SJ Towns: Mount Laurel

Mount Laurel, inhabited by the Lenni-Lenape Indians from around the 1400 to 1700s has come a long way since it’s first recorded history. From the laying of the "Great Road" beginning in 1765 to it’s modern day 16,000 residential homes and more than 1200 businesses.

As the early settlers began to populate the area, the Lenni-Lenape were known to help them adjust in exchange for items like cloth, knives, furs, and liquors.

On of these early settlers with recorded history in the Mt. Laurel area is the Evans family. Arriving in the area in 1862, William Evans, his wife Jean and their three children settled along the Rancocas Creek William Evans passed away in 1688, but his son William continued to purchase land, buying 300 acres at the “Site of the Mount” and in 1700 purchasing 1000 acres southwest of Marlton. Descendants of the Evans family are still living in the area.

The township even played a small part in the American Revolution with General Washington and approx. 20,000 troops camping here for over a month, and the British forces, led by General Clinton, passing through the area and camping here en route to meeting each other for battles elsewhere in New Jersey.

The 19th Century brought about the establishment of Mount Laurel village, which was centrally located in the vicinity of William Evan's original homestead. Other early buildings were a Wheelwright, a blacksmith shop and a shoe shop. The first area post office was established in 1849 inside the General Store. The General Store was a very important building for the townspeople. It not only held the original post office, it also housed 500 volumes of the "Enterprise Library," the first lending library of the area. There was even a stagecoach stop in early Mount Laurel. The "Mount Laurel Stage" made a stop here on its way to Philadelphia.

In 1872, "Lower Evesham" became officially incorporated into its own village, known as modern day Mount Laurel. Today Mount Laurel Township encompasses over 13,000 acres but the official village has nearly vanished. The Friends Meeting House and Farmer's Hall still stand on their original sites, faint reminders of the humble beginnings this town had over 300 years ago.

Where in the past Mount Laurel was proud to be the home of historical figures like Alice Paul and Dr. James Still, today it is equally as proud to be home for major national businesses including Okidata Americas, NFL FILMS, Cendant Mortgage and Roosevelt Paper.

Today, Mount Laurel Township provides services to more than 16,000 residential homes and more than 1200 businesses. The Police Department has 67 full time officers, Emergency Medical Services has 5 full time employees and more than 70 volunteers.

"As elected officials we should move forward and try to accomplish goals that continue to move Mount Laurel toward a higher quality of life for all of residents. Of all the relatively limited powers that are given by law to the officials of municipalities, one of the most impressive is the law that allows municipal governing bodies to ask the voters to raise money for the purchase of land for the sole purpose of preserving that land." (Mt. Laurel Mayor Geraldine Nardello at the Township's Annual Reorganization)

Some great historical landmarks in Mt. Laurel are:

The Clinton House - This house, which dates back to 1744, when it was probably used a tavern, is located on Hainesport-Mount Laurel Road.

The Darnell Homestead - The Darnell homestead is located approximately 2 miles east of the mount on Hainesport-Mount Laurel Road.

The Evans - Hallet House - The Evans-Hallet House is located on Union Mill Road and was built in the 1700s.

Farmers Hall - Built in 1866 by the Farmer's Progressive Club; hence it was called Farmers Hall. Following the incorporation of Mount Laurel in 1872, Farmer's Hall was used for annual election of Town officers.

Friends Meeting House - In 1698, William Evans, Jr. gave an acre of land to the Society of Friends and the Friends Meeting House was built with the help of Indians.

For more information on Mt. Laurel, visit their website, www.mountlaurel.com.

Source: Mt. Laurel.com

For more South Jersey Town information, visit our SJ Town News page.

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