Potterstown, New Jersey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Potterstown, New Jersey
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Former hotel, listed on the National Register of Historic Places
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 Potterstown, New Jersey
Location in Hunterdon County, New Jersey
Potterstown, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Potterstown, New Jersey
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  New Jersey |
| County | Hunterdon |
| Township | Clinton and Readington |
| Elevation | 259 ft (79 m) |
| GNIS feature ID | 879464 |
Potterstown is a small community located in Hunterdon County, New Jersey. It's not a separate town but an unincorporated community. This means it's part of two larger areas: Clinton and Readington townships. Potterstown is known for its interesting history and old buildings.
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A Look Back in Time
Potterstown got its name from a pottery shop that used to be there. Long ago, it was a busy place. You could find taverns, a blacksmith, a store, and a wheelwright shop. A wheelwright made and fixed wheels for wagons and carriages.
In 1806, a major road called the New Jersey Turnpike was built through Potterstown. This road connected Easton, Pennsylvania to New Brunswick, New Jersey. Stagecoaches used this route to travel between towns.
An important person named Aray Van Guinea, who was a free African-American, gave land for a church. This church was for the German Lutheran community. Several important people, like Robert Livingston and Lord Stirling, once owned land here.
Revolutionary War Connection
During the American Revolutionary War, a local officer named John Taylor built a house and a mill in Potterstown. This mill was very important. It helped provide food for the soldiers fighting in the war. Today, Taylor's Mill might even become a new museum for Readington Township.
Potterstown's Historic District
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Potterstown Rural Historic District
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| Location | Along Potterstown and Halls Mill Roads and I-78 |
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| Area | 453 acres (183 ha) |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Colonial, Italianate, Victorian |
| NRHP reference No. | 92000806 |
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| Added to NRHP | July 2, 1992 |
The Potterstown Rural Historic District is a special area that protects the community's history. It covers about 453 acres. This district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1992. It's important because of its unique architecture and how it shows the community's growth over time.
The district includes 26 buildings, 8 sites, and 4 structures that help tell its story. These are called "contributing" elements because they add to the historical value of the area.
Historic Buildings to See
Potterstown has several interesting old buildings. The former hotel at 11 Potterstown Road was built in the mid-1800s. It shows the Victorian style of that time. The old Potterstown Store also dates back to the mid-1800s.
Another important building is the Cold Brook School. It was built in 1828. Today, this old schoolhouse is a Readington Township Museum. You can visit it to learn about what school was like long ago.
Gallery
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Entrance to Potterstown
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Former Potterstown Store
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Cold Brook School
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Former wheelwright shop
