Revolutionary-Era Farmhouse Demolished In Berkeley

BERKELEY, NJ — A piece of Ocean County history was lost over the weekend as the Anderson Farm on Sloop Creek Road in Bayville was demolished.

A photo of the demolished building was shared on the Weird New Jersey Facebook group.

The home, more than 300-years-old, dates back to the Revolutionary War and had ties to slavery. It was once part of a 600-acre tract, but has sat vacant for the past 20 years, surrounded by 10 acres of forest. Among its historic occupants include recognizable family names to those in Ocean and Monmouth counties - Anderson, Veeder, Chamberlain, Lawrence and Nobles.

This past spring, the property was named one of the state's most endangered historic sites by non-profit Preservation New Jersey. It's owned by a local developer.

After standing for three centuries, the building was in severe disrepair. It was so bad, Mayor John Bacchione told the Asbury Park Press this past May, that when someone from the developer's crew went inside, he fell through the floor.

It didn't make financial sense to renovate it, Bacchione told the outlet.

The property and adjacent lots all have the same owner, records show. According to the Asbury Park Press, that developer plans to put 11 single-family homes there.

You can learn more about the property's history on the "Save Anderson Farm" Facebook page.