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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
MORRISTOWN, 35.1 miles (400 alt., 15,197 pop.)
(see MORRISTOWN).
Points of Interest. Morristown National Historical Park (Ford Mansion, Museum,
Fort Nonsense, Jockey Hollow), Dr. Jabez Campfield House, and others.
At 35.3 miles is the junction with State 24 (see Tour 10).
At 38.7 miles is (R) the KEMBLE E HOUSE (private), built in 1750 by
Peter Kemble, a noted Tory. It housed many leading figures of the Revolution and served as headquarters for General Wayne while his troops
were stationed at jockey Hollow. Much of the original character of the
house has been lost by remodeling.
At 38.9 miles is the junction with a macadam road.
Right on this road to JOCKEY HOLLOW, 1 miles, a part of MORRISTOWN
NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK
(see MORRISTOWN).
The section southwest of Morristown is known as the Mount Kemble
district. Once covered by the great estates of the nineteenth century, it has
largely been subdivided by real estate companies.
Two old buildings stand on each side of the road at the crossing of
Passaic River, 40.7 miles. They are the VAN DOREN MILL (R) and OLD
MILL INN (L). Massive in its solid masonry, the mill has been owned
and operated by the Van Doren family since 1842, when it was rebuilt to
take the place of a smaller building erected in 1768. It was this mill, it is
said, that ground the grist for Continental Army messes when Washington
was encamped at jockey Hollow. The story runs that the present building's foundation was dug by a tramp in return for bed, board and tobacco;
neighboring farmers and their sons cleared the ground of stones, and
masons received 50¢ a day for their work. The $5,000 cost to the Van
Dorens was cleared in the first year of operation. The mill still runs at a
profit, providing flour for neighbors and visitors.
Old Mill Inn, across the road, is the reconstruction of a barn that stood
close by the mill. It advertises itself as "quaint yet modern," and draws its
tea-shop clientele from well-to-do tourists and residents of nearby towns.
At 40.8 miles, just south of Passaic River, is the junction with a macadam
road.
Left on this road is BASKING RIDGE, 1.1 miles (360 alt., 1,500 pop.), which
received its name from early 18th-century settlers who had seen wild animals come
up from the lowlands to bask in the sun. It was at WHITE'S TAVERN here that Gen.
Charles Lee, second only to Washington in the Revolutionary Army, was taken
prisoner by the British after he had disobeyed Washington's order to rejoin the
main body of the army 2 miles away. The village has a LOG CHURCH, built by
Scotch Presbyterians in 1717, and the usual spot-in this instance under a great
OAK, said to be 500 years old-where Washington stopped to eat lunch.
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