Over the past few years, Money magazine, CNN.com and NJ Monthly magazine have all singled out Readington Township as a desirable place to live. Driving around the back roads and winding byways that characterize the natural splendor of the area, it's easy to see why this township is such a great place to call home. Its location midway between New York City and Philadelphia-about 60 miles from either-makes it a close enough commute yet far enough away to enjoy a relaxed quality of life.

Located in eastern Hunterdon County, Readington Township is the county's largest municipality, measuring about 48 square miles. Created before pre-Revolutionary times, Readington was established by Royal Charter of King George II on July 15, 1730. When New Jersey's first 104 townships were named in 1798, Readington was among them. Today the township shares its borders with Raritan, Clinton and Tewksbury Townships in Hunterdon County and Branchburg in Somerset County.

Topographically speaking, Readington's abundance of protected farmland, rivers, streams and the Cushetunk Mountain range make it a naturally scenic place to live. The Lamington River, Rockaway Creek and South Branch of the Raritan River provide picturesque scenery throughout the township.

Since Readington is home to major corporations like Merck, Quick Chek and Chubb Corporation, property tax burdens are eased in comparison to other New Jersey municipalities.

Historic Readington

Readington Township is fortunate to have Stanton, Three Bridges, Centreville and Whitehouse within its borders; each is a historic village showcasing signs of Early American life in their simple churches, old-fashioned general stores or one-room schoolhouses. The village of Readington is equally historic and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places based on its collection of 18th century buildings which include a general store, antique residences, two schoolhouses, an inn and church.

Three Bridges was located on an early Indian trail known after a 1711 survey as The York Road, and later named The Old York Road. Daniel Sebring purchased land in Three Bridges in 1711 and by 1738 established a tavern here. In 1769 it became the first overnight stagecoach stop for travelers on The Old York Road due to its location halfway between New York and Philadelphia. A third bridge was added to the village in 1830, and the area was officially re-named Three Bridges in 1866.

Stanton is home to the Reformed Church and general store which were both built in the 1830s and remain today. Located at the base of Round Mountain, the community was settled by the Dutch in the 1600s. Stanton's earlier names included Housel, for Dutch settler Johannes Housel; Waggoner's Hill after land owner William Waggoner, and Mount Pleasant. In the early 1900s the community's name was changed once again to Stanton, this time to distinguish it from a different Mount Pleasant in New Jersey.

Centreville along Pleasant Run and Old York Road was also home to a tavern and coach stop for the Swift Sure Stage Line which provided service between New York and Philadelphia in the mid-1700s. In its heyday, Centreville was a busy place with a blacksmith shop, church, post office, school and general store, although today it is a residential community. It is alternately spelled Centerville.

Whitehouse was settled by Abraham Van Horn in 1722 who saw potential for his grist and sawmills along the Rockaway Creek. In around 1750 he constructed a tavern with white plaster walls, which travelers began to call the White House. Stones from that original building can be seen in the DAR cemetery's retaining wall, which is where the tavern used to stand. Nearby Whitehouse Station also borrowed its name from the tavern, but it wasn't established until the railroad came to town in the mid-1800s.

Community Life

The Readington Township Recreation Department maintains an active calendar of events for adults and children. Sports leagues and lessons, art classes, day trips and more are on the changing list based on the season. The Recreation Department also sponsors the community's annual Memorial Day parade to kick off the summer. Local fire trucks, school groups, veterans, scout troops, classic cars and sports teams are on hand to mark this all-American parade. The celebration continues with a flag raising at the Municipal Building followed by a Community Day at Pickell Park.

Twenty-eight percent of all the land in Readington Township has been preserved as open space for future generations, allowing residents to take advantage of the protected acreage. The township has saved 70 farms totaling 4,748 acres and conserved 3,678 acres of open space, with recreational options that include hiking trails and nature trails winding through woodlands. Maintaining the rural nature of Readington is important to this municipality, which has several pending applications being considered for addition to the list of protected farmland.

Education

Public school students attend one of three elementary schools in Readington. Three Bridges School and Whitehouse School are for kindergarten to grade three, while Holland Brook School houses grades four and five. The Readington Middle School enrolls students in the middle grades of six to eight.

A regional high school for students from Readington also serves students from Delaware Township, East Amwell, Raritan Township and Flemington Borough. Hunterdon Central Regional High School on Route 31 in Flemington is a 72-acre campus enrolling about 3,100 students. The high school has four academic buildings, music and communication buildings, a field house with seating for 2,000, and a media center.

Named a Blue Ribbon School by the United States Department of Education in 2002, Hunterdon Central Regional High School also achieved that award in 1997, a distinction that is unique in all of New Jersey. With a curriculum designed to promote academic excellence, 89% of graduates in 2011 planned to further their education at a four-year or community college.

Transportation

Local and interstate highways in Readington Township include Routes 22, 31, 78 and 202. Whitehouse Station is a popular starting point for rail commuters headed toward Manhattan. There is NJ Transit train service for passengers who work in New York City, Newark or Hoboken. Riders can also connect to the PATH train for service to lower Manhattan from Newark or Hoboken. The trip takes up to 90 minutes depending on the time of day and destination.

Nearby Clinton has a Park and Ride stop on Route 31 for Trans Bridge bus service to Port Authority in midtown Manhattan. Those working in Philadelphia can catch a train or bus from the Trenton Transit Center, about 40 miles south of Readington.

Readington Real Estate

With a rich heritage dating back to the 1700s, Readington Township has a remarkable collection of beautifully-restored antique homes, from stately Victorians and Greek Revivals to charming farmhouses and old stone dwellings. In more recent years there have been new developments of luxurious single-family neighborhoods as well as town house and condominium complexes. Custom-built homes, horse farms, center hall Colonials, Contemporary style residences and mid-century homes also characterize the architectural styles available in Readington's real estate market.

Local Attractions

Solberg Airport is home to the Quick Chek Festival of Ballooning, an annual event that takes place in July. Not to be missed is the ascent of scores of vividly-colored hot air balloons as they take to the sky. The weekend-long celebration also features live music, food and children's activities. It is hailed as the largest hot air balloon festival in North America.

Readington Library is located in the heart of Whitehouse Station at 255 Main Street. Situated in a former railroad station, the circa 1892 Richardson-Romanesque architecture was designed by a Bradford Gilbert, a celebrated Philadelphia architect. Restored by community members in1981, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Don't forget to visit the Ladies Waiting Room.

Cole Road Greenway Trails are a new addition to Readington's already extensive network of trails. This four-mile system can be accessed at trail heads on Cole Road and Pine Bark Road. Local groups including the Readington Trail Association and Boy Scout troops dedicated hundreds of volunteer hours to complete the trails. It is mostly level, making it perfect for walking, horseback riding or cross country skiing.

Rockaway Preserve in East Whitehouse provides a panoramic view of the Rockaway Creek from a bluff-top location. The preserve encompasses 113 acres of preserved open space and includes hiking trails through the woods.