Millburn got its name because of the many "mills on the burn," which is a Scotch word for river or stream, which gave the town its unique character and history.

The topography of the area was conducive to the needs of the mills that relied upon water power to turn the millwheels. The runoff from the "short hills" provided the water power that the downriver mills needed. Israel Condit's successful endeavor to bring the railroad to Millburn also meant that mill supplies could be more easily brought in and the finished product could be more easily transported out.

When the mill moved or closed, the unwieldy and very heavy millstone was often left in situ and buried. It is no surprise, then, that local landscapers, such as Andrew Becker, seen here surrounded by millstones, uncover them while working in local gardens.

The millstone on which Becker is resting his arm apparently washed downhill into the side yard of the former home of the Daniel Grossman family, at the corner of Western Drive and Swale Lane.

Several months ago Becker volunteered to pick up the millstone and position it on the green opposite the Short Hills Train Station, where other local millstones are enjoyed by commuters and especially by the school children who visit the historical society museum.

Members of the Millburn-Short Hills Historical Society write a weekly column highlighting items in the collection, which can be seen at the museum located at the Short Hills Train Station on the Hobart Avenue side.