Just over 130 years ago, an odd, 49-by-18 foot tar-paper shack appeared in West Orange, Essex County. It was the start of the movie business.

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of a Patch West Orange community member. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site. Despite a steady rain ...

The fire was undoubtedly a setback. As fire alarms echoed across West Orange, more than 250 workers rushed from the burning buildings. Edison himself, along with his wife, Mina, hurried to the site.

West Orange Township Council approved Matrix Development Group's purchase of a 12-acre site for a proposed film studio. The project would be near Thomas Edison’s first film studio, the Black Maria.