We're the Roxbury Township History Website!

This website celebrates the history of Roxbury Township in Morris County, New Jersey. Our Town was founded in 1740 and has a rich heritage. Originally a center for Iron Mining and forges that supplied George Washington and the Continental Army, our community grew with the cutting of roads east and west and the building of the Morris Canal in 1827. Roxbury was a major hub for the Canal, with Lake Hopatcong as a water source. Four Canal inclined planes and two locks were located within Roxbury, with many businesses established during  the 19th century to service the Canal. Local explosives plants would supply dynamite for the mines and railroad building and employ generations of Roxbury Township residents. By the 1880's the Railroad would overtake the Canal for Commercial transportation and Roxbury exploded in growth with 2 major, and competing rail lines. By 1890 Roxbury was 'the' gateway to the busy resorts of Lake Hopatcong, which remained one of the region's most popular summer destinations for over 60 years. The coming decades brought a 'boom time' of new train stations, schools, homes and businesses, yet always in an orderly sort of way.

This site is also growing and we're adding pages of historical photos and articles on local history. We recently added several pages that were sent in by readers. We'll expand the Roxbury High School Yearbook pages as they become available and presenting the results here. We welcome YOUR scans of YOUR RHS Yearbook, see the 'About' page for tech info before starting. Even though this website started in 2004, a special feature is a 'look back' at how this site looked in 1912. Sound impossible?, well just click on the "1912 Webpage" button to the left. Check back periodically, we'll be adding new pages as time allows. This website is focused on the history of the Roxbury Twp. communities of Ledgewood, Succasunna, Kenvil & Lower Berkshire Valley. For info on Landing & Port Morris, see our links page for the website:  LandingNewJersey.com

In 2006 we began a cooperative relationship with The Roxbury Historic Trust and now host their website pages. We're working with them to increase involvement and interest in historical preservation.  RoxburyNewJersey.com is a  non-commercial community website. We welcome submissions of Roxbury historical info in the form of remembrances, articles and photo scans. Visit us again soon!

NEW:  History of RIGHTER FAMILY and DAIRY FARM

Although this site is an independent effort, we work co-operatively with, greatly appreciate and highly commend the work of the dedicated volunteers of the Roxbury area Historical organizations:

The Roxbury Township Historical Society  owns and operates the colonial Silas Riggs 'Saltbox' House of circa 1770 at 213 Main Street in Ledgewood, open on the second Sunday afternoon of each month April thru December. They have published books on Roxbury Township History and sponsor an evening lecture series, open to the public, as well as the very popular "A Saltbox Christmas", an Open House with an Olde Fashioned Soup Supper, held in early December.
 Roxbury Township Historical Society, PO Box 18, Succasunna, NJ 07876.  tel 973-584-6931 or 973-584-2676. 

The Roxbury Historic Trust  has responsibility for the "King Canal Store" & the "King Home Museum" at 209-211 Main Street in Ledgewood.  The Store and the Homestead Museum are open for tours on the second Sunday of the months of April thru December, from 1-4 PM. Overseen by volunteers from the Trust, this is well worth a visit. Operated by Theodore F. King from 1874 through 1928, the Store was originally built in 1826 and retains it's turn of the Century appearance. The Trust is also restoring the adjacent 1881 Victorian House built by the King family. A newly restored Parlor and two Exhibition rooms are open to the public. Roxbury Historic Trust Inc., 209 Main St, Ledgewood, NJ 07852   tel# 973-927-7603  or 973-584-7903. The Trust is very active and invites new members!

We urge you to support your Community heritage by becoming a member of one or both these fine groups