What the Kiwanis Oval Looked Like When It Was Just a Dream
The Kiwanis Oval has been a fixture in Caldwell for so long that it seems hard to imagine a time when it didn't exist. But, as with all aspects of the built history of our town, it came about as a result of the dreams, hard work, fundraising, and political and civic cooperation of many.
The image seen here, from the archives of the Collerd Collection in the Local History Collection of the Caldwell Public Library, was taken by one Eric Dixon using a glass plate negative and "View" camera; we don't know the date the image was taken, but it was most likely before the end of the 1920's, when glass plate negatives started to lose popularity to the newer films being produced on acetate bases, which were much less breakable than brittle glass negatives.
Mr. Dixon must have set up his camera in what is now the outfield of the Oval's baseball diamond, looking towards the Municipal complex and Bloomfield Avenue...obviously when he took this picture there was no artificial turf covering the ground or light towers to brighten the night sky as it does now!
Visible are (from left): The home and outbuildings of the Provost family home (now the site of the Municipal Building, Community Center and Library), the First Baptist Church, and the Provost's barn. If you look closely, you can also make out a small home next to the Church, now demolished. Surrounding the Provost home are what appear to be a privy (aka outhouse), tool sheds, and a well head for drawing water. Provost Square is named in recognition of the family.
If you have any information to add (such as the date the Oval was developed into a ball field, who Mr. Dixon was, who was instrumental in getting the Oval built, etc., etc.) please add here or contact me at the Library.
Bruce White, Collection Archivist
Caldwell Public Library
Lisa Lucia-Hayden
10:24 pm on Sunday, July 31, 2011
I only remember The Oval during my youth, when the carnival came to town each year in the '70's. Back then, it was just a patch of dirt, probably used as a ballfield, until the carnival came in for the week. I remember those fun days!
Bev Crifasi
10:15 pm on Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Eric Emerson Dixon was born on his parents’ farm at Hanover Neck, NJ on 2 Dec 1893. He probably attended school at Caldwell, as he submitted a reference from Clarence Earle Hedden, the principal of Caldwell Public School, when he applied for a passport. Dixon was a professional photographer. He arrived at London in May 1915 to work for Weston Studios and worked in England from 1915-18. In 1917 he married Maude Gertrude Kinsella (1894-1981) and soon had twins. Dixon did not apply for deferment from the US draft and was a member of the American Expeditionary Forces and at France from 1918-1919. He returned to England and remained there until 1920 when he brought his family to the United States, settling at East Hanover where three more children were born. In 1922 he opened a photography studio at Caldwell where he specialized in “home portrait work.” In 1930 he was specializing in aerial photography, possibly at Picatinney Arsenal, Dover, as he was employed there by 1942. He died 29 Nov 1985 at Warmton, VA. Dixon was a descendent of many NJ founder families, including the Baldwin, Ward, Kitchell, Hennion and Kipp families; among his direct ancestors are Jasper Crane (1602-1681), Gov. Robert Treat (1621-1710), David (1650-1662)and Lisbeth (Bellier 1616-1668) Ackerman. Members of these families continue to live at Caldwell.
Bruce White
9:31 pm on Thursday, August 4, 2011
What a rich and detailed picture you've drawn of Mr. Dixon...thank you
so much for enlightening us all. We look forward to more of your
insights on materials from the Collerd Collection as they migrate into
public use!
Michael
4:29 pm on Tuesday, August 9, 2011
The oval looked much better in the picture then it does now. shame we rape land like we do.
Michael
4:33 pm on Tuesday, August 9, 2011
and we are thanking people for this mess. what a joke.
Caldwell Public Library Local History Collection
10:52 am on Tuesday, August 30, 2011
It's my belief that we have allowed too much development in the area...it's my belief that if people are educated about what has been lost (open, green space, historic architecture, etc.) they may try to save what little is left when opportunities arise. Through projects such as the Local History Collection, we can remind people how precious undeveloped land is and how little exists today. Unfortunately, we seem to make the same mistakes over and over: witness the development of the old County prison/hospital property and the historic buildings that were on it.