Watchman's Shanty

On September 1, 1899, a serious accident occurred at the Westfield Ave. crossing. An NY&NO train, backing down to Aldene from New Orange, struck a top wagon containing Theodore S. Harrison of Newark, NJ, throwing him out of the wagon. Harrison sustained bruises, a laceration of the right leg, and a contusion to the back of the head. The grade crossing was unprotected. In 1901, the New Orange Four Junction Railroad (successor to the NY&NO) erected a small watchman's shanty - or flag house - here. There, a flagman was posted for the duration of the day's train movements. The flagman posted here would protect Westfield Ave. while the train crossed. John DeMato, William Grolebougge, and Vincent M. Halladay were among the flagmen posted here over the years. The building measured 8' x 10', was made of 1" boards, had a shingle roof, contained one stove worth $5.00, as well as two lanterns. The building was located on the southern side of Westfield Ave., offset about ten feet to the west of the railroad tracks. The building was taken down around the year 1911.