BACKROADS • JULY 2021
Page 13
Thisilldous Eatery presents
GREAT ALL AMERICAN DINER RUN THE BARNYARD
1 WANTAGE AVENUE, BRANCHVILLE, NJ 07826 973-0780 • THEBARNYARDNJ.COM We have gotten into definitions, as some words can mean so many things. This month we’d like to take a look at crossroads. According to Merriam-Webster the definition of crossroads is a road that crosses a main road or runs cross-country between main roads, or the place of intersection of two or more roads, or a central meeting place. We think that this month’s installment of the Great All American Diner Run is the perfect “crossroads’ eatery. Branchville is a true historic town, although you might be hard-pressed to see this today. Located just east of Route 206, New Jersey’s Mother Road, it is no longer on the beaten path that it once was. The Historic Sign states: “On or about the year 1690 William H. Beemer settled here on 1,000 acres of land and built the first mill. James Haggerty purchased this land in 1793 and built additional successful mills lending the area the name known as “Brantown” due to the many mills located here. Named “Branchville” in 1821 by Schoolmaster Samuel Bishop. The post office opened in 1824. William H. (Billy) Bell established a railroad line in 1869. In 1882 a devastating fire ravaged most of the Village of Branchville. Charles Crisman erected a dam and powerhouse along the Culver Brook to generate power in 1892.” Back in the day, Branchville was happening for sure.
tasty places to take your bike
For a good bit, it seemed that Branchville would fade into one of those tiny backroads towns you ride through and not think much of, if anything at all. But that is changing. The Milk Street Distillery and book store has added to the town’s flavor, as well as one of the oldest drug stores in the state – Family Drugs and our friends Phil & company do a great job keeping us up and at em’.
All in all – we feel this tiny burg is one of the last of the many home town-feeling burgs left in the Skylands region. Still, every great town needs great food and at the 5-way intersecting crossroads you will find The Barnyard. The owners Amy and Paul Fiorentino have been working their food truck for years and we have often had their great eats at Trivia Night at Angry Erik’s Brewery. So, we were especially happy when The Barnyard opened its doors. When we arrived, it was a warmish spring day and dining al fresco
