About

Founded in 1972, the Historical Society of Scotch Plains and Fanwood currently operates the historic Osborn Cannonball House in Scotch Plains, provides guest lecturers at its monthly meetings, and preserves antique artifacts, local history, and amazing legends from our area’s early days. The organization is a primary resource for information about the history of Scotch Plains and Fanwood, both of which retain many significant landmarks and memorabilia from the colonial era to the 21^st century.

The origin of the name of Scotch Plains is derived from a description of the nationality of the first group of European settlers, the Scots, who in 1684 were living on the plain at the base of the “blew hills” of the Watchung Mountains. The link between the Scots and the plain is supported by early maps which identify the settlement as “Scotsplain.” In the 1700s the English and the Scots, themselves, began to refer to the Scottish people as “Scotch.” This shift in language caused the settlement’s name to change into “Scotch Plains.” It is during this time period that “Scotch Plains” first appears on maps as the name of the settlement which grew into a small village. By the 19^th century, Scotch Plains was firmly embedded as the name of the village which evolved into the vibrant town we know today.

As for Fanwood, we embrace the local lore that it was named for the daughter of an area railroad executive. During the development of Fanwood, John Taylor Johnston, President of the CRRNJ, named the train station and the surrounding community “Fanwood” in honor of his wife, Frances Colles Johnston. According to his daughter, Emily de Forest, “…my mother’s name was Fanny, and Fanwood was named for her.” (Workers of the Federal Writers Project of the WPA:22). By the time the Borough of Fanwood formed in 1895, both Johnston and his wife had died. However, he had a daughter, also named Fanny, who continued to socialize with members of the community when she was at her summer house in Plainfield. Therefore, it is quite possible that the Borough of Fanwood was named in honor of both the daughter and the wife of the railroad executive, John Taylor Johnston.

Throughout the year, the Historical Society has many monthly meetings at the Shady Rest Country Club in Scotch Plains, NJ. Please check our website or our Facebook page for more information about upcoming meetings.