Although Helmetta was officially incorporated as a municipality in 1888, the community dates back eight years earlier. That was when George W. Helme, a former New Orleans lawyer and Major-General in the Confederate Army, bought a stretch of land between Jamesburg and Spotswood.

On the land where our redevelopment project is to be constructed, Mr. Helme bought his snuff mill and 105 homes for his employees. From this business, he became known as the wealthiest man in Middlesex County.

He apparently continued the Railroad Mills operation until the late-1800s, when he bought the property that is today's snuff mill district. He incorporated the “George W. Helme Company” in 1884 with stock worth $500,000.

On the morning of June 13, 1893, Helme's wife, Margaret, son, George A., and daughter-in-law, left for the Chicago World's Fair. Helme remained in Helmetta. About 7 p.m., Helme was seen sitting on the front porch of his mansion at 11 High Street. He confided in a snuff mill employee who had stopped to talk that he was under the weather. Suddenly, he fell back in his chair. Mr. Helme died of a heart attack.

 “At the time of his death, Helmetta was a laid-out town with a population of 500 persons, many from Spotswood and Jamesburg. There were well-cared-for streets, and the town was on the Jamesburg branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad. Through Mr. Helme's energy and business ability, these things had been accomplished. He had nurtured the village from a sleepy place of two houses and a mill or two, known as Railroad Mills, into a prosperous community,” according to The Early Snuff Mills of New Jersey.

At the time of Mr. Helme’s death, he was a member of Helmetta's governing body, known as the Borough Commission. At the State Reform School (currently known as the Training School for Boys) in Monroe Township, Mr. Helme was a member of its Board of Trustees and had served as president of the board.

On June 16, 1893 - the day Mr. Helme was laid to rest - the snuff mill buildings were draped in mourning. A special car of the Pennsylvania Railroad left Jersey City at 9:10 a.m. to carry mourners to Mr. Helme's 11 a.m. funeral. It was estimated that 1,500 people attended to pay their last respects. Helme is buried at Fernwood Cemetery, Jamesburg.

After Mr. Helme's death, his son, George A. Helme, succeeded him as president and chairman of the board of the snuff mill company. Mr. Helme’s son married Mary Townsend Buckelew of Jamesburg. Together they had three children. The last Helme to serve as director of the company was James B. Helme, son of George A. He held this position until his death in 1956.

The company thrived and placed its stock on the New York Stock Exchange. It is believed to have become the largest snuff mill in the world by 1925. The mill had 400 workers in 1934 and 379 in 1943.

Beginning in about 1952, the snuff mill was modernized, including the installation of labor-saving machinery. From 1935 to 1962, the Helmetta operation employed as little as 350 persons to as many as 450, with approximately 50 brands of snuff being produced around 1935 to about 40 brands in 1962. In 1962, the bulk of Helmetta's snuff was marketed in southern states; about one-third of American-used dry snuff was made in Helmetta. In 1988, the Helmetta snuff mill was the world's largest sweet snuff producer.

Today, the mill property sits vacant – the victim of vandals. The Helmetta Historical Society has preserved many artifacts and videotaped a walkthrough. Before the factory comes down, they have a final walkthrough planned.

From the days of Mr. Helme, Helmetta has evolved into a tight-knit community of 2,000 people. But even in a 21st century world of hustle and bustle, the community has managed to maintain its small-town character, envisioned by Mr. Helme more than a century ago.

Source: "Borough of Helmetta, 1888-1988" by Joseph Sapia, 1988.