Many people have asked why you post all this history stuff on the area you’re calling the Somerset Hills. Well, call it passion. Call it intrigue. Call it local awareness. I think the main reason is that the information wasn’t available whenever I asked a question about the area’s history. I didn’t want to wait to go to the library, and I didn’t have time to go to the local historical society. But I moved to the area and said, “If I’m gonna be a local, I need to learn about the history.” The Somerset Hills is often called the area of the “Landed Gentry,” which gives luster to this historic area.
With names like Mars, Merck, Stevens, Ballentine, Pfizer, Kean, Whitman, and even Former President Trump, the Somerset Hills is full of great estates and mansions. In today’s era of “give it to me now”, we’ve become a bit spoiled regarding information. We want it fast and we want it now. So here it is… my masterpiece, a map showcasing all we’ve learned about where these great mansions of “the gilded age” among what is known as “the blue hills” of Bernardsville, Mendham, Bedminster, and the surrounding area.
Below is our updated creation called a mashup. We take historical information and post it to a Google map so people can click to learn about a property and even visit it if they so choose. The list of properties is below. Please make sure you respect private property.
The New Jersey Historic Village keepsake collection is a wood-painted collectible series honoring historic iconic buildings, properties, and fixtures that are part of the historic fabric of New Jersey’s history. Each keepsake was selected based on community feedback and a voting process. Brooks Betz stated, “We’re excited to see how the public reacts to the next additions to this historic series.” The Mr. Local History Project plans to introduce new keepsakes every year. Sign up to receive updates when the new pieces will become available.
Battle of Somerset County’s Estate Titans – Natirar vs. Blairsden. You decide.
Additional keepsakes will be added to the Somerset Hills collection as part of a multi-year effort to promote and preserve history in the Somerset Hills, including Bedminster, Bernards Twp., Bernardsville, Far Hills, Peapack, and Gladstone. “There are so many great historic icons in the Somerset Hills, and we are excited to launch the keepsake program.
Why Somerset Hills?
The Somerset Hills is a New Jersey area in Somerset County that includes the towns of Bedminster, Basking Ridge/Bernards Township, Bernardsville, Far Hills, and Peapack/Gladstone. Wow, that’s a mouthful. To open up the history of this area on the Internet, we’ve partnered with several non-profit historical societies and local historical efforts to assist their transition to the Internet. However, as it took a long time to create history, it will take a while to bend some minds and get some to understand that the internet is a different way to communicate information.
YouTube Channel
Here’s a fun story prepared by area historian W. Barry Thomson about gargoyles, also known as “Grotesques,” and an architect from Bernardsville named George. B Post. Enjoy.
Please take a look at one of our playlists on our Mr. Local History YouTube Channel, which showcases some of these fantastic mansions.
More Mr. Local History Research
Estate Map Locations:
- Alward Homestead / Alward Farmhouse
- Bedminster Hotel / Howard Hotel / Willie’s Tavern
- Boudinot-Southard-Ross Property
- Coffee House – 1804 House (Private)
- Dr. Henry and Phoebe Vanderveer House
- Essex Hunt Club – Private
- Far Hills Race Meeting Site
- Gladstone Train Station
- Historic District – Basking Ridge,Historic District – Franklin Corners,Historic District –
- Lamington,Historic District – Liberty Corner,Historic District – Pluckemin,Historic District – Pottersville
- Jacobus Vanderveer House (Public)
- Jockey Hollow – Morristown Ntl Historic Park
- John Jacob Astor Estate (Public)
- Lamington Black Cemetery
- Lord Stirling Manor
- Lore – Devil’s Tomb,Lore – Jacobs Ladder
- Lore – Phareloch Haunted Castle (Private),
- Lore – The Devil Tree
- Lore – Vealtown Tavern
- Mansion – Blairsden (Private)
- Mansion – Boulderwood (Private)
- Mansion – Craigmore (Private)
- Mansion – Hamilton Farm (Public/Private)
- Mansion – Mosey/Hillandale Estate – (Private)
- Mansion – Natirar Estate – Kate Macy Ladd
- Mansion – Peachcroft (Private)
- Mansion – Shale House (Private)
- Mansion – Stronghold (Private)
- Mansion – The Maples
- Mansion – Trump / Delorean Estate
- Mansion – Upton Pyne (Private)
- Mansion – USGA Museum – Frothingham Estate,Mansion – Kenilwood (Private),Mansion – Yademos (Private)
- McDonald’s/Kline’s Mills (Private)
- Mellick – This Old Farm
- Peapack Limestone Kiln
- Pluckemin Artillery Encampment (Private)
- Reynolds – Scherman House (Private)
- The Brick Academy
- Widow White’s Tavern Site
Originally posted: May 2007
Revised: May 2023
