| The Piece of HISTORY ~Known as Oak Cottage~ NOW FOR SALE ! $425,000 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ HOME OFFICE POTENTIAL Easy NYC Commute!! |
The original Oak Cottage (the lower level of the section closest to the
camera in the post card photo) was most likely built circa 1818. The mill
(apple distillery) was built in 1828. The house has had many
renovations and updates through the years - with one major update,
renovation, and addition built sometime between 1855 - 1880 - when
the (William) Marsh family owned the house (which is also the period the
Second Empire design was popularized in America.) The Camardella
family brought about additional renovations during the 1920's. The
house is a classic example of Second Empire (General Grant) style
-and is one of very few protected and preserved homes of this style in
the area.
Oak Cottage was one of the homes cited in the designation of this area
as a National Historic District. Oak Cottage was a 'contributing factor' in
the area receiving the official Historic District status - and therefore is
protected as the Historic treasure that it truly is. It is also on the New
Jersey register of historic places. ~ The Oak Cottage property has a
two story 'carriage house'. This carriage house was once a water wheel
powered 'apple distillery' built by Ephraim Marsh in 1828.
Behind the house and the mill is "Mary's Lake" - a man-made cement
pond, which is fed by the stream that powered the cider mill. The pond
was enjoyed for swimming - and at one point even small boats. (Though
now the pond is used for fishing - and perhaps ice skating.)
The ownership history of Oak Cottage was researched by the
Washington Township Historic Committee and has been passed on to
us. We will share the links in ownership with you:
The earliest records discovered trace the ownership back to 1827. In
April of this year Ephraim Marsh acquired the land from Ira
Whitehead who was acting as executor of Joseph Heath. The
Marsh and the Heath families were both noted owners of two
renowned resort hotels. It is interesting that the two most
important men on the mountain (at a time when Schooley's
Mountain was at the peak of its social prominence) BOTH owned
Oak Cottage. Ephraim Marsh himself must have built the Apple
Cider Mill on the property; because on November 22, 1828 John
Gray purchased the property and "the recently erected Apple
Distillery" from Marsh and his wife. On April 6, 1835 John Gray sold
the property to Charles and Rachel Robinson. On October 30, 1850
Rachel Robinson sold the property to Lawrence Milford. Robert
Hockenberry was the next to purchase the property on October 12,
1854.
By the 4th of July, 1855 the property was back in the hands of
the Marsh family. William Marsh had acquired part of the
property on July 2, 1855 from Robert Hockenberry - and the
remainder was devised to him by the will of his father, Ephraim
Marsh. The property remained in the hands of the Marsh family
for another 25 years. The Marsh family, therefore, must have
converted Oak Cottage to the Second Empire design- as the
time frame for Second Empire can be dated to that exact period.
The Marsh family sold the property on October 23, 1880 to Daniel and
Angeline Robert for $3,000.00.
Daniel and Angeline Robert owned the house for nearly 20 years
before selling it to Elizabeth Miller on September 15, 1898. Elizabeth
only owned the house for a very short time - selling it to Sara Thompson
on April 24, 1899. Sara also only owned Oak Cottage for a brief time -
selling it to Albert Collier on December 14, 1900.
Albert and Emma Kleinert then purchased the house on March 31,
1906. Fourteen years later they sold the entire property to the
Carmadella family - transferring it on April 29, 1920. Oak Cottage then
remained in the Camardella family for over 85 years - until it was sold to
JFCGE Holdings, LLC in May of 2006.
Oak Cottage had fallen into severe disrepair over a 40 year vacancy -
extending from the mid-1960's until his sale in 2006. Robert and
Michele Pulis realized that emergency intervention was essential. They
embarked upon an immediate and intensive rescue and restore
process. Oak Cottage required over three years of nearly full-time labor
by at least 2 men. Most of the labor was performed by Robert Pulis -
with assistance from his son-in-law Jason DuBow. Some technical work
(such as heating, plumbing, and electric) required the attention of
licensed specialists. In all instances only the best and most talented
craftsmen were utilized.
Many challenges and hardships were met and overcome. The financial
and time expenditures were massive. But it has all been a worthwhile
endeavor - as Oak Cottage now stands true, handsome, strong, and
proud -- once again reigning as "The Gem of the Mountain".
camera in the post card photo) was most likely built circa 1818. The mill
(apple distillery) was built in 1828. The house has had many
renovations and updates through the years - with one major update,
renovation, and addition built sometime between 1855 - 1880 - when
the (William) Marsh family owned the house (which is also the period the
Second Empire design was popularized in America.) The Camardella
family brought about additional renovations during the 1920's. The
house is a classic example of Second Empire (General Grant) style
-and is one of very few protected and preserved homes of this style in
the area.
Oak Cottage was one of the homes cited in the designation of this area
as a National Historic District. Oak Cottage was a 'contributing factor' in
the area receiving the official Historic District status - and therefore is
protected as the Historic treasure that it truly is. It is also on the New
Jersey register of historic places. ~ The Oak Cottage property has a
two story 'carriage house'. This carriage house was once a water wheel
powered 'apple distillery' built by Ephraim Marsh in 1828.
Behind the house and the mill is "Mary's Lake" - a man-made cement
pond, which is fed by the stream that powered the cider mill. The pond
was enjoyed for swimming - and at one point even small boats. (Though
now the pond is used for fishing - and perhaps ice skating.)
The ownership history of Oak Cottage was researched by the
Washington Township Historic Committee and has been passed on to
us. We will share the links in ownership with you:
The earliest records discovered trace the ownership back to 1827. In
April of this year Ephraim Marsh acquired the land from Ira
Whitehead who was acting as executor of Joseph Heath. The
Marsh and the Heath families were both noted owners of two
renowned resort hotels. It is interesting that the two most
important men on the mountain (at a time when Schooley's
Mountain was at the peak of its social prominence) BOTH owned
Oak Cottage. Ephraim Marsh himself must have built the Apple
Cider Mill on the property; because on November 22, 1828 John
Gray purchased the property and "the recently erected Apple
Distillery" from Marsh and his wife. On April 6, 1835 John Gray sold
the property to Charles and Rachel Robinson. On October 30, 1850
Rachel Robinson sold the property to Lawrence Milford. Robert
Hockenberry was the next to purchase the property on October 12,
1854.
By the 4th of July, 1855 the property was back in the hands of
the Marsh family. William Marsh had acquired part of the
property on July 2, 1855 from Robert Hockenberry - and the
remainder was devised to him by the will of his father, Ephraim
Marsh. The property remained in the hands of the Marsh family
for another 25 years. The Marsh family, therefore, must have
converted Oak Cottage to the Second Empire design- as the
time frame for Second Empire can be dated to that exact period.
The Marsh family sold the property on October 23, 1880 to Daniel and
Angeline Robert for $3,000.00.
Daniel and Angeline Robert owned the house for nearly 20 years
before selling it to Elizabeth Miller on September 15, 1898. Elizabeth
only owned the house for a very short time - selling it to Sara Thompson
on April 24, 1899. Sara also only owned Oak Cottage for a brief time -
selling it to Albert Collier on December 14, 1900.
Albert and Emma Kleinert then purchased the house on March 31,
1906. Fourteen years later they sold the entire property to the
Carmadella family - transferring it on April 29, 1920. Oak Cottage then
remained in the Camardella family for over 85 years - until it was sold to
JFCGE Holdings, LLC in May of 2006.
Oak Cottage had fallen into severe disrepair over a 40 year vacancy -
extending from the mid-1960's until his sale in 2006. Robert and
Michele Pulis realized that emergency intervention was essential. They
embarked upon an immediate and intensive rescue and restore
process. Oak Cottage required over three years of nearly full-time labor
by at least 2 men. Most of the labor was performed by Robert Pulis -
with assistance from his son-in-law Jason DuBow. Some technical work
(such as heating, plumbing, and electric) required the attention of
licensed specialists. In all instances only the best and most talented
craftsmen were utilized.
Many challenges and hardships were met and overcome. The financial
and time expenditures were massive. But it has all been a worthwhile
endeavor - as Oak Cottage now stands true, handsome, strong, and
proud -- once again reigning as "The Gem of the Mountain".
| Oak Cottage: National Historic Register & New Jersey Register of Historic Places |
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| Oak Cottage History |
| For more information please call: 973-945-6311 Or email: admin@OakCottage.info |
| HISTORIC OAK COTTAGE |
| Oak Cottage History |
| Oak Cottage Circa 1908 Above 100 Years Later ... Oak Cottage 2008 Below |
| Mill / Carriage House in 2006 (note scale judged by man standing in doorway) Below: Mill / Carriage House today |
| The pond (then known as Kleinert Lake) pictured on a circa 1908 postcard and below 100 Years Later Oak Cottage Pond in 2008 |
| "Historic preservation educates and enriches the mind and spirit of a people. ... we who are the stewards of this priceless legacy ... may we accept with deep resolve the obligation to bequeath it—as unaltered as possible—to future generations.” Source; Stephan Castellanos, FAIA, California State architect. |
FROM HOME PAGE:
Oak Cottage is also known as 'The General Grant' and 'The Gem of the Mountain'. -- It is very rich in history. Oak Cottage is
likely one of the first homes in the region to display the Second Empire (General Grant) style.
Many well known historic figures are said to have visited Oak Cottage. Schooley’s Mountain was, after all, the location of one
of this country's very first “health resorts”. It boasted several grand resort hotels - with 300 to 425 rooms each. As the resort
grew in popularity, wealthier summer residents began building for themselves which were considered romantic, suitable for rural
homes, and compatible with the natural landscape. It is noted that these summer cottages were built in as close proximity to
the grand hotels as possible. Oak Cottage is located directly across the street from what was the main entrance to the elite
Heath House.
Much of Schooley’s Mountain’s tourism success was due to the skill of hotel owner Ephraim Marsh. Marsh was also a judge,
president of the Morris Canal, mine operator, owner of the renowned Heath House, AND OWNER OF OAK COTTAGE.
Oak Cottage (The Gem of the Mountain) itself is featured on at least two postcards. Schooley’s Mountain was *the* summer
community - populated by America’s elite. (1)Some noted visitors to Schooley's Mountain include: Thomas Edison, Vice
President George Dallas, Governor Edward Coles, General J. Chadwalader, Rutherford B. Hays, Governor William Pennington,
E.D. Morgan, the Vanderbilts, C.V.S. Roosevelt, and Ulysses S. Grant and his family. Oak Cottage's Second Empire style
became Grant's chosen and utilized style of architecture during his presidency. Due to his fond memories of Oak Cottage? --
We like to think so.
(1) Some information was gathered from the following source:
Beck, Henry Charlton. (1956) The Roads of Home. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press
Oak Cottage is also known as 'The General Grant' and 'The Gem of the Mountain'. -- It is very rich in history. Oak Cottage is
likely one of the first homes in the region to display the Second Empire (General Grant) style.
Many well known historic figures are said to have visited Oak Cottage. Schooley’s Mountain was, after all, the location of one
of this country's very first “health resorts”. It boasted several grand resort hotels - with 300 to 425 rooms each. As the resort
grew in popularity, wealthier summer residents began building for themselves which were considered romantic, suitable for rural
homes, and compatible with the natural landscape. It is noted that these summer cottages were built in as close proximity to
the grand hotels as possible. Oak Cottage is located directly across the street from what was the main entrance to the elite
Heath House.
Much of Schooley’s Mountain’s tourism success was due to the skill of hotel owner Ephraim Marsh. Marsh was also a judge,
president of the Morris Canal, mine operator, owner of the renowned Heath House, AND OWNER OF OAK COTTAGE.
Oak Cottage (The Gem of the Mountain) itself is featured on at least two postcards. Schooley’s Mountain was *the* summer
community - populated by America’s elite. (1)Some noted visitors to Schooley's Mountain include: Thomas Edison, Vice
President George Dallas, Governor Edward Coles, General J. Chadwalader, Rutherford B. Hays, Governor William Pennington,
E.D. Morgan, the Vanderbilts, C.V.S. Roosevelt, and Ulysses S. Grant and his family. Oak Cottage's Second Empire style
became Grant's chosen and utilized style of architecture during his presidency. Due to his fond memories of Oak Cottage? --
We like to think so.
(1) Some information was gathered from the following source:
Beck, Henry Charlton. (1956) The Roads of Home. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press
| Historic 'Oak Cottage' and 'The Mill' |
THE NOTABLE HISTORIC OAK COTTAGE HAS BEEN FEATURED IN THE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2010 ISSUE OF
"PRESERVATION MAGAZINE" AND WILL APPEAR IN CONJUNCTION WITH "NEW JERSEY PRESERVATION" IN 2010
AS WELL ~ Oak Cottage has also been featured on radio shows in New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey and has
been featured in The Daily Record, The Star Ledger, and the Observer Tribune several times between 2006-2010.
"PRESERVATION MAGAZINE" AND WILL APPEAR IN CONJUNCTION WITH "NEW JERSEY PRESERVATION" IN 2010
AS WELL ~ Oak Cottage has also been featured on radio shows in New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey and has
been featured in The Daily Record, The Star Ledger, and the Observer Tribune several times between 2006-2010.
