Raritan–Readington South Branch Historic District facts for kids
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Raritan–Readington South Branch Historic District
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Former Garabrant Farmstead
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 Location in Hunterdon County, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Location in the United States
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| Location | River Road between New Jersey Route 31 and U.S. Route 202, Raritan Township, New Jersey |
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| Nearest city | Flemington, New Jersey |
| Area | 556 acres (225 ha) |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Georgian, Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 89002410 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | January 26, 1990 |
The Raritan–Readington South Branch Historic District is a special area in Hunterdon County, New Jersey. It covers about 556 acres, which is like 420 football fields! This district is important because it has many old buildings and places that tell us about the past. It stretches along River Road, between New Jersey Route 31 and U.S. Route 202, near the town of Flemington.
Most of this historic area is on the west side of the South Branch Raritan River in Raritan Township. A smaller part is on the east side of the river in Readington Township. Two county roads, County Route 523 and County Route 612, also go through the northern part of the district. Inside this district, you'll find small communities like Holcomb Mills, Flemington Junction, and Rockefellows Mills.
This historic district was added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 26, 1990. It's recognized for its amazing old buildings, its role in local politics, how people traveled long ago, and how the area was first settled. The district includes 36 important buildings, four structures, and three sites that help tell its story. One very special place, the John Reading Farmstead, was already listed as a historic site before the district was created.
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What Makes This District Special?
This historic district is like a time capsule! It shows us how people lived, worked, and built things many years ago. The buildings here have different styles, like Greek Revival, Georgian, and Federal. These styles were popular in different periods of American history.
Exploring Important Buildings and Sites
Many places within the Raritan–Readington South Branch Historic District have their own unique stories. They help us understand the history of New Jersey.
The John Reading Farmstead: A Governor's Home
The John Reading Farmstead is one of the oldest and most important places in the district. It was built in 1760. This house belonged to John Reading, who was a very important person. He served as the governor of the Province of New Jersey from 1757 to 1758, long before New Jersey became a state!
Flemington Junction Station: A Hub for Travel
The Flemington Junction station was built around 1885 by the Lehigh Valley Railroad. This train station was a busy spot where people and goods traveled by train. It shows how important railroads were for connecting towns and helping businesses grow in the late 1800s.
Rockafellows Mill Bridge: A Historic Crossing
The Rockafellows Mill Bridge is a unique one-lane bridge that crosses the South Branch Raritan River. It was built in 1900 by a company called the Wrought Iron Bridge Company from Canton, Ohio. This bridge is a great example of how bridges were built over a hundred years ago.
Gallery
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John Reading Farmstead, a historic photo from 1963
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The Flemington Junction station in 1895
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The Rockafellows Mill Bridge
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The former Atkinson-Case-Quick Farmstead
