The quaint community of whippany nj county is home to a number of attractions that draw visitors throughout the year. The Whippany Railway Museum is a popular destination for train enthusiasts, while the historic Whippany Burying Yard offers a glimpse of New Jersey’s rich history. Located just 34 miles west of New York City, this township is also a great location for commuters with easy access to trains and buses.
The township is primarily residential, with a population of 8,364 as of the 2010 census. Its most notable landmark is the renowned Whippany Railway Museum, which houses an impressive collection of restored railcars and locomotives. The township is also known for its historic sites, including the Whippany Burying Yard, one of the oldest cemeteries in Morris County.
Whippany was first settled along the winding river of what was then called Whippanong by Lenape Native Americans. When the colonists arrived, they delineated the land as a township and named it after the river. It was not until the 18th century that it became a part of the larger Morris County, but the name was already in use.
Early settlers found the land to be abundant in natural resources, from forests of virgin timber to veins of iron ore and the power of the Whippany River. The area was soon a center of commerce and industry with paper mills, glass factories and iron works making their home in the community.
Today, the township is home to many thriving businesses, including Bayer, Novartis and Wegmans, as well as numerous public schools. The township is also served by a level-2 regional trauma center at Morristown Medical Center and has several other major hospitals nearby. The area is easily accessible by train, bus and Interstate 287.
A historic site that is often overlooked in the rush of new development and suburbanization is the old cemetery of the township of Whippany. The two-acre burying ground, which dates back to the 18th century, contains more than 450 headstones, and is listed on both the State and National Registers of Historic Places.
The Whippany Burying Yard is a quiet and peaceful spot that provides a link to the past. It reveals a fascinating crossroads of geography, industry, settlement and politics. A recent talk by local scholar Mike Czuchnicki at the Morris County Library outlines some of the history to be found there, some of which is only now being uncovered.
