181 center grove rd, Randolph Twp., NJ 07869

Randolph Township motto: "Where Life is Worth Living," speaks volumes about this community's abundant sense of pride. Located in the north-central part of the state, Randolph is a 21-square-mile township in historic Morris County. As a part of New Jersey's Highlands region, the land is characterized by alternating deep valleys and flat-topped ridges. On a clear day you can see parts of the Manhattan skyline--about 30 miles to the east--from the most elevated portions of Randolph.

Designated by the state as half suburban and half rural, some of the sections in Randolph include Mount Freedom, Millbrook, Fernbrook, Coleman Hollow, Center Grove, Ironia, and Shongum Lake.

History

Originally settled by Lenni Lenape Indians, the abundant natural beauty these Native Americans appreciated is still evident throughout the township. With a varying topography of valleys, ridges, brooks, forests, and streams, later inhabitants included European Colonists and Quakers.

In 1713, New Jersey's first iron mine was registered and it was located in Randolph. Early Quakers were among those who discovered iron in the area and began to mine it, resulting in New Jersey becoming the country's third top iron producer for a time. The iron mines in the township supplied the Revolutionary forces with necessary ore for tools and weapons. For the next 200 years the iron industry thrived, playing an important part in the development of Randolph.

During the late 1700s, Randolph was a supply point for George Washington's Continental Army during their winter in nearby Jockey Hollow. Local legend says Washington came up with Mount Freedom's name after horseback rides from Morristown to the top of the mountain, where he would contemplate his next war strategies.

Throughout the 1930s and 40s, Randolph's reputation for healthy water, natural beauty, and clean air attracted vacationers from large cities including New York. During that era, 11 hotels, 45 bungalow colonies, a summer camp, and swim clubs--many converted from old farms--were built. Hotel performers included Frank Sinatra, Henny Youngman, and Phil Silver. Boxers Max Baer, Floyd Patterson, James J. Braddock, and Rocky Marciano trained or fought at the now-demolished Salz's Hotel on the corner of Sussex Turnpike and West Hanover Avenue. Two of the largest resorts; Ackerman's Hotel and Saltz's Hotel, survived into the 1970s.

Today, Randolph's 24 historic landmarks range from the centuries-old Liberty Tree to the 1869 Bryant Distillery famed for its apple jack, to the circa 1924 Millbrook School, which is now used as office space.

Community Life

Residents gather at sports fields, parks, and community-wide events such as the Freedom Festival held over Fourth of July Weekend, or the popular Greek Festival each June. In October, Founders Day is celebrated in Brundage Park. The Brundage Park Playhouse showcases plays and musicals, often using local talent in their performances.

The public library on Calais Road sponsors reading groups and other programs. Many are involved in Randolph's Senior Citizen Center, where games, get-togethers, and numerous activities are on the calendar.

Randolph Township's Summer Camp program provides a full-day of field trips and events for children from kindergarten to grade 8. There are also many year 'round recreation programs available for children, teenagers, and adults.

Shopping is available locally, with an Acme supermarket, local shops, restaurants, and services dotting Sussex Turnpike. Easy access to Route 10, Morristown or the Rockaway Townsquare Mall meets more extensive shopping needs.

Education

Randolph's four elementary schools for kindergarten to grade 5 are Shongum School, 9 Arrow Place; Ironia School, 303 Dover-Chester Road; Fernbrook School, 206 Quaker Church Road, and Center Grove School, 25 School House Road. Randolph Middle School at 507 Millbrook Avenue educates students in grades 6 to 8, and Randolph High School is located at 511 Millbrook Ave.

The main campus of The County College of Morris is in Randolph Township. Located on 218 acres, the College offers scores of degrees and certificate programs, enrolls about 8,500 students, and has the highest graduation rate among community colleges in the state.

Transportation

With hundreds of roads ranging from winding country byways to four-lane highways, Randolph is well connected to the rest of New Jersey. Main thoroughfares like Sussex Turnpike, Hanover Avenue, and Dover-Chester Road offer views of open land, forests, streams, and hills. State Route 10 offers access to Interstate 80 leading to Interstates 78 and 287.

New Jersey Transit rail service is available in neighboring Morristown for direct transport to Penn Station in Manhattan. Transfers are available to Newark or Hoboken. Bus service to New York is available a few towns away in Dover or Rockaway.

Real Estate

Randolph features a wide variety of architectural styles, from spectacular brick-faced country manor homes built in the past decade to center hall Colonials, custom-built residences, ranch styles, mid-century houses, Cape Cods, antique farmhouses, and townhomes.

Parks

Within its 400 acres of parkland, Randolph provides soccer and basketball fields, tennis courts, skating ponds, and a cross-country skiing trail. A biking and hiking trail system traverses 14 miles through five parks and 2,000 acres of open space.

Local Attractions

Brundage Park Playhouse in Brundage Park is Randolph's official community theater, offering summer programs, performance workshops, and a changing roster of plays and musicals.

The Quaker Meeting House at 190 Quaker Church Road was built in 1758 and was once the center of early settlers' community life. It is one of the oldest dwellings in the region.

The Historical Society of Old Randolph and The Randolph Museum were formerly located in an old vacation bungalow from the township's heyday as a resort beginning in the 1930s and 40s. In late summer of 2005, the museum moved to the Brundage House, a circa 1867 building at the gateway to Freedom Park. Mementos, photo albums, and oral history transcripts reveal Randolph's colorful history.

Fun Fact #1: The Liberty Tree is one of the township's most historic sites, located at the bottom of Quaker Church Road near Center Grove Road. This live oak tree is dated at 1720 and has been witness to the township's vast history since the Pre-Revolutionary era.

Fun Fact #2: Can a street be historic? It can if it's Gristmill Road. As one of Randolph's oldest streets, Gristmill Road is on the National Register of Historic Places. Views of picturesque apple trees coming into bloom adorn the road each spring.