Newest N.J. Scenic Byway leads visitors through U.F.
Tour narrative includes history of slavery in area
BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP
Staff Writer

Historic Walnford is one of the centerpiece destinations on the newly designated Upper Freehold Historic Farmland Byway. Operated as part of the Monmouth County Park System, the historic site was named after Richard Waln, one of New Jersey's most prominent abolitionists.

The agricultural way of life in Allentown and Upper Freehold has just been deemed a tourist attraction.

New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner Kris Kolluri joined Allentown, Upper Freehold and Monmouth County officials at Historic Walnford mill on Nov. 30 to dedicate the Upper Freehold Historic Farmland Byway as the newest New Jersey Scenic Byway.

The Scenic Byway program recognizes transportation corridors with regionally outstanding significance and cultural, historic, archaeological, recreational and natural qualities and eccentricities, according to Kolluri.

"Designating the Upper Freehold Historic Farmland Byway will provide visitors a glimpse into unique farms and landmarks that helped preserve an agricultural way of life in Allentown and Upper Freehold," Kolluri said. "Preserving open space along this highway corridor will protect its Colonial history and natural beauty."

A sign along the Upper Freehold Historic Farmland Byway denotes the burial place of William A Newell, father of the U.S. Coast Guard and former N.J. governor.

The 24-mile Scenic Byway offers a tour of over 12,000 acres of preserved farmland and three watersheds. The tour begins at the Presbyterian Church adjacent to Allentown and ends at the Historic Walnford Village in Crosswicks Creek Park, taking visitors along panoramic stretches of county routes 539 (High Street), 524 (New Canton-Stone Tavern Road), 526 (Trenton-Lakewood Road), 27 (Burlington Path Road) and Walnford Road.

The route highlights working farms including the Horse Park of New Jersey and historic districts and sites such as Imlaystown, which is a village of mid-19th century homes that used to be the social, economic and political epicenter of Upper Freehold, and the Old Yellow Meetinghouse, which is the oldest Baptist church in New Jersey, dating from about 1737.

Sue Kozel, vice chairwoman of the township's Scenic Vision Committee, said she is proud to have helped to conceptualize and create the byway.

"For me, the scenic and historic vistas in Upper Freehold are steeped in a rich Colonial legacy, and there are diverse stories of historical significance

to tell and sites to visit on our byway tour as we learn about the history of agriculture and today's working farms," Kozel said.

The Scenic Vision Committee worked on the byway project for three years. Whereas Kozel drafted the vision statement and contributed photographs for the project, many other community members also had a hand in the creation of the byway.

Kozel said the idea to create the tour came from working with Allentown High School students Sara Bloom Leeds and Brian Todd.

"I worked with them on the award-winning project 'The Vanishing Vistas of Upper Freehold,' " Kozel said. "Their notebook project planted the seed in me to explore a scenic road tour, and that's when I reached out to Mayor [John] Mele in Spring 2003."

Mele, a former Upper Freehold mayor, created the Scenic Vision Committee and shepherded the byway project through the Township Committee for approval.

David Meirs II, chairman of the Scenic Vision Committee, crafted the narrative of the tour. Joe Barris, the committee's Monmouth County Planning Board liaison, contributed his map-making skills to the project.

Upper Freehold resident Marc Covitz worked with Barris, Upper Freehold Mayor Stephen Fleischacker and Township Committeeman Sal Diecidue and others on constructing the actual road tour.

Kozel said the dedication of the byway unveils a diverse history, which is a legacy of Upper Freehold.

"In addition to the great men of this area, it is my hope that slaves like Clarissa Jacobs, Joseph, Grace, Henry Francis, Charles, Judith and Effee can also be remembered so students will discuss the full history of our region on our tour," she said.

Kozel said the area marked by the byway once had abolitionists, slave owners and slaves in it. She also noted that Historic Walnford was named for the famous abolitionist Richard Waln.

"The American drama of freedom was played out in Upper Freehold and Allentown, where abolitionists lived and worked next to slave owners, where slaves may have walked and worked on our scenic byway roads," Kozel said. "Yes, even some slaves may have fled slavery from Allentown and Upper Freehold and traveled on these very roads."

Kozel said the Upper Freehold Historic Farmland Byway will make an important contribution to New Jersey and regional history.

The Upper Freehold dedication marks the fifth Scenic Byway in the state of New Jersey. The Delaware River Byway, the Millstone Valley Byway, the Southern Pinelands Natural Heritage Trail, and the Palisades Interstate Parkway were previously dedicated.