Drive west from Chester on East Mill Road and the land drops into a broad valley framed by ridges on either side. You've arrived in Long Valley, the heart of Washington Township in southwestern Morris County. It's a place with a farm-country past, a strong sense of community, and plenty of room outdoors.
Washington Township borders Chester Township and Mount Olive in Morris County, Tewksbury Township and Lebanon Township in Hunterdon County, Mansfield Township and Hackettstown in Warren County, and, at its far southeastern corner, Bedminster in Somerset County.
One Township, Many Names
The name causes some confusion. Washington Township is the municipality; Long Valley is a community within it, and the name most people use. The township also includes Schooley's Mountain and smaller places such as Middle Valley, Beattystown, Fairmount, and Pleasant Grove. Voters considered renaming the whole township Long Valley in 1983, but the effort failed.
A Little History
Washington Township was incorporated on April 2, 1798, from part of Roxbury Township, and it is named for George Washington. Chester Township was formed from part of it the following year.
Long Valley's roots are German. Settlers from Germany arrived in the early 1700s, and for generations the community was called German Valley. The name was changed around the time of World War I, amid anti-German sentiment. Today the German Valley Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983, preserves the old village, including the former German Valley School, now the Washington Township Historical Society Museum.
The Lay of the Land
The village of Long Valley sits in the valley of the South Branch of the Raritan River. To the northwest rises Schooley's Mountain, and to the southeast the Fox Hill Range.
Schooley's Mountain takes its name from the Schooley family, who owned land there in the 1790s. In the 1800s its natural springs drew visitors from New York looking for restorative waters. Today, Schooley's Mountain County Park, operated by the Morris County Park Commission, offers an overlook, a waterfall, hiking paths, and Lake George.
Outdoors
The Columbia Trail, a rail trail on the former Central Railroad of New Jersey High Bridge Branch, runs from High Bridge in Hunterdon County to Washington Township. With a mostly flat, crushed-stone surface, it is a favorite for walkers, runners, and cyclists, and it passes through some lovely river country along the way.
Schools
The Washington Township Schools serve pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, including Long Valley Middle School for grades 6 through 8. High school students attend West Morris Central High School, located in the township and part of the West Morris Regional High School District, which also serves Chester and the Mendhams. Families should confirm current details with the districts.
Getting Around
U.S. Route 46 and County Routes 513 and 517 pass through the township. Interstate 80 is reached in neighboring Mount Olive and Interstate 78 in neighboring Tewksbury, and Route 206 is accessible in nearby Chester and Bedminster. Life here is largely car-based.
Notes for Buyers
- Know the municipality. Mailing addresses and municipal lines don't always match in this part of the state. Confirm the town before comparing taxes and schools.
- Variety of homes. The township ranges from the historic village to neighborhoods on Schooley's Mountain and country properties with land.
- Country systems. Ask early about well, septic, and heating fuel for any home you're considering.
The Takeaway
Long Valley pairs a real sense of history with wide-open space and easy access to trails and parks. For buyers who want a community feel a bit farther west, it is well worth a visit.
Curious about Long Valley or Washington Township? Call Fahey Realtors at 908.204.0600 or visit us at 61 Claremont Road in Bernardsville. We would be happy to help you explore the area.
