Hobart Gap facts for kids
The Hobart Gap is a natural opening or "pass" through the Watchung Mountains in northern New Jersey. It's like a special pathway through the mountains. Today, a road called Route 24 goes through this gap.
This gap was very important during the American Revolutionary War. A German general named Baron Wilhelm von Knyphausen, who was fighting for the British, tried to take control of the Hobart Gap. His plan was to use it to attack the American army's main base in Morristown.
But the American forces, led by General Nathanael Greene, fought back bravely. They stopped the general and his soldiers. Later, the American army, known as the Continental Army, and the New Jersey Militia (local citizen soldiers) defeated them at the Battle of Springfield.
An Ancient Pathway Through the Mountains
For thousands of years, the Hobart Gap has been a very important pathway. Long before cars and roads, Native American people called the Lenape used this pass. It was part of their ancient trail system, known as the Minisink Trail.
The Minisink Trail and the Fishawack River
From the Hobart Gap, the Minisink Trail led to a good spot to cross the Passaic River. The Lenape people called this river the Fishawack. This part of the trail was also a section of a much larger network called the Great Trail. The Lenape used it to travel from their hunting grounds in what is now Sussex County all the way to the Hudson River and beyond.
Modern Roads Follow Old Paths
Today, a big part of that ancient trail has become Route 24. This road goes through the Hobart Gap and connects many towns like Chatham, Madison, Morristown, Mendham, and Chester. In most of these towns, Route 24 is still called Main Street.
In Morristown, which is the main town for the county, the road goes around a central square in the downtown area. Recently, Route 24 was changed a bit to go around the old road. This was done to help keep the historic feel of these old colonial towns. The original part of the path that Route 24 used to follow is now called Route 124.
