History of Chester, New Jersey
The Borough of Chester is located in southwestern Morris County, at the intersection of State Highway 24 and U.S. Highway 206. The Borough enjoys a flourishing commercial area while most of the land area through C in the 1.45 square miles of our community is devoted to single family housing. Chester was first surveyed and mapped in 1713. The Lawrence Line, dividing East and West Jersey in colonial times, went directly through Chester. After 1730, settlers began arriving in the area, primarily farmers relocating from Long Island. The opening of the Washington Turnpike in 1806 brought a steady stream of travelers through Chester, and spurred the development of taverns and inns. The early name "Black River" is still carried by the tributary of the Raritan which flows through Chester Township. One of the attractions of "Black River" to early settlers was the presence of easily mined and worked iron ore. During the time period of the Civil War, large iron ore deposits were discovered, and Chester's legendary iron boom exploded in 1867. The Chester Railroad was opened in 1869 to haul the ore to market. Miners, many from England, Wales and Hungary, came pouring into Chester to work the mines. Fortunes were made and lost in iron back then, but little evidence remains today of Chester's illustrious mining history. The railroads are gone, the mines filled in, and many mining-related structures are long gone. A legacy of the mining era survives in some of the architecture of Chester, especially in the Main Street.
Chester itself was established as a separate political entity in 1799, at which time "Chester" meant the area of both the Township and the downtown Village area which came to be the Borough. The Borough of Chester was incorporated in 1930, and is today a separate municipality surrounded by Chester Township. After World War II, the open, rolling fields began to be transformed into housing developments as suburban growth came to the area.
Local Chester History
In the early 1700's Lenni-Lenapi Indians inhabited Chester, once known as Black River. The first permanent settlers arrived in the 1730's and began farming. Later that century, activities centered around mills, mining, inn- taverns and the simple agricultural life.
Chester was first surveyed and mapped in 1713 by proprietors for the provinces of East and West Jersey. The Lawrence line, dividing East and West Jersey in colonial times, went directly through Chester. The early name " Black River " is still carried by the tributary of the Raritan which flows through Chester Township. After 1730, settlers began arriving in the area, primarily farmers relocating from Long Island. Their numbers included Presbyterians and Congregationalists, and their single community grew up around church, farm and tavern.
From 1799, when it was set off from Roxbury, to 1930, when the Borough was incorporated, " Chester " meant all of the present-day township and its village center, now the heart of the Borough.
During the early 1800's, Chester was a stage stop where travelers sought overnight accomodations at the Public House.
In the latter half of the 1800's, iron ore transformed Chester into a boomtown bringing in hundreds of miners who lived in " Patch Houses ", not far from Main Street, still currently residences. Mining accounted for Chester's heyday during the 1800's. However, near the end of the century, mining dwindled, the miners left the area and Chester returned to its agricultural roots.
Chester Borough boasts a rich historic heritage which is obvious in the architecture of the remaining older structures in the Borough, Many of the buildings, being built in the 1800's, today serve both residential and commercial uses. This heritage is also obvious in the street pattern which, for the most part, was established 50 to 100 years ago.
Historical Buildings
Historic Main Street, Chester was settled by thee Lenni-Lenape Indians who arrived from eastern Long Island in the 1730's. The first settlers were mainly farmers, which led to the establishment of mills, blacksmith shops, tanneries, cabinet shops churches and inns. In the 1800's they turned to mining iron ore. In the mid 1900's suburbia filtered into Chester. Many of the lovely historic buildings have been restored and are used today as restaurants, galleries, and shops of every nature.
The First Congregational Church, located on Hillside Road in Chester, was founded by descendants of the English Puritans in 1740. The present church site was built in 1856 and is the oldest Congregational Church west of the Hudson River. The interior is decorated in the "tromp l'oeil" style. The 1872 Tracker organ is still used for services.
The Community Presbyterian Church, located at 220 Main Street in Chester, was built in 1851 and the chapel was built in 1869. Its Greek Revival style features two Ionic columns.
The Brick Hotel, now known as the Publick House, was erected around 1810 by Zephaniah Drake and Jacob Drake, Jr. The Inn was a stagecoach stop on the Washington Turnpike that ran from Jersey City to Easton.
Larison's Turkey Farm, was built in c. 1800 by Isaac Corwin. The home and restaurant have been in the Larison family for seven generations. Home-style turkey dinners are served to customers who return year after year.
The Cooper Grist Mill, on Route 24 West of Chester was erected in 1826 on the site of an earlier mill. In the 19970's the Morris County Park Commission restored the site, including the waterwheel. It is one of the few water-powered mills still operating in New Jersey.
Chubb Park, was donated to Chester by the Chubb family. It is the annual site of the Chester Carnival, the Turtle Race and formerly the Rotary Horse Show. Chubb Park also offers community tennis courts, ice-skating pond and an exercise trail.
A Stroll Through the Old Village of Chester
1. 30 Hillside Road (East Side)
Morris County Historical Commission marker.
The First Congregational Church was organized in 1740. The first house of worship was built near this site in 1747. The second (1803) was located in the cemetery, where there are no gravestones today. The present building, the third, was erected "under the hill" in 1856.
The interior is one of perhaps two remaining examples of "trompe l'oeil" decoration in the state. Decorated tracker organ, J.H. and C.S. Odel, opus 128, 1874, is used for regular services.
Chapel, 1878, witnessed the founding of the first young people's society of Christian Endeavor west of the Hudson River (1882).
The adjacent parsonage, the former Cyphers house, was acquired when the parsonage at 287 Main Street was sold after World War II.
Listed in the N.J. Register of Historic Places and the National Register of Historic Places.
2. 31 Hillside Road (West Side)
Dr. Woodhull Hedges, son of Dr. Joseph Hedges bought the farmhouse in 1821 and enlarged it by building the large east wing.
He and his son, Dr. Smith Hedges, were active in the commercial development of the village.
3. 110 (128) Main Street
In the 1820's this was part of an 8-acre parcel of land on both sides of Budd Avenue belonging to Jacob Drake, Jr., builder of the Brick Hotel, "being the lot on which stands the store house, Blacksmith shop and stables." (K-15 Mortgage)
1868 map: E.H. Dunham and Sons Store 1899 map: Simpson & Case - General Store
Living quarters were on the second floor.
4. 111 (115) Main Street
Morris County Historical Commission marker.
Zephanian Drake and his father, Jacob Drake, Jr., built the Brick Hotel beginning in 1810. Each of the original rooms had a fireplace with a carved mantelpiece.
This was a stop on the stagecoach route that crossed the state.
In 1854 the building was enlarged and used for a private school. After 1868 it became a hotel again and later flourished as a summer resort.
Operating as The Black River and Raritan Publick House, the building was completely restored by Growth Enterprises.
Listed in the Historical American Building Survey in the Library of Congress (HABS, 1940) N.J. Register and the National Register of Historic Sites.
5. 123-125 Main Street
Erected in 1873 for Charles Harden, who operated a clothing store with James Tredway's carriage shop in the rear.
1874 - 1951: Prospect Lodge #24 F & AM occupied the top floor.
6. 127 Main Street
This building was formerly located between Budd Avenue and Grove Street where it served as the public school from 1856 to 1883.
It was moved to this site and occupied by Elias C. Drake, member of the General Assembly, serving as Clerk of the House, and later (1892) as State Senator.
This was the location of the Chester Library from 1921 to 1957. Librarians: Miss Mabel Drake (1911 - 1930), Miss Frances Tredway (1930 - 1961), Mrs. Mary Jane Serbe (1962 - 1980).
7. 137 Main Street
In 1880, Charles Hopkins built a roller skating rink behind the house.
After 1899, Dr. Harris Day put in a stage. Day's Hall was used for meetings and entertainment.
8. 142 (158) Main Street
In 1827, John Drake acquired 8 acres of land between Main Street and Budd Avenue, including the corner, for $800 and built his home in classic center hall fashion - heated by fireplaces with a working kitchen hearth and oven.
Listed in HABS (1940), Library of Congress.
9. 170 - 172 (194) Main Street
In 1882, Sarah Van Arsdale, whose husband had bought the John Drake house and operated a livery stable at the N.J. Telephone Co. site, sold an acre of land to Dr. Levi W. Case. Dr. Case had his office to the left of the door to his house.
10. 177 (205) Main Street
When William E. Collis purchased this property in 1862, the house was just the small eastern part. To this he added the larger three-story portion with the fashionable mansard roof.
His son, W. Edwin Collis, recorded much of the information on which this tour is based. Mrs. Frances Greenidge, author of Chester, New Jersey, A Scrapbook of History, used his recollections and his notes in her writing.
11. (206) Main Street (South Side)
The ten-room Presbyterian parsonage was built in 1861 at a cost of $2,000. The Rev. Mr. Brewster and his family occupied it for nearly 30 years.
12. Main Street (South Side)
Until 1852, the Presbyterian Church was on Pleasant Hill Road at the cemetery site.
Its Greek Revival Style features two Ionic columns.
The Chapel was given by James E. Hedges, brother of Dr. Smith Hedges (1870).
13. 217 (225) Main Street (Opposite Church Street)
James Vanderveer, Princeton graduate, student of medicine and successful merchant, gave this house to his daughter, Julia.
14. 218 (236) Main Street (SE Corner of Church Street)
The Rev. Abraham Williamson came to the Presbyterian Church in 1823 when it was still on the hill at the cemetery.
He retired in 1858 after the new church as built in the village but never lived in the Parsonage on Main Street.
15. 17 Church Street
This house was built in 1873-74 by the father of the present occupant, with barns and outbuildings all across the back of the double lot.
The three homes on this street were built shortly after T.P. Skellenger opened Church Street in the 1860's.
16. (67) Budd Avenue (SE Corner of Church Street)
Japrap Farm.
William J. Hunt owned this property in 1843, but the house is probably older than that.
While the Tredways were building their house at 17 Church Street, they lived here with George and Mary (Horton) Howell.
17. 57 (63) Budd Avenue (NE Corner of Church Street)
Theodore Perry Skellenger lived here in the 1850's and 1860's. The planting of trees along the village streets is attributed to him.
His discovery of iron ore on his Main Street property led to the mining boom in the 1870's and 1880's.
18. 60 Budd Avenue (NW Corner of Orange Street)
This was a "mining patch" house; a two-family dwelling with each side renting for $3 per month.
Many of these houses were moved and remodeled. The size, roof slant and central chimney are characteristic. Some still have two front doors.
19. 55 (59) Budd Avenue
One wing of this house has "mining patch" characteristics.
20. 56 (54) Budd Avenue
The "eyebrow" windows are characteristic of an earlier style than the "patch" house next door.
1868 map: D. Emmons
21. 50 Budd Avenue
There have been several additions to this circa 1780 house that probably was once two rooms with an attic.
During recent alterations, a diary was found describing arctic whaling operations. It was written by Captain Samuel C. Leek of Chester, master of the whaling vessel "Tuscarora".
22. 11 Cherry Street
Mrs. Horton is named owner of this property on both the 1868 and 1887 maps.
The "eyebrow" windows give this an early look, but Cherry Street was not on the 1853 map.
23. 19 Cherry Street
Home of W. Tredway (1868) and of Mrs. Tredway in 1887 and until her death in 1902.
24. (60) Grove Street (Opposite Cherry Street)
This was a rather new street in 1868 when A. Emmons was listed as the owner of this property. A descendant of this family is the author of several books of Mendham history.
1887: N. Emmons
25. 57 Grove Street
This "mining patch" house was moved to the rear of J.Norman's Budd Avenue property by 1887.
26. 54 Grove Street
The Black River Playhouse was built as a Baptist Church in Bedminster and bought in 1854 by the Newark Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Moved to Chester during the winter of 1880-1881, it became the original Methodist Episcopal church in the village.
When the new church was built on Main Street, this building housed the municipal offices.
The Chester Theatre Group purchased the building in 1965 and converted it to a theatre "in the round."
27. 55 Grove Street This building was moved by 1900 from Budd Avenue to make room for the school yard next door.
The 1853 map shows C. Fairclow, the 1868 map shows D. Budd, the 1887 map shows Mrs. Budd as owners.
This was the Chester Historical Society Museum for the Bicentennial (1974-1978).
28. 51-53 Grove Street
The old academy building from the hill north of Main Street was moved to this area, rebuilt, and then replaced by a 3-room school house which served from 1883 to 1924.
That year the school was remodeled into these two apartment buildings.
29. 38 Grove Street (NW Corner of Maple Avenue)
1887: Budd
Built during the mining boom, it served as a boarding house for miners.
30. 32 Grove Street
Tredway property 1868 and 1887.
31. 20 Budd Avenue
This was part of the Jacob Drake 8-acre parcel of property, fronting on Main Street in the 1820's.
In 1987, the 140-year old Serbe house, where the first St. Lawrence services were held, was moved 1/2 mile and joined to the 1800 "patch house" on the right. In the 1960's, the "patch house" was a bank, the scene of a daring daytime holdup!
32. 98 Main Street (Faces the Park across a lane which is the extension of Budd Avenue - the "Old Road")
In the 1740's this property was fenced by Benjamin Luse as a tavern lot so that drovers could turn their animals loose while staying at his tavern across the street.
Stables were built here, and Isaiah Fairclo may have operated a tap room in the basement where stone steps lead down from Grove Street. Cut into one step - "WTB May 27, 1802."
In 1810 Zephaniah Drake bought this property along with the tavern across the park which he operated while the Brick Hotel was being built. (T-356)
Daniel Budd lived here in the 1850's and when he persuaded William Rankin to come to Chester in 1854, the famous Chester Institute was opened in this building.
33. Memorial Island
Trees shaded this portion of the "Old Great Road." The park at one time contained the whipping post, replaced by the liberty pole. The town pump is now gone. Near the war memorial are a carriage block and hitching post. The old fire alarm is a section of rail and a railroad tire.
33A. "Rockefeller Center"
Once the post office, it was a marble yard in 1897.
Tredway's meat market and ice house stood on the corner of Warren and Main Streets.
34. 76 Main Street
"The Old Factory"
1844: Van Doren brothers manufactured threshing machines.
1861: Daniel Budd's machine shop.
1899: Davidson Mfg. Co. - Handkerchiefs.
1903: J.W. Arrowsmith - arch supports
1911: First library on upper floor.
In the space to the west was a blacksmith shop.
1868: J.S. Bowman
1887: William E. Young with Amos Wolverton's wheelwright shop in the rear.
35. 60 Main Street
This building was rescued from condemnation by commercial interests as were several other old buildings, now attractive shops.
In 1829, when Isaiah Fairclo owned this property, William Topping's wagon shop was 2 doors west. By 1868 the shop was here.
1887: F. Pierson.
36. 58 Main Street
Prior to 1829, James Topping's cabinet shop was located here, while he lived across the street. He sold the "shop lot" to William W. Hedges at the same time he sold him his home and moved to the Isaac Corwin farm, today the Larison Turkey Farm Inn.
1887: P. Yawger
In 1899, P.C. Yawger was Justice of the Peace and Notary Public. His son, P.A. Yawger, sold Gents Furnishings.
37. 56 Main Street
This 1/8 acre lot was sold to William Topping by Richard Hunt in 1825 (Q - 2 - 549). He may have started his wagon shop here.
In 1868, when Halsey DeCamp was making caskets here, the front door was in the center of the building, made extra wide to accommodate the caskets, as marks on the room walls still indicate.
The roof has been raised, but the interior retains its interesting old fireplace and cupboards.
38. 50 Main Street
1868: G. Bodine
1887: G. Bodine
Recently remodeled to house shops and offices.
39. 44 Main Street
From 1895 to 1949 this was Mrs. Dan H. Skellenger's store, selling groceries, dry goods and general merchandise.
40. 38 Main Street
In 1888 Charles Tippett bought the southeast corner of Main and Perry Street which included this building, then one floor and a basement. He bottled porter, lager beer, root beer, ginger ale and soda. (Tippett bottles are valued collectibles.)
By 1899 Mr. Tippett had added two stories. The patriotic order Sons of America met here, as did the Cornet Band (1905-1918).
The building in the rear served to store ice well into the 1900's.
41. 30 Main Street (Corner of Perry Street)
1868: T.P. Skellenger, livery - S. Tredway, harness shop
1887: Mr. Dayton owned both and sold to Mr. Tippett.
1912: Chamberlain's garage completed.
George Apgar reports that early Ford cars were assembled here.
42. 28 - 20 Main Street
"Centennial Building"
Built by the "old pappy" of Long Valley's "Old Charlie Hall" for William J. Northrup (1876).
In 1877, St. Mark's Episcopal Church of Mendham met at Northrup Hall on the second floor.
Paul Apgar purchased the building in 1945 and operated the hardware store at the east end. The municipal offices were in the west end.
43. 10 Main Street (Corner of Seminary Avenue)
Juliette McWilliams, realtor, won an award for refurbishing this building.
Behind it, on Seminary Avenue, was the creamery, and farther down at the shopping mall site was the Daniel Budd mansion and Miss Magee's Seminary.
44. Route 24 (West)
The house which is now Larison Turkey Farm Inn was built by Isaac Corwin, c. 1800. "The part brick and part stone rear wing with the free standing chimney...may remain from an earlier house...incorporated into the present house." (U.S. Gov't. WPA Historical American Building Survey, 1940). The stones from this earlier house, thought to be Benjamin Luse's farm house, have been used to build the wall in the main dining room.
James Topping, master cabinet maker, moved here in 1829 and used two rooms in the back wing as his workshop.
45. 13 Main Street
In 1800, Nicholas Emmons, Esq., sold for $331 to Richard Hunt "all that small parcel of land whereon said Richard Hunt now dwelleth...2 acre strict measure."
On July 21, 1801 for the sum of $5, Jared Haines and John Sweezey, Trustees for the Township of Chester, purchased from Capt. Isaiah Fearclo for a school 1/8 acre "together with a 12 foot alley leading from the Main Road to said lot between the lands of Richard Hunt and John Woodruff.
An old residence used to stand in the open space east of this building - probably Richard Hunt's dwelling.
By the 1880's George Monington, tinsmith, resided here. Chester Hill Branch of the High Bridge RR and the Samson Iron Company mine were behind it.
46. 35 Main Street (Corner Academy Lane)
1804: John Gardner became the first school master of the academy on the hill. He was also the first postmaster, the post office being in his home. He is known to have built the west end of the building as an addition to an existing building because he encroached on Richard Hunt next door. (A-2-373, 1814 Quit Claim)
1829: "the lot where Stephen R. Hunt dwells" (X-2-83)
1834: Davis S. DeCamp kept a clothing store in his home.
1867: T.P. Skellenger, owner also of the saloon next door, discovered iron ore while building an ice house on his property.
Soon six mines were operating behind the houses on Main Street.
A railroad spur was built to haul the ore taken from this vein which extended beyond Oakdale Road.
47. 41 Main Street
1829: William J. Topping and Minerva, His wife. (X-2-83)
1868: T. Terry Skellenger's saloon
1881: Mrs. E. George, wife of the owner of Samson Iron Company (40 foot front)
1899: Charles Tippett restaurant
48. 43 Main Street
1880: George S. Rodda, Cornishman, purchase this 20 foot front lot from the William J. Topping Estate to build this house - a sign of more affluence than the average miner who earned $1 per day.
1887: P. Yawger
49. 47 Main Street
1868: William J. Topping property
1880: Sold to John W. VanArsdale the same day the Topping estate was settled.
1887: Mrs. Burr
50. 57 Main Street
An early deed (X-2-99, April 1, 1829) refers to this as "the Granny Hull lot where David H. Brown now lives and is owned by William Woodhull."
1854: Sold to Abraham Van Doren who built threshing machines at 76 Main Street
1868: A. Van Doren
1887: A. Berry
1899: J.B. Berry, dry goods and groceries. This was later American Stores, David Saslow, manager.
51. 71 Main Street
James Topping, cabinet maker, lived here for the first quarter of the 19th century and operated his shop across the road. When he sold to William W. Hedges in 1829 (X-2-99), the property is "called the Compton lot" and is described as 3/4 acre lying between the Granny Hull lot and the Red House lot.
1868: G. Headon
1887: George Heddon, blacksmith shop on the space to the west.
Billy Dee, bookkeeper and delivery man for Tredway's meat market, opened a shop in his parents' home (destroyed) which stood between 75 and 85 Main Street. He sold newspapers and kept the post office. Sometime after 1918 he moved to this location and continued as newsdealer, selling candy and peanuts.
He was county freeholder, 1913-16, but is best remembered as a baseball pitcher. He invented the curve ball in 1881.
52. 75 Main Street
In 1871 Isabella Skellenger bought 3,837 sq. ft. for $1,000 (0-8-392), part of the Red House lot, and erected a boarding house and restaurant to serve the miners.
1897: Howell's general store was on the left with long distance telephone exchange room in the rear.
Skellenger's restaurant was on the right
53. 85 Main Street
"DARING ROBBERY" here reported in the Palladium of Liberty, July 15, 1817, when William Hunt was robbed of his surtout coat in the dead of night.
The Red House which gave its name to this parcel of 1 acre and 8 poles stood in the open space. Peter Hueston lived there and tended the store at the nearby Old Tavern site. The Red House lot was sold in 1829 by John C. Corwin to Nathan C. Hunt (XX-2-61).
When the shop was renovated in the 1960's by the present owner, he found rought hewn beam construction laid on stone supports.
1868: S.H. Hunt's store
1887: Mrs. Hedges; office, Chester Highland Mining Company
54. 87 Main Street
Built in 1878 by Jim Burr for Dr. Smith Hedges on the western portion of the Old Tavern lot which had a frontage of 3 chains and 31 links (218 ft.) (T-356).
There was a drugstore on the right, now the center, with the postal telegraph office behind it.
George E. Conover & Son, paint and wallpaper store, was on the left with a printing press in the rear.
55. 107 (105) Main Street
October 12, 1736: Benjamin Luse purchased acreage in the Black River area. By 1744 he was operating a tavern on this site, at the intersection of the tow "Great Roads" across New Jersey.
By 1760 Thomas Fairclo, from Long or German Valley, was the owner. He served as a private during the Revolution, but his son was a Tory and fled to Canada. After Thomas' death, his son Isaiah returned to Chester and operated the tavern.
After the Washing Turnpike was established and the Brick Hotel catered to the travelers, this building became a store - 14 different owners in 150 years.
The building was moved back on the lot, the front section built on, and then the old part was demolished for a parking lot. The library moved here in 1959.