Borough of Fanwood
Incorporated:1895
Population: 7,115 (1990 Census figures)
Total Square Miles:1.3
Frequently Used Telephone Numbers (908):
Police322-5000 or 911
Fire322-5000 or 911
Rescue Squad322-5000 or 911
City Hall322-5000
Board of Education232-6161
Public Library322-6400
Post Office322-7273
Children's Specialized Hospital233-3720
Services:
Garbage CollectionPrivate, twice a week
Fire Department66 volunteers
Rescue SquadVolunteers
Transportation
BusNJ Transit
TrainNJ Transit Raritan Valley Line, Fanwood station
Schools:
Combined district - All schools located in Scotch Plains
ElementaryFive
MiddleTwo
HighOne
Points of Interest:
Carriage House Cultural Arts CenterFanwood/Scotch Plains YMCA
Bird SanctuaryFanwood Community House
History:
The borough of Fanwood is 20 miles southwest of New York City. In the 18th century it was officially part of the West Fields of Elizabethtown, but the area was known as “Scotsplain” for numerous early settlers of Scottish origin.

When the Central New Jersey Railroad came through the area in 1 874 and a station was established in town, residential development was stimulated. The New Jersey Land Improvement Company was a subsidiary of Central New Jersey Railroad, and they built several houses and sold or rented them In 1877, Fanwood became large enough to break away from Westfield, and it included the area now known as Scotch Plains.

Fanwood has never had any industry or commercial areas, and even now the town center boasts an intimate variety of stores.

The borough was incorporated in 1895 with 350 residents, surrounded on three sides by Scotch Plains. Its picture perfect Victorian Gothic railroad station has been preserved and is used as a community center. The spirit and vitality of a small “village” is reflected by the number of civic activities, social and school organizations, spirit of volunteerism and well-maintained streets and neighborhoods.