Area Information

The Chathams, named for William Pitt are located in the Watchung Hills of eastern Morris County. The Chathams, split into Chatham Borough and Chatham Township in the late 1800s are quite different. A colonial town that in the mid 19th century attracted commuters and in the late 19th century became, with Madison, a center for rose growers. A stroll down Main Street reveals many restored and converted buildings, as well as more modern facilities. While the borough occupies approximately 2.3 miles and is described as having a village feel, the Township, which is more spread out, approximately 9.1 miles, has no equivalent of Main Street and businesses are located mostly at Hickory Tree Mall.

A wide variety of housing options are available, including Capes, Victorians, and colonials, apartments and condominiums. The Township features newer homes on larger lots and several condominium developments, while the borough is nestled in tree-lined streets with lush green lawns and beautiful older homes.

A colonial town, Madison, named after the fourth President of the United States, became a spot favored by wealthy commuters in the early 19th century. For many years Madison was known as the Rose Capital of the country, a huge industry having developed out of what had begun as a hobby of the rich. Today, an affluent residential community, Madison has become a haven for executives and businessmen who customarily commute to NYC via train and bus.

Home to Drew University, Farleigh Dickinson University and St. Elizabeth's College, Madison offers many cultural opportunities not generally found in towns of this size, approximately 4.10 square miles. Madison has more than 100 acres of parks and public lands for recreational use. There are a wide variety of housing alternatives ranging from older Victorians to condominiums.

The Borough of Florham Park is located in southeastern Morris County, first settled in the late 1600s as a farming area. In 1817 its bisection by the Newark and Morris Turnpike brought an influx of residents and businesses, including the making of whisky and bricks, as well as the broom industry, which gave Florham Park its nickname: Broomtown.

The Little Red Schoolhouse, official emblem of the Borough is a reminder of its roots as a colonial settlement. While no longer used as a school (built in 1866) it represents continuity amid change. The building, now a museum opened to the public, has remained a visible symbol of traditional values.

Florham Park is known for its community spirit, civic pride and involvement.

Located in the Watchung Mountains, Berkeley Heights was settled in the 18th century but not so named until 1952. After a railroad spur reached it in the 1870s, it became a popular resort and vacation area. Now a residential suburb, the township experienced a dramatic increase in population after World War II.

Centered around Cataract Hollow Road, within the Watchung Reservation is Feltville, an 1840s mill village, known as Deserted Village. Intended as a model mill town by its founder, the mill village went through several changes of ownership and in the 1800s was transformed into a resort community known as Glenside Park. Now county owned, it is being restored to reflect its appearance as Glenside in 1882.

At the Bell Telephone Laboratories, part of Lucent Technologies, the transistor was developed and TELSTAR launched in 1962 was built. The oldest building here dates from the 1940s and represents one of the first examples of a research laboratory moving to the suburbs. At this facility is an apple tree said to be grafted from the tree in Newtons orchard, and copper from the roof was used to repair the Statue of Liberty.

New Providence was originally part of a large tract of land purchased by the Elizabethtown Associates from the Indians. Settlers came to this area as early as 1720 and until 1750 was known as Turkey.

The first church in New Providence was organized in 1737 and services were held in an old log meeting house. In 1750, during a church meeting, the balcony floor gave way; the people seated fell through and landed on those below. Miraculously, no one was killed or seriously injured. So grateful for this act of God's divine providence, the people renamed the village New Providence.

Long Hill Township is a rapidly expanding residential community which has managed to retain its many rural characteristics.  Approximately 50 percent of the Township remains undeveloped with portions of this land lying within the Great Swamp Wildlife Preserve.  In addition, the Long Hill Mountain Ridge traverses the Township and offers spectacular views of the surrounding countryside.

This 12.1 square-mile township was first settled in the early 1700's by Scotch Presbyterians. It was later the site of cigar factories, and silk and grist mills. Today there are few industries in Long Hill Township, and the town is characterized by new subdivisions of colonial, split level and ranch homes built beside stately older homes, some as old as 250 years.

Two major east-west roads connect the township's four population centers; I-78 and Route 22 / Stirling, Millington, Gillette, and Meyersville.  Bus service and the New Jersey Transit Railroad offer residents commutation throughout the metropolitan area.

Harding Township is a picturesque community set amidst the rolling hills of Morris County and named for the 29th President of the United States.  The town center is the quaint village of New Vernon, which comprises an auto service dealer branch, delicatessen, post office, real estate and miscellaneous offices, and an historic Presbyterian church.  The township is noted for its expansive estates, fox hunts, bridle paths and horse farms. 

County roads have helped maintain Harding's rural character. These same roads continue to retain the picturesque elements of the past; Bailey's Mill Road, Pleasant Plains Road, Featherbed Lane, Red Gate Road, and Sand Spring Road are a few.  Most roadways are bordered by open fields and woodlands, although approximately 31 percent of the township's vacant lands are suitable for development.

On the west and south, Harding includes most of the acreage found the in Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, and it also encompasses part of the Jockey Hollow portion of the Morristown National Historical Park.  Also located within the township's limits are portions of two Morris County parks, a year-round lake community and a lake for resident ice skating.