Road Up Raritan Historic District facts for kids
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Road Up Raritan Historic District
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 Location in Middlesex County, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Location in the United States
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| Location | Along River Road, from Ellis Parkway to 899 River Road, Piscataway, New Jersey |
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| Area | 69 acres (28 ha) |
| Architectural style | Italianate, Greek Revival, Colonial Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 97001146 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | September 18, 1997 |
The Road Up Raritan Historic District is a special area along River Road in Piscataway, New Jersey. It's like a time capsule, showing us what life was like long ago! This district is home to several old houses that tell stories from the 18th and 19th centuries. It's located near where the Raritan River was once a busy port called Raritan Landing.
The name "Road Up Raritan" comes from an even older path. This path was first used by the Lenape people, an Indigenous group. Later, during the colonial era, it became a main road that ran right next to the river. Piscataway Township itself is very old. It was created on December 18, 1666, making it one of the first seven townships in East Jersey. This makes Piscataway one of the oldest towns in the entire state!
The historic district includes nine important old homes. These homes are spread out along about 1.2 miles of River Road. Two other famous old houses, the Metlar–Bodine House and the Cornelius Low House, are also very close by.
Historic Homes in the District
This historic district has seven main properties that help tell its story. Two other properties were already recognized as historic before the district was created. These homes show different styles of architecture, like Italianate, Greek Revival, and Colonial Revival.
Exploring the Old Houses
Each house in the district has its own unique history. They were built at different times, from the early 1700s to the mid-1800s. Looking at these homes helps us understand how people lived and built houses many years ago.
| Name | Image | Address | Built Around | Fun Facts |
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| John Field House |  |
625 River Road | c. 1743 | A very old house from the early 1700s. |
| W. Dunham House |  |
649 River Road | c. 1760 | Originally known as a Field House. |
| Isaac Onderdonk House |  |
685 River Road | c. 1750 | This house is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. |
| Lewis Onderdonk House |  |
701 River Road | c. 1841 | Built in the mid-1800s. |
| John Onderdonk House |  |
730 River Road | 1854 | The first official record of this house is from 1854. |
| Richard Field, Jr. House |  |
771 River Road | c. 1832 | Another house from the early 1800s. |
| Matthias Hendricke Smock House |  |
851 River Road | c. 1720 | One of the oldest houses in the district, also on the National Register. |
| Jonathan Smock House |  |
871 River Road | c. 1850 | Built around the middle of the 19th century. |
| Hendrick Smock House |  |
899 River Road | c. 1865 | Also known as the Smock-Voorhees House. |
