Editing Randolph, New Jersey (section)

== History ==
[[File:Randolphsign.jpg|thumb|right|Entering Randolph on Patriots Path]]
The earliest known inhabitants of what is now Randolph were the [[Lenape|Lenni Lenape]] [[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]]. The earliest European settlers of what is now Randolph were [[Quakers]] and one of the pioneering landowners was Hartshorne Fitz-Randolph, who purchased {{convert|1,000|acre|km2}} of what would become the township in the Mine Hill area in 1753, later becoming the namesake of the township.<ref name=History>[http://www.randolphnj.org/get_to_know_us/history_general/ Get to Know Us: History], Township of Randolph. Accessed April 19, 2012.</ref> New Jersey's first iron mine was established in Randolph in 1713, and for hundreds of years the mines fostered the development of the township, providing the raw materials for weapons used by the [[Continental Army]] during the [[American Revolutionary War]].<ref name=History/> During the war, the area was a supply point for [[George Washington]]'s army during their winter encampment in nearby [[Jockey Hollow]].<ref name=History/>

Randolph was incorporated as a township by an act of the [[New Jersey Legislature]] on January 1, 1806, from portions of [[Mendham Township, New Jersey|Mendham Township]].<ref>[http://mclib.info/reference/local-history-genealogy/historical-timeline-of-morris-county-boundaries/ Historical Timeline of Morris County Boundaries], Morris County Library. Accessed December 24, 2016. "1806, January 1. Randolph is established from Mendham. From PL 1805, p. 145."{{dead link|date=October 2024}}</ref> Portions of the township were taken on April 1, 1869, to create [[Dover, New Jersey|Dover Town]] within the township, which became an independent municipality as of March 5, 1896.<ref>Honeyman, Abraham Van Doren. [https://books.google.com/books?id=nOkkAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA226 ''Index-analysis of the Statutes of New Jersey, 1896-1909: Together with References to All Acts, and Parts of Acts, in the 'General Statutes' and Pamphlet Laws Expressly Repealed: and the Statutory Crimes of New Jersey During the Same Period''], p. 210. New Jersey Law Journal Publishing Company, 1910. Accessed September 22, 2015.</ref> Other portions of the township were taken to create Port Oram (June 26, 1895, now [[Wharton, New Jersey|Wharton]]), [[Mine Hill Township, New Jersey|Mine Hill Township]] (March 2, 1923) and [[Victory Gardens, New Jersey|Victory Gardens]] (June 20, 1951).<ref name=Story>Snyder, John P. [https://nj.gov/dep/njgs/enviroed/oldpubs/bulletin67.pdf ''The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968''], Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 196. Accessed May 30,2024.</ref> The creation of Victory Gardens created a small triangular exclave of the township, surrounded by Victory Gardens to the southeast and Dover to the northwest.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/Randolph,+NJ/@40.8744869,-74.5447653,14.8z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x89c3a02e9bac6157:0x896a9ce9ab0f788c!8m2!3d40.8478065!4d-74.5747248|title = Randolph · New Jersey, USA}}</ref>

Randolph became a vacation haven in the early part of the 20th century, known for its woods, ponds, lakes and air. Through the 1950s, farms, large hotels and bungalow colonies dotted the community. Performers such as [[Phil Silvers]], and [[Frank Sinatra]] appeared at the hotels.<ref name=Hotels>[http://www.randolphnj.org/about_randolph/grand_hotels Our Grand Hotels], Township of Randolph. Accessed October 23, 2014.</ref> Boxers [[Max Baer (boxer)|Max Baer]], [[Floyd Patterson]], [[James J. Braddock]] and [[Rocky Marciano]] trained or fought at the Saltz Hotel.<ref name=Hotels/>

===Landmarks===
Randolph's township historical landmarks include the 1869 Bryant Distillery (famed for its [[applejack (beverage)|applejack]]) and the 1924 Millbrook School, now rehabilitated and in use as offices.<ref>[http://www.randolphnj.org/get_to_know_us/randolph_landmarks/ Randolph Landmarks], Township of Randolph. Accessed April 20, 2012.</ref> The Liberty Tree (which dated back to 1720) was also one of the town landmarks until its removal due to deterioration on August 31, 2018.<ref>[https://www.tapinto.net/towns/randolph/articles/randolph-s-300-year-old-liberty-tree-lives-out-final-day-removal-to-take-place-aug-31 Randolph’s 300 Year Old Liberty Tree Lives Out Final Day; Removal to Take Place Aug. 31]</ref>

The Randolph Historical Society has preserved the township's historical heritage in the Museum of Old Randolph.<ref>[http://www.randolphnj.org/get_to_know_us/historical_society/ Historical Society], Township of Randolph. Accessed April 19, 2012</ref> One of Randolph's oldest streets, Gristmill Road, is on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref name="History"/>

The [[Combs Hollow Historic District]] was added to the NRHP in 1996 for its significance in industry from {{circa|1735}} to 1927.<ref name="nrhpdoc">{{cite web|url={{NRHP url|id=96000042}}|title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Combs Hollow Historic District |publisher=[[National Park Service]]|first1=Cynthia |last1=Hinson |date=March 8, 1995 }} With {{NRHP url|id=96000042|photos=y|title=accompanying 23 photos}}</ref>