 |  | |
 |
|  |
 |  | |
| | |
|
| |
| | |
|
|
Originally published in 1939
Some of this information may no longer be current and in that case is presented for historical interest only.
Edited by GET NJ, COPYRIGHT 2003
CHESTER, 30.7 miles (860 alt., 620 POP.), is a leisurely little town with
a wide, short Main St. and a few stores. The CHESTER HOUSE (R), now a
hotel, was the first brick building erected in the town. It was built by
Zephaniah Drake in 1812. Chester's first settlers, arriving in 1713, were
attracted by the industrial possibilities offered by the waters of the Black
River. They built sawmills, gristmills, and distilleries; later, woolen- and
threshing-machine factories were established, and until 1890 iron mines
operated in the midst of this peach-orchard area. They are all gone.
Chester is at the junction with US 206 (see Tour 6).
At 32.3 miles, where the highway crosses the Black River, is the junction
with a hard-surfaced road.
Left on this twisting road to HACKLEBARNEY STATE PARK, 1 mile, 137 acres of
hemlock, mature hardwood, dogwood, laurel, and azalea. The gorge of Black River,
a good trout stream, runs through the park amid flowering shrubs and ferns. Although the park has no roads, it is well covered by trails for hikers and is equipped
with fireplaces for picnicking. A parking area for automobiles is at the entrance. In
early days the land was owned by an Irish settler named Barney Hackle.
The road takes a steep winding course uphill, and at 33.8 miles dips into
Long Valley where the slopes are a patchwork quilt of fields and woodland. To the west are the white houses that make up the village of Long
Valley, at the foot of Schooleys Mt.
|
|
|
Return To |
|
|
