Haddon Township Historical Photographs The Name "Westmont" [Source: Courtesy: William B. Brahms Collection]

One of the most frequently asked questions about Haddon Township history, is "Where does the name 'Westmont' come from?" The truth is, is that the origin, like virtually every other name of a community or section of town, is known only through a story passed down through the generations. Although it is not officially recorded anywhere, "Westmont" too has one of these traditional stories -- and its a fascinating one -- a story, if true provides a colorful element to a township with a rich historic tradition. What is known about "Westmont" is that it came into use at the end of the 19th century (during the mid 1880s)and was widespread in subsequent decades. This is demonstrated by a series of examples. During the last decades of the 19th century and the first couple decades of the 20th century the name was adopted by the railroad as a station name, a school house built on Haddon Avenue, a newly-formed fire company, several business establishments, and Westmont Avenue, to name a few. People, organizations and business located in the north and eastern areas of Haddon Township embraced the name and it proliferated quickly. Many communities in New Jersey during this era adopted unique names to facilitate the establishment of a post office -- this also coincides with the timing and the fact that another name was rejected by the post office during this era, because it was not unique in New Jersey. The most plausible story for the creation of the Westmont name comes down to us from Walter Stoy. Stoy, in his 90s, in the 1950s, was perhaps the resident with the most years in town, a long history of involvement with community service, and was born into a family that was one of the true pioneering families of Haddon Township. He had little doubt as to the origin. He recalled the story for a newspaper article that explains the name's origin. It happened when Stoy was in his 20s, so he had a clear memory of it, and he had a close connection to the participants of the actual naming decision. Walter's father John Stoy originated the petition to separate Haddon Township from Newton Township in 1865. In the next four decades numerous townships would break off from Haddon Township including Haddonfield, Collingswood, Audubon, Haddon Heights, Oaklyn and several others. Walter, himself served on the school board for 40 years, including the time when the Westmont School was named, and Walter also was an early member of the Westmont Fire Company No. 1. It is of no less significant note that the historic Stoy farmstead is on Westmont Avenue. In a January 27, 1953 Courier Post article, Walter told the story. In the mid 1870s residents of the community then known as "Rowandtown" (named after an early blacksmith who happened to be located there) wanted to change their name. Glenwood was used for a period, but ultimately ran into conflict -- it was not unique and it was ultimately rejected by the postmaster because another "Glenwood" already existed in New Jersey (90 years before the invention of the Zip Code, one could understand how this would prove problematic). In 1884, the subject came up at a town meeting for discussion--the end result was that the village took the name, "Westmont"

"It seems the men [referring to four young men at the meeting] had been to West Chester, Pa. where they had each won $100 bets on the failure of Westmont, a pacing horse belonging to a scouring soap magnate, to run under a certain time." [Source: Courier-Post January 27, 1953] "Speaking of his purchase for $50,000 of J.M. Hill's team Westmont and Lorene, Mr. Frank Siddall said to-day that he will probably bring the team to this city (Philadelphia)at once and keep them as a private driving team. He will not permit them to race for purse or stakes, although he may allow them to be driven in exhibition races." [Source:"Westmont and Lorene to be retired from the track and used as a private team," The New York Times, September 22, 1885] WESTMONT (PACER) AND RUNNING MATE 2:01 3/4 [Source: "The American Trotter," in The American Farmer's Stock Book, 1885, pp. 1165-1166, courtesy of the William B. Brahms Collection (reproduction of this image is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of the owner, William B. Brahms)]

Frank H. Siddall of Philadelphia, the "scouring soap magnate"

Westmont, the horse was chestnut gelding pacer, sired by Almont and of dam Annie, and from a direct line back to the great Hambletonian. In 1884, Westmont was owned by Cottrill Morgan. On July 10, 1884, in Chicago, Illinois, Westmont stunned the harness racing world by setting a record that shattered the previous one, and stood for a decade. Westmont shot to notoriety. When Westmont ran, odds would be favored for him to win and the pay out low. However, wagering on the competitor (or in an exhibition event against Westmont to run under a certain time) could potentially earn one a big pay-out. This is what happened in 1887 in West Chester, Pennsylvania when a group of men from Haddon Township won big. The name was still fresh on their minds when they were back in Haddon Township, soon after, at a town meeting, brainstorming to come up with a unique pleasant sounding name. "Westmont" was apparently suggested and met with great approval.

An 1880s news clipping recounting one of Westmont's great races

Even today many residents of that area of Haddon Township like to say they live in Westmont, some still use it in mailing addresses with zip code from their regional post office in Collingswood. Westmont has a pleasant ring to it that is more fluid than a name that ends in a municipal legal term like "Township" as in Haddon Township.

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