A little history of West Milford NJ

West Milford, New Jersey

West Milford, located in Passaic County, New Jersey, was established in 1834 from the western half of Pompton Township. The township's name was chosen to distinguish it from another New Milford in eastern Bergen County.

In the 18th century, the area was known as New Milford and was settled by Dutch immigrants from Milford, New Jersey. In 1766, German ironmaster Peter Hasenclever founded the Long Pond Ironworks in the region, bringing over 500 workers and their families to establish an ironmaking community. The ironworks played a significant role during the American Revolutionary War, supplying iron products to the Continental Army. Operations ceased in 1882 due to industry-wide changes.

The township's development was further influenced by its mountainous terrain and numerous lakes, which attracted summer resorters in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Over time, many of these seasonal residences were converted into year-round homes, contributing to the township's growth and transformation.