Hopelawn, New Jersey

Hopelawn is an unincorporated area within Woodbridge Township in Middlesex County, New Jersey.

Hopelawn was originally the homestead and farm of Luther Hope in the 1700s. After its incorporation, the original streets were named after Luther Hope's children. (Juliette, Loretta, May, Luther, Lee, Warren, James, Howard, Clyde, John, Ellen, Charles, Erin, Emmitt, William) Originally called Hope's Lawn it was later shortened to Hopelawn.

Hopelawn was famous for its abundance of high quality clay. The Such Clay Company extracted clay from the area south of New Brunswick Avenue, west of Florida Grove Road, from Hopelawn to Keasbey. This area was referred to as "The Clay Banks".

There were two sets of railroad tracks that crossed the Hopelawn Clay Banks, east to west. The rail line originated in Pennsylvania and terminated in Perth Amboy and was operated by the Lehigh Valley Railroad.

In the 1930s and 40's, Hopelawn was the home of a Semi Pro Football team known as the "Hopelawn Greyhounds." The games against the "Woodbridge Golden Bears" were legendary. The team disbanded because of World War II. After the war many of the "Greyhound" (Maroon and Grey) players joined and went on to star with the "Golden Bears" (Gold and Black) owned and coached by Tony Caceola.

Mary C. Fee, teacher and school principal served the residents of Hopelawn for more that forty years at Hopelawn's only school, Elementary School #10. After her retirement a street was named in her honor, Mary C. Fee Lane adjacent to the school. The school is no longer in operation.

Notable residents

*Lou Creekmur, a 1996 inductee of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. Creekmur played for Woodbridge High School, College of William and Mary, and for ten years as an Offensive Lineman with the Detroit Lions. He was selected to play in eight Pro Bowls. Creekmur was also a radio broadcaster for the Miami Dolphins. [ [http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.jsp?player_id=49 Lou Creekmur] Pro Football Hall of Fame. Accessed July 29, 2007.]

References