Marlboro Township, New Jersey has a number of historic sites. The Monmouth County Historic Site Inventory (HSI) was started in 1980 by the directors of both the Monmouth County Historical Association and the Monmouth County Park System. This inventory project provided an inventory number to all historic properties in Monmouth County, New Jersey. In addition to property details, this listing provides reference numbers for easy identification. In addition to the park system inventory, the Marlboro Township Historic Commission provides a listing of Historic Commission Landmarks (HCL). These are physical signs placed in historically significant locations. There was also a list presented by the NJ Department of Environmental Protection - Historic Preservation Office (HPO).
Listings Here is a listing of historically relevant property and buildings in Marlboro as referenced by the HSI, HCL and the HPO:General Publication from the Monmouth County Park System - 1980 - available on request from the parks system. NameHSIStatusHCLHPONotesMcCarron House NoRoof repaired in 2015 and windows replaced in 2016 - Preserved Farmland 2021Morganville School YesOriginal part of school built circa 1850.Old Robertsville School YesBuilt circa 1822Retreat of the British Army YesSign located at 52 Dutch Lane RoadMarlboro Village1328-01 --Designated region of the older part of Marlboro VillageOld Marlboro Township Hall1328-01-01LostNoBuilding converted to restaurant - original part no longer identifiable Marlboro Hotel1328-01-02Demolished YesWas on the parking lot next to firehouseLiberty Grange1328-01-03 YesBuilding converted to officeAddison Hobart House1328-01-05 YesConverted to art studioDutch Reformed Chapel1328-01-03 YesConverted to dance studioEE Brewer House1328-01-08 NoWE Brewer House1328-01-07 NoJR Stout House1328-01-06 NoCollins Blacksmith and Wheelwright Shop1328-01-09 NoDimeo Farm1328-02House demolished NoHouse was demolished 2015. The barn is standing but is currently at risk.Federal Hall1328-04 YesConover House1328-03 NoCurrently unknown1328-07Demolished --This number skipped in the HSI sequence.Marlboro Psychiatric Hospital1328-08Demolished No YesRegister of Historic PlacesCollier Estate Yes Converted to a high schoolJacob Van Dorn House1328-06 NoCurrently unknown1328-05Demolished No This number skipped in the HSI sequence.St. Gabriel Roman Catholic Church1328-11 YesOld Brick Reformed Church1328-10 YesVan Dorn Ely Farm1328-09Demolished NoMedical Director Home1328-12Demolished No Home for the Marlboro Psychiatric Hospital Medical DirectorReed Schanck Farm1328-13Demolished NoCurrently unknown1328-14Demolished No This number skipped in the HSI sequence.LaFayette Conover Farm1328-15 NoAsher Holmes House1328-16 No YesCondition of structure poor; aka "Old Kentuck"Dr. Gordon Home1328-17Demolished NoBurned downHortensia Farm1328-18Demolished YesBurned downJ.H. Rue's Potato Warehouse1328-19Lost NoConverted to pre-schoolDavid Vanderveer House1328-20 NoVanMater House1328-21 NoLiberty Hall 1328-22Demolished NoLand used for condos Morganville Methodist Episcopal Church1328-23 NoTylee Schanck House1328-24 NoUriah Smock House1328-26 NoMarlboro Railroad Depot1328-27 NoCurrently reconverted to an officeGarret I. Conover Farm1328-28 No Vanderveer House1328-29 Yes Built circa 1722 Van Kirk Farm1328-25 No Yes HPO ID# 3727; aka Benjamin Vanderveer House
When the creator of this inventory was asked about the missing number in the Inventory; the response was that the missing inventory numbers ("currently unknown") may indicate that the building no longer exists, or was demolished during the listing process. The Historical Sites Inventory is now an abandoned project. The document is still available on request from the Monmouth County Park System.Personal communication with Gail at the park system main office.
Addison Hobart House The house was built in 1828. The Marlboro Historic Commission placed a marker at 9 North Main Street. The marker states "This was once the home of Addison Hobart, a businessman, teacher, postmaster, and Commissioner of Deeds. Garret Hobart, his son, lived in this house and later entered politics, ultimately becoming Vice President of the United States in 1896 under William McKinley. Garret Hobart died in 1899."Historical marker located at the front of the building placed by the Marlboro Historical Society The building is located on North Main Street in Marlboro, immediately next to the fire house.
At one point when Garret Hobart lived in this house he was a school teacherAsbury Park Press, Feb 9, 1914, Page 4 before going to college at Rutgers.
The house is currently used as an art studio.
The building is a wood-framed, two-story, three-bay "T-Plan" Greek Revival style structure. There are two ridge chimneys and 6/6 sash windows. The foundation is constructed of brick. There is a plaque on the house which dates it to 1938.
It was owned by A.W. Hobart for much of the mid-19th century; he ran a hardware store and grocery in the next lot (torn down).
The Monmouth county Historic Site Inventory number is 1328–01–05.historical site index, Monmouth County Park System
Asher Holmes House
Called "Old Kentuck",National Park Service. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. the home was most noteworthy for a person who lived at and owned the property, Revolutionary War hero Colonel Asher Holmes.
The home is located on Pleasant Valley Road in Marlboro Township. Built before 1770, it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on November 6, 1973.
The structure is currently considered unsafe for any type of activity or entry. It seems to have been abandoned for the last 20–30 years.
The house faces south with the back of the structure to the road. There do not appear to be structural changes in the past 150 years. Inside the building are double parlors, a central hall, Dutch doors and four chimneys. The outside has original cypress shingles. The house had an addition connected to it, but the smaller section is the original part, which dates to the mid-1700s. There appears to have been a smoke house in the attic. This was discovered many years ago when it was found there is a smaller squared-off space where a fifth chimney may have been at one point that contains meat hooks attached to the rafters. There is a basement under the whole house except for a room off the kitchen. The dining room is of native field stone. Dutch construction suggests the builder of the original structure was not English. The first recorded owner of this property was Asher Holmes. This may mean the person who built this house was not Holmes but someone of Dutch heritage; Holmes likely purchased the home from that person.
Beacon Hill Beacon Hill, New Jersey is the second highest point in the county and was used as a lookout point towards the Raritan Bay. During the Revolutionary War, Col. Asher Holmes was ordered to construct three beaconsDonald Campbell Little, 1951, Descendants of Col. John Little, Esq., of Shrewsbury Township, Monmouth County, New Jersey - Page 62 as part of statewide warning beacons should the British attempt to land in Raritan Bay or Sandy Hook. Used as a signal to local militia of British invasion, each pyramid of logs was high and wide. When filled with brush and lit, the fires could be seen throughout the area.Marlboro Municipal Records , Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed September 9, 2013.
Collier Estate The main house was built circa 1904. The Marlboro Township Historic Commission posted a sign for this structure at the street entrance to the property now owned by the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, Pleasant Valley Road. The significance of the building was that it was used as a "Rest Hill".
It was an assemblage of many old farmsteads, purchased for a vacation home by magazine publisher Peter F. Collier. His son Robert was an aviation enthusiast who purchased the first Wright Brothers biplane and housed it at the estate using the field as a runway. This plane provided pilot training for Sir Thomas Sopwith, who went on to build many of the airplanes used in World War I.Asbury Park Press, Jan 28, 1989, Page 6 The property was the site of many large-scale parties, some attended by 2,500 people."Guide to Life in Marlboro", Asbury Park Press, February 2, 2006, Page 9
The porch is a replica of Mount Vernon.
Robert's widow, Sarah Van Alen, donated the estate in 1927 to the Sisters of the Good Shepherd.Sign posted in front of the building by the Marlboro Township Historic Commission It was later converted to a high school and residence for children at risk.
Collins Blacksmith and Wheelwright Shop
Built circa 1910, this is a two-story frame shop near Main Street with a gable roof, weatherboard siding, and sliding double doors. The lot was the site of blacksmith and wheelwright shops throughout the 19th century. The blacksmith shop was built by Hollands. It is now used as storage for antique farm equipment.
It has the New Jersey Historic Sites Inventory number 1328-01-9.Historic Sites Inventory, Monmouth County Park System
Conover House
The main house was destroyed by fire in 1991. The course was built c. 1840 with 1893 alterations. It was stories, and the main doorway had Greek Revival elements. A second large old house (c. 1850?) and an elaborate barn complex remain on the property.
It has the New Jersey Historic Sites Inventory number 1328-03.
Dutch Reformed Chapel
The Marlboro Dutch Reformed Chapel was a Christian church created in downtown Marlboro by the Old Brick Dutch Reformed Church. Built in 1869 on Main Street, its function was to serve as an alternative meeting place when weather or other events required a meeting closer to town.
The building is an L-shaped wood-framed clapboard structure with intersecting gabled roof and a bell tower. Currently lost, the front of the structure had long thin stained glass windows which framed a semi-circular transom front double doorway. The building is 25 × 40 feet and was erected for $2,725.
Marlboro Township Historic Commission placed a sign outside the structure which states, "A vernacular Victorian building with Romanesque elements, this chapel was used in the winter since the main church on Route 520 in the Bradevelt section had no heat. Several additions were added to the original chapel over time. The bell in the tower tolled until 1969 when the building was sold. The bell is now on the property of the main church."Chapel cign, Marlboro Township Historic Commission, Marlboro Township NJ
The church has a Monmouth County historic site inventory number, 1328–01–04.Monmouth County Historic sites Inventory
Federal Hall Built circa 1740 and once owned by the Ely family, the Federal style house resembles a steamboat with a rounded north end. The smokehouse and ice house remain intact. During the early 19th century, the house served as an inn.Staff. , living in - Western Monmouth, April 7, 2009. Accessed September 9, 2013. "According to the present owner of the home, Patrick Pentland - who is an architect as well as the Chairman of the Marlboro Township Historic Commission - the name Federal Hall was most likely given to the home due to the patriotism of its first recorded owner, Colonel Elias Conover, who had served in Captain Waddell's company during the American Revolution." The house is one of a few of this style left in the country.
Hortensia The property was deeded by King Charles II of England and built in 1686 by John Reid, County Judge and Surveyor-General of East JerseyAlvin Cliver, "Little Known Today of History of Pre-Revolution Topanemus", Asbury Park Press, December 25, 1949, Page 5 and Commissioner of Highways for the county. Hortensia was a tract of 200 acres situated on the east branch of the Hop Brook.