History of South Harrison Township

An Act to set off from the Township of Harrison, in the County of Gloucester, a new township, to be called South Harrison, was approved March 2, 1883. Upon the separation of the township the first formal meeting was held March 19, 1883.

The Township Committee met two weeks later in Mullica Hill to divide and settle up township affairs. South Harrison's share of monies was $90.12.

Throughout the history of South Harrison Township the dominant activity has been agricultural in nature. In Harrisonville, which forms the central seat of the Township, an industrial commercial community evolved supporting other activities in the town. Along Oldmans Creek a dam and grist mill were constructed. The dam created Harrisonville Lake which provided the hydropower to operate not only the grist mill but a lumber mill. Up river from Harrisonville Lake, another dam was constructed to augment the commercial activity in Harrisonville. Although there have been several major housing subdivisions in recent years, the Township still retains this agricultural based primary land use.

Since the creation of South Harrison Township, Harrisonville has served as the seat of the community. A rail service was extended into the Township providing an external market for the agricultural and commercial endeavors of the townspeople. As agricultural activities enlarged, the needed wood to support the sawmills was provided. Dairy products were moved northward to the greater Philadelphia area through the use of the rail line. Both Harrisonville Lake and Algonkin Lake served as an ice source as refrigeration for the agricultural products. The primary agricultural activity was largely related to milk production.

With the advent of the rail line at the western tip of the Township, other industrial activities were added to the dimension of the Township. These primarily related to the mining of the clays underlying throughout the southern reaches of the Township.

The town has been rural in nature throughout its history. Characteristics associated with this environs include vast areas of fields associated directly and indirectly with dairy production, woodlots, and villages supporting most local residences. Even in a state as densely populated as New Jersey, South Harrison Township has thus far maintained its rural nature, although recent significant development has occurred.