Clark Time Capsule Uncovers Newspaper Urging Vaccinations

CLARK, NJ — A time capsule buried in the late 1950s was unearthed and opened in Clark revealing two items lost in time. One, with an eerie connection to 2021.

While demolishing the old police department building, a time capsule was extricated from the cornerstone and given to the town council to open at their discretion. And on Monday, the governing body did just that.

Councilman Brian Toal noted that while unearthing the capsule he found an old a can of Cott Quality root beer inside a cinder block. But it was the contents inside that drew a direct line to the modern era.

Inside the time capsule was an Elizabeth Daily Journal newspaper. The lead headline on the newspaper, dated July 18, 1959, was "Get Salk Shots, Residents Told As Threat Of Polio Increases."

"That's it, they didn't leave us any money, no gold. They just left us a newspaper that should've been preserved in a lead box based on condensation and mold. Folks we have to create a better time-capsule for the next generation," Toal said.

Toal noted he also found a 1959 dime hidden in the folds of the newspaper.

The former police building was constructed in 1958 making the capsule 63 years old. The old building was officially closed on Feb. 24 and all police operations were moved into the new building, which is located behind the former building.

Mayor Sal Bonaccorso said a time capsule will be included within the new police station too.

"We're going to create a time capsule out here and when the people open it, I can guarantee there will be a lot more history in there about the town, this building and the building that was there before this," he said.

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