Washington Township has three post offices, none named after Washington Township
Have you ever delved into your community? Recently had time and inclination to research a subject that has been a puzzle since we moved here 15 years ago.
Why does the Township of Washington, Gloucester County, incorporated in 1836, NOT have its own, named post office?
Is it “Washington Township,” or the designated “Township of Washington?” And the “Washington” name is shared with five other municipalities? Confusing.
No wonder most locals refer to the area as simply “township.” OK for residents, but what about the “outside world?” Difficult for identification and branding for a community seeking economic development. Population 48,500.
Three post offices within:
· Turnersville — 425 Hurffville-Crosskeys Road, Blackwood, NJ 08012–9997 (Note: Blackwood not Turnersville, and Blackwood is in Camden County, not Gloucester County where this building is located).
· Grenloch — 113 Central Ave., Grenloch, NJ 08032–9998 (Note: In literature, still in Camden County, and the first known settlement of the “Township”).
· Sewell — 141 Center St., Sewell, NJ 08080–9998 (Note: “An unincorporated community within Mantua Township in Gloucester County New Jersey.” “Sewell also refers to parts shared with Deptford Township and Washington Township” — confusing?)
And, we have three other zip codes that residents can call home: Glassboro, 08028; Pitman, 08071; and Sicklerville, 08081.
Since the 1960s, each township council and/or administration has tried to get the area recognized with at least one post office with the township’s name on it. Grenloch seemed the most logical, although Blackwood — Turnersville is the most central.
Who cares? Why have a central identity? Why stop the confusion? Why unify “the township.” Many have tried and did not succeed.
Time to petition the United States government again “township?”
Did you know that the Township of Washington does not have its own named post office?
Bob Alvarez
