Hampton Township Historical Society, Inc.
Dedicated to Discovering, Preserving and Promoting the Heritage of our Community
"The valley of the Paulinskill is a beautiful stretch of landscape set within gracefully towering elevations, from who's heights the eye may feast upon pictorial nature with delightful satisfaction." Snell's History of Hampton
Did you know?
Hampton Township is named for Jonathan Hampton, an early
Sussex County citizen, who donated the land for the Sussex County Courthouse.
Hampton Township comprises an area of 29 square miles,
covers 19,000 acres, and stretches 9 miles at its widest point.
The rock in the township is predominantly limestone which has created several
unusual geologic formations. Rare and unusual plants and animals make
their homes in our scenic community.
The Paulinskill River, which flows through Hampton Township, is
the largest contributor to the Delaware River in the state of New Jersey.
The habitation of this area by Native Americans dates back to
5000 BC.
The Lorenzo Home was built more that 240 years ago by Andrew
Merring, one of the township's earliest settlers.
On Cherry Lane (near Hampton Commons) there is a monument to an
unknown soldier from the Continental Army.
A Stagecoach inn and tavern, now a private dwelling, still stands
on Route 519 across the road from one of our township's one-room school houses.
There were 4 one-room school houses in Hampton Township, 3 of
which still stand today and serve as homes.
The Baleville Congregational Church was established in
Branchville in 1826 and was built in 1846 on 3/4 of an acre purchased for $25.00
from the Bale brothers on April 9, 1846.
Hampton Township separated from Newton and was incorporated on
March 10, 1864.
Hampton Township has been the sight of several mills, including
one located near the twin bridges that produced gunstocks for use in the Civil
War.
Farming was once the main occupation in Hampton Township.
Dairy farms were common and apple orchards flourished on the hillsides.
The Creamery, once located on Rt. 626 Halsey Road, was the site
of a railroad depot to which farmers could bring their milk for shipment.
Trains used to travel along what later became the bed for the
natural gas pipeline and is today a 27 mile nature trail winding through the
township.
At one time the train left the elevated track, crossed the
Paulinskill River to pick up mill products, and then chugged its way back up the
hill to its bed. The pylons from the former track still stand in the
river. An icehouse was also built on this site.
Baleville was a thriving community with its own post office.
Meetings
are held the last Friday of every month at 7:30 p.m. in the Hampton Community
Center (The old municipal building).
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
Annual Membership fees:
Single - $15.00
Family - $25.00
(Family includes children under 18 years of age)
Lifetime - $100.00
Please send Name, Address, City, State, Zip, and Phone number with your check made payable to Hampton Township Historical Society Inc. to:
Hampton Township Historical Society Inc.
Post Office Box 350
Branchville, New Jersey 07826