INTRODUCTION

This stroll through the old village of Chester will take about an hour. Start at the First Congregational church (#1) on Hillside Road behind the Publick House (#4).

References are made to the Beer's Atlas map of 1868 and the Robertson's Atlas map of 1887 for property owners on those dates. Over 200 buildings shown on the 1868 map are still standing. Five structures, the Cooper Grist Mill, the Publick House, The First Congregational Church, the Cooper Masion and the Merchiston Farm (Bamboo Brook) are listed in both the State and National Registers of Historic Sites.

The information concerning the residents is taken largely from Frances Greenidge's book Chester, New Jersey, A Scrapbook of History published by the Chester Historical Society.

This guide was originally prepared by Jean Dabrowski and Carmen Smith as a Bicentennial project. This is the 6th Edition of the Stroll and the Chester Historical Society gratefully acknowledges the help and support from members and advertisers.

Print out this tour and the Guide Map to begin your "Stroll through the Old Villlage of Chester N.J." or if you prefer you may purchase this guide through the Chester Historical Society.

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)

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.