The Lafayette Center Preservation Foundation recently held a twilight meeting at the Lafayette Crossings to unveil the recently installed historic marker, commemorating the 1836 Foundry, which once stood on the site. The marker was erected by the County of Sussex and stands next to the Paulinskill Bridge on the edge of the parking lot at the corner of Route 15 and Morris Farm Road.

Joan Smith, President, presided at the dedication.
Alex Everitt said a few words, explaining the event.

The Lafayette Foundry was built by Alexander Boyles in 1836 and employed many men, casting tools and machinery from iron ore brought in from the Franklin mines. This industry resulted in many building lots being sold and houses being built along the Union Turnpike (Route 15), as well as Beaver Run Road and Ice Plant Road. This building boom resulted in a new township being created in 1845 by the New Jersey Legislature, the “Township of Lafayette”. The giant foundry was razed about 1900. It stood where today stands the Nurge home as well as the parking lot, now holding the historic marker.

Lafayette Foundry
1836

'On this site stood the LaFayette Foundry, built in 1836 by Alexander Boyles. This operation employed many laborers and the success of the industry resulted in the sale of the building lots along Union Turnpike (now Route 15)by Joseph Northrup, Jr. and Mr. and Mrs. Cummins. This growth contributed to the establishment of LaFayette by the N.J. State Legislature on March 20, 1845. By the 1850 Census polulation grew to 927. Thereafter, the Foundry business and population declined. The building was used as an apartment house prior to being razed in 1900. The population was then 717.'

Lafayette Preservation members attending the unveiling of the marker.

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