This is the court house that hosted the first "Trial of the Century"
The kidnapping of the Lindburg Baby

Hunterdon County, New Jersey

Hunterdon County, founded in 1714, was named after Robert Hunterdon, the Colonial Governor of New Jersey, in the early 18th century. In 1785, Flemington was established as the County seat.

Part of the unique charm of Hunterdon County is the coexistence of several diverse worlds within its borders. Nestled in the fertile Delaware River Valley, much of the county is rural and picturesque, with rolling hills and charming country towns. Clinton, with its historic mill, is an artist's mecca. The County's many recreational and cultural attractions make it a popular vacation destination. Hunterdon is one reason New Jersey is so aptly called "The Garden State." Hunterdon is also part of the Middlesex-Somerset-Hunterdon tri-county area, one of the fastest growing sections of New Jersey. It is a bedroom community located within easy commuting distance to New York City, Philadelphia and Allentown, Pennsylvania. Many businesses and individuals attracted by this combination of beauty and accessibility are moving to the County. Hunterdon is the home of numerous international corporate headquarters and has some of the best outlet shopping in the country.

If you live in Hunterdon County, you live in one of 26 municipalities-14 townships, 10 boroughs, one town, and one city. Each municipality has it's own local government and tax structure. Townships are geographically larger than boroughs, and in some cases, a borough is surrounded by a township. A municipality is an officially incorporated area where an elected governing body runs the municipal services, maintains local streets, makes local laws, regulates building and zoning, determines tax assessments and collects taxes.

The following will give you a snapshot of each municipalities within Hunterdon County, as well as an appreciation for its rich history.

Alexandria Township was for James Alexander, who owned nearly 10,000 acres in the Township, Alexandria Township is 27.75 square miles and has an estimated population of 4,364. Little changed by time, the Villages of Mount Pleasant, Little York and Everittstown are rich in history. Everittstown has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The township boasts of two small airports and a vineyard and winery.

Bethlehem Township was incorporated in 1798 and was settled mainly by Hollanders. Many of the descendants of these settlers still retain properties or portions of the original purchases made by their ancestors. Covering 21.8 square miles, the northern half of the Township is home to the beautiful Musconetcong Valley, while the southern half is covered by the Musconetcong Mountains. Its population is estimated to be 3,785. It is home to the County's 200-acre Charlestown Reservation and 150-acre Tower Hill Park.

Bloomsbury Boro  is located on the south side of the Musconetcong River in the northwest corner of Hunterdon County. The name is derived from the Bloom family influential in the early history of the town. It was once part of Bethlehem Township, but was incorporated as a separate borough in 1905. The Borough was originally known as "Johnson's Iron Works", named after the charcoal work of Robert Johnson on the north bank of the river. In colonial days, ore from the Musconetcong Mountain was carried down to the river and made into "blooms", masses of wrought iron from the forge. This is another theory of how the Borough received its name. Bloomsbury is the third smallest municipality in Hunterdon County. The 20th century has seen some expansion of Bloomsbury residential area, basically following the extensions of the existing street patters. However, the general character of Bloomsbury as a quiet, tree-lined, small town still remains today.

Califon Boro was a station on the High Bridge Railroad, and although the mills were there for some time, it was quite a while before growth became evident in the mid-nineteenth century. It was first called California, from Jacob Neighbor's enthusiasm in the milling business about the time the California gold-fever broke out. The Borough was formed officially from Lebanon and Tewksbury Townships in 1918. The Califon Historical Society registered 170 structures with the national Register of Historic Places. A charming Victorian Village. The houses are marked with the names of the builders and their dates of establishment rather than with street numbers.

Clinton Township The first known inhabitants of Clinton Township were the Lenape Indians. It is home to the Round Valley Recreation Area which now offers boating, fishing, hiking, camping, swimming and picnicking but was said in its earlier days to be a gathering and burial place for Indian Chiefs. Rich limestone deposits in this township assure good farmland. It covers 33.9 square miles, has an estimated population of 13,094 (making it the third largest township in the County). On the western border of the township is the Town of Clinton, with a bustling Main Street and an historic bridge, which crosses the South Branch of the Raritan River. At the bridge, the river spills over a dam between two picturesque old mills housing the Hunterdon Museum of Art and the Hunterdon Historical Museum (popularly known as the Red Mill). 

Delaware Township Forming the western boundary of the County along the Delaware River, this township claims the only remaining covered bridge in New Jersey. North of the Delaware River, the township remains very much as it looked in the 1700s. The rolling fields and picturesque barns belong to farms that have changed little in the last 200 years. Covering 37 square miles, its population is around 5,153.

East Amwell Township was originally established by a royal patent from Queen Anne in 1708, East Amwell Township is located in the southeastern corner of the County and covers 28.5 square miles. Its estimated population is 4,645. Predominantly a farming community, the township is dedicated to preserving open space via farmland preservation programs and low-interest loans for recreation areas. 

Flemington Boro was originally the territory of the Lenni-Lenape Indians, as was all of Hunterdon County. In 1712, as part of a land parcel of 9170 acres, the Flemington acreage was acquired by William Penn and Daniel Coxe. Flemington is surrounded by the Township of Raritan and is located in the near geographic center of the Township. The Borough is also the County Seat of Hunterdon. In 1756, Samuel Fleming purchased part of this land, and built his home which still stands on Bonnell Street, and "Fleming's Town" was born. The surrounding fertile farmland dictated that the beginnings of Flemington should be essentially agricultural. Early German and English settlers engaged in industries dependent on farm products. As time passed poultry and dairy farms superseded crops in agricultural importance. In 1785, Flemington was chosen as the County Seat of Hunterdon. Fire destroyed the old courthouse in 1826 and the City of Lambertville made an attempt to have the Seat moved, to no avail. Flemington remained the County Seat and the Courthouse which stands today on Main Street was built. The Union Hotel, across the street from the Courthouse was built in 1814 by Neal Hart. After Hart's death in 1837, the hotel was purchased by his son and then in 1850 the partnership of Bartles, Bonnell and Fleming. It was during this ownership that the business became known by its current name.

Franklin Township Established in 1845, this township was an early Quaker settlement. The Capoolong Creek, which runs through the village of Pittstown in this township, attracted early settlers who soon established three of the oldest churches in present day Hunterdon County: Thomas Episcopal, established in 1723, Bethlehem Presbyterian, organized in 1730, and the Quaker Church in 1733. Covering 23.1 square miles, its population is estimated to be around 3,138.

Frenchtown Borough is located along the banks of the Delaware River. Various names have been applied to this settlement after the many ferry operators residing on both sides of the river. Alexandria Ville and Frenchtown were the official names by which this community was known. The Borough was formed from Alexandria Township in 1867. The first bridge across the Delaware at Frenchtown was built in 1844, and the town's prosperity increased as it became a gateway to Pennsylvania. Surrounding the antique shops, art galleries, craft shops, restaurants and cafes on Race and Bridge Streets is a charming small town with many beautiful old homes, the natural beauty of the river and a walking path, which let you slip away to the past.
 
Glen Gardner Boro is located at the extreme western border of Lebanon Township and was formed from Lebanon and Bethlehem Townships in 1919. Known for many years as Eveland's Tavern for John Eveland who kept a tavern here, it later became known as Spruce Run Mills and Sodom. The village and post office were officially changed to Glen Gardner in 1871 in honor of the Gardner Brothers who established a chair and frame factory here.

Hampton Boro is charming riverside village on the banks of the Musconetcong River slipped into the twentieth century with little changed since its settlement in 1800. In 1880, the town was comprised of a store, hotel, cabinet manufacturer, blacksmith, wheelwright shop, grist mill, school house and about 25 dwellings. Hampton was once known as Junction because the New Jersey Central and the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroads crossed through here.

High Bridge Boro is located on the South Branch of the Raritan River in the north central part of the County. Water from the South Branch was a valuable power source for the first iron works in the United States which was established in the vicinity by William Allen and Joseph Turner of Philadelphia. The New Jersey Central Railroad built a high bridge across the river from which structure the locality ultimately took its name. The Borough was officially formed from the former High Bridge Township in 1898.

Holland Township is bordered by the Delaware River and the Musconetcong River and was created in 1874. This township is home to the 60-foot, seven story high Volendam Windmill, a living museum which demonstrates an authentic model of a mill driven by wind, used for grinding raw grain into flour. The rugged, undeveloped Musconetcong Gorge Nature Preserve is also located here and comprises 379 acres of steeply wooded terrain overlooking the Musconetcong River. Covering 23.9 square miles, its estimated population is 5,443.

Kingwood Township: Originally established in 1746, this township covers 35.7 square miles, has an estimated population of 3,879. Two of the early structures still stand today-the Old Stone Meeting House, established in 1754 as the Presbyterian Congregation of Kingwood, now home to the First Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of the Township of Kingwood; and the Oak Summit School, built about 1869 and utilized as the one-room schoolhouse for the township. It now stands as a reminder of the system of instruction and learning that once existed there.

Milford Boro is located on the Delaware River in the northwestern portion of the County. The Borough dates to the mid-18th century when a grist mill was established here. After the mill was destroyed by fire in 1769, the settlement became known as Burnt Mills. The town became commonly known as "Millford" by the beginning of the 19th century but by 1844 had lost one an "l". It was incorporated in 1911 but the official incorporation was not registered until 1925. A special town in its present day, Milford maintains its sense of reality and hometown charm. Many local businesses are family owned and operated. The whole community invites visitors and neighbors to share their pride in "Milford on the Delaware", its heritage and its culture.

Lambertville City is located on the Delaware River in the southwestern portion of the county. During the 1700's, the City was named after various operators of ferries across the river to Pennsylvania, ultimately becoming known as Coryell's Ferry, after Emanuel Coryell who owned the Ferry. Coryell's Ferry was the western terminus of the New Jersey portion of the York Road (which is now known as Route 202) connecting New York and Philadelphia. The City was named Lambertville in 1814 when the post office was established and honored the Honorable John Lambert, a local resident and United States Senator. The Delaware River and the Delaware/Raritan Canal were instrumental in the posterity of Lambertville. In June 1834, the opening of the canal was celebrated with a barge ride from Trenton to Lambertville. The canal's completion was not without hardship. 4000 Irish immigrants were hired to dig the canal with pick and shovel. During the construction an epidemic of Cholera broke out and dozens of men were buried along the banks of the canal and the Delaware River.

Lebanon Boro is located north of Round Valley reservoir and east of Clinton. It was known in the early part of the 19th century as Jacksonville and later as Lebanonville, Lebanonville Depot and finally Lebanon - a station on the Central Railroad. The Borough was officially formed from Clinton Township in 1926. A charming small village, the center of Lebanon has changed little in the past century. The Dutch Reformed Church is one of the oldest churches in the County. Records of the church begin in 1769, however, the church is cited at 1747.

Lebanon Township is the extreme northern township of Hunterdon County. It borders on both Warren and Morris Counties. Old Lebanon Township was created in 1731. Its original borders were from the Musconetcong River all the way down to Readington Township. Out of this large township were formed the townships of Clinton and Tewksbury as well as High Bridge, Clinton and Glen Gardner Boroughs.

Raritan Township is the most densely populated township in the County at approximately 19,430, Raritan Township was formed in 1838 and covers 37.6 square miles. This township surrounds the borough of Flemington, the County Seat of Hunterdon County. The land that comprises Flemington was originally the territory of the Lenni-Lenape Indians, as was all of Hunterdon County. In 1712, as part of a land parcel of 9,170 acres, William Penn and Daniel Coxe acquired the Flemington acreage. In 1756, Samuel Fleming bought part of this land and built his home, which still stands on Bonnel Street…and, thus, "Fleming's Town" was born. Its historic Courthouse is the famed site of the original "Crime of the Century" - the kidnapping of the Lindbergh baby trial. The most dramatic change in Flemington in the last few years was its transformation into a major factory outlet center, which is called Liberty Village and Turntable Junction. With over 65 stores, it has become one of the finest high-quality manufacturer's outlet shopping centers in the Country.

Readington Township Created by Royal Charter of King George II, "Readings" Township was formed in 1730. It was the first new township formed after Hunterdon became a county. It covers 47.9 square miles (the largest in area of all County townships), has a population of approximately 17,233. Early settlement was mainly of Dutch origin.

Stockton Boro is  located along the Delaware River north of Lambertville, was first known as Reading Ferry and subsequently Howell's Ferry. With the arrival of the railroad, the name was changed to Centre Bridge Station which corresponded to the post office and hamlet on the Pennsylvania side of the river. With the establishment of its own post office in 1851, the village was renamed Stockton. The Borough was incorporated in 1898, having been separated from Delaware Township. The tiny town remains today as it was in the eighteenth century. for all its small size and charm, the town is presided over by an old inn. The Stockton Inn (formally known as Colligan's Stockton Inn), established in 1710, is the inn that was immortalized by Richard Rodgers in the song "There's a small hotel with a wishing well", sung in the Broadway play "On Your Toes". The inn was first built as a private residence and it is believed to have been converted in 1832.

Tewksbury Township Covering 31.8 square miles with an estimated population of 5,696. Tewksbury is situated in the northeastern corner of the County. Its first township meeting was held in March 1755, and the original settlers were of English descent. However, a large German contingent settled here around 1749, and theirs was the largest influence when Tewksbury became a township. Zion Lutheran Church in Oldwick (formerly New Germantown) is the oldest German Lutheran parish in New Jersey.

Union Township Formed in 1853, this township covers 20.5 square miles and has an estimated population of 5,654. It was named for Union Furnace, which was producing iron as early as 1700. The furnace and its forge produced cannon balls for the Revolutionary War, farm implements, and shoes for horses and oxen. As forests gave way to farm fields in order to stoke the furnace, a farm community then developed.

West Amwell Township This township covers 21.8 square miles, has an estimated population of 2,457. Originally formed in 1708, the Delaware Indians had a path through the woods from Lambertville through Mount Airy, Ringoes and Reaville to Newark upon which the Old York Road was subsequently laid. Early residents of the township were self-sufficient, raising sheep for wool and planting flax for linen to be woven in a mill or in a Lambertville mill. Grain was ground in local mills and surplus goods exchanged for things not produced locally.

Recreation in Hunterdon County

Warren County, New Jersey

Here are the Municipalities that make up Warren County. Click on any one to get detailed information.

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