Franklin Township, Hunterdon County

Franklin Township is a picturesque, rural oasis with rich soils and sparkling streams in the heart of Hunterdon Count. Settled in the early 1700s by Quakers, it was touched by the Revolutionary War. Although the township was never occupied by British troops, New Jersey deputy quartermaster general Moore Furman's gristmill supplied flour for George Washington's troops. Its beginnings as a farming and milling community remain at the heart of Franklin. Agriculture continues to hold cultural, historic, and scenic importance, and Hiram Deats, who manufactured a cast-iron plow patented by his father, John, in 1828, is still honored. Charming villages and hamlets boast 99 historic stone structures and 183 frame homes built before 1900. This idyllic area stands as proof that nature and bucolic farmland still hold sway in one of the nation's most densely populated states.

Dan Campanelli, a nationally renowned watercolor artist, and his wife, Marty, joined Franklin Township historian Lora Jones in collecting vintage photographs from a variety of sources. The authors' proceeds from the book will benefit the work of Rural Awareness, Inc., a civic group dedicated to preserving Franklin's rich history and rural character.

The Images of America series celebrates the history of neighborhoods, towns, and cities across the country. Using archival photographs, each title presents the distinctive stories from the past that shape the character of the community today. Arcadia is proud to play a part in the preservation of local heritage, making history available to all.