Edison First Day Brings High Price! - New Jersey Postal History ...

Jack Edge ~ BURLINGTON COUNTY POST TOWNS: PART 2BROWNS MILLS POST OFFICE ~ Established August 28, 1850“Brown’s Mills in the Pines” was a popular resort in Burlington County from the 1850’swell into the 1970’s. It is located on the north branch of Rancocas Creek, some four and onehalfmiles east of Pemberton in the northeastern part of Pemberton Township.The popularity of the place caused the New Jersey Southern Railroad to build a spur linesome two miles to Browns Mills in 1889. A series of lakes, several taverns, a dance hall andsummer cottages attracted visitors from far off cities to this “haven in the Pines.”Originally know as Biddle’s Mills, it was the site of an early sawmill well before theAmerican Revolution. It is said that the famous Philadelphia financier, Stephen Girard, owned alumbering enterprise here, while residing in Mount Holly during the British occupation ofPhiladelphia.The post office, opened August 28, 1850 in Brown’s Mills, still operates. The office wasknown as Brown Mills from 1894-1914. Deborah, a rural branch of Brown’s Mills Post Office,operated from January 1, 1954 until April 29, 1972. Presidential Lakes, a rural branch ofBrown’s Mills Post Office, opened July 1, 1965.Fig. 14. A view of Hunter’s Lake at “Brown’s Mills in The Pines, N. J.,” taken early in the 20th Century.Vol. 33/No. 2NJPHWhole No. 15895May 2005