If you are at least about age 70 and are a Kenilworth resident since the very early 1950s, you probably recall old Route 29. But if younger and more recently settled here you might scratch your head and assert, “Route 29? Never heard of it!” Well, here’s what happened to it.
President Dwight Eisenhower was well aware as a WWII general, that an organized system of national highways was critical to a nation’s defense. In 1953 Congress passed and Eisenhower signed into law the National Highway Act. Among its provisions the federal government took over the jurisdiction and maintenance of numerous state highways and began an orderly method to number them. Highways running north to south received odd numbers and those going east to west even numbers. Hence, a portion of old State Highway 29 cutting across NJ, and bordering Kenilworth for several hundred feet, was renamed US Route 22.
Back then Highway 29 was known as a dangerous roadway, earning it the nickname “Suicide Highway.” By today’s standards the traffic in those bygone days would be considered light, but at the time, it was considered near mayhem to travel it. After dark, teens often blocked off sections of the highway and conducted drag races. Well into the 1950s houses stood in the center island of Rt. 22. They eventually gave way to numerous highway stores.
In the 1950s locals would venture out to George’s Tavern and Grove – now sight of Party City. They might get gasoline or auto repairs at Butler’s Garage, now part of the McDonalds Restaurant complex. The former Rahway Valley RR crossed the highway at the Kenilworth-Union border. Just east of that, was the popular Union Drive-in theater in Union. There are four properties today on Rt. 22 that are in Kenilworth. The old RVRR property pays no property taxes as it is owned by the State. The other three contribute $120,338 collectively in taxes.
Research provided by Walter E. Boright, Ed. D., historian, and Historic Signs, Inc.
Persons with inquiries about this or other aspects of Kenilworth history may contact Dr. Boright at drbori@aol.com or 908-256-5200.
(above) 1949: Michigan Ave. depicted running into old Rt. 29 – now known as Rt. 22. Gas station at right is now site of McDonald’s Restaurant. Note the house and farming in the middle of the highway and the low volume of traffic.
Photo from the Ray Scheuerer collection.
