Pitman Grove

I had the pleasure this evening to visit and perform in Pitman NJ. Below is the history to this wonderfully quaint town.


In 1871, land was chosen in both Glassboro Township and Mantua Township to be set aside for a Methodist summer camp. The New Jersey Conference Camp Meeting Association was officially chartered and given authority over the land grant in 1872, and began planning the campground and organizing meetings. The land had an auditorium located on a central meeting ground, and twelve roads originated from the central area as spokes on a wheel, each representing one of the disciples ofJesus. This area became known as the Pitman Grove, and while worshipers' tents originally lined each of the twelve roads, cottages slowly replaced the tents and formed the foundation of the town of Pitman. By the 1880s, the number of cottages had climbed to 400 and residents had begun staying year-round, both of which led to the establishment of the first public school in 1884. In 1904, residents of Pitman Grove voted 122 to 35 for incorporation as an autonomous borough, and on May 24, 1905, Governor of New Jersey Edward C. Stokes signed a law granting the incorporation.


Pry on...