Wow, this story was one of our most controversial and difficult stories we’ve ever prepared. Just the thought of picking only 10 Jersey historic sites is an insane task. But I think we’re up to it. The 10 most historic things you need to see in Jersey before you kick the bucket. Gathered over the years, the Mr. Local History Project is out to share our experiences with what we think are the 10 most historic sites you need to see if you’re from New Jersey. Sure it’s our opinion, and if you have one you feel should be on the list, we want to know so post your thoughts at the end of the story.
Also, whenever you visit one on the bucket list, find a local place to eat or drink and tell us.
Oh, one last thing. It goes without say that the “shore” is a must. We prefer the history and nostalgia of Wildwood and Cape May, but whatever you do, if you’re from New Jersey there are two MUST HAVEs on your list (the shore and diners). We didn’t want to use two givens on our list.
Let’s get to it.
10. Stone Pony – Asbury Park
So where do you start the bucket list? Well how about the iconic Stone Pony in Asbury Park. Over the decades the venue has had its ups and its downs. The stage, whether indoors or outdoors is legendary for presenting some of the best acts ever in musical history. You can even smell it when you walk in, cause it does have that bar smell.
But the venue and the legacy is critical to the New Jersey music scene. You know the names; Springsteen, Southside Johnny, The Stone Pony opened its doors on Feb. 8, 1974, once Mrs. Jay’s restaurant and sitting there as then an abandoned disco called The Magic Touch. By December 1974 the venue was in trouble.
That’s when the first of the Pony’s many “house bands,” the Blackberry Booze Band, began playing regularly, and the large crowds they drew saved the club.The Blackberry Booze Band featured Ocean Grove resident “Southside” Johnny Lyon and Middletown’s Steve Van Zandt. Two pretty good musicians right? Van Zandt also became the Jukes’ manager and producer, shopping a demo to record executives. Later, Van Zandt started playing Sam Cooke’s Havin’ A Party featuring Springsteen that became the unofficial theme song of the Pony and of Asbury Park. As they say, “the rest is history.”
Visit / Directions Visit the Stone Pony at 913 Ocean Ave N, Asbury Park, NJ 07712
9. Proprietary House – Perth Amboy
The Proprietary House is the ONLY standing residence of a Royal Governor in the colonies. Construction began in 1762 and was completed in 1764, New Jersey’s last Royal Governor William Franklin, son of Ben Franklin, resided in the home until his arrest was ordered by the New Jersey Congress just before the Independence Declaration Conference in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776.
The estate, commissioned by William Alexander, East Jersey Proprietor, the dwelling was designed by John Edward Pryor after he started William Alexander’s home in Basking Ridge.
Once a stylish hotel and a private mansion, the house is now owned by the State of New Jersey. The property has been recently restored with grants and serves as one of the best examples of colonial architecture in the United States. A very worthy visit.
Visit / Directions Visit the Proprietary House at 149 Kearny Ave, Perth Amboy, NJ 08861
8. Jockey Hollow – Morris Township
Look, we know everyone has been taught about the winter at Valley Forge, PA. Marketing geniuses I say. But it you want to know the location that General Washington chose TWICE, you need to visit Jockey Hollow. The area is known for having the harshest winter in over 400 years, and taking more lives than any other winter encampment, Jockey Hollow is tucked behind the Watchung Mountains where it was an optimal hideaway.
Inside what is also America’s First National Historic Park, Jockey Hollow is
Visit / Directions – Jockey Hollow Visitors Center is located at 586 Tempe Wick Rd, Morristown, NJ 07960
7. Washington Crossing State Park – Titusville
Planned by General Henry Knox to surprise Hessian Troops on Christmas Day was the plan. Boats left the PA side of the Delaware River making their way to what is now Washington Crossing State Park. So if you want the entire story, park on the NJ side then walk over the bridge to the Washington Crossing Historic Park, get the vibe, then walk back across the bridge, check out the landing area, and see where they marched on to Trenton for the Continental Army’s first major victory.
Visit / Directions Visit Washington Crossing State Park at 355 Washington Crossing Pennington Rd, Titusville, NJ 08560
6. Museum of American Glass – Millville
WheatonArts, located on 45 wooded acres in southern New Jersey, is home to the Museum of American Glass, the international Creative Glass Fellowship Program, the largest folklife program in New Jersey, a hot glass studio, and several traditional craft studios.
The fully operational glass studio presents daily, interpretive demonstrations for the public with artists showing traditional and contemporary glassblowing techniques. In the artist studios, artists demonstrate the traditional southern New Jersey crafts of pottery and flameworking. The 1876 Centre Grove Schoolhouse, museum stores, and the event center complete the complex.
Visit / Directions – WheatonArts and the Museum of American Glass are located at 1501 Glasstown Road, Millville, New Jersey.
5. Lucy the Elephant – Margate
Lucy the Elephant is a six-story elephant-shaped example of novelty architecture, constructed of wood and tin sheeting in 1881 by James V. Lafferty. But why build an elephant? Because you can! Lucy was built to to promote real estate sales and attract tourists. Margate used to be called South Atlantic City, so how do you pluck visitors from America’s first boardwalk? You build an elephant. Lucy was modeled after Jumbo, the most famous elephant in the Barnum & Bailey Circus. Through the first half of the 20th century, Lucy served as a restaurant, business office, cottage, and tavern. On February 27, 2020, Lucy began allowing overnight stays. Lucy was listed on Airbnb for $138 per night on March 17, 18 and 19, 2020. It marked the first time Lucy had been inhabited by humans since it was rented as a home in the early 1900s
In 2023, Lucy the Elephant has had an entire makeover, I mean from tusk to tail makeover. Inside and out! Every July 20, the building’s birthday is celebrated with children’s games and much fanfare.
Visit / Directions Visit Lucy the Elephant located at 9200 Atlantic Ave, Margate City, NJ 08402
4. Monmouth Battlefield State Park – Manalapan Township
Most don’t know that during the revolutionary war, more battles were fought in New Jersey than any other colony. But our selection for Monmouth Battlefield is that it was there that the valiant fighting of the Continental Army proved itself even though historians called it a stalemate. After visiting the welcome center and you walk out over the grounds, an eerie feeling takes over just like at Gettysburg. All the fighting, all the death. But it was this moment in American history where the colonists turned the tide.
Visit / Directions Visit Monmouth Battlefield and Visitors Center at Comb’s Hill, Monmouth Battlefield State Park, Manalapan Township, NJ 07726
3. Atlantic City Boardwalk (Whitehouse Subs) – Atlantic City
The Atlantic City boardwalk which stretches 4 miles and is the oldest boardwalk in the world. It was built in 1870, designed to keep sand away from the hotels and resorts along the beach. What became a 8 foot wide walkway, shops started popping up. The wooden planks were laid out in rectangular patterns in the herringbone design. Storms have led to its replacement in 1884, 1889, and 1944 but it’s still made of wood planks. But there is a steel pier.
The first casino along the boardwalk came during one of many revival periods. This one in 1978 introduced Resorts International after a statewide vote approved casinos in the Garden State.
Every day, there are 11,000 lbs of saltwater taffy produced. This business has been operational since the 1800s when the boardwalk was first built. By 1899, taffy’s had become a popular treat along the boardwalk.
BONUS: Did you know the sandwich creation called the Submarine Sandwich was invented in Atlantic City? TRUE. The White House Sub Shop was opened in October 1946 by Anthony Basile. Drop by and buy some history.
Visit the Atlantic City Boardwalk. See also Whitehouse Subs at 2301 Arctic Ave, Atlantic City, NJ 08401
2. Paterson Falls State Park – Paterson
The Great Falls of the Passaic River is a prominent waterfall, 77 feet high, on the Passaic River. The Passaic river wanders all the way West in Jersey where it begins its approximately 80 mile journey in Mendham, New Jersey. Mendham is about 600 feet above sea level.
The Great Falls are 77 feet high and 260 feet wide. More than 2 billion gallons of water rush over it daily. It is the 2nd largest waterfall, by volume, east of the Mississippi River, behind only Niagara Falls. The Great Falls were carved by glaciers that receded 13,000 years ago at the end of the last Ice Age.
Double History Bonus – Just around the corner from the falls is the fully restored Hinchcliff Stadium, another Jersey great historic landmark. Walk over and take a look.
Visit / Directions – Visit the Paterson Great Falls National Park at 72 McBride Ave Ext, Paterson, NJ 07501
1. Ellis Island National Park – Jersey City
Drum roll please! Picking number one from a historic perspective is pretty easy if you live in or come to Jersey for a visit. Opened on January 1, 1892, Ellis Island became the nation’s premier federal immigration station. In operation until 1954, the station processed over 12 million immigrant steamship passengers. Before being Ellis Island it was known as Oyster Island for many generations during the Dutch and English colonial periods.
Originally 3.3 acres, the island grew to 27.5 acres using landfill. Today, it is believed that approximately 40 percent of America’s population can trace their ancestry through Ellis Island. I still can’t believe that the most common first name recorded was Tony. Know why? Because when you were rejected at Ellis Island and sent over to New York they slapped a tag on your coat “To NY.” As they say, the name stook to many non english speaking immigrants.
Visit / Directions Visit Ellis Island and the National Museum at Ellis Island Bridge, Jersey City, NJ 10280
Virtual Map to Plan Out Your Bucket List Journey
A handy map you can save on your phone to start your bucket list journey. Sites, directions, and links to each website if you need more information.
Honorable Mentions
We know that everyone may not agree with ALL of our selections for our Jersey History Bucket List. Here are just a few that our committee came up with. For them, some are actually funny because they were historic enough to jot down. Add any of yours to the comment section below.
All of these are on the map as well. Click Here
Barnegat Light House – Barnegat Light
Wild West City – Byram Township
Cape May – Cape May
Allaire Village Farmingdale
Grounds for Sculpture – Hamilton Township
Delaware Water Gap Hardwick Township
Twin Lights Lighthouse – Highlands
NJ Diner – Keyport
Lambertville – Lambertville
Delaware River Tubing – Milford
Trailside Museum – Mountainside
Thomas Edison Museum – Paterson
Drumthwacket – Princeton
Donavan’s Reef – Sea Bright
Waterloo Village Stanhope
Taylor Ham Plant – Trenton
Pine Barrens
Wildwood Beach & Motels – Wildwood Crest
Trenton Barracks – Trenton
Newark Symphony Hall – Newark
Palisades Park – Alpine
Statue of Liberty Park – Jersey City
Empty Sky Memorial – Jersey City
What do you think?
Comments in the Comments Section below.
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Great list, especially glad that you gave Atlantic City its due. I would add Craftsman Farms in Parsippany-Troy Hills to the honorable mention list. Gustav Stickley’s designs were hugely influential, especially during the early twentieth-century building boom.
Thanks for your passion and suggestion. We will certainly take a look as we love ALL forms of history so our bucket list is MUCH bigger than 10 🙂