The Origins of Champney’s Corner
The original tavern located at the corner of Daretown Road and a few other local roadways including Route 40, Route 77, as well as Monroeville Road (County Route 604), what today is known as Pole Tavern Circle, was first known as Champney’s Corner after its owner Joseph Champney.
The Liberty Pole and a New Name
Rumor has it that during the Revolutionary War, the first liberty pole erected in New Jersey was raised in the center of the village in front of Champney’s Tavern. Ever since, the area became known by the name Pole Tavern.
Pole Tavern circa 1900 with a farm machinery business to the left the Pole Tavern Inn to the far right and “Il Lugano” Pole Tavern’s Historic Cannon in the middle.
Photo from the Robert P. Dorrel Collection
A Hub for Soldiers and Socializing
During the Revolution, the first two regiments of militiamen in Salem County drilled in front of the tavern led by captains Cornelius Newkirk and Jacob DuBois. In Civil War times, the area included an arsenal and training station. However, locals and travelers always used the tavern as a watering hole and social stomping ground.
The Fire of 1918
The old Pole Tavern Inn was destroyed on April 5, 1918, by a fire. The arsonists are rumored to be local townsfolk who felt the town’s liquor should be free and the inn closed to those in the Temperance Movement supporting Prohibition—but we will leave that to your imagination.
From Pittsgrove to Upper Pittsgrove
The town later became known as Pittsgrove, after English statesman William Pitt. It was changed in 1870 to Upper Pittsgrove.
The Changing Landscape: Then and Now
In the early 1900s, the area included a school, a tannery, the Tavern/Inn, a farm machinery business, and more. Today, the Upper Pittsgrove Municipal Building, a Wawa (which is currently being rebuilt into a “super” Wawa), the Point 40 Diner (said to be the location of the old Tavern), and a gas station surround the intersection.
Seen in the early 1900s is the old tannery at Pole Tavern where farmers took their animal hides. Building is no longer standing.
Pole Tavern School also known as Centre Union School at Pole Taver Circle eventually was torn down and replaced with the Township garage. Photo Credits: The Great Day
Recent Photo Gallery
Check out some recent photos of Pole Tavern from earlier this year, 2026, with descriptions.
Sources:
- https://upperpittsgrovehistory.wordpress.com/a-brief…/
- Harrison, Charles. (1988) Salem County: A Story of People (1st Ed.) The Donning Company
- Republished Photos are credited in descriptions.