Following is a newspaper article about Metuchen’s 1906 Independence Day celebration. It refers to Woodwild Park as the “prettiest spot in Metuchen”.
The Daily Home News, New Brunswick, N.J., Thursday, Afternoon, July 5, 1906
METUCHEN, July 5. – Independence Day was observed in Metuchen yesterday by a parade by children in the morning, accompanied by the firemen. At Woodwild Park a flag was presented by the Jr. O. U. A. M. [Junior Order of United American Mechanics], after which there was a flag raising. Patriotic addresses were made by George J. Corey, of Stelton, and J. Trumbull Marshall, of Metuchen. The flag presentation speech was made by ex-Sheriff William Carman. There was a band concert, and at 8 p.m. a fireworks display.
At 1.30 the Eagle Hook and Ladder Company and Liberty Band moved down Main street, where they met the Washington Hose boys and for the first time Eagles and Washingtons marched in parade together. Although there are a few kickers in the Metuchen Fire Department who love to sow the seeds of discord it is a fact that most folks think more of each company for not carrying chips on their shoulders.
After the parade of the firemen, school children and band, through Middlesex avenue, Holly street [now Pearl Street], New street, Main street, Amboy avenue, Home street, Woodbridge avenue, and back to Main street and Middlesex avenue to Woodwild Park, William Carman, on behalf of Metuchen Council, Jr. U. A. M. presented a beautiful Star Spangled Banner to the Woodwild Park Association, which was flung to the breeze and saluted by the assembly. Then followed the singing of the Star Spangled Banner.
J.T. Marshall, President of the Woodwild Park Association, made an address, in which he told the people of Woodwild Park, of what it consisted, what it was for, and what the association intended to make the park.
Mr. Marshall said that he wanted to clear up a lot of misunderstanding about the Park. He said it was no man’s private property; that it was not owned by any building and loan association, but was a park for the people of Metuchen and shall remain so forever. “As Central Park is to the people of New York, and Prospect Park to the citizens of Brooklyn, so shall Woodwild Park be to the people of Metuchen,” said the president, and long and loud was the applause which greeted the saying. Mr. Marshall invited the hundreds of people present to explore the park, which they did. The park was bounded on all sides by small American flags. It is the prettiest spot in Metuchen.
Scanned Image of Front Page, with Woodwild Park article in column 4
Historical New Brunswick Newspapers (New Brunswick Free Public Library)
