WESTFIELD — For the Westfield Historical Society’s First Wednesday Luncheon on May 1, guests are invited to hear author Gordon Bond present a program on his book “Wicked Woodbridge & Crazy Carteret: Vice in New Jersey’s Oldest Township.” The luncheon will take place at Echo Lake Country Club beginning at 11:45 a.m.
As the Garden State’s oldest township, Woodbridge can not help but have a few proverbial skeletons in its collective closet. Drugs, prostitution, bootlegging, riots, swindles, counterfeiting, even witchcraft, have all variously appeared on its otherwise pleasant streets — and that of neighboring Carteret, which was part of the township until 1906.
“Wicked Woodbridge & Crazy Carteret” is an unflinching romp through some of this less-than-respectable history, all firmly within the broader context of how shifting social attitudes and moral standards played out in the region’s backyards.
In his presentation, Mr. Bond will take an entertaining look at three of the many stories from his book: A clever Avenel man driven to counterfeiting during the Great Depression.
The little-known 1926 Carteret race riot after the murder of a popular local boxer.
Two tales of witchcraft in Woodbridge, including one as late as 1936.
Copies of “Wicked Woodbridge & Crazy Carteret” will be available for sale and signing after his talk.
An independent historian, author and lecturer, Mr. Bond is the founder and ePublisher of www.GardenStateLegacy.com, a resources website dedicated to New Jersey history. He is the author of six books focusing on aspects of New Jersey history and has written a large number of articles and reviews for Garden State Legacy. Mr. Bond currently is working on a new book about the Reverend Hannibal Goodwin and his invention of roll photographic film in Newark, N.J. Mr. Bond also has a freelance graphic design business, Gordon Bond Design. He designed and guest curated exhibits for the Middlesex County Office of Arts and History, the Abraham Staats House in South Bound Brook and the Historical Association of Woodbridge Township. The New Jersey native lives with his wife and their two cats in Newark’s historic Forest Hill neighborhood.
This program is made possible in part by a 2024 HEART (History, Education, Arts Reaching Thousands) Grant from the Union County Board of County Commissioners.
To make a reservation for the luncheon, email westfieldhistorical society@gmail.com or call (908) 6541794 before Thursday, April 25. Attendees should advise if there are special dietary needs. The luncheon fee of $40 for Westfield Historical Society members or $45 for non-members includes a three-course meal, coffee/tea and gratuity. The luncheon fee should be paid in advance (check payable to Westfield Historical Society) by mailing it to Westfield Historical Society, P.O. Box 613, Westfield, N.J. 07091; by Venmo to @Westfield-HistoricalSociety; or online at www.westfieldhistoricalsociety.org/ registration. Payments should be received by Friday prior to the luncheon.
Echo Lake Country Club is located at 515 SpringfieldAvenue, Westfield.
