Greenhouse Industry

Greenhouse Industry. Circa 1880 - 1999. , Chatham Township was a center of the greenhouse industry. Over 90 greenhouses and a million rose plants grew within a 5 mile radius. Behre later Rose Farms Corp. owned by Aubrey Nash hence Nash Field and Noe Farm were located on Southern Blvd. Heyl Roses Inc., Matrisciano and Harrsch greenhouses populated Green Village Rd. Duckham-Peierson later Watchung Rose Corp. was on Shunpike Rd. L.M. Noe and L.A. Noe were on Noe Ave. Neipp later Robert Nauman and Persico ranges were on Lafayette Ave. Lapp and Voight were on River Rd. , , ( back ) , Many smaller ranges existed i the Township. Most of the larger grew roses selling to wholesalers in the City. A few grew carnations and assorted flowers. The rose business declined in the 1950's due to the rising property taxes and utility costs. In 1991 the Andean Trade Preference Act, providing duty-free access to the US Market for Andean flower exporters accelerated the process resulting in the 1999 closure of Heyl Roses, the last commercial rosehouse in the community and New Jersey at the time.