Today I am returning to the buildings on the east side of Flemington’s Main Street that feature an arch along the front of their roofs, in particular, the two buildings constructed by John C. Hopewell, one on either side of the bank building that he put up in 1866 (See Flemington’s First Bank).
Hunterdon County
Except for articles relating to early West New Jersey, nearly all my posts concern the people who lived in Hunterdon County, which was created in March 1714.
Johnson’s Tavern
In my research I have often come across references to Johnson’s Tavern as a landmark. Deeds refer to it when identifying roads, like “the road from Swamp Meeting House (Locktown) to Johnson’s Tavern” or “the road from Rittenhouse Tavern (Rosemont) to Johnson’s Tavern.” And sometimes it is just “the great road to Johnson’s Tavern,” which is today’s Route 519 through Kingwood Township.
Fulper’s Store
or The Gilded Age on Main Street
By the time of the Civil War, Flemington had grown considerably, but the war had dampened commercial spirits and citizens were eager for a comeback. This was demonstrated by an item from the editor of the Hunterdon Republican, on Nov. 1, 1865:
Union Hotel, part 3
The history of the Union Hotel continues, following the sale in 1850 by innkeeper Mahlon C. Hart and wife Maria to a partnership of real estate investors.
Union Hotel, part 2
Flemington, New Jersey
My last article studying the history of the Union Hotel began with the beginning of the Village of Flemington in the 18th century and left off in 1809 with Neal Hart as owner of what was then known as “the House of Neal Hart in Flemington.”
A sketch of the hotel in its later years.
Flemington’s Pulmonic Tonic
While researching the history of the Union Hotel in Flemington, I came across an advertisement in the November 5, 1845 edition of a newspaper called Public Ledger, located in Philadelphia. It caught my attention for a couple reasons. First, because of its claim to be the only known cure for consumption.
Union Hotel, part 1
When The Hotel Was a Tavern
My last article concerned an old restaurant on Main Street (today’s Higgins News Agency) that long ago sported a lovely arch along its front roofline. Previous to that, was the George Rea building, that had a similar arch on all four sides. Looking for the next building on Flemington’s Main Street with that unusual feature, we come to none other than the Union Hotel.
Oysters Every Style
The surprising history behind a modest building
My last article was the first of the series I hope to write about Flemington’s 19th century buildings with arches on their rooflines. That last article featured the Clock Tower building at the corner of Main Street and Bloomfield Avenue, built in 1874 by George A. Rea. Now let’s stroll south along Main Street to visit the next building in this series.
The Clock Tower Building
My previous article served as an introduction to the subject of the interesting buildings on Flemington’s Main Street that all feature an arch in the middle of their front roofline. Now let’s focus on each of them individually, starting with:
Roof Arches, part 1
A Distinctive Feature of Downtown Flemington
While studying some properties on Main Street Flemington, it dawned on me that many of them have an arch in the middle of their front rooflines. This seemed like such a distinctive feature in town that it merited a closer look.