1954 Map of Califon

About this map

The South Branch Raritan River carves through the landscape of northern Hunterdon County, anchoring the settlement of Califon where it meets the Central Railroad of New Jersey. This mid-century survey illustrates a complex rural network of small hamlets like Cokesbury, Mountainville, and Oldwick, connected by early routes such as New Jersey 513. The geography is defined by the steep rises of the Fox Hill Range and Hell Mtn, while the southern portion of the map transitions toward the flatter corridor of Lebanon and the prominent Round Valley Reservoir. Historical researchers will find significant civic and institutional detail, including the State Reformatory near Cedar Heights and several rural schools like Township Sch and Bissell Sch. The presence of numerous family-linked sites, from McCrea Mills to Mountain View Cem, provides a detailed look at the local genealogy and land use prior to the suburban expansions of the late 20th century.