Washington Township, Gloucester County

Book excerpt: Washington Township, now the largest community in Gloucester County, was first incorporated in 1836. Its 22 acres of land, however, had been settled by Europeans as early as the 18th century, when farms were established near Lenni-Lenape encampments. By the mid-19th century, the area listed the communities of Hurffville, Turnersville, Spring Mills or Grenloch Terrace, Dilkesboro, Creesville, Bunker Hill, Chestnut Ridge, and Bells Lake within the township borders. While it remained a farming community throughout the first half of the 20th century, during the 1950s modern housing developments began to replace the farms and peach orchards. The vintage photographs in Washington Township, Gloucester County have been compiled to serve as an archive and assist in preserving the townships rich history.