The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1897-10-22
DRIVES IN NORRIS CO.
An Obseryant Traveller is Glad
to Return to MorristOwn,

Some Fine Drives About the County
Scenes at BernardsvilIe and Mendham-
SchooIey's Mountain and the Views
Along the Way-Return BY Hacketts-
town and DOver-Good County Roads
Better Accommodations Wanted at
County Inns.
1t is hill country. this North Jersey,
a country Astounding in streams and
woodlands, in 'green pastures and still
waters truly goodly land.
I never come back to Morris county
after my summer outing without feeling
that it would be hard to find more
charming region than this, and while
the fine autumn weather lasts, we try to
make the most of it and search out new
lanes and highways over hill and dale.
One of our favorite drives is to the
Somerset Inn, midway between Ber-
nardsville and Mendham. We go for
about six miles southwark from Morris
town to point where the Passaic River,
there small stream, crosses the road,
and where for hundred years an old
stone mill has stood at the meeting of
the ways.
Just beyond this we turn to the west,
and for about two miles, we follow up
the course of the Passaic, our road climb
ing along the hillside and winding
through thick woods, while the little
river dashes through the ravine far be-
low us. Somerset Inn stands on what
was once the estate of the late George l.
Seney, the New York banker and phil
anthropist. The property has now
passed into the hands of persons who are
able and willing to spend money freely
in developing the region, and the wood
land walks, well kept lawns and general
air of comfort and refinement which sur
round the house, make it most attrac-
tive resort for those who seek pure
upland air, and who perfer to be really
in the country rather than in fashion
able hotel in crowded watering place.
Two miles from here on the top of the
hill at Mendham, stands the Presbyterian
Church with its tall, white spire, the
very pattern of well cared for country
meeting house of the best New England
and Puritan type.
tfOur modern churches are ritualistic
affairs" said a venerable minister in
speaking to me lately of the tendency to
depart from the old and simple form of
structure to which our fathers were
wont to go on Sabbath mornings "with
the multitude that kept Holy Day."
Certainly the First Church Of Mendham
is reminder of the dignity and simpli-
city which belonged to our churches in
the days that are past, and which all
who truly love the church greatly de-
sire to perpetuate 1t was in this church
many years ago that the Rev. DIR. Hast
ings. the honored and beloved president
of Union Seminary, began his ministry.
1t has had a succession of able pastors,
and is enjoying continued prosperity
nnder the efficient ministry of the Rev,
George P. Noble.
Another fine drive is to SchooIey's
Mountain, twenty miles west of Morris
town. This historic resort, now much
less popular than it was generation ago.
has lost none of its natural beauty. The
little village, with its two large hotels,
both of which we were surprised to find
greatly run down and presenting a
neglected appearance, stands on the
summit of the mountain, or broad pla-
teau, about thousand feet above the
sea, and overlooks the beautiful Mus
conetcong Valley on the northwest and
German Valley on the southeast.
1t was once the resort Of many promi-
nent families, and here was a summer
hotel as early as 1893. The building
still stands in the grounds of the Heath
House, large property, which the
owner is now offering for sale.
But fashions change in summer resorts
as in other things. We have seen a great
number of new places become popular
within the last few years, and some of
the old places have declined in public
favor. But those which have real merits
will be sure to come up and be popular
again, and among these, 1 am much in
clined to think, will be Schooley's
Mountain.
We lunch at the Heath House and
then drive on to Hackettstown, about
four miles. Here we spend the night
and start on our return theNext morn
ing. going by another route which takes
us up the valley of the Musconetcong by
a winding and often narrow read,
throuh thick woods and over many
bridges. Here the railway and the Nor
ris Canal, as well as the driveway, are
compelled to find their way through the
gap in the hills made by this quiet val
ley, and as we cross the bridges over the
canal, we look down charming vistas,
where the thick foliage of the green
banks make such sweet background
that even the prosaic canal boat looks
quantity picturesque. AS we drive
along, the roadway is lined with wild
flowers. The yellow golden rod is in its
glory, and the purple aster, with many
another delicately tinted flower, are
growing in lavish profusion, as if they
were glad to make s'the solitary place
rejoice more and blossom as the rose. y
How much more we. value wild flowers