by Diane Norek Harrison
PERTH AMBOY-In 1912, San Salvador Council No. 299 Knights of Columbus Council purchased a building site for a future home on State Street, adjacent to Lincoln Fire House. A building committee was appointed, plans were drawn and accepted and work on the building was about to commence when World War I broke out and the project was deferred.
During World War I, the council took its place among the civic, religious and fraternal organizations contributing to the welfare of our troops. The Council rooms were open to the visiting service men.
In 1919, the property on State Street. was sold and building on High Street was acquired.
With the events of World War II, the Council again took the lead in activities for the welfare of the service men and women stationed at Camp Kilmer, Raritan Arsenal and the Naval Armory. This committee was in charge of all recreational activities with P. Weston Wilson, Past Grand Knight, supervising. One of the features of the program was the weekly dance held for the benefit of the service men and women at the club rooms, the affair with the Catholic Daughters of America. During the war years, over 12,000 men attended these dances.
If you have your own memories of the past in Middlesex or Union counties, email me at dianenorekharrison@juno.com or send copies of your past material to me c/o CMD Media, 1139 East Jersey St., Suite 503, Elizabeth NJ, 07201
