Frenchtown in Hunterdon County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Gem Building
Photographed By Alan Edelson, March 30, 2012
1. Gem Building Marker
Here, in 1755, stood the first store in Frenchtown, then known as Alexandriaville. In 1869, this building and the house to the left were built in the Italianate style for the merchant Oliver Worman. After Worman failed, in 1877, Hugh Warford bought the property. He sold it in 1877 to George and Danial Britton who operated here the largest and best stocked department store in Hunterdon County. (look for the faded remnant of "Britton Bros." painted sign under "Miller's 5 and 10" on the side of the building) In 1931 Wilmont Milbury opened the Gem Theater in the rear, wooden wing. Moviegoers entered through a lobby in the small brick extension to your lefty. The Theater wing was rebuilt, housing apartments and retail stores, in the early 1980's.Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1755.
Location. 40° 31.578′ N, 75° 3.756′ W. Marker is in Frenchtown, New Jersey, in Hunterdon County. Marker is on Bridge Street, on the right when traveling
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Frenchtown Railroad (within shouting distance of this marker); Frenchtown Methodist Episcopal Church (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Frenchtown Veterans Monument (approx. ¼ mile away); Frenchtown World War 1 Monument (approx. 0.4 miles away); Lower Argillite Alley (approx. half a mile away); Frenchtown (approx. half a mile away); Delaware Canal (approx. half a mile away in Pennsylvania); John J. Stover House (approx. 1½ miles away in Pennsylvania). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Frenchtown.
Photographed By Alan Edelson, March 30, 2012
2. Gem Building Marker
Photographed By Alan Edelson, March 30, 2012
3. Gem Building Marker
Photographed By Alan Edelson, March 30, 2012
4. Gem Building Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on December 28, 2020. It was originally submitted on February 8, 2013, by Alan Edelson of Union Twsp., New Jersey. This page has been viewed 488 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 8, 2013, by Alan Edelson of Union Twsp., New Jersey. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
