Randolph Township
New Jersey (NJ)

Homes for Sale in Randolph Township
Randolph Township Web Site
Randolph Township School District
NJ Transit Web Site

Randolph is a Township in Morris County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 24,847.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 21.1 square miles (54.6 km?) of which 21.0 square miles (54.3 km?) consists of land and 0.1 square miles (0.3 km?) (0.57%) is made up of water.

New York City is approximately 56 km (35 mi) or a 45 minute commute from Randolph. Atlantic City is 209 km (130 mi) or 2 hours away

Randolph is located within the New Jersey Highlands, one of New Jersey's four major physiographic provinces. Part of the Appalachian Mountains, the Highlands are characterized by alternating flat-topped ridges and deep-striking valleys.

Land in Randolph runs from 551 to 1,120 feet (340 m) above sea level. Route 10 bisects the town, and country roads wind through woods, along streams, and up and down hills. Open land is preserved by both municipal and county parkland within the town boundaries.

Many of Randolph?s early settlers were Quakers. Several were farmers who grew grain, flax, and hemp, and raised cattle and sheep. Some mined iron ore or operated forges. By the mid-1700s, a significant Presbyterian population had also settled here. In 1713, New Jersey?s first iron mine was registered and it was located in Randolph. The iron mines in the township supplied the Revolutionary forces with necessary ore for tools and weapons. The iron industry, which continued to thrive for the next 200 years, played an important part in the development of Randolph. Situated upstream of the Black River, the South branch of the Raritan River, the Whippany River, and the Rockaway River, the iron hills of Randolph attracted settlers and its streams provided power for industry.

Before the Revolution, water-powered industries were operating in Combs Hollow and in the Quaker community of Millbrook, also known as Mott Hollow. By the early 1800s, small industries along the Mill Brook were processing textiles and manufacturing hats, rope and barrels. Mott Hollow?s oil mill, which produced linseed oil from flax, was one of only two in Morris County in 1821.

Once part of Mendham, a separate Randolph Township was incorporated on November 13, 1805. At that time, it included the areas that are now Dover, Wharton, Mine Hill and Victory Gardens. Following the Civil War, local industries declined, as less expensive products from larger urban manufacturers became readily available. Despite a brief boom in iron mining around Ironia in the 1870s, Randolph reverted to a largely agricultural economy. Inexpensive land attracted newcomers. Jewish families, disillusioned with urban life, came here from New York City around 1900. They established farms and a vital community that exists today.

Randolph saw little growth and some decline in population during the early 20th century. In the 1940s, the population began rising sharply, a trend that continued for fifty years. Route 10, which became a state highway through Randolph in 1931, contributed to the influx, especially when it was widened later in the century. Despite this, substantial tracts of undeveloped land remained, including the hills and fields that became the campus of County College of Morris in 1968.

Though Randolph?s landscape continued to change, especially during the 1990s when much development occurred, it still has many acres of open space and parkland. Throughout the municipality, old farmhouses, mills and other historic structures remind of us Randolph?s heritage as an agricultural and rural industrial community.