Washington Township

Washington Township is located in the western-most portion of Morris County , a picturesque part of the state that still maintains a rural feeling with an abundance of farmland and wide open spaces. This is an ideal setting for residents who appreciate a peaceful setting that's still within commuting distance of Manhattan .

Measuring nearly 45 square miles, Washington Township encompasses the largest area of any municipality in Morris County. The township borders Somerset, Warren and Hunterdon Counties and is about 15 miles from the Delaware River and Pennsylvania border. Routes 46, 24/513 and 517 pass through town, and Interstate Route 80 is minutes away in Mount Olive, a neighboring community.

Two notable sections of Washington Township are Long Valley and Schooley's Mountain. Long Valley was once known as German Valley since settlers from Saxony , a region of Germany near the border of Poland , relocated there in the 1700s.

Schooley's Mountain stands as a tall ridge in great contrast to the gently rolling hillsides found in the rest of the region. It became a famous resort in the 19th century due to its natural springs. The region's iron-infused chalybeate water was said to have health-giving properties and many people promoted the water's healing qualities.

History

Incorporated in 1798, Washington Township was once part of six other townships. Today, it is one of the few remaining municipalities in the county where agricultural traditions are strongly maintained. The township leads the county in the greatest acreage of preserved farmland. It works actively to preserve its farming heritage, having preserved 2,800 farm acres from 35 farms.

The aptly named Long Valley section of the township is a fertile, eight-mile long valley with the South Branch of the Raritan River running through it. In the mid-1700s it was the center of a Moravian community, and there are still some fine existing examples of architecture from the second half of the 18th century to the first quarter of the 19th century. The heart of the Moravian settlement is now the Long Valley Historical District, and is included in the National Register of Historic Places .

Schooley's Mountain was probably America 's earliest summer resort and spa due to the abundance of iron-rich chalybeate water available in the mineral springs. The pure mountain air, peaceful surroundings and natural springs, which in 1815 were declared to produce the purest chalybeate water known at that time, attracted countless people to the area. (Lenape Indians had long known about the waters which they believed drew healing powers from the iron deposits found in nearby mountains.) Visitors from across the country were drawn to the reputed beneficial effects of the springs, coming to drink and bathe in the waters which were said to heal all types of disorders.

Education

The Washington Township Public School District includes five elementary schools. Old Farmers Road School serves students in kindergarten through grade 5; Walter J. Kossmann School is for kindergarten to grade 2; Flocktown Road School serves grades 3 to 5; and Long Valley Middle School is for those in grades 6 through 8. Benedict A. Cucinella Elementary School houses students in kindergarten to grade 4. The newest school in Washington Township , it opened in September of 2006.

High school students attend West Morris Central High School , which is located in Chester Township and is part of the West Morris Regional High School District . Students in the district come from the surrounding Morris County school districts of Chester Borough , Chester Township , Mendham Borough , Mendham Township and from Washington Township.

Community

The township sponsors many special celebrations and annual events for citizens of every age. Pumpkin painting for children in the fall, senior citizen holiday parties, Memorial Day remembrance ceremonies, a Mother's Day pancake breakfast at the local firehouse and the popular 'Come Fly With Me' model airplane event at Rock Spring Park are just a few of the occasions that contribute to the community spirit of Washington Township.

A multitude of shopping and dining options are offered about 15 minutes away in Mt. Olive and Roxbury, where large chain stores offer everything from home improvement and art supplies to fashion and grocery stores. For an out-of-the-ordinary retail experience, charming nearby villages in Chester, Oldwick and Clinton have winding streets lined with eclectic boutiques, art galleries, restaurants and antique shops housed in historic buildings.

Transportation

Routes 46 , 24/ 513 and 517 pass through Washington Township, which is also easily accessible to Routes 206, 10 and Interstate 80. New Jersey Transit and Martz bus stops are located within a short drive of Washington Township for service to Manhattan.

Real Estate

Single-family homes are the primary type of residence, with a collection of townhomes and condominiums within the township borders. Character-filled antique dwellings, luxury estates on large parcels of land, equestrian properties, magnificent custom-built homes, new construction, cul-de-sac neighborhoods, center hall Colonials, old stone homes, pre-Revolutionary era residences, Victorians and mid-century modern homes are among the rich variety of architectural styles available in Washington Township .

Parks and Recreation

There are numerous parks and sports fields located in Washington Township including Califon Fields, Cobblestone Field, Palmer Park, Rock Spring Park and Schooley's Mountain Park . The Long Valley Dog Park opened in 2007. Washington Township offers numerous sport clubs for adults and children including baseball, softball, track, cheerleading, basketball, badminton, lacrosse, ice hockey, rugby and football. The township has summer camp programs for school-age children which vary from sports-related activities to robotics.

Local Attractions

Washington Township Historical Society Museum helps preserve the history of Washington Township. Their vast collection features photographs, furniture, local artifacts, farm tools, clothes and a genealogy library. Originally built in 1830, this stone building has served as Union Schoolhouse (the township's first schoolhouse), a private residence, the public library, and beginning in 1981, the museum.

The Liberty Eagle is located at the intersection of Schooley's Mountain Road and Flocktown Road. Known by locals as "Bert," the 16-foot eagle was carved by Harry Robinson of Bernardsville from an ancient white oak tree. When Robinson carved the eagle, he carved large block letters forming the word "Liberty" in the base of the statue. Legend has it that since the eagle's base is slightly curved, passing motorists could only glimpse the middle four letters and began referring to the bird as "Bert." Dedication ceremonies for the eagle were held during the township's Veteran's Day observances in 1997.

The Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church is a landmark located on Route 24 along the banks of the South Branch of the Raritan River. This stone church building with a stucco wing was built in the early 1800s and exhibits numerous Gothic characteristics such as arched windows, arched doorways and an octagonal spire.

The Quadruple Arch Stone Bridge dates to about 1870 and crosses over the South Branch of the Raritan River in the center of Long Valley. It is one of the few stone arch road bridges existing in Morris County, one whose four segmental arches make it an exceptionally long span across the river.

Fun Fact #1: Good Morning America held a live broadcast from Long Valley's Catherine Court neighborhood on July 1, 2007 after being recognized by Family Fun magazine as a town known for enthusiastic holiday celebrations.

Fun Fact #2: Located on Schooley's Mountain Road in Long Valley, the Schooley's Mountain General Store is the oldest operating general store in New Jersey. This old-fashioned shopping experience offers a deli, gifts and a United State post office.