Frenchtown in Hunterdon County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Gem Building
Photographed By Alan Edelson, March 30, 2012
1. Gem Building Marker
Inscription.
Gem Building. . 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.
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.
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 east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Frenchtown NJ 08825, United States of America. Touch for directions.
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 537 times since then and 30 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.
