How Menlo Park Got Its Name
Walter
09/07/2009
How Menlo Park Got Its Name
The April 12, 1941 program for the dedication of the new Edison Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 fire- house on the Lincoln Highway (Rt. 27) contains a description of how the Menlo Park neighborhood got its name.
The question has often been asked how Menlo Park derived its name. From inquiry made by the Writer’s Project, this town was named after a Village in the County of San Mateo, California. In 1856, a large tract of land in California was named “Menlough Park” - Menlough, for Menlough castle in Ireland, near Dublin, and Park, because of the beautiful oak trees. After a few years, the spelling was changed to “Menlo Park”.
Menlo Park is well situated on the Pennsylvania Railroad and the Lincoln Highway, its elevation is 150 feet above sea level.
Menlo Park has been the home of many well-known and distinguished men and the scene for many visitors. Among the greatest is that of Thomas A. Edison, whose name has made Menlo Park known throughout the world.
Thomas A. Edison and his family settled in Menlo Park in 1875 and for a number of years conducted numerous experiments, the results of which are well known and have given the world ease, comfort, and employment to millions of men. We cherish and honor his name.
The Edison Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1 is named after Thomas A. Edison, and is located in the Menlo Park section of Edison Township. (8-2009)
Transcribed 8-2009
