The Map
2E quadrant of the Rahway Valley Railroad
covers the railroad in the vicinity of the Meisel Avenue grade
crossing. The Rahway Valley Railroad was constructed through
this portion in 1905. In 1915 the Chemical
Company of America (CCofA), a producer of aniline
dyes, photographic chemicals, and perfume synthetics, located
in this portion. The CCofA plant included numerous buildings,
an ash pile, and a settling pond. This secluded spot was only
accessible by the railroad and a private access road, which
included a single concrete bridge over Van Winkle’s Brook. The
RV served the plant with a set of two sidings.
CCofA left this portion in the mid-1920’s and
all traces of the plant were subsequently obliterated,
buildings razed and sidings lifted. Track arrangements in this
portion subsequently remained unchanged. Meisel Avenue was
constructed through this portion c.1930 and a crossing at
grade was made with the railroad. This crossing featured the
only automatic flashers on the entire RV. This portion
surrounding the railroad continued to change as the years went
by: homes were constructed on the Union side of the Rahway
River formerly occupied by the Battle Hill Golf Club, a
football field and track was constructed in the spot formerly
occupied by CCofA, a baseball/soccer field was constructed on
the north side of the tracks between Meisel Avenue and Van
Winkle’s Brook, and a flood control basin was constructed
between Meisel Avenue and the Rahway
River.
