LAND AREA: 4.9 square miles
EMERGENCY SERVICES: 9-1-1
POLICE: PO Box 722 (908) 234-1192
FIRE: 9-1-1
MUNICIPAL BUILDING: Prospect St. (908) 234-0611
LIBRARY: 2336 Lamington Rd. (908) 234-2325
POST OFFICE: Rt. 202 (908) 234-0744
ZIP CODE: Far Hills: 07931
BOARD OF EDUCATION: Somerset Hills Regional (908) 234-0611
TRANSPORTATION:
NJ Transit (800) 772-2222
Lakeland Bus (973) 366-0600
NEW RESIDENT INFORMATION:
Welcome Wagon of Somerset Hills (908) 604-5944
DISTANCE TO:
New York City: 43.3 miles
Newark Airport: 32.0 miles
Meadowlands Sports Complex: 35.9 miles

 

 

"Far Hills was originally part of the 3,000-acre Bernards Township tract, whose charter dates back to 1760. The railroad and a search for development land by broker and Realtor, E.H. Schley, were main factors responsible for the creation of the village, later to be known as Far Hills. Schley came to the area n the early 1880's in search of land which he could develop into estates for his wealthy clients. Mr. Schley brother, Grant B. Schley arrived in 1887 and through his influence, the Delaware Lackawanna Railroad continued its line from Bernardsville to Peapack. It became necessary to have a name for the Railroad Station and also to have a Post Office. When G.B. Schley's wife arrived from the Bernardsville terminus, she said the area should be named for its far hills. A railroad shed, a blacksmith shop and a Post Office were among the first buildings in the new village. In 1896, William Parks, a blacksmith, built the first house. Trains provided service every day but Sunday and Far Hills became a rural area devoted to farms and estates. In 1906, G.B. Schley built stables and grandstands, and also drained, graded and planted the Far Hills Fair Ground, which was to become a unique part of the local landscape. In the early days, a number of grist mills stood along the North Branch of the Raritan River, which separates Far Hills and Bedminister. The farmers used to take their corn and wheat to these mills to be ground into corn and flour for family use. The water from the rive furnished the power for the grinding. Schomp's Mill is still standing and can be seen from the highway leading to Peapack. In 1921, the residents of the village voted to secede from Bernards Township and create their own municipality, with L.V. Ludlow as its first mayor."