Historic Morris County: How It All Began

Written By: Morris County Tourism Bureau, 2011

Sometimes a trip is more than a trip it’s an adventure! An 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 stones 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 1700s while it was known as the British Province of New Jersey.

Morris 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 the Continental Army. Much of the history of these encampments is preserved today at Morristown National Historical Park.

The Industrial Revolution of Morris County

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. The telegraph was perfected in Morris County 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, 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.

The Gilded Age of Morris County

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 introduction of the federal income tax and the Stock Market Crash of 1929, sounded the death knell for the large estates. Throughout the 1930s and 1940’s the impressive mansions that lined Madison Avenues “Millionaires Row” were demolished to avoid rising property taxes and upkeep expenses.

Morris County Today

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!