Home | Department of Parks and Recreation | Park Guides & Trail Maps | Tower Hill Reserve 
Department of Parks and Recreation PO Box 2900, Flemington, NJ 08822-2900 1020 State Route 31, Lebanon, NJ 08833 Phone: 908-782-1158 * Fax: 908-806-4057 parks@co.hunterdon.nj.us Office Hours: Monday-Wednesday, & Fridays: 8:00am - 4:30pm Thursday: 8:00am-6:30pm Saturdays & Sundays: Office Closed |
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Tower Hill, a former farm, is comprised of 216 acres of meadows and wetlands. The farmhouse, built by Conrad Wene in 1848, started out as a one room cottage. Additions were made until the early 1900's. The stone springhouse was probably constructed by Conrad Wene when the cottage was constructed. Built of stone for its insulating qualities, the springhouse stored containers of milk and butter that were kept cool during the summer months. Three generations of the Wene family lived here until 1914.
Following a series of owners, the Devonald family of six brothers and three sisters decided to purchase the farm in 1932 as a country retreat to escape the rigors of their native West Orange. Since most of the siblings were teachers, the farm offered the perfect setting during the summer months when schools were not in session. Their parents, Fred (1867-1933) and Julia (1872-1951), knew the value of hard work since they both worked for many years with Thomas Edison at his laboratory in West Orange. Fred was one of the facility's principal purchasing agents and Julia, as one of the only female employees, supplied her voice to Edison's talking dolls.
On the farm, the oldest brother, Edwin, understood the importance of farming and worked the land. His brother, Frank, had a passion for raising fighting birds as well as thoroughbred horses. Margaret and her sister, Florence, tended to gardening and culinary aspects. Stanley tended to the horses and the sheep. In 1983, Margaret sold the farm to the County of Hunterdon.
PHYSICAL ADDRESS: 944 MOUNTAIN VIEW ROAD, ASBURY, NJ 08802
Location: Tower Hill is located in Bethlehem Township on Mountain View Road. A grass parking lot is available. The park is open from sunrise to sunset. Please note that there are no restroom facilities at this park.
Directions from the Clinton Area: Take I-78 west to exit 12. At the stop sign, make a left onto Route 173 and then a quick right onto Route 635. Proceed to the village of Norton and turn left onto Norton Church Road. After a short distance, turn right onto Mountain View Road. The parking lot will be on the left hand side.
Directions from the Bloomsbury Area: Take I-78 east to exit 11. From the exit ramp turn left and cross over the I-78. Follow the circle around and turn right onto Strotz Road. Continue on Strotz Road to Norton Church Road and turn right. Proceed to Mountain View Road, turn left and continue to the parking lot on the left.
Additional Information:
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The Hunterdon County Parks and Recreation Department is dedicated to preserving open space and natural resources, providing safe parks and facilities, and offering educational and recreational opportunities, all contributing to an enhanced quality of life for present and future generations.
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Tower Hill offers an easy hiking trail which is approximately 1 mile in length. The trail meanders along the edge of meadows which comprises most of the reserve. Mountain biking and cross-country skiing are permitted on the trail. Horseback riding is not permitted within the park. The trail crosses Mountain View Road twice. Please use caution when crossing. Click here to view the Tower Hill Trail Map
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In order to control the population of deer on park property, hunting is permitted. Hunters must obtain a special permit issued by the Parks Department to be able to hunt on the preserve. Visitors during hunting season are strongly encouraged to wear blaze orange or confine visits to Sundays. See additional information on the Hunterdon County Park System Controlled Hunting Program.
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The meadows at Tower Hill are managed for grassland birds. Seasonal mowing is done after the nesting season, to ensure that the species have the chance to nest successfully. Bluebird houses have been erected throughout the meadows and the birds can be spotted all year long. Other species of note reported within the park include American Woodcock and Northern Oriole.
The meadows contain beautiful wildflowers such as White Clover, Butter & Eggs, and Snakeroot. These wildflowers draw butterflies such as Monarchs and Swallowtails to the meadows.
Part of Tower Hill has become a marshy wetland due to the effort of local beavers. Evidence of these beavers and their activity can be seen in the form of chewed stumps, fallen trees, and a dam.
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TRAIL MAPS & GUIDES
NOTES: All links below are to PDF files - Adobe Acrobat Reader is required. Trail Guides are set up as foldable brochures. Please print and fold in half vertically to view in proper order. Additionally, you may have to rearrange pages. Maps should be printed on Legal Size Paper.
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Home | Department of Parks and Recreation | Park Guides & Trail Maps | Tower Hill Reserve