In 1909, a Newark firm called the Civic Publicity Co. published a softcover guide to Summit. most likely to be used by real estate agents and builders. The booklet describes the city as "an ideal suburban home town." and features photos of schools houses of worship, hotels, businesses and municipal buildings.
Read moreThe Lasting legacy of the Brothers Risk
When it was announced that new office building called thee Claremont Corporate Center would be built on the site of the Risk mansion on the corner of Morris and Springfield avenues a reference was made to the fact that the stone structure would be preserved, noting that it "it was the residence of a prominent physician of the day who was a pillar of early Summit civic life." Even a cursory look into the history of the Risk name reveals this is quite an understatement.
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Summit Historical - Society Its Origin & The Long Road to a Permanent Home
In 1927, Summit's local newspaper - The Summit Herald - called for the formation of an Historical Society. Two years later, on the evening of Feb 4, 1929, a group of citizens met in the office of Judge Arthur W. Hicks on Beechwood Road and decided to form such a Society.
Read moreMarguerite Gabielle Courtot - Silent Film Star Born in Summit
Although little know today in her time Marguerite Gabrielle Courtot was regarded as one of the screen's greatest beauties, starring i many of her seventy-three films from 1913-1924.
Read morePatrick J. Kelly - World's Biggest Cop, but an Even Bigger Santa Claus
Patrick Joseph Kelly (Pat) came into this world on July 31, 1891. He was born in Summit. Pat had three sisters (Katherine, Mary, and Esther) and a brother (Nicholas). Their home was located at 242 Morris Avenue.
Read moreArthur James Cotterell - A Part of Summit's History
by Robert A. Hagerman
Arther James Cotterell (Art) has played and important role in the history of Summit for the past seventy-none years. As a family man, a teacher, a Summit High School baseball coach and as past president (twice) of the Summit Historical Society, his dedication, his value system and his integrity continues to be felt in the minds of the students and the people who have known and worked with him throughout the years.
Read moreThe Summit Free Public Library - A Town Treasure
"It is worthwhile to make a deliberate effort to keep up the reading of noteworthy books... In following the written thoughts of his own age, each man's individual life is enriched and deepened... Thinking along with a great thinker brings, as it heritage, a surer poser of thinking for oneself."
The above quote was written by Miss Mabel R. Haines (Summit Librarian 1913-1914) for the Summit Herald in one of her columns of book reviews entitled: "The Library Shelf."
Read moreThe Fish Family - A long line of Summit Area Residents
Perhaps many of you have seen the truck of Thomas W. Fish Landscape Nurseryman Inc. around town of have even had Tom plant flowers, shrubs or tress on your property over the years. He has been in business since 1977. But did you know that the Fish family has had a presence in the Summit area for the past century and a half?
Read moreThe Van Cise Building - The Summit Opera House
One of the foremost historic building ins downtown Summit was designed and built in 1893-1894 and is located on the northwest corner of Springfield Avenue and Kent Place Boulevard. Today is houses Winberie's Restaurant & Bar on the street level and the Renaissance Church on the upper level.
Read moreThe Story of Joe Medwick and Summit
The time is the summer of 1928 and over at Memorial Field in Summit there is a hight school sophomore who is paling for the semi-professional Summit Red Sox of the Lackawanna Baseball League. This young athlete, who is creating quite a bit of interest playing with players who are older and have a great deal more experience some former professionals, is Joe Medwick of Carteret High School.
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