Harding Real Estate
Welcome to Harding Township, NJ
Forbes once called part of Harding Township in Morris County one of the "Top 25 Richest Zip Codes" in the United States, and the elegant homes and manors spread throughout the area reflect that title. Home to some of New Jersey's most beautiful residences, Harding Township is 20 square miles of open country, pastures and farmland, and thousands of acres of protected green space with lakes and streams scattered throughout.
Even though it feels a world away, Harding Township is just 21 miles from Newark and 32 miles from New York City. Interstate 287 runs through the northern portion of the community, and several train stations along the New Jersey Transit Rail System's Morristown and Gladstone Lines are just minutes away from Harding.
Divided into two communities — New Vernon and Green Village — over 40 percent of the undeveloped space in Harding Township is protected. Many of the elegant estates have been here for decades, passed down through generations, and now sit on the National Register of Historical Places.
Harding Township looks similar to what it did back in the 1700s when European settlers moved to the area and began setting up farms and orchards, raising livestock, and growing grains and other crops. By the late 1800s, wealthy Manhattanites began buying up the old farmland and building sprawling country estates and manors for summer getaways. By 1922, these wealthy residents decided they wanted the area to remain peaceful and as natural as possible, so they formed Harding Township, naming it for President Warren G. Harding. In 1928, those residents created the New Vernon Restrictive Agreement which was put into place to require any future land owners to keep the area as rural as possible.
Dining, Shopping, and Entertainment in Harding Township
Most Harding Township residents head out of town to do their shopping, but there are a few opportunities within the township's boundaries. The portion of Route 202, aka Mt. Kemble Avenue, that runs through the northwestern section of town is home to a number of shops, restaurants, and businesses, and is known as the "Country Mile." Stores like Talbots, The Depot, Paradise, Country Mile Gardens, and Riccardi Brothers sell clothing, gifts, home décor, and more.
When it comes to dining, there are also a few restaurants located along the Country Mile. The Market Taverne serves contemporary American food in an inviting semi-casual setting. The Minuteman Family Restaurant and Pie Shoppe opened in 1962, and has been serving up delicious food with a smile ever since. For classic comfort dishes served in a historic colonial inn, try the Grain House in nearby Basking Ridge.
Community events are an important part of Harding Township. For example, each year a Memorial Day parade takes place on the holiday, and one distinguished resident receives an award. During the fall, the New Vernon Volunteer Fire Department holds its annual Country Auction, where the community gathers to bid on antiques, cars, and other unique items. The Kemmerer Library offers regular programs like book clubs and story times for kids, teens, and adults.
There are also a number of historic attractions in Harding Township. The Glen Alpin Mansion, built in 1840, is a beautiful home with hand-painted murals, a glass conservatory, and a music room. The Tunis-Ellicks Farmhouse dates back to 1790, and it features period furniture and a garden with over 125 herbs and perennials.
The Morristown National Historic Park was the country's first National Historic Park, and a large portion of it is located in Harding Township. Its grounds and buildings date back to the Revolutionary War, and visitors can check out Jockey Hollow, the Continental Army encampment; Fort Nonsense; the Washington's Headquarters Museum; and The Ford Mansion, the home where George Washington spent the coldest winter on record.
Parks and Playgrounds in Harding Township
Next to the pastures and rolling hills, there are several parks in and around Harding Township. Half of the 7,455-acre Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is located within the community's boundaries. Much of the land is undisturbed, but it is still a popular spot for hiking and birdwatching.
Parts of the Loantaka Brook Reservation are also located within the township. It features playgrounds, athletic fields, bike and equestrian trails, fitness stations, a lake, picnic shelters, and more.
Real Estate Information
While there is some new construction in Harding Township, the age of homes is mixed throughout the Township with some dating back over 200 years. You will find architectural styles like Cape Cod, Colonial, and Federal, as well as many custom homes. Gentleman's and equestrian farms are also scattered throughout the community. There is a mix of homes large and small on various sized properties. If larger tracks of land are to be developed, current zoning requires lots to be 5 acres.