Ongoing historical research on a variety of topics.
Views: 6,266 The history of Basking Ridge (Bernards Township) sometimes comes in unique ways. While researching another story online, we came across an auction selling an original scorebook from the Bernards Baseball Club. Today, many men love to play club… Read More »Baseball: The Bernards Base Ball Club in 1867
Views: 32,956 UPDATED: March 27, 2026 Welcome to our Mr. Local History “Lots of Jersey Comfort Food Maps“, a delicious celebration of the places that define New Jersey one plate at a time. From classic roadside diners and neon-lit institutions… Read More »Jersey Comfort Food – Mapping The Best of the Best!
Views: 6,768 As many Bernards Township residents are familiar with Harry Dunham Park, very few people know about Harry Dunham, the man. Mr. Dunham was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, and moved to Basking Ridge. Let’s dig in and see what… Read More »Retrospective: Harry Dunham and His Park
Views: 23,156 A gift from the WHS class of 1980 to all those who loved the Jolly Trolley. I hope you continue to send in your stories and photos. As with all Mr. Local History retrospectives, we often update the… Read More »Westfield’s Iconic Jolly Trolley – Thanksgiving Eve’s Place to Be
Views: 6,364 Mr Local History is proud to announce the release of the third in the collectible series, the 619-year-old Basking Ridge Historic White Oak Cat’s Meow collectible, which is now available online. The New Jersey Historic Village keepsake collection… Read More »Basking Ridge Historic White Oak Tree Honored in New Jersey Keepsake in Series
Views: 13,411 When you’re a kid, the simplest things in life often end up being the ones you remember the most. As one of three kids in my family growing up in nearby Westfield, New Jersey, I learned life lessons… Read More »Did You Work at the Cranford Canoe Club?
Views: 2,366 Mr. Local History Online Magazine – a free magazine with stories about local history and events in New Jersey. In this issue: Far Hills turns 100, a walking tour is coming, Analysis of the Basking Ridge Oak, Historic… Read More »Mr. Local History 2021 Spring MLH Magazine (Covid Rebound) Vol 3. Issue 1
Views: 23,372 The map below is interactive and filtered to showcase New Jersey’s Diner community! Then, we’ll discuss how the keepsake came to be. Bookmark this map on your phone. Also, note we have burgers, pizza, bakeries, hot dogs, and… Read More »Mapping New Jersey’s Most Iconic Diners & A Diner Collectible
Views: 3,191 The Somerset Hills have seen its share of aviation accidents, minor and spectacular, over the years. Fortunately, most have involved light aircraft with injuries rather than casualties as the result. The early crashes, prior to WWII, tended to… Read More »Aviation Tragedy: Lieutenant Guy Kendrix Rudd
Views: 8,614 Nominate your top 5 favorites for our American HO Greatest Slot List. Isn’t it great when you get to go back in time and do things you did as a kid? I remember the times when I would… Read More »Slot Cars and Motorsports History
Views: 9,016 Bedminster, Bernards Township, Bernardsville, Far Hills, Peapack & Gladstone: History that you might not know. Let’s get started. Did you know… 1921 – Far Hills was actually part of Bernards Township until seceding in 1921. Rising taxes led… Read More »Somerset Hills History 101
Views: 57,322 With our Board of Trustees settled into Central New Jersey, isn’t it fun to know what famous people live or have lived in the area? We’re about to show you what we’ve found from our research. The New… Read More »Somerset Hills Most Famous Families & Residents
Views: 23,756 Is William Alexander, aka The Earl & Lord of Stirling, Basking Ridge’s Most Famous Resident? Our researchers think so. Let’s see if we can answer that question. William Alexander (1726 – Jan 15, 1783) was the son of… Read More »Lord Stirling- Basking Ridge’s Most Famous Resident
Views: 22,124 General Washington, the Continental Army, and General Lord Stirling of Basking Ridge drew inspiration from history and created a sophisticated communications network to track the British movement. They were called the “Beacons.” We start off with a classic… Read More »Lord Stirling’s Rev War Beacon Signal Towers
Views: 25,490 Boy, this has turned into an obsession. We keep digging and finding more racetracks that were once part of New Jersey motorsports history! The Mr. Local History Project is a non-profit organization that picks up on great local… Read More »Lost New Jersey Racetracks Mapping Project