Hey friend! Ever dig into a town’s past and uncover something totally unexpected? Haddonfield isn’t just a picture‑perfect South Jersey suburb—it was founded in 1701 by Elizabeth Haddon, a 21‑year‑old English Quaker whose vision still shapes the town today. Let me walk you through why this charming borough feels like stepping into history.
Elizabeth Haddon: South Jersey’s Founding Mom
In 1701, Elizabeth Haddon settled on land her father bought in 1701—far from the usual male pioneer story. By 1713 she had built “New Haddonfield Plantation,” and in 1721 established a Quaker meetinghouse at Haddon & Kings Highway—laying the core of the borough.
Revolutionary Roots: Indian King Tavern & Greenfield Hall
The Indian King Tavern (1750) hosted the NJ Legislature in 1777 and served as an Underground Railroad stop. Meanwhile, Greenfield Hall (1747) now houses the Historical Society museum—its rooms frozen in time
First Dinosaur Discovery? Right Here!
In 1858, William Parker Foulke dug up the Hadrosaurus foulkii in a Haddonfield marl pit—America’s first nearly complete dinosaur skeleton—launching both paleontology and our local claim to fame.
A Beautifully Preserved Historic District
More than 400 buildings, including the Samuel Mickle House (c. 1736), dot the Haddonfield Historic District, protected since a 1971 referendum. Brick sidewalks, colonial storefronts, and tree‑lined streets make it feel like history lives here.
Modern Community with Deep Roots
With ~12,550 residents, Haddonfield today is a vibrant mix of excellent schools, boutiques, and community spirit—while honoring its roots through the Historical Society, walking tours, and educational initiatives like the “Preserving Black Haddonfield History” project.
So—if we wandered through Haddonfield today, would you be more excited to explore the Indian King Tavern where revolutionaries raised a glass, or see the spot where that first dinosaur came back to life? 🦖