Many people have asked why you post all this history stuff on the area you’re calling the Somerset Hills. Well, call it passion. Call it intrigue. Call it local awareness. I think the main reason is that the information wasn’t available whenever I asked a question about the area’s history. I didn’t want to wait to go to the library, and I didn’t have time to go to the local historical society. But I moved to the area and said, “If I’m gonna be a local, I need to learn about the history.” The Somerset Hills is often called the area of the “Landed Gentry,” which gives luster to this historic area.
Below is our updated creation, a mashup. We take historical information and post it to a Google map so people can click to learn about a property and even visit it if they choose. The list of properties is below. Please make sure you respect private property.
With names like Mars, Merck, Stevens, Ballentine, Pfizer, Kean, Whitman, and even Former President Trump, the Somerset Hills is full of great estates and mansions. In today’s era of “give it to me now”, we’ve become a bit spoiled regarding information. We want it fast and we want it now. So here it is… my masterpiece, a map showcasing all we’ve learned about where these great mansions of “the gilded age” among what is known as “the blue hills” of Bernardsville, Mendham, Bedminster, and the surrounding area.
A collection of over 100 historical postcards digitized from various collections across Somerset County, New Jersey. Special thanks to the Bernardsville History Room and the History Research from the Somerset Hills Historical Society.
Why New Jersey’s Somerset Hills?
The Somerset Hills is a New Jersey area in Somerset County that includes the towns of Bedminster, Basking Ridge/Bernards Township, Bernardsville, Far Hills, and Peapack/Gladstone. Wow, that’s a mouthful. To open up the history of this area on the Internet, we’ve partnered with several non-profit historical societies and local historical efforts to assist their transition to the Internet. However, as it took a long time to create history, it will take a while to bend some minds and get some to understand that the internet is a different way to communicate information.
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One of the most beautiful estates you’ll find anywhere in the United States, we share with you Natirar – Raritan spelled backwards and a look back at the history of this beautiful estate. There’s a dedicated story at the end of this post that discusses the history of Natirar. Be sure to take a look.
Here’s a fun story prepared by area historian W. Barry Thomson about gargoyles, also known as “Grotesques,” and an architect from Bernardsville named George. B Post. Enjoy.
Please take a look at one of our playlists on our Mr. Local History YouTube Channel, which showcases some of these fantastic mansions.
A Map Before Its Time
While doing some of the research for this story, we came across a great piece of history and an associated story. It seems that the researchers were ahead of their time, creating a physical map of the estates of the Somerset Hills Estates. Their efforts were cancelled due to privacy concerns, and the map never saw the light of day.
Decades later, another person also worked to showcase the estates of Bernardsville Mountain. This time, it succeeded and is visible at the entrance to the Bernardsville Public Library. Learn more about John Smith and his mountain map.
Originally posted: May 2007
Updated: December 1, 2019
Updated: May 2, 2025
More New Jersey Local History Stories
Estate Map Locations:
- Alward Homestead / Alward Farmhouse
- Bedminster Hotel / Howard Hotel / Willie’s Tavern
- Boudinot-Southard-Ross Property
- Coffee House – 1804 House (Private)
- Dr. Henry and Phoebe Vanderveer House
- Essex Hunt Club – Private
- Far Hills Race Meeting Site
- Gladstone Train Station
- Historic District – Basking Ridge, Historic District – Franklin Corners, Historic District
- Lamington, Historic District – Liberty Corner, Historic District – Pluckemin, Historic District – Pottersville
- Jacobus Vanderveer House (Public)
- Jockey Hollow – Morristown National Historic Park
- John Jacob Astor Estate (Public)
- Lamington Black Cemetery
- Lord Stirling Manor
- Lore – Devil’s Tomb
- Lore – Jacobs Ladder
- Lore – Phareloch Haunted Castle (Private),
- Lore – The Devil Tree
- Lore – Vealtown Tavern
- Mansion – Blairsden (Private)
- Mansion – Boulderwood (Private)
- Mansion – Craigmore (Private)
- Mansion – Hamilton Farm (Public/Private)
- Mansion – Mosey/Hillandale Estate – (Private)
- Mansion – Natirar Estate – Kate Macy Ladd
- Mansion – Peachcroft (Private)
- Mansion – Renemede, also known as Runnymede, Henry Janeway Hardenbergh
- Mansion – Shale House (Private)
- Mansion – Stronghold (Private)
- Mansion – The Maples
- Mansion – Trump / Delorean Estate
- Mansion – Upton Pyne (Private)
- Mansion – USGA Museum – Frothingham Estate
- Mansion – Kenilwood (Private),
- Mansion – Yademos (Private)
- McDonald’s/Kline’s Mills (Private)
- Mellick – This Old Farm
- Peapack Limestone Kiln
- Pluckemin Artillery Encampment (Private)
- Reynolds – Scherman House (Private)
- The Brick Academy
- Widow White’s Tavern Site
