In the early eighteenth century, German and Swiss immigrants—many traveling through Philadelphia—began settling in the fertile valleys of western Morris County. Drawn by rich farmland, abundant timber, and reliable water power, they established farms and small industries that would form the foundations of today’s Washington Township.

By the 1740s and 1750s, several pioneer families had acquired large tracts of land here, including Johannes Peter Scharpenstein, Johannes Philip Weise, Tunis (Anthony) Trimmer, William Welsch, Leonard Nachbar, and Matthias Trimmer. Much of the land originally formed part of the Logan Tract, an 1,800-acre property leased and later subdivided among these settlers. These early farmers cleared fields, built homes and barns, and established mills that allowed the community to thrive.

At the time, the settlement was known as Dutch Valley, a name recorded as early as 1765. The name likely derived from the word “Deutsch,” meaning German, reflecting the heritage of many of the settlers. Over time the community became more widely known as German Valley, and this name remained common until the early twentieth century. In 1917–1918 the village was officially renamed Long Valley.

Despite its modest size, the village quickly developed into a small commercial center for surrounding farms. Mills, stores, blacksmith shops, taverns, and churches appeared along the roads near the river crossing.

Today, many of the buildings that shaped this early village still stand along East Mill Road, West Mill Road, and Schooley’s Mountain Road. These structures tell the story of a frontier settlement growing into a thriving agricultural community in the decades leading up to the American Revolution.

We invite you to step back nearly 250 years into the early days of the settlement once known as Dutch, or German Valley.

As you walk through these streets, imagine the valley as it appeared in the mid-1700s. Wagons carrying grain rumbled toward the grist mill along the river. Farmers stopped at the village store or tavern to exchange news. The sound of a blacksmith’s hammer rang through the air while mill wheels turned steadily beside the South Branch of the Raritan River.

The buildings along this route were constructed during the earliest decades of settlement—many before or around the time of the American Revolution. Thick stone walls, hand-hewn timbers, and deep-set windows reflect the architectural traditions brought by the German settlers who built this community.

During the tour you will encounter:

• Early stone houses built by the valley’s founding families
• A historic mill complex that once served farms throughout the region
• The site of the village’s first store and tavern
• A river crossing used for generations before the construction of a permanent bridge
• One of the valley’s earliest churches, shared by two congregations

You will also stand before what local tradition calls “The Old Fort,” a massive stone structure with walls nearly three feet thick that once served as a defensive refuge during uncertain frontier times.

Through these buildings and stories, we can begin to understand why settlers chose this location and how their priorities shaped the village that grew here—centered on farming, water-powered industry, commerce, and faith.

Washington Township itself was established in 1798 and became notable as the first township in New Jersey named in honor of George Washington, reflecting the deep patriotic spirit of the Revolutionary era.

Resources and References

Historical research and content for each building and location on this tour were completed by the Washington Township Historical Society. Please visit our museum to read more about the rich history available in our town.

1. Early Germans of New Jersey by Theodore Frelinghuysen Chambers, published 1895
2. 1937-1938 – History of Long Valley by George Dufford, published 1938
3. Tours in Historic Morris County – Morris County Historical Society, published 1977
4. History of Morris County V. II 1710 -1913
5. Tercentenary Days 1965
6. Genealogy Appendix from History of Morris County
7. History of Morris County 1739
8. Morris County Walking Tours 1977
9. Long Valley Long Ago in German Valley (Life 1865 to 1875) – published 1952
10. Historic Highlights of Washington Township – Morris County Heritage Commission, F. M. Kirby Foundation, Inc., Morris County Bd of Chosen Freeholders
11. This is Washington Township 1730-1976
12. Passing on the Faith by Helga Schwartz, copyright 2009. Published by Harmony Press, Inc. Easton, PA