George DeGroot, left, and his son Jack. (Photo courtesy of Bill Truran) Sussex County History Today: Farmers are the best Most of us love Sussex County as a wonderful place to live. Among its many attributes are the farmers. Farmers have been... Columns 20 Apr 2025 | 09:05
The gravestone of Revolutionary War veteran Theodorus Polhemus in the Old Newton Cemetery is decorated as part of Wreaths Across America in December 2018. The gravestone was erected in October 2018 as part of a joint effort of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Sussex County Historical Society and Old Newton Cemetery Committee to locate and mark previously unmarked graves. Polhemus was born in Haverstraw, N.Y., and served as a corporal in the Orange County, N.Y., militia. He died in Newton in 1820. (Photo by Mandy Coriston) 250th celebration begins The signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, gave the United States its official birthday, but that seminal... Local News 17 Apr 2025 | 11:19
The Minute Man statue in Concord, Mass. (Photo courtesy of Bill Truran) Sussex County History Today: The British are coming! Listen, my children, and you shall hear ... On the 18th of April in ’75. “One if by land, two if by sea.” “The shot heard... Columns 11 Apr 2025 | 07:18
Remains of Windham Forge. (Photo courtesy of North Jersey Highlander, Ralph Colfax and the John Royle Co.) Sussex County History Today: Windham Forge With sinkholes populating Route 80, our region’s mining history has become of great interest. We recently spoke of the mines... Columns 06 Apr 2025 | 09:09
The Hurd Mansion. (Photo courtesy of Bill Truran) Sussex County History Today: Hurd Mine With the commotion about sinkholes on Route 80, it might be time to look closer into one of the mines in that area. This... Columns 29 Mar 2025 | 04:20
John Allen Ramage, left, and Oscar Stoll at New Jersey Zinc Co. in Franklin in 1920. (Photos courtesy of Bill Truran) Sussex County History Today: Possible cause of sinkholes Route 80 sinkholes. Highway closed in both directions! Why? I’d like to present some personal history along with information... Columns 24 Mar 2025 | 10:04
‘Barns in 1960.’ (Photo courtesy of Andrew Gennaro) Sussex County History Today: Looking for a barn Today’s column is a little different. Recently, we viewed the road from Sussex Borough to Ross’s Corner through a trip done... Columns 07 Mar 2025 | 07:22
‘Date Night - Owl over High Point.’ (Courtesy of Carol Decker) Sussex County History Today: Artist Carol Decker Two weeks ago, I included with this column a beautiful painting depicting the old red barn along Route 565 that we remember... Columns 28 Feb 2025 | 12:45
The Martin Mansion, also known as the Haunted House of Wantage, about 1989. (Photo courtesy of Ron Dupont) Sussex County History Today: Wantage’s ‘haunted house’ We’re pleased to have this from guest writer Ron Dupont, esteemed historian from Vernon: The Psycho House. The Addams Family... Columns 22 Feb 2025 | 05:09
Winding Brook Farm (Photo courtesy of Winding Brook Farm Foundation’s Facebook page) Sussex County History Today: Along the road Today let’s look at another visual interpretation from the book “New Jersey: A Guide to Its Past and Present,” which was... Columns 15 Feb 2025 | 06:15
A bridge usually covered by water is visible in the Oak Ridge Reservoir in Jefferson on Nov. 18. The water level was lowered for maintenance work and does not reflect the effects of the drought. (Photo by Nick Horton, www.thepathfinderstudios.com) Sussex County History Today: ‘Ghost bridge’ reappears Much of history is subtle and it usually takes some digging in the library to understand the situation. In most times, monuments... Columns 15 Feb 2025 | 05:07
McCoy’s Corner, painted by Louie Larsen about 1910. (Photo courtesy of Bill Truran) Sussex County History Today: A look back at McCoy’s Corner During the Christmas season, I was visiting with a friend in Sussex Borough. He showed me an old book that he had just purchased... Columns 31 Jan 2025 | 12:19
Pvt. Charles Auberger of Wantage died of pneumonia while serving in World War I. (Photo courtesy of Tom Sisco) Sussex County History Today: Another lost vet Part three of three During the past two weeks in this column, we recognized the ultimate sacrifice of McAfee’s Ray Sisco during... Columns 25 Jan 2025 | 06:37
PFC Ray Sisco’s grave marker. (Photo courtesy Ken Carlsen) Sussex County History Today: Remembering a lost vet Second of two parts A face from the 1940s is that of McAfee’s Private First Class Ray Sisco, U.S. Army. He was declared killed... Columns 19 Jan 2025 | 06:46
Rainbow in Hardyston. (Photo courtesy of Bill Truran) Sussex County History Today: Looking ahead to 2025 As we come out of the holidays, there appears to be a bright new year of 2025. Let’s look at some of the history-related topics... Columns 02 Jan 2025 | 02:04
