Submitted by: The Green Brook Cultural Heritage and Historic Preservation Committee
Most visitors to Washington Rock don’t even notice the unoccupied house directly across Washington Avenue that has served many years as a guardian to the Park.
The NJ Legislature created the Washington Rock Park Commission in 1911. Funded by $ 5,000 to acquire up to 100 acres to preserve the Park. Charles McCutcheon of North Plainfield had persuaded many persons in high places for the historic need. Through Mr. McCutcheon’s efforts, he arranged for those he knew to sell the first 28 acres to the Commission for a total of $ 1. The Commission then looked for a way to protect the Park. Someone knew an architect named White in NYC (not the famous Stanford White). He donated most of his services and the “Lodge” or Warden’s House was built and completed in 1914 for a total cost of $ 4,600. The location is close to the resort hotel that had been located just to the rear of the current firehouse. The hotel had started as the Washington Rock Mountain House but had many names over its 22- year life. But that life ended in March 1883 when a fire in the flue burned it to the ground. However three stone fireplaces survived and found a new life in the Caretaker’s Lodge in 1914.
The first Warden of the Park was very generous. The Lodge also served as a mini museum with items dating back to the Revolution and antiques loaned from the DAR. And the Warden served tea to the Park visitors every 3 p.m. Doubt that was part of his job. However by 1919, the public reported that the Warden had been tippling too much before the afternoon tea. So he was asked to find other employment.
The next occupant was Henry S. Lund who became a long-term Warden. He strangely may be best remembered for operating an ice cream and refreshment stand in the far western corner of the current parking lot. Remains can still be found elsewhere on the property. During his time, a son, Robert H. Lund, was born. That son “Bob” later became The Township’s first Police Chief. And later as Somerset County Sheriff.
Bob told stories of life in the house. No electricity until 1941. His job after school was to go to the well across the street and pump the handle 250 times to fill the copper tanks in the attic of the house to provide the only water supply. After his father retired in 1962, Steven Hugar was the Warden for over 20 years. And then a series of Park Rangers occupied the house.
Come join us on Thursday, May 18th at 7:30 at the Municipal Building.
The Green Brook Cultural Heritage and Historic Preservation Committee and The Green Brook Historical Society meet the third Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at Green Brook Town Hall located at 111 Greenbrook Rd., Green Brook, NJ. We are always looking for people interested in history and culture to join our group, as a guest or a member. For more information about the Green Brook Historical Society, visit www.gbhsnj.org.
(above) Caretakers Lodge.
