The town of Hackettstown is run
by the mayor/council format. The town
offices are located on Stiger Street. Hackettstown has a town band and an
annual Memorial Day Parade. They also
run Spring and Fall Festivals. M&M
Mars sponsors an annual Easter Egg Hunt. Thre is also a wonderful community
pool complex. Explore the links below to learn more about this terrific town!
Town site http://www.hackettstown.net/
Hackettstown Library http://hackettstownlibrary.org/
Hackettstown Hospital http://www.atlantichealth.org/hackettstown.html
Hackettstown Business District http://hackettstownbid.com/
2. Schools
Centenary College not only
provides educational opportunities, but also sponsors concert and theater
programs. In addition to the college and public schools, there are local private
schools, daycares, preschools, etc.
Public Schools
Hackettstown Schools http://www.hackettstown.org/
Preschools
Heaven Sent Preschool http://www.fpchackettstown.org/
Gethsemane Lutheran Preschool http://www.gethsemanehtown.com/
The Learning Experience https://thelearningexperience.com/our-centers/nj/hackettstown/mansfield-nj–rte-57
A2Z Early Learning Education http://a2zearlylearning.education/
Kindercare of Mount Olive http://www.kindercare.com/our-centers/hackettstown/nj/301722?
The Pumpkin Patch http://www.thepumpkinpatchpreschool.com/
Higher Education
Centenary College http://www.centenaryuniversity.edu/
Warren County Community College http://www.warren.edu/
3. Community Organizations
Whether you are interested in history, acting, music, etc., there is a community organization in Hackettstown that will fit the bill. Hackettstown is home to quite a few national service organizations such as the Elks, Moose and Lions Clubs.
Hackettstown Historical Society http://www.hackettstownhistory.com/
Hackettstown Community Band www.hackettstownband.org/
Boy Scouts https://www.troopwebhost.org/Troop158Hackettstown
Cub Scouts http://hackettstown164.mypack.us/
Girl Scouts https://www.gsnnj.org/
4 H https://www.facebook.com/warren4h/
Lions Club http://e-clubhouse.org/sites/northwarren/
Elks Club http://www.elks.org/lodges/contactus.cfm?lodge=2331
Moose Lodge https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hackettstown-Moose-Lodge/145446425516375
VFW http://njvfw.org/vfw-post-282/
Masonic Lodge http://warren13mason.tripod.com/indexfd.html
Hackettstown First Aid and Rescue http://78rescue.org/
4. FunThings to Do
Czigmeister Brewing Company: http://www.czigmeisterbrewing.com/
Man Skirt Brewing: http://manskirtbrewing.com/
Home Brew University: https://www.homebrewuniversity.net/
Jersey Girl Brewing Company: http://www.jerseygirlbrewing.com/
Centenary Stage Company: http://www.centenarystageco.org/
Waterloo Village:
http://www.friendsofwaterloovillage.com/
Stryker Airsoft:
http://www.strykerairsoftnj.com/
Hackettstown Center for the Arts: http://www.hackettstownarts.com/
Farmview Golf/Mini Golf: https://www.farmviewgolf.com/
Land of Make Believe: https://www.lomb.com/
Donaldson Farms:
https://donaldsonfarms.net/
Latoka Wolf Preserve: https://www.lakotawolf.com/
Space Animal Farms: https://www.spacefarms.com/
Pequest Fish Hatchery: https://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/pequest.htm
Orchard View Lavendar Farm: https://www.orchardviewlavenderfarm.com/
Well
Sweep Herb Farm: https://wellsweep.com/
Valley
Shepherd Creamery: http://valleyshepherd.com/the-creamery/the-farm
5. Recreation
There are many wonderful
recreation opportunities in and around Hackettstown. The Musconetcong River
flows through town, and the Fish Hatchery and Game Farms are nearby. Hackettstown is surrounded by farmland. Stephens State Park is located near Hackettstown
Hospital. Explore the links below to find out more about the recreation that
this area offers.
Hackettstown Community Pool recreation@hackettstown.net
Hackettstown Community Sports
Baseball Mike Palko 852-4095 January
Basketball Mike Palko 852-4095 September
Cheerleading T.B.A. Late March
Cross Country Mike Palko 852-4095 May/June
Field Hockey T.B.A. Late April
Football Chuck Harvey 850-9477 Late March Soccer
Mike Palko 852-4095 May/June
Softball Mike Palko 852-4095
January Swim Lessons Mike Palko 852-4095 June
Swim Team Mike Palko 852-4095 April/May
Track and Field Mike Palko 852-4095 January
Wrestling TBA Early September
6. Local Parks and Other Outdoor Destinations
Whether you golf, swim, hike, garden, canoe, ski or just want to take in gorgeous vistas, there are numerous options in Hacketsttown and the surrounding areas. Don’t forget! The best beaches in the northern USA- the Jersey Shore, are just a day trip away! National, state, county and local parks abound!
Kittatinny Canoes: https://kittatinny.com/
Panther Valley Golf Course: http://www.panthervalleygolf.com/
Minebrook Golf Course: https://www.minebrookgc.com/
Flanders Valley Golf Course: https://www.flandersvalleygc.com/
Apple Mountain Golf Course: https://www.applemountaingolf.com/
Black Oak Golf Course: http://www.blackoakgolfclub.com/
Allamuchy State Park:
https://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/allamuch.html
Lake Hopatcong Cruises: https://lakehopatcongcruises.com/
Lake Hopatcong State Park: https://www.visitnj.org/nj-all-beaches/hopatcong-state-park
Jenny Jump State Forest: https://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/jennyjump.html
Kittatinny Valley State Park: https://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/kittval.html
Stephens State Park:
https://www.stateparks.com/stephens_state_park_in_new_jersey.html
Allamuchy Dog Park: http://allamuchynj.org/welcome-allamuchy-dog-park/
Delaware Water Gap:
https://delawareriver.natgeotourism.com/
Morris Canal: http://morriscanalgreenway.org/
Warren County Parks:
https://warrenparks.com/
Skiing Mountain Creek Resort: https://www.mountaincreek.com/
7. Places of Worship
Hackettstown is home to quite a
few religious organizations. This is a
vibrant area with very involved parishioners.
The houses of worship offer bible camps, thrift shops, service trips and
projects and a host of other spirit and community building opportunities. Explore the links to learn more.
Trinity Methodist Church http://www.catchthespirit.org/
Church of the Assumption http://www.assumptionbvmnj.org/
Saint James Episcopal Church http://stjameshackettstown.org/
Hackettstown Seventh Day Adventists
http://hackettstown22.adventistchurchconnect.org/article/15/contact-us
Church of the Covenant http://www.churchofthecovenant.net/
First Presbyterian Church of Hackettstown http://www.fpchackettstown.org/
Breakpoint Community Church http://www.breakpointchurch.com/
Skylands Unitarian Church http://skylandsuu.org/
Hackettstown Baptist Church http://www.hackettstownbaptistchurch.com/about-hbc/
Gethsemane Lutheran Church http://www.gethsemanehtown.com/
8. Newspapers
More about this vibrant community
can be learned via the local newspapers, which cover the local events. The
links below will lead you to articles about Hackettstown.
Hackettstown Life http://www.hackettstownlife.com/forum/636549
Hackettstown Patch www.patch.com/new-jersey/hackettstown
Star Ledger www.nj.com/starledger/
Daily Record www.dailyrecord.com/
9. Transportation
Though a small town, located in a
rural area, Hackettstown is less than 60 miles from NYC! Its location near Route 80 makes it ideal for
commuting via car. However the links
below will lead you to other modes of transportation.
NJ Transit http://www.njtransit.com/
Martz Trailways www.martztrailways.com/departures-from-new-jersey
Lakeland Bus Lines http://www.lakelandbus.com/
10. Article About Hackettstown
Hackettstown: Steeped In History, Loaded with
Charm
New Jersey Cooperative
July 2014
Liam Cusack
Hackettstown, New Jersey is one of a kind,
literally. In fact, it is one of the few towns in the United States that has no
duplicate in name, meaning there is no other Hackettstown.
Before its incorporation in 1853 it formed a
part of Independence, New Jersey. It is situated in the Musconetcong Valley,
and is nearly surrounded by Schooley's Mountain on one side, and on the other
by a mountain range of which Buck's Hill forms a part. It is fronted on its
northwestern border by the former Morris Canal and on its southeastern border
by the Musconetcong, whose excellent water power determined the location of a
town at this point.
According to the town's own website, the town is
dedicated to its citizens and to preserving the quality of life for all of its
residents. Hackettstown was incorporated as a town by an Act of the New Jersey
Legislature on March 9, 1853, from portions of Independence Township. Portions
of territory were exchanged with Mansfield Township in 1857, 1860, 1872 and
1875.
Fascinating History
Hackettstown’s name comes from Samuel Hackett,
the earliest and largest landowner of the region, who is said to have
contributed liberally to the liquid refreshments on the christening of a new
hotel, in order to secure the name (which, before this, had been Helms' Mills,
or Musconetcong). The name Hacketstown is found on a 1769 map, along with the
notation Helms, placed two miles further up the Musconetcong. This is the name
of a family that came from County Tyrone, Ireland, whose head was Thomas Helms,
father of General Helms, of the Revolutionary War army, and grandfather of
Major Thomas Helms, of the War of 1812. The Helms' mill on the Musconetcong was
on the site of Youngblood's mill, and was the first mill in this vicinity,
being built before 1764.
William Johnson (1817-1891) was a prime mover in
getting the town incorporated in 1853. Along with his brother George, they were
successful merchants when they began operating the W.L. & G.W. Johnson dry
goods store. The two men were very active in community affairs. George was a
member of First Presbyterian Church, a director of the Hackettstown National
Bank, and a member of the Hackettstown Water Board. Both men were involved in
the establishment of Union Cemetery.
Hackettstown is known
for the famous Schooley's Mountain Springs, which was for half a century the
most fashionable watering hole in America. Here the wealth and fashionable
citizenry of New York and Philadelphia were attracted every summer by the
healthful mountain air, the mineral waters and the relaxed atmosphere. The
mountain is named in honor of Thomas Schooley, one of four brothers who came to
New Jersey from Yorkshire, England.
Hackettstown houses the headquarters of Mars
Chocolate USA, the American division of Mars, Inc., makers of Milky Way, Mars,
M&M's, Twix and Snickers candy bars, as well as pet foods (such as the
Whiskas and Pedigree brands), Uncle Ben's rice products, and non-confectionery
snack foods (including Combos). Former Olympian Kristen Maloney and Yankees
minor league pitcher Cole Kimball are some of the town’s notables.
Victorian Charm
The town center retains the charm and quaintness
of a small town with lovely shops and restaurants that line Main Street. Taking
a stroll around the town you'll find some wonderful examples of Victorian
houses. Many residents remark about the small town feel. In addition to the mom
& pop stores there are also many other entertaining diversions and
recreational activities for the town’s young people. H-town Skate Park, one of
the largest indoor skate-boarding, inline skating and bike parks on the East
Coast, also has a roller rink with speed skating, inline hockey and fun zone.
Many families come from miles around to celebrate birthday parties and other
family events.
A Good Place to Live
Hackettstown's most recent claim to fame was
being named by Money Magazine as no. 72 out of the top 100 towns to live and
work in the U.S. (2005). For commuters there is a Martz bus service to New York
City and a train service either to Hoboken or Penn Station via Midtown Direct
and by road Hackettstown itself, which is located only a few miles off exit 19
of Interstate 80.
Perhaps the loveliest time of the year to visit
is in the late summer or autumn when trees change and the weather is cooler.
Any time of year, though, be sure to stroll around town, check out the retail
shops and enjoy a good hearty meal. Why not plan to spend a day...you just
might end up wanting to stay.
Liam P. Cusack is the associate editor of The
New Jersey Cooperator.
