A Statue Stands in Tuckerton, NJ!
When I first moved back to southern Ocean County many years ago, the statute in the middle of Tuckerton was always a bit of a mystery to me.
It sits on a small island on Route 9, where the state highway and Great Bay Boulevard intersect, in between the Tuckerton Seaport and Lake Pohatcong.
The statue is a tribute to those who gave their lives in World War I, and was erected by the Improved Order of the Red Men.
Here’s a little background on this very old fraternal organization…
The Improved Order of Red Men is a patriotic fraternity chartered by Congress. It is a non-profit organization devoted to inspiring a greater love for the United States of America and the principles of American Liberty.
Its origin dates back to 1765 and is descended from the Sons of Liberty. These patriots concealed their identities and worked "underground" to help establish freedom and liberty in the early Colonies.
They patterned themselves after the great Iroquois Confederacy and its democratic governing body. Their system, with elected representatives to govern tribal councils, had been in existence for several centuries.
After the War of 1812 the name was changed to the Society of Red Men and in 1834 to the Improved Order of Red Men.
They kept the customs and terminology of Native Americans as a basic part of the fraternity. The Improved Order of Red Men (IORM) is similar in many ways to other major fraternal organizations in the United States.
The New Jersey area has 5 Red Men Councils in Tuckerton, Egg Harbor, Hammonton, Somers Point and Newark, Delaware.
Keller Williams
Atlantic Shore
Laura Giannotta
609-384-6121
Waretown Homes, Barnegat Homes, Manahawkin Homes, Eagleswood Homes, Long Beach Island Homes, Little Egg Harbor Homes, Tuckerton Homes and homes in northern Atlantic County!
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Little Egg Harbor REALTOR® Laura Giannotta
Your Jersey Shore real estate resource!
609.384.6121
www.JerseyShoreViews.com
Laura@JerseyShoreViews.com
Very interesting info, Laura. Our area is so rich in native American history, and it's one of my interests. I had no idea that such a fraternal organization existed. Thanks!
Morning Laura,
Thanks for the lesson in history. There is so much history there in New Jersey and New York. Nice that you shared this segment with us.
Marie It's amazing you can see things everyday and not know too much about them. I too had no idea what the IORM was other than the sign at the parkway exit! Now I know!
Hal Yes Hal, lots of history. I don't think there's a town in NY or NJ that George Washington or his horse didn't stay in!
HI Laura, would you say that homes in South Jersey are starting to sell a little faster. It seems that the North Jersey market is taking a LOT longer to sell.
CH
I've been down highway 9 but I don't recall seeing this statue. I'll be on the lookout next time! Great info Laura :)