The THSSH Archives contain a wonderful record book from The Somerset Water Company with the original stock certificates issued by this early public utility and its successor, the Bedminster Water Company. Seventy-six beautifully engraved certificates are filed alongside their issue stubs. See certificates and catalog record including name index. High-quality images are available on request.
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The Hillandale mansion was designed by architect Grosvenor Atterbury for George Rudolf Mosle and completed in 1906. The main mansion measured 130 feet by 45 feet and was constructed of stone, brick and steel with a tile roof. Notice the “roof tree” on the ridge placed by workmen for good luck. The estate totaled 620
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After World War II, Soap Box derbies became a common form of family entertainment for many towns including Peapack-Gladstone and Bernardsville, NJ. The competition was open to youngsters, who constructed a “coaster car” powered by gravity. A standard kit provided the wheels and basic hardware. Ruth Hill Thomson, local historian and writer, collected a group
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The Peapack-Gladstone First Aid Squad received a new LaSalle ambulance in 1941. The Somerset Hills American Legion, Post 216, officially donated the vehicle at a dinner on March 31, 1941. The Basking Ridge Rescue Squad also acquired a LaSalle ambulance around this time. These acquisitions and coordination between area squads soon allowed Somerset Hospital in
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A cookbook compiled by staff and guests at the Kate Macy Ladd Convalescent Home (Natirar) is currently on display at the Brick Academy in Basking Ridge, NJ. Could your relative’s recipe be among the 88 pages? The names of the contributors are indexed at THSSH Online Collections. Check the index to see if this cookbook
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THSSH recently acquired a bridge spike that was part of the Rockaway Valley Railroad. The spike was donated by Peapack and Gladstone and was found in the borough. It measures 10.25” in length and was used to fasten wooden ties to the wood structure of railroad bridges. Bridge spikes are typically longer than the spikes
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If you’re unable to attend the “The Natirar Estate and Kate Macy Ladd Convalescent Home” exhibit at the Brick Academy in Basking Ridge, you can still view the digital version. The physical exhibit premiered November 14 and can be viewed during our monthly open house—the next is Sunday December 1st from 2pm to 4pm. The
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The 1766 map of Somerset County, NJ, by Benjamin Morgan and I. Hills shows many of the early landmarks and settlers of Bedminster Township. Bedminster at that time included the Borough of Peapack and Gladstone (created 1912). The surveyors paid close attention to the rivers and mills, which were key transportation and economic features.
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“Hillandale” on the Mendham Township/Gladstone border was built in 1906 by architect Grosvenor Atterbury for George Rudolf Mosle (1865-1941), who made his fortune in the sugar industry. In 1926, the mansion was sold to the Sisters of St. John the Baptist, the same order who later owned Blairsden in Peapack. The sisters operated an orphanage
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George Ballentine (1845-1912) of Peapack is listed as a farmer on the 1900 and 1910 U.S. censuses but also had a business selling lime and fencing. Lime was used by farmers as a fertilizer and was produced in great quantity in Peapack as evidenced by the Moses Craig Lime Kilns on Main Street. Charles P.
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