Headquarters, New Jersey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Headquarters, New Jersey
|
|
|---|---|
Stone House on Rosemont-Ringoes Road
|
|
 Headquarters, New Jersey
Location in Hunterdon County, New Jersey
Headquarters, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Headquarters, New Jersey
Location in the United States
|
|
| Country |  United States |
| State |  New Jersey |
| County | Hunterdon |
| Township | Delaware |
| Elevation | 276 ft (84 m) |
| Time zone | UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−04:00 (EDT) |
| GNIS feature ID | 877026 |
Headquarters is a small community located in Delaware Township in Hunterdon County, New Jersey. It's called an "unincorporated community" because it doesn't have its own separate local government, but is part of the larger township. Headquarters is nestled in the beautiful Amwell Valley.
The community is found where Zentek Road meets County Route 604 (also known as Rosemont-Ringoes Road). It's about 3 miles east of Ringoes and 1 mile west of Sergeantsville. A special part of Headquarters, called the Headquarters Historic District, was recognized for its historical importance in 2011 and expanded in 2016.
Contents
Exploring the History of Headquarters
Headquarters has a rich history, especially around its old grist mill. A grist mill is a place where grain like wheat or corn is ground into flour.
The Historic Grist Mill
The first grist mill in Headquarters was built way back in 1735 by John Opdycke. It was located along the Caponockons Creek, which flows into the Neshanic River. This mill was one of the very first in all of Hunterdon County. The mill building you see today was built in 1754 on the same spot. It was later rebuilt again in 1877 by John A. Carrell. The mill was a very important part of the community for many years, helping local farmers, but it eventually closed down in the early 1900s.
How Headquarters Got Its Name
The community gets its unique name from a local story. People believe that George Washington, a famous general during the American Revolutionary War, used the stone house built here in 1758 as his "headquarters" for a few days. This means he might have stayed there and directed his troops from that spot.
Protecting the Past: The Historic District
In the 1980s, Delaware Township decided to protect the historic parts of Headquarters. They created a historic area to prevent a major road (CR 604) from being widened, which would have changed the historic feel of the community.
Headquarters Historic District: A Closer Look
|
Headquarters Historic District
|
|
House at 402 Rosemont-Ringoes Road, part of the historic district
|
|
| Location | Zentek Road and Rosemont-Ringoes Road |
|---|---|
| Nearest city | Sergeantsville, New Jersey |
| Area | 22.5 acres (9.1 ha) |
| Built | 1735 |
| Architectural style | Georgian, Colonial Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 11000447 (original) 15000798 (increase) |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | July 14, 2011 |
| Boundary increase | February 8, 2016 |
The Headquarters Historic District is a special area that covers about 22.5 acres of the community. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 14, 2011. This means it's recognized nationally for its important architecture, its role in local industry, and how the community developed between 1735 and 1929.
What Makes the District Special?
The district includes several important buildings and structures that tell the story of Headquarters. These are called "contributing buildings" or "contributing structures" because they add to the historical value of the area. The district was expanded on February 8, 2016, to include the mill pond and dam, adding about 5.5 acres to the original 17 acres.
Notable Buildings in the District
- Headquarters House: Located at 6 Zentek Road, this house was built in 1758, likely by John Opdycke. It shows a style called Georgian architecture, which was popular in the 1700s, with some later Victorian decorations.
- House at 402 Rosemont-Ringoes Road: This house was built sometime between 1800 and 1840. It features Colonial Revival architecture, a style that became popular later and brought back elements of older colonial designs.
Images for kids
-
Headquarters House and grist mill in the distance, on Zentek Road
-
House by the intersection of Rosemount-Ringoes and Zentek roads
,_Headquarters,_NJ.jpg)
