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Sometimes a trip is more than a trip—it's an adventure!
A brief escape from our daily routine and an opportunity to discover
something new and to explore. It's about embracing and enjoying unique
experiences, some of which can be found a stone’s throw away on a
weekend... by car!
Rich in historic lore, tradition, and awaiting your exploration is
Morris County! Located approximately 30 miles northwest of New York
City, the area was originally inhabited by the Lenape Indians and
then settled by New Englanders of European origin in the early 1700’s
while it was known as the British Province of New Jersey.
The county was formed by an Act of the State Legislature on March
15, 1738. Named after Colonel Lewis Morris, then Governor of the
Province of New Jersey, the region originally included what are now
the counties of Morris, Sussex and Warren. Several years after its
founding, the community of West or New Hanover was renamed "Morris Town" and
designated the county seat of government.
During the Revolutionary War and down to today, Morristown has been known as The Military Capital of the American Revolution, as it played host during two winter encampments by General George Washington and his Continental Army. Much of the history of these encampments is preserved today at Morristown National
Historical Park.
In the years following the Revolutionary War, Morris County became
a leader in the iron ore mining and fabrication industry. It was
in Morristown that the steam boiler and some of the machinery for
the S.S. Savannah, the first steamship to cross the Atlantic Ocean,
and parts of the first American locomotive were manufactured, and
the telegraph perfected by Samuel F. B. Morse and Alfred Vail. In
fact, the old barn in which the two men conducted their experiments
and sent the first message "A patient waiter is no loser”, still
stands.
In 1831, the Morris Canal, conceived and developed by Morristown resident George
P. Macculloch, was begun. Crossing the state from Phillipsburg to Newark, a distance of 102 miles, it played a major role in the movement of iron ore, coal and freight from mines to factories, and made Morris County an important transportation center.
The Morris County iron industry faced ruin when iron ore was discovered near Lake Superior in Michigan where it could be mined more cheaply. As the population of the county grew and the methods of transportation improved, new industries sprang up throughout the county, many using the iron ore as raw materials for finished products. By 1900 the nation's business and financial leaders, seeking escape from New York City, discovered Morris County (which was renowned for its isolation, ideal climate and unspoiled countryside) and began constructing large country estates. Within a few years, more millionaires lived within a three-mile radius of the Morristown Green than anywhere else in the United States.
These magnificent estates were numerous enough to fill the pages
of a pre-World War I vintage picture book entitled Beautiful Homes
of Morris County, boasting the most opulent homes of moguls such
as Otto H. Kahn, Charles Mellon and the Frelinghuysens. Sadly,
the reinstatement of the federal income tax and the Stock Market
Crash of 1929, sounded the death knell for the large estates. Throughout
the 1930's and 1940's the impressive mansions that lined Madison
Avenue’s "Millionaires Row" were demolished to avoid rising property
taxes and upkeep expenses.
Since the turn of the century, the character of industry in Morris County has changed from iron mining and manufacturing to research, pharmaceuticals and communications. In the same fashion, the character of the land itself has changed from agricultural to residential. Beautiful homes and gardens predominate, both in housing developments, many of them located on the estates of former millionaires, to small country estates.
Today, Morris County is a fast-growing county in the tri-state
area and combines unsurpassed natural beauty and charming suburban
living with proximity to great metropolitan areas. New Jersey's
seventh largest county now boasts notable museums, outstanding
forums for the arts, exquisite gardens, parks and outdoor recreation,
multimillion-dollar shopping centers and exceptional air, rail
and bus transportation services that serve thousands of commuters
daily. From such humble origins, this great county arose. We
invite you to explore our beloved area where the past beckons,
the music flourishes, the food is award-winning and the scenery
and festivals are spectacular! Whether you’re a history
buff, an outdoor enthusiast or a lover of the arts, come experience
the Great Weekend Getaway destination known as Morris County!
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