Belvidere, NJ

Architectural and historical walking tour of a quaint Victorian town in rural New Jersey

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Belvidere, NJ

Belvidere, New Jersey 07823, United States

Created By: Belvidere Heritage, Inc. and Community Center @ Belvidere

Tour Information

Tour constructed as a partnership between Belvidere Heritage, Inc. and the Community Center @ Belvidere.

Belvidere was established as a town in 1845, the natural growth from a fort on the banks of the Pequest and Delaware Rivers. Garrett D. Wall acquired a large tract of land from a family in need of relief and offered a portion of it to the newly created Warren County as a location for their courthouse. Included in the gift was a park and property for three churches. His other plots nearby sold quickly, and the bulk of the town, which had earlier centered north of the Pequest River, grew southward and eastward.

Included in the walking tour are buildings of various eras, including Colonial, Federal, Victorian, Craftsman, and Art Deco. While observing the rich variety of architecture, the town's history will come alive and you'll meet some of the prominent founders and personages who were instrumental in creating what you see today.


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What You'll See on the Tour

A Baptist church building was on this site from 1866 to 1905, when it was demolished and the congregation moved to a location out of town.  In 1859, the then-newly formed Baptist church with 17 original members met in the Stadelman Institu... Read more
This grand 2 1/2 story center hall Italianate with decorative cupola on the main roof and double round arched windows has a front one-story full-width porch with square posts that accentuate the home's symmetrical aspects.  The recessed p... Read more
The first Methodist services in Belvidere were held in 1786.  Pioneer preachers of the Methodist Episcopal denomination held services in various homes as early as 1810-1812, but a church was first organized in 1825 at The Wesleyan Chapel, ... Read more
Adrian Lott was a shop keeper in downtown Belvidere who inherited a small house at 205 Hardwick St. from his uncle's estate in 1826. The roof was raised to include a full-height third floor.  At the turn of the century, lumber and coalyard... Read more
This Sears-Roebuck kit house was owned for many years by the Coppersmith family.  A grand tree dedicated to Mr. Coppersmith stands near the center of the park. The double gambrel roof harkens to Colonial Era Pennsylvania Dutch and Moravia... Read more
This Victorian Italianate with stucco over stone exterior hides rich history. Builder Daniel Kleinhans, who failed in the gold fields of California but succeeeded in Sacramento's grocery business, returned to Belvidere in 1858 to escape the... Read more
Circa 1870, this 2 1/2 story frame home displays a nearly original exterior facade.  Notice the stone foundation, slate roof, and double round arch window in the front gable.
Displaying an original brick exterior, one of this home's features is the original double doors with beveled glass.  This home also boasts a beautiful scalloped frieze under the gable.  Walk down the alley to the right of this folk Vict... Read more
c. 1854, this Second Empire Victorian house elegantly displays its French influence with decorative shingles on a concave third-story mansard roof, a style popularized by 17th century architect Francois Mansart.  The house also boasts a f... Read more
c. 1925.  This home was built by a former owner of the Hotel Belvidere as his retirement home.  It is the quintessential example of a Craftsman bungalow with its low pitched roof, center dormer, full front porch with included roof and dee... Read more
Prior to D.C. Blair's acquisition of this property (see Tour Stop #6), where he used to store his carriages, Major Hoops (see Tour Stop #14) erected an extensive slaughter-house where great numbers of cattle and hogs were slaughtered and pa... Read more
This frame establishment on the corner of Hardwick and Front Streets was originally built as a store and dwelling in 1831 by Chapman Warner, uncle of S. T. Scranton.  It was known as "Belvidere House" and the corner room (which became a ba... Read more
The Twin Mills, circa 1840.  George K. McMurtrie and Co. Mill was operated by water power until the 1970s.  It was two of the more than 40 mills that used to dot the banks of the Pequest River, which was deemed more reliable and profitabl... Read more
This is a stone example of a pre-Revolutionary Colonial style house.  It retains the original exterior, featuring six-over-six window sashes, batten door, and rough-squared quoins.  This is believed to be either the former residence of M... Read more
Child prodigy, first conductor of philharmonic children's concerts, and famous pianist Ernest Schelling was born in this house on July 26, 1876.  The house features an ornate front porch with scalloped supports and intricate scroll work. S... Read more
The Goodwill Fire Company was formed in 1879 but didn't officially incorporate until 1882 when land was conveyed to the inhabitants of the Town of Belvidere.  The rear hall/kitchen was added c. 1919 and has been the location of numerous ... Read more
Following a church split from First Church over theological issues, Second Church was organized in 1849.  The architecture of this Market St. church is based on a Swiss model and was financed by Dr. J. Marshall Paul, who also presented the... Read more
This is an exuberant example of Victorian architecture!  It is an 1830 Italianate villa-style house with a melange of details including wrap-around veranda, an Italianate-inspired campanile (originally designed to provide visibility and se... Read more
A devastating fire in 1905 destroyed much of the downtown area.  This is one of the downtown stores to escape the fire which destroyed the Warren Woodworking Company at Water and Greenwich streets (see Tour Site #16).  Until recently, thi... Read more
This small Colonial Georgian (1700-1780) house characterizes the style with chimneys at each side gable and the symmetrical yet unequally spaced windows.  The porch is a later addition.  This would be a typical two bed-room house in the ... Read more
c. 1880s.  This is a Victorian Gothic Revival example which includes a steeply pitched roof, vergeboard gables and drip molds above the windows.  Also of note are the paired pointed third story windows in the front gable. 
The house was built in 1863 by the Prall family in the Italianate style. The pumpkin pine floors are original as well as the medallions in the parlor and dining room and the crown molding in the living room.  The property once included the... Read more
Originally Syracuse Plows, this multi-use building was bought by John Deere, and from 1897-1910 was the local feed store.  It became Ritter's Lumber in the 1940s, and now houses Rustic Retail, a multi-vendor antique and decor market. ...
A classic Victorian Stick Style (1860-1880) example, this building includes an arched false front gable and a wide cornice band with two types of roof brackets.  The street facade boasts all the styling while the secondary facades are u... Read more
This center hall, symmetrical home with a classic column porch, was built circa 1880 and contains Italianate detailing at the cornice lines and a central gable peak.  The full-width porch and protruding side bay harkens to a bygone era co... Read more
A T-shaped Victorian, this 3-bay side hall entrance home was built circa 1880 and boasts a wrap-around porch, molded double door entrance with beveled glass, stained glass transom above the dining room door, and floor to ceiling windows in... Read more
Landowner William P. Robeson sold this plot to Andrew (a lumber dealer) and Sarah Kinemour, who built this cozy Victorian in 1888 and subsequently sold it in 1897 to their daughter Emma and son-in-law Daniel of the Warren County renowned Ro... Read more
This 200-seat playhouse is a converted 1930's art deco movie theater. Founded in 1972, Country Gate Players is dedicated to providing quality theater and arts education to the local community and is the oldest established arts organizatio... Read more
Historically known as the Croxall Mansion, this Georgian-style home was built in 1780 by Robert Morris, who owned the large tract of land south of the Pequest River that was originally surveyed by William Penn. Morris built the house for hi... Read more
One can't help but notice this ornate Victorian beauty with its magnificently adorned front round window, its enhancing keyhole gingerbread, and the curving stairs leading to the wrap-around porch. This home was built in 1892 by Mr. Willia... Read more
This home was built late in the Victorian period, 1888-1889.  It contains original beveled glass entrance doors, shingles on the front gable, and a one story partial-width front porch. The Victorian detailing is timid with very small roof ... Read more
Built in the early Federal style in 1833, this house has a side hall format, three bays, box cornice, and lunette windows.  It also has an elliptical fanlight transom and double gabled chimneys.  The kitchen wing and front porch with Tusc... Read more
Built circa 1890, this home is believed to have been built in a style similar to--if not built by--prominent builder Reeder S. Emery.  This house is the only survivor of "the frame block" consisting of several similar structures erected at... Read more
This is the oldest colonial building site in town.  On this site in the 1700s, Robert Patterson built a double log house, called "Mansion House," which stood until 1838.  Benjamin Depue tore it down and built the hotel Warren House in 184... Read more
c. 1885.  This is a prime example of a commercial building from the late nineteenth century. It retains many original features, including clapboard siding, molded window hoods, and fluted cast iron columns  Other Victorian details include... Read more
323 Front - This building, originally a bank, was inspired by the Beaux Art style popular for civic buildings at the turn of the century. This Style inspired strength and permanence, qualities sought by bankers. The incised entry and groun... Read more
This beautiful brick commercial structure was erected in 1840 as a storehouse.  The cornice brackets are later additions but the front entrance with sidelights and transom is vintage.  The molded door and window trim are original.
The original Belvidere Bank was chartered by an act of the NJ Legislature in 1830.  The largest stockholder at the time was John I. Blair (for which Blairstown is named), father of DeWitt Clinton Blair (see Tour Stop #6).  Several other B... Read more
Warren County was separated from Sussex County in 1824 and its new court was held at Belvidere on the second Tuesday in February 1925.  But the county needed to officially decide on the location of a county seat.  To cement Belvidere as t... Read more
A lighted drinking fountain was erected in Garrett D. Wall Park in 1910 by the Women’s Temperance League, aka Women's Christian Temperance Union, to provide fresh water "for man and beast."  It replaced a Civil War Memorial. "By 1830, th... Read more
Handsome and historic, this house was built by John P. B. Maxwell for his bride, who unfortunately did not live to enter it.  It was later owned by Maxwell's sister, Mrs. William M. Robeson (mother of Hon. George M. Robeson, Secretary of t... Read more
Originally built in 1834 on property donated by Garrett D. Wall, this church was a daughter church of old Oxford Presbyterian (founded before 1744).  The Presbyterian Church at Belvidere began with a meeting at the Courthouse in Belvidere.... Read more
Also known as the Hilton House, this 1860 Italianate is somewhat imposing, displaying many features of the style, including decorative, bold cornice brackets, molded paneled front doors, ornate molded window hoods, a full-width one story fr... Read more
This mid-nineteenth century three ranked, side entrance home is a beautiful example of local building traditions.  The Italianate cornice brackets and moderately adorned squared, beveled porch posts add charm and grace to this facade.  Th... Read more
Local legend tells of a former Mayor's wife who wanted the status of living "on the park"--but their house fronted Mansfield.  So, she simply had her husband jack up the house, turn it 45 degrees and put it back down! This beautiful albeit... Read more
One of the most beautiful and largest examples of Victorian architecture in town, this home was built circa 1880 by Judge Morrow.  It features a low-hipped roof, a square projecting pavilion suggesting a tower (or cupola), and an octagonal... Read more
Originally built as Belvidere Classical Academy, this building stands on property donated by Garrett D. and Ann Wall for school purposes in 1841 or 1842.  The first principal was the Rev. R. B. Foresman who became the pastor of the "Yellow... Read more
c. 1890.  The first mass in Warren County was in 1851, meeting in homes and then a frame church on Hardwick St.  The original church building was burned on Easter Sunday in 1900, but was rebuilt at its current location in 1902. 
A circa 1905 vernacular building type, this home is a three ranked, side entrance, gable to the street residence typical to the period and common in this town.
This two ranked side entrance gable to the street home features a rocking chair porch and once was more similar in configuration to the sister house at 420 Greenwich (Tour Site #47).
A Craftsman bungalow was one of the most successful vernacular homes.  This one built in 1912 retains all the original craftsman architecture on the exterior, characterized by a low-pitched gable or hip roof, wide eave overhangs, exposed r... Read more
The visible, front section of the house was built by a local doctor in 1861 in the center of a one acre lot.  He used the front parlor for meeting with patients.  The original house had a stable in the rear, an outhouse, and probably at l... Read more
This Folk Victorian, c. 1870-1910, is similar in style to 518 Second St.(Tour Site #8), except this one has floor length windows, clapboard siding instead of brick, and a wooden medallion above a pair of gable windows.  It has a wrap arou... Read more
Built in 1890, this house invites you in with its front porch and original exterior with a projecting front bay.  To the passerby, the bay delineated the placement of the most important room in the house--encouraging the visitor to take no... Read more
A truly interesting gem for Belvidere, this new Victorian was built by local residents in 1993 from nineteenth century precedents.  The intent was to blend in with the surroundings (contextualize)--and they've done a fabulous job of it!  ... Read more
You are looking at what was once a one-room schoolhouse, where history and other subjects were taught.  Now it is a piece of the history of this town, housing the Warren County Historical and Genealogical Society.  It was originally just ... Read more
This is a rare local specimen of Modern Spanish Colonial Revival architecture.  It uses steel beam construction, boasts Spanish roof tiles, wrought iron work, arcaded porch with solid oak paneled doorway and metal peephole, tiled patios an... Read more
Built in 1897 by George Angle, this home is one of the most imposing and classy homes on a street chock full of Victorians.  Like many of the historic homes in Belvidere, this one retains its origianl Queen Anne facade.  The Northwind car... Read more
This Italiante-style Victorian was built in 1874 for Judge Jeheil Shipman and was designed by the prominent architect Samuel Sloane, who designed the NJ State House in Trenton, as well as Greystone Mental Hospital.  Mr. Sloane was based in... Read more
Originally the home of Judge George Shipman, this circa 1870 Italianate home boasts many original features.  It contains a central gable with a paired, round arched window, original clapboard, molded window hoods, and a transomed entryway.... Read more
Built by John and Hattie Snyder, this 1896 Queen Anne Victorian home has been senstively restored, proudly displaying the typical and ornamental features of the style: wrap-around porch, three story corner tower, hipped roof with front dorm... Read more
Built circa 1890, this late Victorian home is classy in its authentic gray and black paint scheme.  The wraparound porch draws the eye to an original beveled glass upper sash prominent in the first floor front facade window. This is an aus... Read more
This modest bungalow is a common early 20th century style home with its straighforward form and hip roof with a hipped dormer.  The porch is a curious excess with its composite column capitals (ionic and corinthian) and upturned balustr... Read more
This post-Victorian home, circa 1910, welcomes you with an "L" shaped porch featuring a glassed-in area.  The house contains wooden columns supported by masonry piers, which is a turn of the century (19th to 20th) feature.  Earlier Victo... Read more
This beautiful example of the bungalow, thought to be a Sears Roebuck catalogue house, closely resembles the "Elsmore."  This cottage remains virtually unchanged and displays many features typical of the style: low piers absent of columns ... Read more

 

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