Welcome!The Maple Shade Historical Society will have the Chesterford School on Main Street open on Saturday October 8, from 10 AM to 2 PM. This is the time of the Township's jitney tour from the Municipal Building during the same time. Come on out and see a one room schoolhouse built in 1811. We are selling the new book "Maple Shade, We Celebrate 100 Years" for sale at 20 dollars each. We also have the "Progress of Maple Shade" books being clearance saled at 10 dollars each and a few other small quantities of other books for sale. If you want to learn a fuller understanding of Maple Shade, each of my books covers a time period and you should eventually get them all. -Dennis Weaver 
"Celebrate" book's contents-
"Village" book's contents-There are many items repeated and even expanded upon in the "Celebrate" book but for the earlier history of the train station, information on the Moorestown & Camden Turnpike, trolley, older residents from late 1800s this is the one to get for that.
The Story-
The Township or a group involved with the Township is having events throughout this year of Maple Shade's 100th anniversary- New page-100 Year Anniversary-2022 is the year of Maple Shade's 100th anniversary as a township.
Here are some big years-
I phased out much of this website. (Still going to be here and have some stuff up) I do not want to encourage people to take history for granted and not support the Maple Shade Historical Society. I have been making books which cover much and in some ways more than what has been up at the site.
Lulu book known mistakes- Pre April 6, 2022(On April 6, 2022 the books were updated/ revised.)- Village book- I should have taken a half a page or whole page explaining Chester Township. The books are meant to be a series in time but I still should have explained more. Introduction I lightened up on Patterson house from I find no hard evidence to Is there enough evidence? page 2 the years for Harry Gilbert from Frank Kozempel is wrong. It was 1893- 1921. Page 79- Mary Myers was the sister of Christian Frech's wife Louisa and of Henry J. Fahr. It should have said "Henry F. Fahr." Page 83- A brick store front addition was added to the "Myer's house" by builder Fred Fister for Amos Ferro, of Anna Avenue, who purchased the property. It was called the "Ferro Building." I should have added that until recent years there was a small sign over a door that said "Ferro Building." Page 122- Henry B. Coles' mansion was at the southwest corner of Main Street and Coles Avenue, previously called Cooper Landing Road. It should add the name- Cooperstown road, but luckily that name is mentioned on page 130 Back cover write up changed from the "tossed out of the nest" to something nice sounding. BTW- If you order books from lulu.com and they arrive printed bad or book corners bent, tell them and they will replace it. Hopefully that one will be fine. I been through it with Lulu!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Pictures book- John Bonamo of Bonamo's Meat Market, Mill Road and Sunset Avenue about 1955 It should say Mill Road and S. Forklanding Road. (across from the Mill Road Inn) Pictures book cancelled for the time being due to Lulu quality problems with photos. Roberts Memorial book- Page 4- and that I was a much younger man then he was, he would like for us to go out there some day and he would show me the exact place, then I might tell those yet younger then myself, The two "then" should be "than." Celebrate 100 Years book- Page 113 yet to be corrected- Page 29 where it says the date the separation went into effect. I cannot find where I got that information but left it as I am certain that I didn't make it up. page 113- Where it says that eventually Eckard Gibbs became the water plant operator. 95% sure that is most likely incorrect. Does not match census info also. Well actually their book is correct but I changed the sentence and do not know what is what fully. He was the First operator of the water plant but then shortly after Earle W. Johnson complained and stopped it. I bet Brooks was the one who got the position but not positive. Also- Maple Shade A Story of 300 Years book which is chuck full of mistakes and errors. When you copy what someone said who isn't actually an historian although they love history you continue on the mis information! From the New Jersey Mirror newspaper, March 29, 1922-A referendum election which has been called for April 25, at which time the voters of Moorestown, Lenola and Stanwick will decide whether they will secede from old Chester township and form "Moorestown township." If the voters decide in favor of secession, Maple Shade will be the only town left in Chester township. The legislature passed a law giving Moorestown, Lenola and Stanwick the right to call a referendum to decide on forming a new township. The action of the legislature was greatly opposed by residents of Maple Shade, but they have not requested the right to participate in the impending election, because it appears that voters are somewhat divided on the proposed change. Thomas J.S. Barlow, one of the founders of Maple Shade, says that the town might have a hard struggle at first but must face the inevitable. The town is developing at a rapid pace. an evidence of which is the fact that more than 100 new houses will be erected in the town this year. Many persons feel certain that the town will become self-supporting quite rapidly.
From the Camden Post Telegram, Friday December 1, 1922-
 First Maple Shade Police Headquarters Burlington County old photos-Really great photos Historical of area towns including Maple Shade. Main Street Diner-
There was first a diner at the NW corner of Main St. and Forklanding Road as seen on a 1929 Sanborn map. Diner Pictures at OneDrive Cloud Turkey FarmsThere were two turkey farms in Maple Shade. One was on Orchard Ave. owned by John and Therese Martin. (Swiss French) Another was on Kings Highway owned by the Martinovich family. Across the street from the Martin's turkey farm on Orchard Ave. was Rudy Zillincar's farm where he sold eggs. He was known as "the egg man." He left the eggs out and you took them and paid by the honor system. The Evan Martinovich turkey farm was on Kings Highway just west of Lenola Rd. aprox. where the Iron Hill Restaurant is now.
Here are some newspaper articles on the Martinovich turkey farm- 
Buying "Progress of Maple Shade" Books-
If you live in Maple Shade and want to buy it- 
Burlington County Twps. Population for 1950, 1940, and 1930 Compare Maple Shade esp. to 1930 and see how early we turned mostly suburban! Be sure to think of the land area sizes of each of the Twps. as well! den's email addy is dennisleeweaver@verizon.net |