Phillipsburg's Historic CNJ Station
PHILLIPSBURG BUYS CNJ STATION
At the beginning of October 2002 the Phillipsburg Economic Development Corporation purchased the former Central Railroad of New Jersey/Lackawanna Railroad station at #178 South Main Street from long time owner Dr. Robert Briglia. Financing was provided by the New Jersey Redevelopment Authority. The handsome two-story brick structure was designed by Frank J. Nies, chief engineer of the Lackawanna. It opened in 1914 and is the most historic and prominent railroad building surviving in Phillipsburg. This past summer the Gold Cup, a customized sporting goods and trophy shop, which has leased and occupied the facility since the early 1990's moved to 141 South Main St.

As passenger use of the station dwindled, the money-starved Jersey Central leased out the upper floor of the building. In 1953 it was leased as campaign headquarters for hometown lawyer and successful gubernatorial candidate, Robert B. Meyner. It was also used as an office for the Forbes for Governor campaign. Dr. Briglia leased the building from the Central Railroad of New Jersey in 1959 and opened a pharmacy in 1960. At that time the CNJ ticket agent still occupied the lower level. In 1962 Dr. Briglia bought the station from the railroad and continued to operate the pharmacy until the late 1970's when he moved to the upper part of town. In the early 1980's Dr. Briglia leased the building to the Phillipsburg National Bank for use as their computer center for about ten years. The bank made extensive renovations to the building and unfortunately discarded many original parts and pieces of the building in the process. The next lessee was the Gold Cup.

CNJ/Lackawanna Phillipsburg Station
Members of The Antique Truck Club of America, North Jersey Chapter were touring the Phillipsburg, NJ area on April 6th. Stops included the former CNJ/Lackawanna Station, seen here in the background and recently purchased by the Phillipsburg EDC. The group's vehicles were posed in front of the station on South Main Street during the stop. Pictured here (from the left foreground and back): 1939 Packard 120 4-door sedan, 1952 International pick-up truck, 1950 Ford F7 tractor, 1962 Autocar tractor; and 1929 Ford Model "A" station wagon.

 

The New Jersey Transportation Heritage Center intends to lease at least a portion of the structure for offices, and to have a presence in town. It is planned to move the model of the future Heritage Center from town hall, where it has been for some time, to the station.

Over the years there have been a multitude of changes made to both the interior and exterior of the building. The long-term plan is to restore the facility to its original condition and layout. When rail passenger service is eventually restored to Phillipsburg it is hoped the facility can once again serve as a station.

We discovered a horse drawn wagon in the lower level of the building. Dr. Briglia had purchased the former bakery delivery wagon in Milford, NJ for the 1962 Phillipsburg centennial celebration and parade. He had it painted up as an old time cure-all (and snake oil) vendor to promote his business. For the next 10 years it was parked outside his pharmacy and then stored in the lower level of the building ever since. Dr. Briglia has donated it and many other items to the Transportation Heritage Center.

 

PHILLIPSBURG STATION LEASE SIGNED
Friends has signed a lease for the CNJ/DL&W Phillipsburg station at the Black Bridge on South Main St. with the Phillipsburg Economic Development Corporation (PEDC). Prior to signing of the lease the PEDC made an agreement with the Northwest Jersey Folklife Project (NJFP) to occupy a street level office until the Roseberry House (the oldest in Phillipsburg) can be renovated for their exclusive use. NJFP people are typically there during normal office hours and have restored telephone service to the building. Their director lives in an apartment across the street.

We have already moved some posters, illustrations and maps of the Heritage Center into the building for display. We have shown the building to several related transportation historical groups in anticipation of leasing space to them to help cover our rental. We are reserving office space for the Heritage Center administration. We have additional space available for lease to others.

We are working to clean up the building interior and exterior and to install doors to partition off secure areas for our subtenants. The town intends to pursue State and National Register status for the building and restore the exterior of the building. Eventually, the long-term goal is to restore the interior of the building to its original station appearance. We are searching for plans of the station.