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119 ~ Blawenburg Potpourri

I accumulate many bits of information from readers, newspaper searches, and the internet. Some of them evolve into blogs, but many just stand as isolated, unpublished facts. In this blog, I publish some of these facts and stories about random topics. Don’t look for a consistent theme. After all, this is Blawenburg Potpourri, a mixture of things.


Former Gas Station

In blog 118, we told the stories of the former tenants of New World Pizza. Also included were various owners of the service station north of the pizzeria. There were gaps in our information about the previous ownership of the service station shown below. Thanks to several people who responded to our request for information, we have been able to determine several other owners.


This Texaco station was just north of the old Blawenburg Fire Department (now New World Pizza). Among other things, it had a dance hall on the second floor for a while, and an antique dealer sold his wares there for several years.


Here is a chronology of the station’s ownership, as best we know:

The station was built in the 1920s, perhaps by the Higgins Family, or maybe by Alfred Weart, who built other businesses north of the Georgetown Franklin Turnpike in the 1920s.

1920s to 1927 – Higgins Family

1928 – 1940s – Ownership unknown

1940s to 1963 – John Ficken

1963 to 1967 – Peter Atkinson

1968 to early 1970s – Nassau Oil Co.

1970s - B & V Auto, Bernie Evanko and Vince “Vinnie” Muller

1980s - Seitz brothers

Post 1980s – owners unknown

If you know other owners or can correct this timeline, please let me know.


Garret Van Zandt Farm

Follow up to Blog 115

The Garret Van Zandt farm was one of the six farms that were joined together to form the State Village for Epileptics. The Princeton Whig newspaper published the ad for the auction of this and other properties on November 12, 1839. It was to settle Van Zandt estate, which fronted Burnt Hill and Skillman Roads. Today, part of the property is occupied by St. Charles Boromeo Church.


Princeton Whig, September 2, 1839


Look Before You Leap

In 1881, trains were the main means of long distance travel. This incident occurred near the Skillman train station just north of Blawenburg. There’s a lesson to be learned here if you ever decide to jump from a train.


Princeton Press, January 15, 1881

As a result of John’s fatal leap…



A Sign of the Times

Over time, everything gets old and frayed. Weather has taken its toll on the Blawenburg sign below. The picture of the same sign was taken just 16 years later. Perhaps someone will take pity on the unreadable sign and replace it.


2010


2026

Ken Chrusz

Staying Cool in the Village


Town Topics July 8, 1962


Making Sure You Paid Your Taxes


November 1, 1836

Cornelius Stryker, who owned the first store in Blawenburg at the intersection of Great Road and what is now Georgetown Franklin Turnpike, was also the tax collector. He wanted to make it easy to pay your taxes.


Lost? Yes…Found? Maybe


The Princetonian, July 27, 1871

Camp at your Own Risk

Camping can have several meanings. It can be a fun experience getting away from it all in nature, or it can be very dangerous if you are “camping” in railroad cars.

Princeton Herald, January 20, 1949


I hope you have enjoyed these bits of history from Blawenburg and Skillman. While the big news captures the attention of many, sometimes the small events in history are just as interesting.


Share Your Thoughts

Do you know about an interesting story or event that took place in or near Blawenburg? If so, please let me know. Your story might blossom into a blog or be shared in a future potpourri. No idea is too small to contribute to this archive of Blawenburg history. Send your ideas to: blawenburgtales@gmail.com.


SOURCES

Information

The news clips and advertisements were provided by Ken Chrusz.


Thanks to several readers who contributed information about the owners of the gas station.


Pictures

Picture sources are cited below the pictures.

Writer—David Cochran


Editor—Barb Reid


Researcher—Ken Chrusz





Copyright © 2026 by David Cochran. All rights reserved

 
 
 

Copyright © 2026 by David Cochran.  All rights reserved.

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