Cokesbury, New Jersey
Cokesbury, New Jersey is a small, country village in the rural hills of Hunterdon County in western New Jersey. Founded in 1704, it was once a busy little community on a stagecoach route with a tavern, blacksmith shop, school, church and other activities. The principal economic activity was farming.
Now the farming, the school and blacksmith shop are gone, and all that remains is the tavern, now a private home, and the rebuilt church. It has no post office, no commercial activities other than an antique shop open on weekends only, and no local government. It is a district of Tewksbury Township on one side of the road and Clinton Township on the other.
However, the quiet country setting remains and makes Cokesbury and its sister village, Mountainville, a unique and special place to visit. Both Cokesbury and Mountainville are now included in the National Register of Historic Places
There are numerous outdoor recreational areas nearby, including Round Valley Reservoir, Spruce Run Reservoir, and Voorhees State Park. The South Branch of the Raritan River flows by gently 5 miles away with excellent fishing and hiking and biking trails. The shops of Oldwick, Chester, Clinton and Flemington are within easy distance. There are also excellent restaurants in all of these locales.
Visiting Cokesbury is an easy drive (there is no other way to get here). From the north or east, find your way to Interstate 78 West and then get off at Exit 20B, Cokesbury. Go straight up Cokesbury Road over the mountain 2 1/2 miles, and you will be greeted by the Cokesbury Methodist Church on your right. Two houses past that is the only major intersection in town, with Water Street continuing straight, a winding road that leads to our sister village, Mountainville, and Cokesbury Road bearing off to the left through the rest of the village. From the west, find I-78 East and get off at Exit 18 for US 22. Go down four lights and take the jughandle across 22, then go 3 miles up the road per the above directions. From the south (Trenton, Philadelphia, etc.) find your way to NJ Route 31 in Flemington and then get off on I-78 East. Get immediately off at Exit 18 and follow the directions as above.
A picture gallery of Cokesbury is available HERE for anyone who would like to visit our little community virtually rather than in person. Also, for a more detailed history, please go HERE. Take a quiet country drive some beautiful day and enjoy the settings that western New Jersey has to offer!