The Historic and Lovely Town of Belvidere, New Jersey
Belvidere, New Jersey
Belvidere considers itself “the best-kept secret in New Jersey”.
No more! It is a lovely town with more Victorians per square mile than any other in New Jersey. Every year they have a Victorian Day. This year it will be on Saturday, September 7th.
Table of Contents
According to Belvidere Heritage:
Most New Jersey towns created before 1800 were unplanned with irregular street patterns. Usually situated on major roads or waterways, these villages grew in random manner. Belvidere, the first county seat erected in New Jersey on a new site after 1800 was laid out in a clear rectangular fashion with a central public square which faced the courthouse. Plotted as early as 1799, the land for the square and the public buildings was donated in 1825 by entrepreneur Garret Wall of Trenton.
Dwellings on the perimeter of the Belvidere Historic District are basically vernacular structures dating from 1875-1900. The name Belvidere itself is reminiscent of classical revivalism which was quite popular in the early 19th century. Actually, the term Belvidere is of Italian derivation and translates into “place having a beautiful view.” This was probably the literal meaning for Warren County’s seat of government, which was described in the late 18th century as having a spectacular view; all the way to Philadelphia on a clear day.
The Historic District
The pretty little town of Belvidere, New Jersey has a long history going back hundreds of years.
The historic district is fun to walk around. The district contains 228 contributing buildings.
According to The National Park Service historic district nomination form:
Belvidere, as a County Seat, stands out among the other county governments in New Jersey. No other county seat in the state so ably projects a total feeling of the 19th century when dispersing through the streets of the district.
The area surrounding the public square has primarily substantial residential structures of the period 1825-1875.
The commercial region is generally confined within Front, Mill, Market, and Prospect Streets along the Pequest River and contains commercial edifices dating from a period generally later (1850-1900) than the public square area. Also within this region are numerous small-scale industrial structures, including a grist mill, a cotton factory, and an agricultural hardware manufacturer.
Twin Mills
First up are The Twin Mills of Belvidere: The Major Robert Hoops and the Red Frame Mill.
The Robert Hoops Mill was built in 1790 by Hoops to produce felt, but was later converted to a gristmill.
The Red Frame Mill was also a gristmill but owned by someone else.
As a Belvidere, NJ website says:
For many years in the 1900’s, the mill and the adjacent Red Frame Mill were both operating simultaneously and independently of each other as feed mills.
I love the little matching mailbox in front. At least that’s what I think it is.
Hotel Belvidere
Hotel Belvidere is a famous landmark in Belvidere.
According to the Hotel Belvidere website:
Hotel Belvidere is a historic, family-owned and operated hotel nestled in the quaint, cozy, rural community of Belvidere, NJ. Established in 1831, the hotel has recently undergone thorough renovations.
Warren County Courthouse and War Memorial
The county courthouse was built in 1826 in Belvidere.
Big murder trials and public hangings took place at this historic courthouse.
A sign in front of the Courthouse says:
Built in 1826. Location of early sensational trials and public hangings. It’s present colonial appearance retained in 1959-1960 restoration.
Adjacent to the courthouse is the county War Memorial, dedicated in 1998:
On November 11, 1998, the Warren County War Memorial was dedicated and presented to the people of Warren County. Located next to the Warren County Courthouse at the corner of Second and Mansfield streets in Belvidere, the War Memorial consists of three panels of black granite, quarried in India. On them are inscribed the names of the 287 men and two women from Warren County who lost their lives or are listed as missing in action while on active duty in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.
Country Gate Playhouse
Country Gate Playhouse has presented live theater for over 50 years.
According to their website:
Country Gate Players is a non-profit, year-round live theater, producing a diverse annual season of five main-stage productions. The 200-seat playhouse is located in charming, victorian Belvidere, NJ in a converted 1930’s art deco movie theater.
Founded in 1972, CGP is dedicated to providing quality theater and arts education to the local community and is the oldest established arts organization in Warren County. Over its forty-three year history, hundreds of local artists have performed for thousands of community audiences. Country Gate draws audiences from NJ, PA, and NY and is known for quality productions at reasonable ticket prices.
A River Runs Through It
The Pequest River runs through Belvidere and surrounding towns.
You may remember the Pequest River from my posts about Pequest Trout Hatchery and Hot Dog Johnny’s.
Garret D. Wall Park Is The Town Square
Garret D. Wall Park is the lovely town square of Belvidere.
Lovely homes and churches surround the old-fashioned village square.
According to the sign:
In 1824 Garret Wall presented the land which “is always to be kept and continued open as a public square, walk, promenade for the free common and uninterrupted use of the county of Warren forever.”
Episcopal Church of St. Luke & St. Mary:
The Shoe Tree Oak
The Shoe Tree Oak is over 300 years old and is located not far from the town square and the surrounding churches.
According to the Warren County Historical Society website:
The Shoe Tree is a 350 year old , white oak tree that stands approximately 80 feet tall, with a circumference of 15 feet, according to www.waymarking.com/exceptional trees, posted October 19, 2008. White oaks are native to the eastern half of the United States.
The sign next to the tree says:
Barefoot country folk sat under this tree to put on shoes before going to worship across the village green.
Further Reading
Check out my other posts!
First Presbyterian Church of Oxford at Hazen and the Spooky Graveyard 2023 | Belvidere, New Jersey
Pequest Trout Hatchery | Oxford, New Jersey
Hot Dog Johnny’s | Buttzville, New Jersey
Littell-Lord Farmstead | Berkeley Heights, New Jersey
The Historic Cooper Gristmill | Chester Township, New Jersey
Evergreens (Charles Schultz House | Montclair, New Jersey
Holsten’s Ice Cream Parlor (famous from The Sopranos) | Bloomfield, New Jersey
Bendix Diner | Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey
Positively New Jersey! | Television
Morley Safer and Modern Art | Television
and my posts from my other blog, The Literary Lioness!
Top 10 Books on My Fall 2023 Reading List
Diary of a Mad Housewife by Sue Kaufman | Book Review
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath | Book Review
Cassandra at the Wedding by Dorothy Baker | Book Review
Thanks for visiting New Jersey Memories!
2 Comments
Wendy
Thanks for the awesome “tour” of this quaint town.
New Jersey Memories
Thank you so much! Thanks for visiting. 🙂