Well, technically with 26,000 people I’m not sure if you’d call Randolph, New Jersey a small town, but it’s my hometown and it’s the latest destination of a grand world tour and perhaps just as worthy of recognition as Paris or Hong Kong… well, almost.
Randolph Township’s motto? “Where Life is Worth Living.” It is a bit sad since the opposite would be “where life is not worth living” – are we saying that’s the case if you lived just one town over in Rockaway or Denville?? Seriously, I suppose it speaks to this community’s abundant sense of pride.
About Randolph New Jersey
Located in the north-central part of the New Jersey, Randolph, NJ is a 21-square-mile township in historic Morris County. As a part of New Jersey’s Highlands region, the land is full of streams, woods, hills and valleys, and curving country roads. On a clear day you can see parts of the Manhattan skyline — about 40 miles to the east —from the most elevated bits of Randolph. Although, I don’t think I’ve actually ever seen this or know where to even go to find it.
Designated by the state as half suburban and half rural, some of the sections in Randolph include Mount Fern (where I grew up and my father still lives), Mount Freedom, Millbrook, Coleman Hollow, Center Grove, Ironia and Shongum Lake. I have brought some friends back home with me to Randolph over the years and I recall they were very surprised as to how rural, green, and wooded it was – old stereotypes die hard.
Randolph, NJ History
Randolph, New Jersey was originally settled by the Lenni Lenape native American tribe and later by European Colonists and Quakers. In 1713, New Jersey’s first iron mine was registered and it was located in Randolph. Early Quakers were among those who discovered iron in the area and began to mine it, resulting in New Jersey becoming the country’s third top iron producer for a time. The iron mines in the township supplied the Revolutionary forces with necessary ore for tools and weapons. For the next 200 years the iron industry thrived, playing an important part in the development of Randolph.
During the late 1700s, Randolph was a supply point for George Washington’s Continental Army during their winter in nearby Jockey Hollow. Local legend says Washington came up with Mount Freedom’s name after horseback rides from Morristown to the top of the mountain, where he would contemplate his next war strategies.
Resorts of Randolph New Jersey
Remember Dirty Dancing? This old-time resort feel was what Randolph, NJ was like back in the day. Throughout the 1930s and 40s, Randolph’s reputation for healthy water, natural beauty and clean air attracted vacationers from New York City. During that era, 11 hotel resorts, 45 bungalow colonies, and summer camp and swim clubs — many converted from old farms —were built. Hotel performers included Frank Sinatra, Henny Youngman, Phil Silver and, yes, my grandmother, Esta Saltzman. She came here to perform at the old Saltz Hotel, on the corner of Sussex Turnpike and West Hanover Avenue, having no idea that one day her son would move to this very town to live for nearly four decades.
I became fascinated with these old relics of the past as a kid when I was just exploring the woods with friends. Now abandoned and mostly demolished, I happened to come upon them one day without even knowing what they were. I remember seeing old dilapidated bungalows and an old resort swimming pool formerly filled with happy, splashing vacationers, now filled with tires and junk. Two of the largest resort hotels, Saltz’s and Ackerman’s, survived into the 1970s.
Today, Randolph’s 24 historic landmarks range from the centuries-old Liberty Tree to the Friends Meeting House founded by Quakers in 1758, to the circa 1924 Millbrook School, which is now used as office space.
Rural Randolph, NJ
Even though, development has continued, Randolph still has many acres of open space and parkland. And old farmhouses, mills, and historical churches dot the landscape reminding us of its heritage.
Within its 400 acres of parkland, Randolph has soccer and basketball fields, tennis courts, skating ponds, a theatre, and a cross-country skiing trail. A biking and hiking trail system also traverses 14 miles through five parks and 2,000 acres of open space.
I have to admit, as a kid, I didn’t appreciate all that Randolph had to offer. I found it ‘boring.’ There was ‘never anything to do.’ All the ‘cool things’ were in other towns. Sure, it is still a sprawling suburb with no real town center, but now that I had time to hang out there again as an adult over the last three months I appreciate it much more. It’s a beautiful, green, historical town and I was lucky to grow up there – even if I had no idea until now.
What famous people came out of Randolph, New Jersey??
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- Klaus Peter Loebbe – retired chairman and CEO of BASF Corporation.
- Dale Baumwoll – children’s author
- George Parros – professional hockey player for the Anaheim Ducks.
- Gary Rizzo – sound re-recording mixer whose credits include Office Space, Munich, Clerks II, The Prestige, A Bug’s Life, Batman Begins, The Incredibles (for which he was nominated for a 2005 Academy Award in the category Best Achievement in Sound).
- Hayden Schlossberg – screenwriter of Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle.
- Oh… and Lisa Lubin? Emmy award winning producer and professional traveling vagabond? Well, maybe someday.
See some of my other New Jersey posts.
Why I Love Traveling
From the list of famous people from Randolph, yours is the only name I know, so trust me, you're famous all right!
It's interesting to revisit the places of our youth and compare the versions of how you see them with adult eyes vs. the eyes of a child. It makes those conversations with older people (30 or so) back then make more sense. Especially now that you're an expert on how people live in every corner of the globe, it seems that your hamlet in NJ would stack up pretty well. Everyone and everything has to come from somewhere. From the looks of things, Randolph can take pride in some very creative people in the TV and motion picture industry coming from there. What makes a place truly livable is the access to a variety of different settings. Randolph looks to be on the edge of urban, suburban and rural settings. Don't ever underestimate the real estate assessment of the Quakers. They knew and continue to know where the hot spots are. Cool story.
Thank you for this article , I lived in Mt Freedom for 11 summers and they were the best summers of my life. I wish I could have given the same to my kids. We lived at Hilltop Tuckers and then Cohens. Our friends also lived at Saltz's and Ackermans where we would go so our dads could play paddleball against the ackerman dads. Thanks for the article . Oh i remeber roaming the woods and finding amazing discoverys too
Hi Dawn! Thank you so much for your comment. How wonderful. Sadly, now when I roam the woods I find the derelict remains of some of the hotels you mention. What a different era – to you it was this great summer, country getaway and to me it was just my suburban hometown. Where did you live when you weren't summering in Mt Freedom?
Hi I went to cohens
From 1966,67,68. Best memories. Bill and Ann ran the place.
Neil, I too went to Cohen’s for the three years of 66,67 and 68. I was 6 through 8 years old.
We had a bungalow right at the top of the road. The first bungalow as the road turned left.
It was some of the best days of my childhood.
Hi Dawn,
I used to stay at Hilltop and in Tuckers, I believe from 1968-1972. Were you there then?
Debra (Gerson) Levy
Wow…I really wished I could have seen it back then. Do you have photos?
I stayed at Tuckers and went to the camp around 1966-1968. I always thought I was in the Catskills!
Hi Dave! Was Tuckers a resort? I think there was a 'catskills' vibe to these places. So different now!
no it was a bungalow colony. Main house still by road on sussex tpke. I bought former schwartz colony across st on sussex. My friends wife grandfather owned tuckers
I stayed at tuckers around 1972-74 and Hilltop from1965 to 73. We lived our last few years at cohens with was across the street from the old military acasdemy and the spot was on the corner. Lisa Tuckers was down susex by Hilltop and another colony was across the street.
I bought the property across the street from tuckers on sussex tpke. It was called schwartz’s colony. One bungalow, and main house still here. One bundalow was gone. cool history
Lisa there is a fb page for Crestwood daycamp which was held on the grounds of Cohens. It pretty cool
I stayed in Mount Freedom for a short stint in the late 70’s as a child. The place was called “Tuckers Bungalows” from what I recall. Is this the Tuckers that is referred to on this page?
Does anyone know anything about this place?
Hi JJ. Thanks for stopping by. I don’t know anything about Tuckers. I do know that most of the resort properties have been demolished unfortunately. I think part of the Saltz hotel became a restaurant. I know that when I would walk through the woods off of Sussex Turnpike, I would come across abandoned swimming pools and small cabins.
that was one of the house the owners lived in . I graduated with the saltz grandson
hello,
my grandparents owned Tucker’s Bungalows. I went there from when I was 6 month old until high school. My grandparents were Sylvia and Harry, originally from Russia, who lived in Newark before opening the colony. I am now 61.
What were your parents names? I will ask my mom if she knew them
Hi Roberta- Thanks for commenting here. How cool! My dad, Jamie Lubin, lived in Randolph for most of my life. He only recently moved a few towns over.
Came across this website. Really laughing because I went to Day Camp in the 50’s at Bungalow Acres in Mt. freedom. stayed on to become a counselor in the early ’60’s.
My folks said they were sending me to the country (we were from Maplewood). Lot’s of New Yorkers stayed at our bungalows.
HAPPY TIMES!
Hi Rita! Glad you found my site. How cool that you went to camp in Mt Freedom. It’s sad to see it all gone or overgrown now. But I’m glad I found it as a curious kid exploring the woods near Sussex Tpke. 🙂
I remember my parents sending me to Bungalow Acres Day Camp when I was young. I went there about 3 years and just loved it. Thank you for bringing back those memories. Don’t know what ever happened to it. Thank you again. I now live in Las Vegas. Quite aways from Irvington where I grew up
Rita…I always thought you owned the place…Aunt Rita & Uncle Al…is that you:-)???
I’m Steve Levee
Rita,
I too lived in Mt Freedom during the summers and attended Bungalow Acres Day Camp. My grandparents had built a house up the street on Farview Ave and we used the facilities at the bungalow colony. ..the pool, “chicken coop”, ballfields etc. Some of the families I remember are the Hazelkorns, Exters, Cumskys. My dad painted all the signs hanging in the casino for the shows that were put on and where we played bingo on Friday nights. Such great memories!
Rita,
I too lived in Mt Freedom during the summers and attended Bungalow Acres Day Camp. My grandparents had built a house up the street on Farview Ave and we used the facilities at the bungalow colony. ..the pool, “chicken coop”, ballfields etc. Some of the families I remember are the Hazelkorns, Exters, Cumskys. My dad painted all the signs hanging in the casino for the shows that were put on and where we played bingo on Friday nights. Such great memories!
Marcia: OMG just scrolling through this and recognized, the Hazelkorns, Exeters, Comskys. I remember your dad painting the signs. I was there from 1960 though 1968 with my parents Euince and Leonard Shapiro, grandmother Ruth, Sister Barbara, cousins Linda & Bob Siegeld. The Polishooks, Such great memories. Your dad’s name Sid!.
I spent 7 summers in Mt Freedom at Bungalow Acres sharing a 2 bedroom bungalow with my brother and 2 cousins. We were 8 all together but it didn’t seem crowded back s then. I went to bungalow Acres day camp. Our dad’s would go back to the city early Monday morning and come back Thursday night. My father took movies of the shows they used to put on at the casino. I went there a few years ago and found that it’s now called Brundage Park. The casino was turned into a theater. You could still see the old stage in the back. There a couple of old bungalows left which were turned into rehearsal studios. I had great memories from those years. It was a vibrant summer community.
I just saw this wonderful website and I can’t believe it! My family spent 11 fun summers at Bungalow Acres, from 1955-65. Bungalow 29 and 30, I think. Still remember camp songs, The Casino, the log cabin, counselor ring, the woods, the chicken coop, and several families.
Parents-Bernice and Ray
Brother-Howie
Grandparents-Sadie and Lou
Aunt and Uncle-Ellie and Eddie
Cousin-Jay
I’m Doreen (or Dore)
Perhaps you remember us!
Wow, Doreen! Sounds like such a great time. Thanks for commenting!
My parents and I were at Hilltop Bungalow Colony for many years. I’ve got some photos. Anyone else have photos of Hilltop – and were you there and if so what years? Great memories
Thanks Joy! I’d love to see photos.
I was a camper at Hilltop Bungalow Colony in the summer of 1964 and 1965. I have great memories of this bungalow colony. I remember the costumes that my mother made for me and winning some of those contests. We did not own an air conditioner so the next best thing was being in the country for the summer.
Wow, Janice, that is so cool. It’s amazing how many folks have found this post that stayed in Randolph years ago before these camps went away. Do you still live in/near NJ?
I live in West Hempstead, Long Island.
Hi Lisa, It was great to discover your site. My history with Mt. Freedom was much earlier than yours. Tuckers was a large bungalow colony off Sussex Turnpike and a small unpaved road originally called Morris Ave (now Tucker Ave) Morris Ave was a diagonal stretch from Sussex Tnpk to Morris Tnpk. My grandparents owned a small bungalow colony called Goodman”s that was down Morris Ave next to Tuckers. An empty field that my grandparents owned separated the two. We also had a large pool. When I was growing up in the 50’s and 60’s the area was a combination of hotels and bungalows and small farms that had chickens to cows. On the corner of Morris Ave and Morris Tnpk was Mrs. Mishkin, she had chickens and cows (pasture in back of our property, and also backed up on other side to the back of Ackerman’s. She sold eggs, fresh made farmer cheese, and butter from her home. Before our pool was built we sometimes would cut through the cow pasture and swim at Ackermans. In those days families came out to the ‘country’ to escape the city heat. The men would stay the weekends and then return to work during the week. Every day small trucks selling fruit, baked goods, vegetables, fish, etc (and let’s not forget the Good Humor man) came down the road to sell to the summer renters. The water was from a deep artesian well, my teeth get numb just remembering how cold that water was!. After my grandfather died in 1962 the family made the decision to sell the property since all of the sons-in-law had full time jobs in NYC and could not be on site daily to manage things. It was a great place to spend summers growing up. I was the second generation there. My mother and her siblings all spent their growing up and adult years there helping out. To this day when I or one of my cousins mention Mt. Freedom we all have big smiles.
Such great memories Donna. I still think parts of Mt Freedom and the area are lovely…and there are still some remote roads and farms. But of course times have changed too as is inevitable! Thanks for commenting!
I remember all the places you talk about. My family owned Little Broadway on the main road. My uncle Herbert Steinberg was the mayor. I spent my childhood growing up there. I knew all the owners of all the hotels and bungalows. Greatest time of my life.
Thanks for commenting Marcia. Sounds wonderful.
Hi Lisa ,I too went to bungalow acres day camp with my brother and spent some of the best summers of my life in mount freedom at the bungelow colony. I cant remember the name . I cant believe the shul is still there all these years later. I”ll have to make a pilgrimage back,but I’m sure nothing is the same. Glag I found your site.
Hi Alan! Thanks so much for your comment. It’s amazing how times do change things. I was too young to know it when it was in use, but was amazed finding the bungalows and pools in the woods.
Lisa and Alan, I went to Bungalow Acres Day Camp from ’65 through ’68. I remember Rita and Al ran it, but it diminished with a fellow they hired named Milt. (But I sure liked Milt’s daughter, who was a little kid like myself at the time.) The Stuyvesant Village kids from Union, NJ were well represented.
We played against Crestwood, and I remember The Spot.
Best,
Keith
My family stayed at Hirschhorn’s for one year, Schneiderman’s for one, and then at Cohen’s for many more years. I remember Crestwood Day Camp on the grounds, the Tennis Academy across the street, the Spot on the corner of Brookside and Sussex Turnpike. Saltz’s, Ackerman’s, the remnants of a hotel that is now Knights Bridge. I could go on…
Hi all.. My wife and I recently moved into a house that apparently was the offices or clubhouse for the hirschorn bungalow camp on Calais rd. if anyone has recollections or comments please let me know as we are very interested in our homes past. Thank you all!
Thanks for your comment Michael. It’s amazing how many have found this post. I wish I knew more!
Michael, it is now Sept. 2018 and I have just discovered this site and your comment — with great delight! My name is Lyn Cowan, granddaughter of Ben and Rae Hirschhorn, who lived in your house from 1934 until 1976. It was Ben’s “office” (the living room) all the time I was there every summer from about 1949 – 1958, when Ben was killed in a car crash. I am writing a memoir that begins with that house in Mt. Freedom. I’m 75 yrs old now, have Parkinson’s so can’t write long pieces or travel, but had to respond to your post. If you’re still in that house, I’d love to see what it looks like today (if you have a photo or 2). Haven’t been able to get to NJ for years, I live in St. Paul, MN. If you feel inclined to respond, I’d love to hear from you, and I hope all is well on your end. email: lyncowan5@gmail.com
My grandmother’s sister Rae, was married to Ben senior, he had two sons, Alex and Herbert. We lived at 130 Overlook Ave., across from Bungalow Acres. My grandfather was responsible for building Sunrise Lake on the Mendham road. It is now called Jockey Hollow State Park. The original structure was a pre revolutionary house with about 60 rooms, a wine cellar and a pond. My grandfather built over 100 cabins, enlarged the pond into a lake and held the property until the 1960’s. My grandmother had the house on Overlook. I was a lifeguard at Schnidermans and lake Cherokee. I ate Chinese food at the New York Tea Garden in Morristown. I saw the Vikings in 1960 at the Baker theater in Dover. I learned how to sail on Lake Hopatcong. Lots of memories!!!! Get in touch
We stayed in Mt Freedom for two or three summers in the 1960’s. We would go there for a month or two and my dad would drive out after work on Friday nights from his store in City Island to join us for the weekend. I dont know which bungalow community we were in but I remember having the best time. We were living in the Bronx at the time so it was wonderful to escape to NJ to have a respite from the asphalt jungle. I will have to ask my mother if she remembers the name of the resort. We always used to refer to it as Mt Freedom.
Hi Lori- Thanks for commenting. That area of Randolph Township (probably became a township later) is still called MT Freedom. 🙂
Hi Lisa,
My family spent 4 summers in Mt. Freedom. The first two summers we stayed at Popick’s on Calais Road, just across the road from Hilltop.
The next two summers we spent at Tucker’s. You had an earlier posting from Roberta Tucker whose grandparents owned Tucker’s. I remember Roberta and her sister, Shelley.
Her posting is over a year old, so she probably won’t see this. But I remember those summers like they were yesterday.
Hi Fran! Thanks for commenting. Such a small world still, I think!
Fran,
We spent 4 summers in Mt. Freedom as well. Also the first 2 in Popicks in 1961-62. We skipped a year to go to the Catskills and then returned in 1964 to Tucker’s. In 1965 we were in a huge bungalow colony called Greenhut. Do the
se match your years? Do you have a younger brother named Bobby?
David
Hi David …
I’m thinking we were at Popick’s 1961 and 1962 and then Tucker’s in 1963 and 1964. And YES … my brother is Robert, but we probably called him Bobby back then. We may have been in the same places at the same time!
I still remember names of some of the people from back then. Maybe I remember you!
Fran
My family spent a few summers at Greenhut park. Most probably around 1962,1963,1964.. Do not remember to much except my parents going to the casino at night., playing Jonny on a pony and , stick ball. I also remember we used to catch turtles in the lake, and keep them on the screened in porch in large buckets.
I lived in Mt Freedom in the early seventies and then moved to Ironia in 1976. I lived on a farm across the street from Heistein Park on Doby Rd. The farm bordered Dover-Chester Rd from Doby Rd to Calais and was about 88 acres. I spent many hours exploring the woods in Mt Freedom, Ironia and Randolph on horseback. What a wonderful place. Best memories of my life.
I lived on Sussex Turnpike and then on Dover-Chester Rd in the late 60’s and early 70’s. In 1976 we moved to a farm in Ironia. The farm was on Doby Rd across the street from Heistein’s Park (We were very good friends with Jack Heistein). The farm bordered Dover-Chester Rd from Doby Rd to Calais and went down Doby Rd almost to opposite Heistein’s Lake. I spent many, many hours exploring the woods on horseback and used to swim every summer at Heistein’s Lake. What a beautiful, magical place it was. Best memories of my life.
Hi Peggy! Thanks so much for commenting. When I grew up in there in the 70s, I still found the Dover-Chester road area quite rural with farms and back roads and lots of woods. It was and still is pretty. Where are you now?
I am so surprised to see this site. I also remember being at Hilltop Mt Freedom probably 1966 or so. It was one of the best summers I ever had as a child(I was 12 at the time) I remember we rented a tiny bungolow where my parents, 2 brothers and I stayed as well as many cousins, etc. Also, remember babysitting alot and the pool. Also, had my first puppy love back then. Great memories!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So sweet Bernice. Thanks for commenting. I grew up there, and only become fascinated with these places when I found them in the woods exploring. So odd that some cabins and bungalows and pools were basically just abandoned.
Hi Lisa ,
Back again, I wanted to know if you remember an ice cream spot called Buxtons.
I love reading all the comments
I remember Buxton’s! Right by one of the grocery stores. Was that a chain? What ever happened to it? It seems like Friendly’s was the place to go during middle school and high school.
2 years later…
I assume you are referring to the Buxton’s in the little strip mall on the corner of Rt. 10 and Center Grove Road. The grocery store was A&P. Yes, it was almost exactly a Friendly’s!
Hi Dawn! I vaguely remember Buxton’s next to A&P. I think I was pretty young when it closed. I do remember Robin’s for Subs, Holly Wick (I think that was the name) for candles and flowers and the pizzeria!
My name is Robert Poliseo and I have been looking ofr Poliseo’s that are around because there are not many. Donna Poliseo responsed to you but it seems that she is a different Donna Poliseo than I know. the one I know Married my cousin and took the name Poliseo. The one that responed said she lived in the town and had a brother Robert M, Poliseo and said they use to call him Bobby in younger days. Poeple still call me Bobby or bob but in legal situtation they call me Robert. I would like to touch base.
Bob Poliseo
I stumbled upon your article about Randolph and I thought you might enjoy Randolph Historic Landmarks Tour, my amateur video (3rd video I ever made).
https://www.facebook.com/randolph.nj.1/videos/vb.100003404673338/790047947785354/?type=3&theater
Nice Ela! Thanks for sharing. Randolph is still a special place. I was lucky to grow up there.
Grew up in Shongum Lake area of Randolph. I remember Mt Freedom well, attended temple there, attended school with the Achermans, (Steve and Joel in my grade, the Messers, Howie, my grade and his older brother, Michael.
Randolph was a small place then and not many year round Jewish children around. I remember many of the hotels, bungalows, too. MacArthur Military academy, and Gen McArthur making an appearance there. Buxton Rest was in a plaza off Route 10, with an A&P Market, then a Grand Union and a few small independent stores. Pizza on Friday nights was from always from Salvatore’s on RT 10. Many fond memories from my growing years.
My great uncle was Moe Musiker, he built houses for the whole family in Mt. Freedom. Most of the relatives moved there from Newark except for his sister (my grandmother). I remember spending a day at Saltz’s with my grandparents back in the 60’s.
http://www.randolphnj.org/about_randolph/historical_society
Great museum with lots of bungalow items
Thanks for sharing Frank!
My grandfather built up an old pre-revolutionary house and called it Sunrise Lake. He added bungalow and made the lake a lot larger than the original pond that it was. We had a house on Overlook ave. across from Bungalow Acres and The Hirschorns were relatives. Herbert started the first Jewish Temple in Mt. Freedom. We went to the Baker theater in Dover to see the movie The Vikings and drove up to Lake Hopatcong for sailing. The summers were cool and delicious and the black berries all had a side of poison ivy!!!!! Morristoen had the New York Tea Garden and the Seeing Eye Institute. MEMORIES!!!!!!! I am 68 and miss those years of fun and fantasy!!!!
Wow Peter. Amazing. I can only imagine those wonderful days. Thanks for commenting.
The best time in my life!!!!