History of Randolph, NJ
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History of Randolph,New Jersey:
The town was inhabited by the Lenni Lenape Native Americans. In 1713, New Jerseys first iron mine was registered and located in Randolph. The iron mines in the township supplied the Revolutionary forces with necessary ore for tools and weapons. The iron industry thrived for the next 200 yearsand played an important part in the development of Randolph.
The town was settled by Quakers. Randolph’s beginnings predate the creation of Morris County, New Jersey. Hartshorne Fitz-Randolph bought 1,000 acres (4 km²) of what would become the township in the Mine Hill area in 1753. The town was a supply point for George Washington‘s army during their winter in nearby Jockey Hollow.
Randolphwas incorporated as a township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on January 1, 1806, from portions of Mendham Township. Portions of the township were taken on April 1, 1869, to create Dover Town within the township, which became an independent municipality in 1896. Other portions of the township were taken to create Port Oram (June 26, 1895, now Wharton), Mine Hill Township (March 2, 1923) and Victory Gardens (June 20, 1951).
There are several sections of Randolph, including Mount Freedom, Center Grove, Fernbrook, Ironia, and Shongum. Randolph Township’s 22 square miles (57 km2) in western MorrisCounty have been designated half rural, half suburban by the New Jersey State Planning Commission. Situated upstream of the Black River, the South branch of the Raritan River, the Whippany River, and the Rockaway River, the hills of Randolph attracted settlers and its streams provided power for industry.
Randolphbecame a vacation haven in the early part of the 20th century, known for its woods, ponds, lakes and air. Through the 1950’s, farms, large hotels and bungalow colonies dotted the community. Performers like Phil Silvers, and Frank Sinatra appeared at the hotels. Boxers Max Baer, Floyd Patterson, James J. Braddock and Rocky Marciano trained or fought at the Saltz Hotel.
Randolph Township highlighted in Morris County. Inset map: Morris County highlighted in the State of New Jersey
Census Bureau map of Randolph, New Jersey
