The History of Mount Olive
(Excerpts taken from The History of Mount Olive by Rita Hilbert)

Mt. Olive Township is comprised of 32 square miles. It consists of two sections named for people or events, such as: Budd Lake, named for John Budd, and Flanders, named for a group of early settlers who vacationed in Flanders, Long Island. Roads in the Township are named after early settlers as well, such as: Smithtown because of the many Smiths that lived there; Drakestown named for the Drakes; Bartley Road for the Bartley family; Waterloo, which had served as a French Army Officer's hospital in 1740 and later when Napoleon met his defeat, the Americans there, who were sympathetic to the British, named the Township, Mt. Olive, for Benjamin Olive.

more...


Mount Olive Township Historical Society

The purpose of the Mt. Olive Township Historical Society is the discovery, collection and preservation of Mt. Olive Township's history.

The society will communicate and promote that history to all interested persons, through programs, publications and exhibits.

The Mt. Olive Township Historical Society emerged from three concerned residents form a township meeting with the director of the Mt. Olive Library in Mid September 1998. During this meeting it was decided that Mt. Olive Township was very rich in it's own history. It was now time to capture, collect and preserve that history for the residents of the township to enjoy and reflect back on old times.

The new residents moving into Mount Olive can also learn of it's rich past. With the support of the library and the dedication of the founding members, the Mt. Olive Township Historical Society held its first open meeting in October 1998.

There are five officers guiding and seventeen chapter members that have helped advance the society. We are now coming up on our 4th anniversary and the society has grown into thriving society. The society has accomplished several projects and continues to promote the history of the township. Membership is open to all that have an interest in the township and it's history. Come and join us!

 



Historical Society Projects

The two Morris County Heritage Commission Signs for Bartleyville and Mt. Olive Village have been completed and have been installed. Please take a drive and check them out!

----

The society had requested that the Morris County Heritage Commission repaint and move the Flanders's Historical District marker from the intersection of Main Street and Park Place. It was very unsafe to try and read in this location. The sign was repainted last summer and has just recently been moved to its new home at the Flanders Methodist Church in Flanders (Park Place). It looks great in it's new location.

----

The Mt. Olive Township is selling historical tapestry blankets. There are three colors available, blue, green and cranberry and they are being sold for $50. All the proceeds will benefit the historical society. Please contact Thea Dunkle at (862) 432-0460 or Linda Sohl at (973) 691-8116.

----

The fund raising committee is currently selling miniature replicas of old township postcards on a flat magnet. They look great and make a wonderful gift. The price is $3.50 each. If you are interested please contact Thea Dunkle at 862-432-0460 or Linda Sohl at 973-691-8116.

----

The Mt. Olive Township Historical Society has received a grant from the Morris County Heritage Commission to research the cemeteries of Mt. Olive. These grants were made available from the New Jersey Heritage Commission.

----

MOTHS applied and completed against many other historical societies for a portion of $20,000.

----

Thea Dunkle will be researching the cemeteries and assisting her is another charter member of the society Diana Smith. The research portion of the project is to be completed by June. Eventually Thea Dunkle plans on getting this research published utilizing possible future grants.

 











Local Civil War Soldiers Honored

Local Civil War Soldiers were Recently Honored in a Ceremony in Mt. Olive Township and their Names Included on a Monument at the site of the Old Municipal Building








   


Historical Image Gallery

All images were generated from old photos and postcards that were either donated to or loaned to the Mt. Olive Public Library. 








   

Historical Society Officers

President
Thea Dunkle

Vice President
James Smith

Corrseponding Secretary
Kathy Murphy

Treasurer
Mary Lynn Townsley

Recording Secretary
Donna Gierveld







   
Historical Society Meetings

Meeting's are held the 1st Monday of each Month at the Mt. Olive Senior Center Flanders-Drakestown Road , Budd Lake, NJ 7:00 P.M.

 
   


 

 

 

  
   



2002 Mount Olive Township. All rights reserved.