The Legacy of Fairclough Propane: A Commitment to Quality and Service

Fairclough Propane has a rich history rooted in innovation and family values. It began in 1860, when Napoleon Bonaparte Fairclough emigrated from England and founded a coal business in Paterson, New Jersey, marking the beginning of a legacy that would span over a century. By 1882, N.B. Fairclough Jr. moved operations to the Morris Canal in Paterson, receiving coal by barge for resale.

In 1918, Fairclough Jr. expanded again, establishing a 10,000-ton coal storage facility at 800 East 27th Street, which was equipped with rail access for direct coal shipments. At this time, 24 wagons and 48 horses were used for retail coal deliveries to homes while also wholesaling to 60 other coal dealers.

The Fairclough family continued to innovate, and by the late 1940s, John Henry Fairclough, Jr. had succeeded his father, creating a fuel distribution network and acquiring 30 other companies. In 1975, the family expanded again with the opening of Fairclough Fuel in Newton, New Jersey, offering propane, coal, oil, and diesel, and even operating a gas station.

Today, Fairclough Propane remains a trusted name in the distribution of propane throughout Northern New Jersey. Serving customers from the Hudson to the Delaware, Fairclough continues the legacy of service, quality, and commitment established over 160 years ago!