Clockwise from top left: Evesham's first Municipal Building 1967-1998, Evesham's first modern Post Office 1957-1977, Two Guys store at Marlton Circle 1973-1980, Marlton Nike Missile Base 1955-1963, Evesham Police in 1962, Marlton Circle before Route 73 was cut through in 1973.
Background of Evesham Township, New Jersey
Evesham N.J.was officially established in 1688, covering present day Mount Laurel, Medford and part of Hainsport, Lumberton and Shamong. The first settlement in Evesham was made by William and Elizabeth Evans between 1680 and 1690. Evesham was wilderness at this time and Indians were the Evans' neighbors. The only way of travel was on foot or horseback. The Evans' had to dig a cave to live in for there was no facilities for homebuilding. This cave-dewelling was near Mount Laurel. Evesham was named after Evesham in England located along the Avon River. The N.J. township's early settlers came from this area and liked the name so much they used it here. By 1871 the above townships became seperate entities and Evesham took its present borders.
The Village of Marlton was established in 1758, although then known as Evesham. The name Marlton, named for the fertilizer marl that was mined at several sites to the north and west of Marlton beginning in 1806, came into use in 1845. Marl is a natural mix of green clay and shell that became popular for use as a fertilizer and was used into the mid-twentieth century. Marlton was the center of trade for the farms that surrounded the village. Evesham's Post Office was established in 1808 at what was to become Marlton. For awhile there was a second Post Office in the village of Evesboro, that coverd the Northern half of Evesham. The Evesham Post Office was officially renamed Marlton Post Office in 1845 with the renaming of the Village. Marlton continues today as Evesham's Post Office. While the names Evesham and Marlton are usually interchanged the actual Village of Marlton is actually several blocks in the area of Main Street and Maple Avenue, the area surrounding this is Evesham.
With the advent of the automobile in the twentieth century, Marlton shifted from a commerce center to a more residential nature.
Source:
J.D. Scotts 1876 Illustrated Atlas of Burlington County
A History of Evesham Township, Maurice Horner
