Local lore has it that Denville was named for a "den" of wild animals living in the area, but the more likely origin of the name is to honor of one of the early settlers, Daniel Denton. As with much of the region, the Native American tribe of Lenape Indians were the first known inhabitants here. Dutch and English settlers began arriving in the early 17th century, and by the 18th century, several forges and mills were established in what is now Denville along the Rockaway and Denbrook Rivers. Communities associated with the forges and mills began to emerge, and early developers of Denville, such as A.B Crane & Co., were intrinsic in shaping the residential and lake communities.
The town was officially incorporated on April 14, 1913 from portions of Rockaway Township, and grew rapidly in the post WWII years to become one of Northern New Jersey's most thriving of communities.
Transportation has always been key to Denville's role in the area. The Lenape Indians had traveled the Minisink Trail here for many centuries and this trail was the route Dutch and English settlers used to explore the region once they arrived. Today, much of Route 10 and Mount Pleasant Turnpike follow this ancient Minisink Trail.
Denville is known as the "Hub of Morris County" for its location along major transportation routes at the center of the county. In addition to Route 10, three other major highways - Route 53, US Route 46, and Interstate 80 pass through the township. Denville is also central to two of the area's busiest commuter rail lines because NJT's Morristown Line and Montclair-Boonton Line both converge at the Denville Train Station.
Denville has eleven named lakes within its township limits. The four major residential lake communities are Cedar Lake, Indian Lake, Rock Ridge, and Lake Arrowhead. Some of the other minor lakes serve as summer communities to seasonal residents while others are available for recreational use to private club members and/or to the public. Part of the The Tourne County Park is also located in Denville.
In 1988, as part of the town's 75th anniversary celebration, a time capsule was buried containing "artifacts" from that era. Celebrity residents of Denville include Babe Ruth, who owned a vacation home in Cedar Lake, and Bill Bradley, former pro basketball player and U.S. Senator. Soprano fans may also remember that Tony and Christopher were rushed to St. Clare's Hospital in Denville after their accident in the ‘Kennedy and Heidi' episode.
Most residents of Denville today live in the non-lake communities in town, including Bald Hill, Union Hill, Beacon Hill, and Denville Farms communities, among others. With its beautiful parks, bustling downtown, great schools, lakes and community activities, Denville is considered one of the best places to in North Jersey to raise a family. For more information and listed properties in Denville go to www.homesandlandnnj.com www.thedenvillehub.com and www.denville-nj.com
Comments(0)