Located about 70 miles west of Times Square, rural Greenwich Township is a breath of fresh air for its 5,700 citizens. Incorporated in 1738, it is one of Warren County's oldest townships. Situated in the eastern region of the Lehigh Valley, Greenwich is close to the Pennsylvania border and vibrant towns like Easton and Bethlehem. Within the 11-square mile township are the hamlets of Stewartsville and Kennedy Mills. Rolling countryside, hot air balloon sightings and wide open views lend a relaxed feeling to the pastoral surroundings, making Greenwich Township a sound financial investment as the community becomes a destination for out-of-towners as well as an alternative to dense suburban living in central New Jersey.

Real estate here ranges from faithfully restored historical homes and luxurious Colonials in newer neighborhoods to established farms, townhome communities and charming cottages and Capes. Newer single-family home enclaves in Greenwich include Forest Ridge, Greenfields, Kennedy Mills and Greenwich Hills.

History

Named for the maritime town of Greenwich, England, the township was settled in the late 17th century by farmers who were drawn to the banks of Pohatcong Creek. The Stewartsville section was named after Thomas Stewart, a secretary to George Washington. Thomas Stewart purchased 360 acres here in 1793, and his original Stewart homestead still stands along with many other farm houses and mills. The Kennedy House and Mill, located on Route 173 in Kennedy Mills, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A small section of the Norfolk Southern Railway's Lehigh Line (formerly the mainline of the Lehigh Valley Railroad), runs through the southern part of Greenwich Township on its way to nearby Phillipsburg.

Community Life

Open green spaces and parkland, like the Morris Canal Greenway Trail, are ideal for hiking and enjoying the area's natural beauty. An active Recreation Department offers a variety of team sports for children and adults, as well as special events throughout the year. Thomas Stewart Park contains sports fields, a playground, picnic pavilion and bike trails. A few minutes away is Phillipsburg for major retailers and many dining opportunities, while golfers are close to Architects and Harkers Hollow Golf Clubs. Several local equestrian facilities provide riding lessons and boarding. Volunteers play an active role in the local government, serving on municipal boards, commissions and committees dedicated to the township's history, recreation, open space, land use, environment and more. The newest branch of the Warren County Library is in Stewartsville; the Southwest Branch has a teen zone, fireside reading area, Makerspace, programs and media for all ages.

Education

The Greenwich Township School District consists of Greenwich Elementary School for pre-kindergarten to grade five and Stewartsville Middle School for grades six through eight. Both schools have a low student-to-teacher ratio for a more individualized approach. The district's smaller class sizes allow for greater focus on the academic, social and emotional needs of each child.

For 11 years in a row, Stewartsville Middle School has been named an Honor School by the National Student Council. They have numerous clubs including the National Junior Honor Society and Interact, both focusing on community service.

Established in 1871, Phillipsburg High School's recently-constructed facility is located in Lopatcong. This regional campus serves students from Greenwich, Alpha, Bloomsbury, Lopatcong and Pohatcong as well as Phillipsburg. It is the largest high school built in New Jersey, with state-of-the-art academic and athletic facilities. The 330,000-square-foot, three-story building was completed in 2016. A varied curriculum provides 22 Advanced Placement courses with numerous electives and levels of study. There are 28 varsity sports teams; the football team won 14 State Championships and the wrestling team won 22 State Championships.

Students from the township are also eligible to attend Ridge and Valley Charter School in Frelinghuysen Township for kindergarten to eighth grade, and Warren County Technical School, a high school in Washington Borough. Special education services are provided for pre-kindergarten to grade 12.

Private schools in the region include Saints Philip and James School in Phillipsburg and Pennsylvania schools such as Bethlehem Catholic High School in Bethlehem and Notre Dame High School in Easton. Raritan Valley Community College in Branchburg and Warren County Community College in Washington provide degree and certificate programs.

Transportation

The northern edge of Greenwich Township accesses Route 57 while Interstate 78 skirts the southern portion, and Route 22 runs along the western border. These roadways lead toward Pennsylvania or New York City. Philadelphia and Manhattan are each about 70 miles from Greenwich.

NJ Transit train service from Hackettstown, about a 30-minute drive, leads to Newark and New York City's Penn Station, a ride of approximately two hours. Trans-Bridge Lines and Fullington Trailways buses depart from Easton Transportation Center and arrive in New York City's Port Authority; the fastest trip usually takes about an hour and ten minutes.

Local Attractions

The Jim and Mary Lee Canal Museum highlights the manmade wonder that was the Morris Canal, an engineering marvel which is also a National Engineering Landmark. The former plane tender's house was the longtime home of noted canal historian Jim Lee, Sr. and his wife, Mary. Today, this museum houses a collection of Morris Canal artifacts.

Bread Lock Park is another place that explores the history of the Morris Canal. A picnic area, walking path and Warren County history museum are set along the historic Morris Canal Greenway. Lock 7 West became known as "Bread Lock" because the store at the end of the lock sold goods to boatmen passing through back in the mid-19th century, including homemade bread and pies.

Fun Facts

Local legend has it that Chingachgook, the (fictional) hero in James Fenimore Cooper's novel The Last of the Mohicans, was buried under a tree in the Old Greenwich cemetery.

The first cement highway in New Jersey was Route 57 in Greenwich Township. The cement was supplied by Edison Portland Cement, which operated in neighboring New Village. It was the brainchild of Thomas Edison, who was a frequent Stewartsville visitor and once celebrated his birthday at the Fulmer Hotel in the town's square.