Greg White, HSH President, will speak about one of the most exciting but near-forgotten periods in Hammonton history.
Hidden in the pines off Moss Mill Road, two of the most incredible feats of engineering sprung up, each almost overnight. One employed a self-contained “city” of nearly 10,000, larger than Hammonton itself, and the other drew crowds of 60-90,000 from throughout the Northeast to celebrate man’s latest freedom and passion, the automobile!
By the end of World War I, 25% of all the bombs, shells, grenades, and bullets used by the Allies were produced here at “Amatol” by the Atlantic Loading Co., playing a major role in ending The Great War. The explosive force contained within this facility could easily have leveled Hammonton and the surrounding area should any major accident or act of sabotage have taken place! Then, just 5-6 years later, the 1,000 structures built were nearly gone. Only a small handful of buildings remain today.
Then, just 8 years later, the fastest speedway in the world at the time was built on the same land, now called “Speedway, NJ.” Suitably closing out the “Roaring Twenties,” this amazing track was also gone within a few years. Many of the homes from that period in the Hammonton area were built with lumber from this incredible facility!
The Historical Society of Hammonton Museum preserves the rich social, political economic and multi-cultural heritage of our town and its people. Our mission is to increase awareness of Hammonton’s history, and to establish public access to that history by collecting, conserving, interpreting and promoting it to the widest possible audience. Our historic 188s (former Town Hall/Library/Kindergarten) Museum, a treasure itself, is located behind Hammonton Veterans Memorial park in Leo Club Park at Veterans Memorial Park open to the public Tuesdays 10 a.m. to noon and every Saturday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. New volunteers always welcome! Join the fun and learn about our great town!
If you can’t attend the presentation, come in and play back recordings of this and dozens of other past presentations. Monthly meetings and presentations will continue the first Thursday of each month through June, resuming again in the fall.
Funding has been made possible in part by the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of Cultural Affairs within the Department of State, through funds administered by the Atlantic County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs.