Historically speaking
Economic forces primarily form the character and destiny of each and every community, and Sparta is no exception; it reflects a microcosm of the country’s economic growth. Early settlers came to Sparta, a virgin territory, to eke out a living by farming the land. The goods and services the farmers and large landholders required had to be found in Sparta village because of the complete lack of transportation. As needs grew, so did enterprise. In 1872, there were two wheelwrights in Sparta who repaired the wooden and iron-capped wagon wheels. Three blacksmith shops made nails and hinges and repaired broken machinery. There were four general stores in Sparta and some specialty shops opened their doors to sell boots and shoes, harnesses and even groceries. Barter and trade were the common means of exchange. The three millers in town would process the farmers’ grain and take a portion of it in exchange for the milling and this same exchange was practiced at the sawmill. Records show that T. H. Andress, M.D. was not only the town doctor, but also the apothecary, and that he opened a drugstore adjacent to his practice. There was also a tanner, house-and-carriage painters, and the first jewelry store, which opened around 1800. In 1835, Sparta saw a shoemaking business and a confectionery store open. In addition, the many taverns in town made a very good livelihood catering to thirsty residents. In the early years, Sparta had been accessible by only the most primitive roads but in 1804 the building of the Union Turnpike, which by today’s standards would not even be considered a good dirt road, provided transportation from Morristown to Sparta, and created opportunities for development. The new road allowed for new materials to be brought into Sparta, but the turnpike provided an even greater value in getting things out, allowing the farmers to send their produce to distant markets. At one time or another, five forges operated in the township. For almost 100 years, Sparta continued to be an iron town but the end of the Civil War also brought to an end the forge industry in Sparta. The building of the railroads brought a slow and subtle revolution to Sparta agriculture and another commercial opportunity: the summer boarder. During the 1890s excursion trains would bring hordes of visitors to local lakes and Sparta’s greatest asset, its beauty. At first tourists stayed at private homes, but during the peak season homeowners could not accommodate them all so boarding houses, large and luxurious, were built to cater to this market. At one point, there were 25 such houses and they charged the sum of $7 per person per week. The owners of these establishments prospered as well as local merchants and Sparta became a summer boomtown. All of this prosperity and business was devastated by the invention of the automobile. Sparta had to sit back and wait for new winds of economic change that would come with families wanting country homes within commuting distance of work. Paticia Giantonio, Sparta Historical Society trustee