3 Places to Experience History in Flemington

Oct 11, 2018

Home to Native Americans for hundreds of years, immigrants and colonists in the 18th and 19th centuries, and incorporated in 1910, Flemington, New Jersey, has centuries of interesting history. The best part is that most of this history has been preserved. Around 65 percent of Flemington is on the New Jersey and National Register of Historic Places, providing a glimpse into the town’s history. Whether you’re a history buff or you just want to learn more about the city, here are a few places to experience history in Flemington.

The Union Hotel

Located on Main Street in downtown Flemington, the Union Hotel is one of the most iconic historical structures in the city. Built in 1814, the building catered to wealthy travelers and visitors along the stagecoach route from New York City to other major cities in the Northeast. The building remained a hotel for over 100 years, gaining fame from housing national media during the trial of the man accused of the Lindbergh baby kidnapping.

In the late 20th century, the building became the Union Hotel Restaurant until its closure in 2008. For the past decade, the building has remained in limbo, with numerous parties fighting over how to use the building and redevelop the area. While you can’t get inside the building, a walk by the structure and a few pictures show the grandiose past of downtown Flemington.

Historic Hunterdon County Courthouse

If you’re visiting the Union Hotel, you’ll undoubtedly notice the majestic Hunterdon County Courthouse across the street. Constructed in 1828, this was the county courthouse until a new justice center opened in 1996. The onsite jail was also used until 1985, when a new county jail was built elsewhere in Hunterdon County.

While the age of the building certainly makes it historically significant, it’s what happened here in 1935 that makes it one of the most interesting courthouses in the country. In 1935, it was home to the famed (and aforementioned) “Trial of the Century.” At this landmark trial, Bruno Richard Hauptmann was accused of kidnapping and murdering the 20-month-old son of famed aviator Charles Lindbergh. The jail where Hauptmann was held during the trial is still there, as are many artifacts concerning the media hoopla and events that transpired in the court. Tours are available by appointment.

Deats Building

Located at 120-124 Main St., the Deats Building is an excellent example of the results of industrialization. Built in 1881, the Deats Building was the home of a wealthy gentleman farmer named Hiram Deats. What made his home so special was that it was the first in the city to have electricity and telephones, on top of a sizable interior and eight fireplaces.

Today, retail stores occupy the first floor of the building, but outside some minor restoration work, it looks similar to the day it was built. If you can’t find it, look for the Greek Revival building across the street, also known as the Reading House.

With a short stroll down Main Street in Flemington, you can encounter centuries of history that make you ponder where the city will become in the next 100 years. Few other towns in the country can boast that.

Image via Doug Kerr | Licensed by CC BY-SA 2.0