May 22, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES II & IV • Page 15 Edison’s Concrete Mile (continued from page 13) six-mile loop to Greenwich Township and back, driving over the Concrete Mile in the process. Upon their return, the cars were parked on the grounds for a day-long display. There was a lot more for everyone to see. Higgins said the park activities would serve as a “catch-all” for other aspects of Warren County history. Several historical societies from around Warren County were present. The Hackettstown Historical Society had an exhibit of this writer’s artifacts from the carriage industry in Hackettstown, which spanned a century from 1815 to 1915. The Morris Canal, Phillipsburg’s Valley View cement homes, trolleys, and even the PaleoIndian Plenge site in Franklin Township were discussed and had accompanying exhibits at the park. Several amateur and professional historians spoke. A disc jockey provided music and announced the winners of several trophies, including oldest car, longest distance, etc., but the cars were not judged. The focus remained on the Concrete Mile and Edison. “There’s just a lot of very interesting and important history in these 18 miles (of the original cement highway),” David Detrick of the Morris Canal Committee said. “This was a real pioneering thing,” added Andy Drysdale, curator of the Shippen Manor Museum in Oxford. In the end, it was a great day for local and automotive history. All of these Phillipsburg houses are constructed of Edison Portland cement. The light blue house just behind the pole is probably closest to the original look.