Did You Know? A Look at Lacey's History

This is a new feature that looks at five facts of Lacey’s history provided by “Forging Ahead: The 125th Anniversary of Lacey Township,” a book developed by the local historical society and stored at the library.

1. Lacey was formed 141 years ago when the state legislature selected sections of Dover and Union Townships to form a new municipality. Gov. Theodore F. Randolph signed a bill for the Lacey Charter on March 23, 1871.  Days later, Caleb Falkinburg of Forked River and Thomas Van Arsdale of Good Luck met at the home of Martin Hall where Garrett Stout of Cedar Creek presided as chairman of the first township committee meeting. The three committeemen were all descendants of pioneer New Jersey families.

2. The was held in Lacey in 1770 when the boat Hand-in-Hand from England with the Rev. John Murray aboard stopped in the area. Murray met Thomas Potter of Good Luck who had a home that was opened to preachers of any denomination.

3. Most of Lacey’s colonists came from New England and Long Island. The names of some early colonists survive throughout the township: Stout’s Creek, Jones Road, Predmore Avenue, Lane Place, Williams Street, Letts Avenue, Chamberlain’s Branch and Brinley Road.

4. In 1769, a sawmill used to sit on what is now Deerhead Lake. Lumber was sawed for ships, houses, barns and boats for more than a century.

5. Route 9 was the Main Shore Road even before Lacey Township’s creation.  There were approximately 12 cart roads in the area back then, most of which no longer exist or leave little traces. The Main Shore Road remains though, although altered over time. The widening of Route 9 occurred in 1900 and 1911; it was realigned and paved in 1925.