The History Of Tinton Falls
Interesting facts about the cozy town
The Liberty Bell replica of Tinton Falls.
The first settlers reached Tinton Falls in 1665. (Monmouth )They built a dam on the river that got Tinton Falls its name, but that is not the most important event in Tinton Falls history. The most important aspect of the history of this tiny town has to do with the river full of bog iron and and industrious businessman by the name of Lewis Morris. He was a colonel who bought 4000 acres of land in the town. He was one of the first who tried to produce an iron works company that could work large-scale. Some of his business partners included Thomas Moore and James Grover. (Iron Mill) Many people could immediately feel the benefits of this business. The iron company in Tinton Falls is one of the oldest in the country, and has also has the record as the oldest slave population in all of New Jersey. According to Stacy Slowinski, "The iron works represented the earliest and largest slave population in New Jersey. As many as 70 to 80 slaves were brought in to produce the iron."(Monmouth) Because of the successful iron mill, Tinton Falls had become a business area by the early 1700's.
The Grist Mill is still around today, but was turned into the restaurant. It lies across the area where the iron works existed. For a while, there was much arguing over sharing the area. There is no records telling about why there was a struggle between the mill's owner and Morris, the iron work's owner. It took a while, but the Morris ended up buying out the grist mill and the ex-owner established another mill in Eatontown. Time passed, and Tinton Falls grew into a small village, instead of a nondescript group of plantations. There were stores to buy food, a doctor's office, and other small businesses. (Monmouth) In the Grist Mill, there is a list of the people who lived in Tinton Falls in the 19th century.
It is very easy to say that there is still much evidence to show that Tinton Falls is a historical town. There is the Reformed Church of Tinton falls, now 100 years old, as well as another church called the Hope Presbyterian Church, which is celebrating 122 years of conducting church ceremonies. Before it was built, the Presbytarian Congregation would gather to pray in a school house!
One of the attractions which has slowly vanished from the public eye is a small, fresh spring. Native Americans and settlers used to visit the spring in order to bathe when it was hot outside. When settlers came, a hotel was built near the spring, and people would come to bathe in the old spring.
Tinton Falls also has a copy of the liberty bell and a new monument for those who died in the 9/11 tragedy.
These two pictures show some of the more historical aspects of Tinton Falls. The first is of the 9-11 memorial found near the firestation. The second, of course, is of the Grist Mill, the once iron mill turned restaurant.
Created by Ossiana Tepfenhart